cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Localized euchromatinization of the X chromosome during spermatogenesis in the grasshopper Melanoplus femur-rubrum

In grasshoppers, as well as in most other animals, the X chromosome is heteropycnotic (heterochromatic) during prophase I and metaphase I of spermatogenesis. During the same stages, in some of the cells of three Melanoplus femur-rubrum males (out of several hundred males examined) part of the X appeared euchromatic (E). In one male, the E segment was observed in 90% of the cells of a single cyst in which all the cells lacked one of the smallest autosomes. In another cyst of the same follicle all the cells contained one additional small autosome, and none of the Xs exhibited an E segment. The size of the E segment suggested that it resulted from the failure of part of the X to become heteropycnotic prior to the formation of the cyst. In the other two males, many of the cells contained chromosome fragments and translocations. In many cells in which the X exhibited an E segment, however, there was no evidence of chromosome breakage. The E segments were sometimes terminal and sometimes interstitial in the same cyst. This variation suggested that they resulted from the euchromatinization of part of the X immediately prior to prophase I of meiosis. Because fragmentation and the presence of Xs with an E segment were each very rare, it was concluded that they were in some way causally related. It was also concluded that in this species the heterochromatinization of the X is not controlled by a single inactivation center.
Reversible Cryogenic Blockade Brain of Unrestrained Animals of Neural Function in the

Reversible cryogenic blockade of neural systems in the brain may be accomplished by local cooling. A small cryoprobe is described which may be implanted in the brain of an unrestrained, behaving animal. Cooling may be restricted to the tip of the cryoprobe and the temperature of the tip and the shaft may be regulated and monitored independently by miniature thermocouples and appropriate control and indicator devices. Electrophysiological results are presented which show that the cryogenic blocking effect may be localized to within a few millimeters of the tip of the cryoprobe and that the size of the region blocked is proportional to the tip temperature. The system described has been shown to be effective in both electrophysiological and behavioral studies.
Multi-element analysis of manganese nodules by atomic absorption spectrometry without chemical separation

Abstract Five manganese nodules, including the USGS reference nodules A-1 and P-1, were analyzed for Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni and Zn without prior chemical separation by using a simultaneous multi-element atomic absorption spectrometer with an air—cetylene flame. The nodules were prepared in three digestion matrices. One of these solutions was measured using sixteen different combinations of burner height and air/acetylene ratios. Results for A-1 and P-1 are compared to recommended values and results for all nodules are compared to those obtained with an inductively coupled plasma. The elements Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, and Zn are simultaneously determined with a composite recovery for all elements of 100 ± 7%, independent of the digestion matrices, heights in the flame, or flame stoichiometries examined. Individual recoveries for Co, K, and Ni are considerably poorer in two digests than this composite figure, however. The optimum individual recoveries of 100 ± 5% and imprecisions of 1–4%, except for zinc, are obtained when Co, K, Mn, Na and Ni are determined simultaneously in a concentrated digest, and in another analytical sequence, when Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn are measured simultaneously after dilution. Determination of manganese is equally accurate in the two sequences; its measurement in both assures internal consistency between the two measurement sequences. This approach improves analytical efficiency over that for conventional atomic absorption methods, while minimizing loss of accuracy or precision for individual elements.
Theory and computational applications of Fibonacci graphs

The concept of Fibonacci graphs introduced and developed by this author is critically reviewed. The concept has been shown to provide an easypencil-and-paper method of calculating characteristic, matching, counting, sextet, rook, color and king polynomials of graphs of quite large size with limited connectivities. For example, the coefficients of the matching polynomial of 18-annuleno—18-annulene can be obtainedby hand using the definition of Fibonacci graphs. They are (in absolute magnitudes): 1, 35, 557, 5337, 34 361, 157 081, 525 296, 1304 426, 2 416 571, 3 327 037, 3 362 528, 2 440 842, 1 229 614, 407 814, 81936, 8652, 361, 3. The theory of Fibonacci graphs is reviewed in an easy and detailed language. The theory leads to modulation of the polynomial of a graph with the polynomial of a path.
Retinoid-binding proteins and retinol esterification in cultured retinal pigment epithelium cells

