cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Septal myectomy results in regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic disorder characterized by ventricular hypertrophy that occurs in the absence of predisposing cardiovascular stimuli; approximately one quarter of patients with HCM will have left ventricular (LV) outflow tract obstruction. Transaortic septal myectomy relieves outflow gradients and improves symptoms, but the effect of operation on ventricular hypertrophy is not well defined. Methods We reviewed 60 patients who underwent septal myectomy for obstructive HCM; all had complete two-dimensional and Doppler studies including calculation of LV mass and LV mass index before operation and after dismissal. Results Before myectomy the mean LV outflow gradient was 67 ± 44 mm Hg, and at dismissal the mean LV outflow gradient was 12 ± 13 mm Hg ( p Conclusions Transaortic septal myectomy results in significant decreases in LV mass and LV mass index. This favorable remodeling occurs early after operation and persists beyond 2 years. Whether the regression of LV mass continues to decrease or stabilize over time is unclear.
LIFE CYCLE EXPRESSION OF A BOMBYXIN-LIKE NEUROPEPTIDE IN THE TOBACCO HORNWORM, MANDUCA SEXTA

Abstract Immunocytochemistry was used to investigate the developmental expression of the insulin-like neuropeptide bombyxin in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. A mouse monoclonal antibody raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to bombyxin's A-chain N-terminus was used to localize a bombyxin-like peptide to a group of cerebral medial neurosecretory cells, the M-NSC IIa2. Immunostaining was first detected on day 0 of the second larval instar, localized in the M-NSC IIa2 somata and in the neurohemal organ, the corpora allata (CA). By day 0 of the fourth larval instar, the peptide was present throughout the M-NSC IIa2 somata, axons, dendritic fields and CA. Between days 7 and 9 of the fifth instar, a dramatic reduction in the dendritic fields and CA staining occurred, suggesting the peptide is released. After day 2 of the pupal period, only M-NSC IIa2 somata immunostained, a pattern that persisted through day 2 of the adult stage. The specificity of immunostaining was demonstrated by using a synthetic bombyxin peptide to block staining. These developmental data reveal times of potential Manduca bombyxin-like peptide release which should provide insight into the peptide's function.
Australian treehoppers (Hemiptera : Membracidae : Centrotinae : Terentiini): phylogeny and biogeography

This work presents the first hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships among all 40 genera of the treehopper tribe Terentiini (Hemiptera : Membracidae : Centrotinae). This phylogeny, based on a parsimony analysis of 77 morphological characters, made possible an analytical approach to determining the likely ancestral host-plant family and geographic distribution of the tribe, based on present-day hosts and distributions. Of Australia’s 37 treehopper genera, 36 belong to the tribe Terentiini, with their centre of diversity in Queensland (30 genera). Optimisations of present-day distributions mapped on our phylogeny suggest that the ancestor of the tribe occurred in the Australian region, around north-eastern Australia (Queensland) and New Guinea (which has 8–10 terentiine genera). Subsequent dispersals from the Australian region (with 37 genera) took the tribe to the Indomalayan (11 genera) and Palaearctic (1 genus) regions. At least 13 terentiine genera include representatives that occur beyond the borders of Australia and New Guinea. Notable among the migrant lineages is the clade ‘Polonius + (Bulbauchenia + (Funkhouserella + Pyrgonota))’, which includes genera with such extraordinary pronotal modifications that some members were previously placed in separate tribes (Bulbaucheniini or Funkhouserellini). Members of this remarkable breakaway clade are known from Australia (Polonius only), Indonesia, the Malay Peninsula, Thailand, the Philippines, southern China (Taiwan and Hainan Island) and Japan. With regard to terentiine host plants, optimisations of present-day host associations point to the Leguminosae as the ancestral host family, even though plant families of Gondwanan origin, especially Myrtaceae and Proteaceae, are also prominent terentiine hosts. The overall evidence to date indicates that Terentiini are not a remnant of the early Gondwanan fauna, but rather a more recent tribe derived from Indomalayan ancestors.
Hypertensive hypertrophy: relation between left ventricular (LV) structure/function and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)/tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)