Abstract The esterification of all- trans retinol and the occurrence of cytosolic retinoid-binding proteins was investigated in cultured bovine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. 3 H-labeled all- trans retinyl ester (mainly palmitate) was formed at an initial rate of 0.1 nmol·mg protein −1 ·min −1 when 3 H-labeled all- trans retinol was incubated with the 100,000 g pellet obtained from a homogenate of freshly-harvested cells. No esterification could be detected under the same conditions after 14 days in culture in defined medium (DM) or in medium containing 20% fetal bovine serum (CM). No enhancement or restoration of esterifying capacity was observed when the assay mixture was supplemented with palmitoyl CoA. As determined by specific, saturable binding of 3 H-labeled all- trans retinol and 3 H-labeled 11- cis retinal to proteins with mol. wts 16,000 and 33,000 dalton on calibrated Bio-Sil TSK 250 size-exclusion columns, the cytosol of freshly-harvested RPE cells contained cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) and cellular retinal-binding protein (CRAlBP). By comparison with the quantity of 3 H-labeled all- trans retinol bound under identical conditions to pure dog liver CRBP, it was estimated that fresh RPE cells contained 102 ± 3 ng CRBP·μg cytosol protein −1 . In cultured and subcultured cells, CRBP was present at much lower levels (down to one-tenth of the initial amounts) and CRAlBP could not be detected. Since binding of 3 H-labeled all- trans retinoic acid to a protein with molecular weight of 17,000 dalton was not observed in the cytosols of fresh or cultured cells, it was concluded that cellular retinoic acid binding protein (CRABP) was either present at very low levels or absent altogether. An unidentified peak of specific 3 H-labeled all- trans -retinoic acid binding at mol. wt 61,000 dalton was prominent in subcultured cells. These results show that in RPE cells in culture the expression of differentiated phenotype with respect to retinoid utilization undergoes significant modification. It is postulated that changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix (e.g. absence of interstitial retinol-binding protein, IRBP) may be involved.
Prediction of Heifer Transmitting Ability from Genetic Evaluations of Sire, Dam, and Maternal Grandsire

Estimated transmitting abilities for milk of 258,201 Holstein heifers from first lactations were regressed on sire's milk proof, maternal grandsire's milk proof, and either dam's estimated transmitting ability from milk in first lactation or dams's estimated transmitting ability from milk of all lactations. Effects of year of birth of dam, dam's estimated transmitting ability for milk from first lactation, for milk from all lactations, estimated transmitting ability for fat from first lactation or for fat from all lactations were determined by sorting data into deciles by each of these criteria and calculating partial regression coefficients within each decile. For data in deciles on dams's estimated transmitting ability for milk in first lactation, no further information was gained from all lactations. Partial regression coefficients from regression of heifer's estimated transmitting ability from first lactation on dam's estimated transmitting ability from first lactation, maternal grandsire's proof, and sire's proof were similar to approximate theoretical upper limits. The partial regression coefficient for dam's estimated transmitting ability from all lactations was much smaller than expected. Because regression on dam's estimated transmitting ability from first lactation resulted in weights more closely approximating theoretical upper limits than weights from regression on dam's estimated transmitting ability from all lactations, the use of the former is preferred to predict heifer's estimated transmitting ability from first lactation.
Impact origin of the Vesta family

— The compelling petrographic link (Consolmagno and Drake, 1977; Gaffey, 1983) between basaltic achondrite meteorites and the ∼530 km diameter asteroid 4 Vesta has been tempered by a perceived difficulty in launching rocks from this asteroid's surface at speeds sufficient to bring them to Earth (Wasson and Wetherill, 1979) without obliterating Vesta's signature crust. I address this impasse in response to recent imaging (Zellner et al, 1996; Dumas and Hainaut, 1996) of a ∼450 km impact basin across Vesta's southern hemisphere (Thomas et al., 1997) and model the basin-forming collision using a detailed two-dimensional hydrocode with brittle fracture including self-gravitational compression (cf., Asphaug and Melosh, 1993). A ∼42 km diameter asteroid striking Vesta's basaltic crust (atop a denser mantle and iron core) at 5.4 km/s launches multikilometer fragments up to ∼600 m/s without inverting distal stratigraphy, according to the code. This modeling, together with collisional, dynamical, rheological and exposure-age timescales (Marzari et al., 1996; Welten et al., 1996), and observations of V-type asteroids (Binzel and Xu, 1993) suggests a recent (<∼1 Ga) impact origin for the Vesta family and a possible Vesta origin for Earth-approaching V-type asteroids (Cruik-shank et al., 1991).
A new global approach using a network of piezoelectric elements and energy redistribution for enhanced vibration damping of smart structure

A new global approach for improved vibration damping of smart structure, based on global energy redistribution by means of a network of piezoelectric elements is proposed. It is basically using semi-active Synchronized Switch Damping technique. SSD technique relies on a cumulative build-up of the voltage resulting from the continuous switching and it was shown that the performance is strongly related to this voltage. The increase of the piezoelectric voltage results in improvement of the damping performance. External voltage sources or improved switching sequences were previously designed to increase this voltage in the case of single piezoelectric element structure configurations. This paper deals with extended structure with many embedded piezoelectric elements. The proposed strategy consist of using an electric network made with non-linear component and switches in order to set up and control a low-loss energy transfer from source piezoelements extracting the vibration energy of the structure and oriented toward a given piezoelement in order to increase its operative energy for improving a given mode damping. This paper presents simulation of a clamped plate with four piezoelectric elements implemented in the Matlab/Simulink TM environment and Simscape TM library. The various simulation cases show the relationship between the damping performance on a given targeted mode and the established power flow. SSDD and SSDT are two proposed original networks. Performances are compared to the SSDI baseline. A damping increase of 18dB can be obtained even with a weakly coupled piezoelectric element in the multi-sine excitation case. This result proves the importance of new global non-linear multi-actuator strategies for improved vibration damping of extended smart structure.
Derivation of optical constants of metals from thin-film measurements at oblique incidence.