Hypertensive Hypertrophy: Relation Between Left Ventricular (LV) Structure/function and Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP)/Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases (TIMP) S. Hinan Ahmed, Weems R. Pennington, Leslie L. Clark, Amy E. Hardin, Catherine McClure, Carson S. Webb, Laura Finklea, Francis G. Spinale, Michael R. Zile; Division of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina and Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC; Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
Mechanical effects of fatigue and charge on CMOS MEMS

CMOS MEMS devices, fabricated from up to 13 layers of materials to create independent conducting paths, are subject to incremental fracture at high stress and to charging effects. This paper expands on preliminary reserach, which has revealed several stages of change in CMOS MEMS physical properties as they are exposed to resonant motion. Cracks are the first induced inside the stiffest lasyers, often silicon dioxide, in laterally resonant test structures with cyclic stress of 620 Mpa. Prior to cracking, the aluminum top layer of the structure can also deform, which affects the electrical integrity of the conductor. Measured frequency reponses of folded-flexure resonators demonstrate a nonlinear Duffling effect, producing mushroom-shaped resonant peak. Cyclic stress of 70 Mpa at the maximal stress points was insufficient to induce significant mechanical fracture in foled flexure resonators after 5 billion cycles, however an onset of change in stiffness was detected. Devices with a fixed dc actuation voltage experienced a change in electrostatic force attributed to charge accumulation in polymer and oxide layers. The force decayed with an approximate one-hour time constant while resonant frequency and quality factor remained constant.
Structure-activity relationships for substrate recognition by the human dopamine transporter.

Abstract Information is available on the structure–activity relationships for dopamine as a substrate for uptake by the dopamine transporter. However, dopamine transport is a complex process involving substrate binding, translocation, release as well as transporter reorientation. The present study examines only the substrate recognition step by assessment of the potency of various dopamine-related compounds in inhibiting the binding of the cocaine analog [ 3 H ]2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane ([ 3 H ]WIN 35,428) to human dopamine transporters expressed in HEK-293 cells. α-Methylation of the side chain, the presence of the amine, and the 2-carbon-length of the side chain were found to be important for binding affinity, whereas β-hydroxylation of the side chain and methoxylation at the phenyl ring generated weaker compounds. In addition, the presence of both m- and p-OH at the phenyl ring bestowed an increase in potency but the presence of p-OH alone a decrease. N-alkylation (propylation or methylation) had little or an even slightly beneficial effect on affinity, whereas α-carbonylation and α-methanoylation reduced affinity. Amino naphthalene compounds with a fused benzenoid ring system retained some potency consonant with the extended (i.e. β-rotameric) trans (=anti) form of the side chain in dopamine when interacting with the transporter. In a second series of experiments, the interaction between dopamine and structural variants was assessed by monitoring the capability of a compound to shift the dopamine inhibition curve to the right as expected for a competitive inhibitor acting at the same site. Appreciable deviation from competitive interaction was observed by removal of the amine from the side chain, by α-carbonylation, and by α-methanoylation. Two blocker-type compounds, semi-rigid variants of cocaine, also displayed significant deviation. A substrate-based compound, inhibiting cocaine analog binding without interfering with dopamine recognition, could be a cocaine antagonist allowing conformational changes to occur during dopamine uptake.
Handwritten digit recognition using neural networks

Character and handwriting recognition is one of the most difficult problems of pattern recognition and artificial intelligence. Unlike the machine generated character, which is uniform throughout a document and often uniform between machines, each human being has a unique style of writing characters. With the infinite number of ways to record a character, it is a wonder that a person can understand his own script, let alone the script of another. Training a computer to recognize human-produced characters is a tremendous task in which researchers are just beginning to achieve some success. Primarily these methods rely on the use of algorithms to determine the similarities of two characters. Neural networks are an alternative technique now being explored. Four separate methods will be discussed in this paper. The first involves normalization, skeletonization, and feature extraction of a handwritten digit before application to a neural network for classification. The second simply applies a normalized digit to the neural net's input, and the network performs a 2-dimensional convolution on it in order to classify the digit. The third method involves a hierarchical network. The final technique incorporates time information into the system while using simple preprocessing and a small number of parameters. Their advantages and disadvantages are compared and discussed.
It's all in the neurones

This paper views some of the work presented in the symposium from a neural perspective. It is argued that any change in hostplant selection depends on a change in the peripheral or central nervous systems. Any changes in hostplant use and, ultimately, the evolution and phylogeny of phytophagous insects have a neural basis.
Assisting web search using query suggestion based on word similarity measure and query modification patterns

One of the useful tools offered by existing web search engines is query suggestion (QS), which assists users in formulating keyword queries by suggesting keywords that are unfamiliar to users, offering alternative queries that deviate from the original ones, and even correcting spelling errors. The design goal of QS is to enrich the web search experience of users and avoid the frustrating process of choosing controlled keywords to specify their special information needs, which releases their burden on creating web queries. Unfortunately, the algorithms or design methodologies of the QS module developed by Google, the most popular web search engine these days, is not made publicly available, which means that they cannot be duplicated by software developers to build the tool for specifically-design software systems for enterprise search, desktop search, or vertical search, to name a few. Keyword suggested by Yahoo! and Bing, another two well-known web search engines, however, are mostly popular currently-searched words, which might not meet the specific information needs of the users. These problems can be solved by WebQS, our proposed web QS approach, which provides the same mechanism offered by Google, Yahoo!, and Bing to support users in formulating keyword queries that improve the precision and recall of search results. WebQS relies on frequency of occurrence, keyword similarity measures, and modification patterns of queries in user query logs, which capture information on millions of searches conducted by millions of users, to suggest useful queries/query keywords during the user query construction process and achieve the design goal of QS. Experimental results show that WebQS performs as well as Yahoo! and Bing in terms of effectiveness and efficiency and is comparable to Google in terms of query suggestion time.
Eutheia Stephens (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae) of Central America

Placement of neotropical ant-like stone beetles of the tribe Eutheiini in Eutheia Stephens is confirmed, and Mesoamerican species are revised. Eutheia linda O'Keefe from Costa Rica and E. mexicana Franz from Mexico are redescribed based on type specimens; and two new species are described: E. quetzaltenango sp. nov. from Guatemala and E. mesoamericana sp. nov. from Mexico. Morphology of all treated species is illustrated, including habitus and aedeagi. Their possible relationships within the genus and biogeography of Eutheia are discussed.
Large area single-mode parity–time-symmetric laser amplifiers

By exploiting recent developments associated with parity–time (PT) symmetry in optics, we here propose a new avenue in realizing single-mode large area laser amplifiers. This can be accomplished by utilizing the abrupt symmetry breaking transition that allows the fundamental mode to experience gain while keeping all the higher order modes neutral. Such PT-symmetric structures can be realized by judiciously coupling two multimode waveguides, one exhibiting gain while the other exhibits an equal amount of loss. Pertinent examples are provided for both semiconductor and fiber laser amplifiers.
Onset of Natural Convection in a Horizontal Porous Medium With Mixed Thermal Boundary Conditions

The mathematical formalism developed by Nield (1968) has been used to calculate critical Rayleigh numbers and critical wavenumbers for the onset of natural convection in a horizontal porous medium subject to mixed thermal boundary conditions. Two practically important cases were examined. The first case corresponds to impermeable top and bottom boundaries, and the second corresponds to an impermeable bottom boundary and an open top boundary. It was found that at limiting Biot numbers of 0 and {infinity}, the calculated critical Rayleigh numbers and critical wavenumbers agreed very well with those given in the literature. Numerical values are given for a wide range of intermediate Biot numbers. The results of these analyses were applied to analysis of experimental data, on the thermal performance of low-density loose-till fiberglass insulation tested in a simulated attic with an open top boundary. Experimental critical Rayleigh numbers were substantially lower than the ideal value of 27.1. The mixed thermal boundary conditions were not sufficient to explain the difference between the experimental critical Rayleigh numbers and the ideal value. 8 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.
Motivational properties of ethanol in mice selectively bred for ethanol-induced locomotor differences