The reflectance R and transmittance T of thin absorbing films deposited on a transparent substrate are calculated for normal and oblique incidence, s and p polarization, and different film thicknesses. The results are presented as contours of constant R and T on the n plane, where n is the complex refractive index. The conditions for sensitive dependence of measured quantities on n are examined. A computer-based method of finding n from chosen combinations of measured R or T values is described. Oblique incidence measurements on thin films can give accurate results in some regions where other methods may be less sensitive. Accurate film-thickness values can be obtained from the optical measurements.
Pressure Measurement Made by the Utilization of Ruby Sharp-Line Luminescence

A rapid, convenient technique for precision pressure measurement in the diamond-anvil high-pressure cell, which makes use of the sharp-line (R-line) luminescence of ruby, has been developed. The observed shift is -0.77 ±0.03 reciprocal centimeters per kilobar for R 1 and -0.84± 0.03 reciprocal centimeters per kilobar for R 2 to lower energy and is approximately linear in the range studied (to 22 kilobars). Line-broadening has been observed in some instances and has been tentatively identified with nonhydrostatic conditions surrounding the ruby sample.
Designing a multilingual terminology bank for united states translators

A multilingual terminology bank consists of a data base of multilingual terminology and various programs to access it. The bank acts as a computerized dictionary, accessible to translators either on-line or through hard-copy printouts. Retrieved information consists of a record containing a term, its equivalents in other languages, and descriptive information which includes usage samples, synonyms, definitions, and grammatical information. Banks currently operate in Canada and Europe where they have proved extremely useful to translators. A terminology bank for the United States is being designed at Carnegie-Mellon University, in a project undertaken jointly by the Translation Center and the Department of Computer Science. Surveys, interviews, and reviews of the literature have been used to design a bank suitable for a small, relatively impoverished sponsoring institution. The bank is to serve technical translators either on-line or off-line, with a data base consisting of records of English, German, French, Spanish, or Russian terms used in business or engineering. The bank will begin operation with procedures only to enter and retrieve terms; later, more complex facilities will be added.
Measures of self-concept and self-esteem for children ages 3–12 years: A review and recommendations

Abstract When clinicians wish to assess self-concept or self-esteem while conducting personality evaluations, few adequate instruments are currently available. Nineteen most frequently used or newly constructed scales which are appropriate for use with children 9 to 12 years, 6 to 8, and 3 to 5 years are reviewed, as well as four instruments designed to be completed by an adult (teacher or parent). Recommendations regarding the best scale for each age level are made, with psychometric adequacy and age appropriateness of test format as criteria for evaluation. The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale was judged to be the best for clinical use with older children, with no measure evaluated as adequate for nonresearch use at the lower age levels. The Behavioral Academic Self-Esteem scale is recommended as the best teacher report instrument. General issues related to the measurement of self-esteem, including social desirability, method variance, and construct validity are discussed.
Optimization of generic progressive queries based on dependency analysis and materialized views

Progressive queries (PQ) are a new type of queries emerging from numerous contemporary database applications such as e-commerce, social network, business intelligence, and decision support. Such a PQ is formulated on the fly in several steps via a set of inter-related step-queries (SQ). In our previous work, we presented a framework to process a restricted type of PQs. However, how to process generic PQs remains an open problem. In this paper, we develop a novel technique to efficiently process generic PQs based on materialized views. The SQs of an in-process PQ can utilize the results of previous SQs not only from the same PQ but also from other in-process and completed PQs. The key idea is to create a multiple query dependency graph (MQDG), which captures the data source dependency relationships among SQs from multiple PQs. A mathematic model is developed to estimate the benefit of keeping the result of an SQ as a materialized view (critical SQ/node) based on the MQDG. The kept materialized views are used to improve the performance of the future SQs. Strategies for constructing the MQDG and identifying the critical SQs for materialization by using the MQDG are presented. To manage the storage of the materialized views, we introduce two approaches --- one employs a greedy method and the other adopts a dynamic programming (DP) based method. Strategies are also suggested to reduce the input problem size for the DP procedure. Experimental results demonstrate that our technique is quite promising in efficiently processing PQs.
Motor Cortex Stimulation Suppresses Cortical Responses to Noxious Hindpaw Stimulation After Spinal Cord Lesion in Rats

Abstract Background Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) is a potentially effective treatment for chronic neuropathic pain. The neural mechanisms underlying the reduction of hyperalgesia and allodynia after MCS are not completely understood. Objective To investigate the neural mechanisms responsible for analgesic effects after MCS. We test the hypothesis that MCS attenuates evoked blood oxygen-level dependent signals in cortical areas involved in nociceptive processing in an animal model of chronic neuropathic pain. Methods We used adult female Sprague–Dawley rats ( n = 10) that received unilateral electrolytic lesions of the right spinal cord at the level of C6 (SCL animals). In these animals, we performed magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments to study the analgesic effects of MCS. On the day of fMRI experiment, 14 days after spinal cord lesion, the animals were anesthetized and epidural bipolar platinum electrodes were placed above the left primary motor cortex. Two 10-min sessions of fMRI were performed before and after a session of MCS (50 μA, 50 Hz, 300 μs, for 30 min). During each fMRI session, the right hindpaw was electrically stimulated (noxious stimulation: 5 mA, 5 Hz, 3 ms) using a block design of 20 s stimulation off and 20 s stimulation on. A general linear model-based statistical parametric analysis was used to analyze whole brain activation maps. Region of interest (ROI) analysis and paired t -test were used to compare changes in activation before and after MCS in these ROI. Results MCS suppressed evoked blood oxygen dependent signals significantly (Family-wise error corrected P Conclusions These findings suggest that, in animals with SCL, MCS attenuates hypersensitivity by suppressing activity in the primary somatosensory cortex and prefrontal cortex.
Urban Infrastructure Financing and Economic Performance in China

Research points to a strong association between infrastructure investment and economic performance. Despite China's great strides in providing basic services, there is increasing disparity among cities of different regions in their ability and performance to finance infrastructure development. Such unevenness has a long-term effect on urban economic growth. This study explores patterns and the expanding range of mechanisms for urban infrastructure financing in general and across the country's regions. It also investigates whether and how infrastructure investment is related to urban economic performance, using lagged variables to demonstrate both short- and medium-term effects. It is clear that such investment has responded to past unmet demands and paved the way for future growth.
A model for diagenetic mass transfer between adjacent sandstone and shale

Abstract There are numerous suggestions that mass transfer between sandstone and shale is an important factor in the diagenesis of sandstone reservoirs. However, advective transport models for mass transport have not produced results that support these proposals. A model is developed that overcomes the problems of advective transport models by assuming that diffusive mass transfer is the principle transport mechanism. The process occurs when the rate of dissolution of reactive detrital components exceeds the local rate of diffusive transport. At that point in the burial history, units with greater amounts of a reactive component will generate more solute per unit time than units with less reactive component. The process forms chemical gradients that can rapidly transfer mass equivalent to several vol% of rock over distances of at least 5 m. The observed transport of potassium and silica between adjacent sandstone and shale in the North Sea during late-stage illitization was correctly predicted using this conceptual approach. The conceptual framework from the illite model can be extended to other diagenetic reactions, and suggests that the burial of adjacent sandstone–shale units could produce episodic diffusion gradients that transfer mass and form multiple generations of cement in sandstone reservoirs.
Overexpression of glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase in rat-1 fibroblasts enhances glucose-mediated glycogen accumulation via suppression of glycogen phosphorylase activity.

The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) mediates many of the adverse effects of excess glucose. We have shown previously that glucose down-regulates basal and insulin-stimulated glycogen synthase (GS) activity. Overexpression of the rate-limiting enzyme in the HBP, glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFA), mimics these effects of high glucose and renders the cells more sensitive to glucose. Here we examine the role of the HBP in regulating cellular glycogen content. Glycogen content and glycogen phosphorylase (GP) activity were determined in Rat-1 fibroblasts that overexpress GFA. In both GFA and controls there was a dose-dependent increase in glycogen content (∼8-fold) in cells cultured in increasing glucose concentrations (1–20 mm). There was a shift to the left in the glucose dose-response curve for glycogen content in GFA cells (ED50 for glycogen content = 5.80 ± 1.05 vs. 8.84 ± 0.87 mm glucose, GFA vs. control). Inhibition of GFA reduced glycogen content by 28.4% in controls cultured i...
The electrocardiographic manifestations of early acute cor pulmonale

Abstract A case is presented which demonstrates the early electrocardiographic manifestations of acute cor pulmonale. The characteristic abnormality at this stage is a wide, slurred S wave, especially in Lead I. This widening of the S wave tends to recede after a few hours, and the electrocardiographic pattern then becomes the same as that previously described as typical of pulmonary embolism. The physiologic basis for these changes is discussed.
Surgical indications and procedures in ulcerative colitis

Chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC) is an inflammatory bowel disease limited to the mucosa of the rectum and colon. The inflammation begins in the rectum and progresses uninterrupted for variable distances. To date, no etiologic factor has been identified. However, population studies suggest there is both a genetic and environmental component contributing to the development of CUC. The natural history is one of a chronic inflammatory state, characterized by intermittent flares of disease activity. In a small number of patients, the initial presentation of CUC is of a fulminant nature. Medical therapy for the intestinal manifestations of CUC is directed at controlling symptoms through treatment of the underlying inflammatory process. Medical therapy is not curative for either the intestinal or extraintestinal manifestation of CUC. However, surgical removal of the colon and rectum cures the intestinal manifestations of the disease and eliminates or markedly reduces the associated risk of malignancy in longstanding CUC. The indications for surgical intervention are divided into two broad categories that influence the type of surgery performed: emergent and elective surgery. Emergency operations are directed at life-threatening complications of CUC and are not intended as definitive surgical treatment for CUC. Alternatively, elective surgery is intended as definitive treatment for the intestinal component of the disease. In appropriately selected patients, the best surgical treatment option is the total proctocolectomy with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). The IPAA avoids the need for a permanent stoma and maintains the normal route of defecation. This is a technically demanding operation and should be performed by surgeons comfortable with the procedure. The severity and frequency of complications related to IPAA have decreased significantly since the introduction of the operations in the early 1980s. More importantly, long-term follow-up of IPAA patients has demonstrated that the functional results are durable and patient satisfaction remains high.
Modulatory effects of β-endorphin on interferon-γ production by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells: Heterogeneity among donors and the influence of culture medium

The stress-responsive neuropeptide beta-endorphin (beta-END) has been shown to either enhance or suppress interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by mitogen stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) in vitro. In this study, we investigated whether donor selection and the medium used for cell culture influenced the modulatory effect of beta-END on the IFN-gamma production by PBMNC. Considerable variation of the effect of beta-END on IFN-gamma production was observed in individuals who underwent multiple testing. Suppression of IFN-gamma was significantly greater in 16 male donors (29 +/- 6.0%) compared to 8 female donors (1.5 +/- 6.4%) when PBMNC were preincubated for 3 h with beta-END followed by concanavalin A stimulation for 72 h in medium containing 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Lowering the concentration of FBS resulted in enhanced production of IFN-gamma by PBMNC exposed to beta-END. Arachidonic acid or beta-END added separately to medium containing 3% autologous serum produced no suppression of IFN-gamma, but when added together resulted in significant suppression. This observation provides support for the hypothesis that beta-END achieves its suppressive effect on IFN-gamma via a mechanism involving arachidonic acid metabolism. We conclude that the modulatory effect of beta-END on IFN-gamma production by PBMNC is both donor and medium dependent.
Shedding is correlated with disk membrane axial position rather than disk age in Xenopus laevis rod outer segments.

Abstract Disk membrane synthesis and displacement rates in Xenopus laevis retinal rod outer segments, as measured by light-dark dependent birefringence band periods, are proportional to incubation temperature. Outer segment length, however, is approximately the same for frogs raised at different temperatures. Therefore the age of disks shed from outer segment distal tips is a function of temperature. Unless the rate of disk synthesis coincidentally has the same temperature dependence as putative disk membrane aging processes, this implies that position on the outer segment axis rather than disk age is a sufficient condition for disk membrane shedding in Xenopus laevis maintained under diurnal light-dark conditions.
Consequences of Parental Divorce for Adult Children’s Support of Their Frail Parents

Using three waves of data from the Health and Retirement Study, I examined the association of parental divorce and remarriage with the odds that biological, adult children give personal care and financial assistance to their frail parents. The analysis included 5,099 adult children in the mother sample and 4,029 children in the father sample. Results indicate that adult children of divorced parents are just as likely as adult children of widowed parents to give care and money to their mothers, but the former are less likely than the latter to care for their fathers. The findings suggest that divorced fathers are prone to be the population most in need of formal support in old age.
Crustal evolution of southern Laurentia during the Paleoproterozoic: Insights from zircon Hf isotopic studies of ca. 1.75 Ga rocks in central Colorado

Lu-Hf depleted mantle model (TDM) ages, obtained by analysis of zircons previously dated by U-Pb methods, demonstrate that ca. 1.75 Ga bimodal Paleoproterozoic rocks in the Gunnison-Salida region of central Colorado, and by extension in much of the southwestern U.S., were formed by partial melting of preexisting crustal rocks, the ages of which mostly ages greater than 2.0 Ga indicate that range from 1.83 to 1.87 Ga. Some calculated Lu-Hf TDM even older crust was probably involved, consistent with the limited presence of ca. 2.5 Ga xenocrystic zircons in some rocks. These results suggest that rocks related to the Trans-Hudson and Penokean orogens are cryptically present much farther to the south than previously believed. Coupled with the bimodality of the volcanic suite in central Colorado, and indeed in much of the southwestern U.S., these results indicate that, in contrast to current juvenile arc-accretion models, melting of older crust related to extensional tectonics played an important role in the genesis of many magmatic rocks between 1.6 and 1.8 Ga.
Mood-Management during Pregnancy through Selective Exposure to Television.