Ethanol-induced locomotor stimulation has been proposed to be positively correlated with the rewarding effects of ethanol (Wise and Bozarth 1987). The present experiments provided a test of this hypothesis using a genetic model. Three behavioral indices of the motivational effects of ethanol (drinking, taste conditioning, place conditioning) were examined in mice from two independent FAST lines, selectively bred for sensitivity to ethanol-induced locomotor stimulation, and mice from two independent SLOW lines, selectively bred for insensitivity to ethanol-induced locomotor stimulation. In a single-bottle procedure, mice were allowed access to drinking tubes containing ethanol in a concentration (1-12% v/v) that increased over 24 consecutive days. FAST mice consumed greater amounts of ethanol solution. In a two-bottle procedure, mice were allowed access to tubes containing water or various concentrations of ethanol (2-8% v/v) over 6 days. FAST mice generally showed greater preference for ethanol solutions than SLOW mice. In a conditioned taste aversion procedure, mice received access to saccharin solution followed by injection of 2.5 g/kg ethanol (IP). SLOW mice developed aversion to the saccharin flavor more readily than FAST mice. In a series of place conditioning experiments, tactile stimuli were paired with various doses of ethanol (0.8-2.0 g/kg). During conditioning, FAST mice showed locomotor stimulation after 1.0, 1.2 and 2.0 g/kg ethanol while SLOW mice did not. During testing, mice conditioned with 1.2 g/kg and 2.0 g/kg ethanol showed conditioned place preference, but there were no line differences in magnitude of preference. These results indicate that genetic selection for sensitivity to ethanol-stimulated activity has resulted in genetic differences in ethanol drinking and ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion but not ethanol-induced conditioned place preference. Overall, these data provide mixed support for the psychomotor stimulant theory of addiction.
Geophysical observations pertaining to solid-state convection in the terrestrial planets

Observational evidence for solid-state convection in the interiors of the terrestrial planets is reviewed. For the earth, the motion of the lithospheric plates constitutes clear evidence of large-scale convection in the mantle. Although Mars has been found to lack evidence of plate tectonics, the morphology of the Tharsis uplift and the elevation dichotomy between the northern and southern hemispheres may be evidence of mantle convection at one time. Measurements of lunar heat flow and seismic Q imply a convective mechanism limited to the lower mantle. Evidence for internal convection on Mercury consists of its dipole magnetic field and the 3/2 resonance between its rotational motion and its orbital motion, both of which can also be explained by other processes. The limited radar imagery of Venus has not yet provided conclusive evidence of either the presence or absence of convection features. It is concluded that although interior convection in terrestrial planets is implied by rheological, energy and momentum considerations, only on earth is the lithosphere thin enough to provide conclusive evidence of convection.
Diet and bacterial colonization: role of probiotics and prebiotics

The intestinal mucosa functions as a defensive barrier that limits dietary antigen transport and microbial pathogens from colonizing enterocytes. The potential role of lactic acid bacteria, specifically Bifidobacteria, in probiotic and prebiotic functional food supplements is reviewed in the context of bacterial colonization, adherence, and disease prevention. This article reviews the mechanisms of action and optimization of methods that will lead to a new generation of biotic products with enhanced biologic properties and well-being foods.
Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination and risk of childhood leukemia in a vaccine trial in finland

Abstract PURPOSE: To compare the incidence of childhood leukemia among children who received multiple early vaccine doses versus a single late dose in the context of a clinical trial in Finland during 1986 and 1987. METHODS: The trial was offered to the parents of all 114,000 children born in Finland between October 1, 1985 and August 31, 1987; 98% of the eligible children were enrolled. The vaccine consisted of heat-sized capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) coupled to diptheria toxoid (PRP-D). Children with odd birth dates received four doses of the vaccine at the ages of 3, 4, 6, and 14 months; children with even birth dates received only one dose, at the age of 24 months. The numbers of boys and girls with even and odd birth dates during the window of eligibility who remained alive during the follow-up period were obtained from the Finnish Population Registry. Numbers of leukemia cases diagnosed through 1996 among children with even and odd birth dates during the window of eligibility were obtained from the Finnish Cancer Registry. Poisson regression analysis of leukaemia incidence rates was conducted using the number of cases as the outcome variable and the natural logarithm of number of children at risk as an offset term. For comparison of the early and late vaccination groups, a binary variable based on odd or even date of birth was used. RESULTS: Among the 114,000 subjects, a total of 77 cases of childhood leukaemia were diagnosed: 33 in the early-vaccination group and 44 in the late-vaccination group. The incidence of childhood leukaemia was lower in the early-vaccination group (relative risk 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.46–1.13) than in the late-vaccination group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that early vaccination against Hib may reduce the incidence of childhood leukaemia, but confirmatory studies are needed.
Breeding Practices on Selected North Carolina Dairy Farms

Abstract In 1978, 147 North Carolina dairy farms were surveyed concerning their breeding practices. Average herd size was 121 cows (range 24 to 440). Of 17,773 cows 78.5% and of 4,300 heifers 25.5% were bred by artificial insemination. Approximately 25% of dairymen indicated they had increased artificial insemination in the past 3 yr, whereas 12% reported less. A bull was used on 88% of farms. Herds having the same number of cows but using 100% artificial insemination on the milking herd averaged more days open (13.3), longer calving intervals (.44 mo), and more cows leaving the herd because of reproductive problems (8.3% vs. 5.8%) compared to herds using 80 to 99% artificial insemination. Herds using 0 to 75% artificial insemination were intermediate between the two. Herds using 100% artificial insemination and those using 80 to 99% averaged 7050 kg milk and 1.8 services per conception. Herds using 0 to 75% artificial insemination had lower milk production (480 kg). Larger herds had lower reproductive performance. Herds with higher average milk production had more services per conception. Average estimated transmitting abilities of 88 natural service sires were 371 kg milk, −.05% fat and 10 kg fat.
Olfactory bulb lesions: Nest reinforcement and handling reactivity in hamsters ☆

Abstract Olfactory bulb lesions in female hamsters were found to alter bar-pressing for nest paper, nest building, bar-pressing for sucrose pellets, stacking of food pellets, maintenance of urination and defecation posts, and handling reactivity. The obtained deficits are interpreted in terms of a sensory deficit related to potentiation of neural mechanisms mediating normal species typical housekeeping activities.
Toll-Like Receptors in Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion and Transplantation

The family of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) function as pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) that respond to a myriad of highly conserved ligands. These substrates include pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) for the recognition of invading pathogens, as well as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) for the recognition of endogenous tissue injury. While the functions of TLRs are diverse, they have received much attention for their roles in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the liver and other organs. The TLRs play central roles in sensing tissue damage and activating the innate immune system following I/R. Engagement of TLRs by endogenous DAMPs activates proinflammatory signaling pathways leading to the production of cytokines, chemokines and further release of endogenous danger signals. This paper focuses on the most recent findings regarding TLR family members in hepatic I/R injury and transplantation.
Protein-Protein Interactions in Skeletal Muscle Calcium Transport Regulation

We have detected regulatory interactions between the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium-transporting ATPase (Ca-ATPase, aka SERCA) and its inhibitory subunit sarcolipin (SLN) from skeletal muscle. SLN inhibits SERCA by uncoupling calcium transport, reducing catalytic efficiency from two to one calcium ion transported per ATP molecule hydrolyzed. Phosphorylation of SLN is the switch that relieves SERCA inhibition; it is unknown whether SLN phosphorylation disrupts the inhibitory complex (dissociation model) or causes a structural rearrangement (subunit model). Crosslinking assays indicate that calcium binding to SERCA disrupts interaction with SLN, suggesting that SLN dissociates once per catalytic cycle during the key step of calcium uncoupling (Toyoshima, Nature 2013). We previously detected oligomeric interactions between the two proteins using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy, finding that that SLN binds to SERCA in a 1:1 binary complex in the presence of micromolar calcium and millimolar ATP (Autry, JBC 2011). Here we used FRET spectroscopy to detect regulatory interactions in the presence or absence of calcium and/or ATP, finding that the two proteins show similar binding in calcium-bound and calcium-free states of SERCA, regardless of nucleotide occupancy. We also assayed SLN-SERCA interaction by column chromatography on anion-exchange and nucleotide-mimetic resins; results indicate that SLN remains bound to SERCA following detergent solubilization in the presence of calcium. We conclude that calcium does not dissociate SLN from SERCA, a result consistent with SLN-mediated uncoupling of calcium transport. Addition of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase did not disrupt SLN-SERCA interaction; thus, we propose that the non-dissociative subunit model is the molecular mechanism that mediates SLN regulation of SERCA. Acknowledgments: FRET was performed in the Biophysical Spectroscopy Center at the University of Minnesota, with assistance from Fluorescence Innovations, Inc. (Greg Gillispie, President). This work was funded by NIH grants to DDT (R01-GM27906, P30-AR0507220, T32-AR007612).
Self-assembly of spherical Janus particles in electrolytes