Pregnant and non‐pregnant women and new mothers were given the opportunity to select comedy, action adventure, drama, and game show programs for an evening's worth of television viewing and then provided ratings of their affective dispositions. The results lent considerable support to the notion that viewers often employ television as a mood‐management device. Specifically, the findings showed that affective states during pregnancy strongly influenced television program preferences. A preference for comedy programs was apparent when dysphoric states attributable to physiological changes prevailed. A preference for action adventure programming was evident during times of physiologically induced heightened postive affect. Affect‐dependent preferences for game shows and dramatic fare were not apparent, however.
Mapping and characterization of an X-linked processed gene related to MYCL1.

Abstract A DNA sequence with homology to the myc family of proto-oncogenes has been characterized and found to be a processed gene related to L-MYC (MYCL1). This processed gene (MYCL2) was isolated by cross-hybridization to an oligonucleotide probe synthesized from the C-MYC (MYC) sequence in a highly conserved region of the myc gene family. Sequence analysis of MYCL2 revealed an open reading frame of 1194 bp with no intervening sequences and strong homology to the recently published DNA sequence of MYCL1. Southern and Northern blot analyses of DNAs and RNAs from small cell lung carcinomas confirmed its MYCL1 homology. Mapping of MYCL2 by somatic cell hybrids places this sequence on the long arm of the X chromosome in bands q22 → q28.
Communications: Blood Chemistry of Laboratory-Reared Golden Trout

Abstract Golden trout Oncorhynchus aguabonita obtained from a wild stock as fertilized eggs were reared in the laboratory for 21 months. The laboratory-reared golden trout in our study reached sexual maturity earlier and grew more rapidly than wild golden trout do (according to the scientific literature). Male fish averaged 35.6 cm in total length and 426 g in weight, and females averaged 36.2 cm and 487 g. All golden trout were sexually mature when used for hematological analysis. The hematological profile (hematocrit, red blood cells, white blood cells, and thrombocytes) of golden trout was similar to that reported elsewhere for other trout species. Male and female golden trout did not have significantly different thrombocyte counts; however, the immobilization treatment used on the fish (anesthesia versus a blow to the head) resulted in significant treatment differences in thrombocyte numbers and interaction effect of sex in treatment for hematocrits. Gravid female golden trout had significantly higher...
Prokaryotic development: emerging insights.

The city of Quebec, Canada, was a splendid setting for the ASM Conference on Prokaryotic Development, which was convened on 10 to 14 July 2002. Approximately 220 participants were treated to 39 talks and 128 poster presentations describing the latest insights into developmental processes in a
Differential effects of intracerebrally microinjected enkephalin analogs on centrally versus peripherally induced pain, and evidence for a facial versus lower body analgesic effect

[D-Ala2]-Met-Enkephalin and [D-Ala2]-Met-Enkephalinamide were microinjected (10-30 microgram) into the midbrain ventrolateral central gray of rats. The opiate analogs produced profound analgesia in left and right facial areas, and on the hot plate test. The tail-flick test showed significant analgesia, but in a significantly smaller amount than that obtained with noxious face heating. All effects were blocked by naloxone pre-treatment. The drugs had no effect on thresholds for defense responses to high (200 Hz) and low (20 Hz) frequency aversive stimulation in midbrain areas associated with pain perception.
Tunable-focus liquid lens controlled using a servo motor

We demonstrated a liquid lens whose focal length can be controlled by an actuator. The lens cell is composed of elastic membrane, planar glass plate, a periphery sealing ring, and a liquid with a fixed volume in the lens chamber. Part of the periphery sealing ring is excavated to form a hollow chamber which functions as a reservoir. This hollowed periphery is surrounded by an exterior rubber membrane. The shaft of an actuator is used to deform the elastic rubber. Squeezing the liquid contained in the reservoir into the lens chamber. Excess liquid in the lens chamber will push the lens membrane to outward, resulting in a lens shape change. Due to the compact structure and easy operation, this liquid lens has potential applications in zoom lenses, auto beam steering, and eyeglasses.
Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells: Past, Present, and Future

Corneal epithelium is a self-renewing tissue. Recent studies indicate that corneal epithelial stem cells reside preferentially in the basal layer of peripheral cornea in the limbal zone, rather than uniformly in the entire corneal epithelium. This idea is supported by a unique limbal/corneal expression pattern of the K3 keratin marker for corneal-type differentiation; the preferential distribution of the slow-cycling (label-retaining) cells in the limbus; the superior proliferative capacity of limbal cells as compared with central corneal epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo; and the ability of limbal basal cells to rescue/reconstitute severely damaged or completely depleted corneal epithelium upon transplantation. The limbal/stem cell concept provides explanations for several paradoxical properties of corneal epithelium including the predominance of tumor formation in the limbal zone, the centripetal migration of peripheral corneal cells toward the central cornea, and the "mature-looking" phenotype of the corneal basal cells. The limbal stem cell concept has led to a better understanding of the strategies that a stratified squamous epithelium uses in repair, to a new classification of various anterior surface epithelial diseases, to a repudiation of the classical idea of "conjunctival transdifferentiation", and to a new surgical procedure called limbal stem cell transplantation.
Short-term forgetting: Comparisons between patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type, depressed, and normal elderly.

Abstract Group by retention interval interactions in previous studies of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and normal elderly have been interpreted as evidence for more rapid rates of forgetting by DAT patients (Corkin, 1982; Moms, 1986). Group by retention interval interactions, however, can reflect either differential registration or differential forgetting rates and ceiling effects in the performances of normal elderly in the previous studies preclude definitive interpretation. In the present study groups of patients with DAT, depressed, and normal elderly were tested in a Brown-Peterson task with zero and three interpolated distractor items. To tease apart the interpretations of registration and rate of forgetting, groups were equated for immediate recall differences by testing each individual in the Brown-Peterson task with to-be-remembered sequences equal to higher span of immediate memory. Memory spans were found to differ between all three groups (Normal > Depressed > DAT patients...
Fracture behavior of oriented poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK)

Poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) is a newly developed engineering thermoplastic with potentially vast application in advanced composites due to its exceptional performance. It is thus desired to understand the relationship between physical processing, microstructure and fracture in this semicrystalline polymer. Both oriented and unoriented PEEK were mechanically characterized using static test of three-point bend specimens. The molecular chain orientation was imposed using a rolltrusion technique. The effects of thickness, strain rate, Initial crack length ratio, and orientation on fracture toughness (Kc) are investigated. The crystallinity is also examined by density measurement. The degree of orientation is determined qualitatively by wide-angle X-ray scattering diffraction patterns and quantitatively by further measurement using an image analysis system. Fractographic analysis, using scanning electron microscopy, provides precise information about the mode of fracture, Results indicate that both the modulus and the fracture toughness are remarkedly increased in the direction of drawing (T-type) as opposed to the transverse direction (L-type).
Comments on "Bandgap narrowing in silicon bipolar transistors"

This note is a response to the paper by Slotboom and de Graaff. The author discusses the detection of bandgap narrowing in silicon bipolar transistors. In particular, he reviews and reanalyzes previously published data [1] in the light of Slotboom and de Graaff's recent results [2], [3].
Numerical Modeling of Cold Weld Formation and Improvement in Gmaw of Aluminum Alloys

Both mathematical modeling and experiments have been conducted on the formation of cold weld in gas metal arc welding (GMAW) of aluminum alloy 6005-T4. Transient weld pool shape and the distributions of temperature and velocity were calculated by a three-dimensional numerical model. The final weld bead shape and dimensions and peak temperature in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) were obtained. Three techniques were proposed to input more energy at the initial state of welding to improve weld bead penetration. Both the simulation and the experimental results show significantly improved weld bead penetration at the start of welding.
A third chance

A teacher ponders what is “enough” in the way of trying to help a student get over a difficult hurdle.
Airborne Fiber Separation by Electrophoresis and Dielectrophoresis: Theory and Design Considerations

The separation of airborne fibers by length and diameter is essential for evaluating inhalation dosimetry, understanding mechanisms of toxicity, and estimating risk to humans from inhaled fibers. Aerodynamic separation of fibrous aerosols depends strongly on fiber diameter and weakly on fiber length. Theoretical calculations show that thin, long fibers can be separated from particles by using differences in their electric mobilities. Fiber separation by length under the influence of electrophoretic forces and dielectrophoretic forces was calculated in a design model for fibers 20, 10, and 3 μm in length and 1 μm in diameter. Electrophoresis describes the motion of a charged object in an electric field, whereas dielectrophoresis describes the motion of neutral matter in a nonuniform electric field. Based on simulation results, 1-μm-diameter fibers having aspect ratios of 20, 10, and 3 can be separated from each other by electrophoresis if the charge ratio on these fibers is 10:5:1, respectively. Twenty-mic...
Sexual harassment in organizations