Experimental studies on nano- and micrometer sized Janus particles (JPs) have demonstrated a plethora of simple and complex self-assembled structures. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations that include long range Coulombic interaction have been utilized to elucidate the underlying physics of self-assembly of nano-scale spherical bipolar JPs as a function of surface charge density, salt concentration and particle size. Specifically, two distinct sub-structures at low JP concentration, namely, strings and rings have been identified. As the concentration of JPs is increased these sub-structures join and/or hierarchically assemble into larger porous clusters. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that surface charge defects lead to precipitous loss of directional self-assembly. Finally, a direct connection between the ionic cloud around a single JP and the self-assembled structure morphology has been demonstrated. Overall, the results of this study should pave the way for future coordinated experimental/computational studies towards development of a mechanistic understanding of morphology development in this class of material.
Photometric accuracy of FTIR spectrometers

High photometric accuracy is essential for precise measurements of optical properties. The effect of source radiation power on the photometric accuracy is a mechanism of growing importance, since modern FTIR spectrometers possess strong sources for high signal-to-noise ratio. A related problem is radiation incident on the detector from a high-temperature sample. This paper presents an analysis of the photometric error in the reflectance measurements for samples at high temperatures. The maximum temperature that can be investigated as a function of the required photometric accuracy is determined for several dielectric crystals and film- substrate composites.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Thin-layer gel chromatography of proteins in mild and denaturing detergents

Abstract Thin-layer gel chromatography of proteins in the presence of the mild detergents, sodium deoxycholate and Triton X-100, or in the presence of a denaturing detergent, sodium dodecyl sulfate, is described in terms of application to (glyco)-proteins of membrane origin. In these detergen systems, a nearly linear relationship was observed between the value of the distribution coefficient of a protein and the protein's equivalent hydronamic radius. The fractionation properties of the gel employed in this investigation appeared to be different in Triton X-100 than in the other two detergent systems. The fixation and replica-staining of glycoproteins separated in the presence of detergent is also discussed.
Selective deposition oftrans‐8‐ andcis‐9‐octadecenoates in egg and tissue lipids of the laying hen

The deposition oftrans-8-octadecenoate-8(9)-3H (8t-18∶1-3H) was compared tocis-9-octadecenoate-10-14C (9c-18∶1-14C) in the major egg yolk neutral lipids and phospholipids and in organ lipids from the laying hen.trans-8-Octadecenoate was preferentially incorporated into only the phosphatidylethanolamines (PE), whereas discrimination against 8t-18∶1-3H occurred in the phosphatidylcholines (PC), triglycerides (TG) and cholesteryl esters (CE). The 1-acyl position of both PE and PC contained three times more 8t-18∶1-3H than 9c-18∶1-14C. Almost total exclusion of the 8t-18∶1-3H from the 2-acyl position of these phospholipids was found. Preferential incorporation of 9c-18∶1-14C occurred at the combined 1- and 3-acyl positions and at the 2-acyl position of yolk TG. Tissue lipid analyses indicated that there was preferential deposition of 9c-18∶1-14C into all organs. Individual liver lipid classes displayed the same relative order of discrimination against 8t-18∶1-3H as did egg yolk lipids (CE>TG>PC>PE).
Induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 by urokinase in lung epithelial cells.