Sexual harassment is now recognized as a potential problem for most organizations. The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to the various aspects of sexual harassment as a problem: its definition (including both the “economic injury” and “hostile environment” types of harassment), its characteristics, and a discussion of how to deal with such problems in the workplace. Organizations are encouraged to act affirmatively by (1) establishing a policy prohibiting sexual harassment in the organization; (2) establishing and making employees aware of a grievance procedure for sexual harassment complaints; and (3) educating employees about the problem of sexual harassment through a combination of awareness and experiential training techniques.
Posterior Monteggia fractures in adults with and without concomitant dislocation of the elbow

BackgroundThe present study comprised a retrospective review aiming to identify the differences between patients with a posterior Monteggia injury with and without concomitant dislocation of the el...
Chronic lung disease is the leading risk factor correlating with the failure (wrap disruption) of antireflux procedures in children.

Abstract Recurrent gastroesophageal reflux (GER) after antireflux procedures (ARP) has been correlated with significant neurological impairment (NI). Other major risk factors for recurrent GER have not been extensively characterized. The authors reviewed their experience with ARPs in children to better characterize the risk factors for recurrent GER and identify successful management strategies for these patients. The charts of 281 consecutively treated children who had an ARP at our institution (1985 to 1992) were reviewed. The neurological status of each child was assessed as normal or impaired (cerebral palsy, seizures, mental retardation, spasticity), and other medical diagnoses such as chronic pulmonary disorders (eg, interstitial disease, cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, asthma, etc), and congenital malformations and syndromes were identified. The average follow-up period was 3 years (range, 1 to 7.5 years). Patients with symptoms of recurrent GER were evaluated with an upper gastrointestinal study. Patients with a radiologically intact fundoplication and suspected GER were further evaluated with a 24-hour pH probe. Statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher's Exact Test. Of the 281 patients who underwent ARP, 39 had documented recurrent GER (average, 16 months after surgery). Twenty-five (64%) of these children had chronic pulmonary disease (CPD). Thirty-two percent of all children with CPD had recurrent GER after ARP, versus 7% of those without CPD ( P P 2 blockers and/or transgastric jejunostomy feedings. Thirty-one underwent a second operation (29 Nissens, 1 Thal, 1 jejunostomy tube). Of the reoperative ARP group, there were three (10%) failures; these cases were managed successfully with surgical jejunostomy tube (2), or medical management (1). Chronic lung disease is strongly correlated with failure of ARP. NI alone was not associated with an increased risk of recurrent GER. Children with NI and CPD had the highest risk of failure. In cases of recurrent GER, medical management and transgastric jejunostomy feedings were effective for patients considered to be a poor operative risk. Regardiess of risk factors, reoperative ARP is often successful and remains a viable therapeutic option. Surgical jejunostomy should be reserved for patients who have had two or more failed fundoplications or have significant surgical risk.
Haemodynamic changes during neck pressure and suction in seated and supine positions

We sought to quantify the contribution of cardiac output (Q) and total vascular conductance (TVC) to carotid baroreflex-mediated changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the upright seated and supine positions. Acute changes in carotid sinus transmural pressure were evoked using brief 5 s pulses of neck pressure and neck suction (NP/NS) via a simplified paired neck chamber that was developed to enable beat-to-beat measurements of stroke volume using pulse-doppler ultrasound. Percentage contributions of Q and TVC were achieved by calculating the predicted change in MAP during carotid baroreflex stimulation if only the individual changes in Q or TVC occurred and all other parameters remained at control values. All NP and NS stimuli from +40 to -80 Torr (+5.33 to -10.67 kPa) induced significant changes in Q and TVC in both the upright seated and supine positions (P < 0.001). Cardiopulmonary baroreceptor loading with the supine position appeared to cause a greater reliance on carotid baroreflex-mediated changes in Q. Nevertheless, in both the seated and supine positions the changes in MAP were primarily mediated by alterations in TVC (percentage contribution of TVC at the time-of-peak MAP, seated 95 +/- 13, supine 76 +/- 17 %). These data indicate that alterations in vasomotor activity are the primary means by which the carotid baroreflex regulates blood pressure during acute changes in carotid sinus transmural pressure.
The Effects of Frustration, Violence, and Trait Hostility After Playing a Video Game

An experiment was conducted with 150 male college undergraduates playing different video games to investigate the impact of violent content, frustration with gameplay, and the interaction of those factors with aggressive personality (trait hostility). Results indicate that both violent content and frustration individually leads to greater scores on a state hostility scale, and the interaction of violent content and frustration leads to the highest scores on that scale. Results are discussed in terms of the Frustration-Aggression hypothesis and the General Aggression Model.