The plasminogen/plasmin system, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its receptor (uPAR), and its inhibitor (PAI-1), influence extracellular proteolysis and cell migration in lung injury or neoplasia. In this study, we sought to determine whether tcuPA (two chain uPA) alters expression of its major inhibitor PAI-1 in lung epithelial cells. The expression of PAI-1 was evaluated at the protein and mRNA level by Western blot, immunoprecipitation, and Northern blot analyses. We found that tcuPA treatment enhanced PAI-1 protein and mRNA expression in Beas2B lung epithelial cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The tcuPA-mediated induction of PAI-1 involves post-transcriptional control involving stabilization of PAI-1 mRNA. Inactivation of the catalytic activity of tcuPA had little effect on PAI-1 induction and the activity of the isolated amino-terminal fragment was comparable with full-length single- or two-chain uPA. In contrast, deletion of either the uPA receptor binding growth factor domain or kringle domain (^kringle) from full-length single chain uPA markedly attenuated the induction of PAI-1. Induction of PAI-1 by exposure of lung epithelial cells to uPA is a newly recognized pathway by which PAI-1 could regulate local fibrinolysis and urokinase-dependent cellular responses in the setting of lung inflammation or neoplasia.
Crying and colic

The irritable crying that occurs in a cyclic fashion at the end of each day in 80% of infants between 3 and 12 weeks can be stressful for caring parents. In their efforts to alleviate the crying, they may add extra and anxious stimulation to the baby's already overloaded CNS. We studied this process in an effort to understand this period as a normal part of the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle of an immature nervous system. This period acts as a discharge phenomenon that helps to reorganize the overloaded CNS for the next 24 hours. Conveying my understanding to parents in the second or third week can act to prevent their anxious overreaction. Offering them support and a routine for extra carrying and soothing at this time can act as a prevention for “colic.” Colic or disordered crying in the small infant seems to be a psychosomatic disorder of parental anxiety added to the inevitable crying of a hypersensitive infant at the end of a period of coping with environmental stimuli.
Sequence organization in Xenopus DNA studied by the electron microscope.

Xenopus laevis DNA was extracted from red blood cells and sheared to a mean length of 2780 nucleotides. The DNA was stripped of foldback-containing fragments and incubated to C_0t 10 (mol · s · l^(−1)), allowing most repetitive sequences to form duplex structures. Duplex-containing fragments were eluted from an hydroxylapatite column and visualized for electron microscopy by spreading from 57% formamide according to the modified Kleinschmidt technique of Davis et al. (1971). The mean length of the fragments observed was 2445 nucleotides. A total of 1700 DNA strands were photographed and studied. Less than 5% of the total strand length was in uninterpretable structures. Every molecule falling within the confines of the plates was included in the sample. Over 50% of the total strand length in the sample was found in structures bearing at least one interspersed repetitive sequence duplex terminated by four single-strand regions. The fraction of DNA present in duplex regions was almost exactly that predicted if the duplex regions represent all the interspersed middle repetitive sequence in the Xenopus genome. Direct measurement of visualized duplexes shows that the mean length of interspersed repetitive sequence elements in this genome is 345 nucleotides. Duplex length was shown to be independent of the length of the strands bearing the duplexes. These observations provide direct confirmation of the length of approximately 300 nucleotides indicated for interspersed repetitive sequences by earlier physical-chemical studies 011 Xenopus DNA. In strands carrying two duplexes terminated by single-strand regions the interduplex, or single-copy sequence element length could be measured. Sequence interspersion curves generated from these data are roughly consistent with those derived earlier from measurements of hydroxylapatite binding as a function of fragment length.
Balanced Regulation of Microtubule Dynamics During the Cell Cycle: A Contemporary View

Assembly of mitotic and meiotic spindles into an elliptical bipolar shape is an example of morphogenetic processes that involve local chromosomal regulation of microtubule dynamics for proper spatial microtubule assembly. Global microtubule dynamics during the cell cycle and local microtubule dynamics during spindle assembly are regulated by a balance between microtubule stabilizing and destabilizing factors. How a chromosome-induced phosphorylation gradient may be generated and modulate spindle microtubule assembly through balanced regulation of the activity of microtubule-associated proteins and Stathmin/Op 18 is analyzed.
Measurement of lingual vibrotactile sensitivity using one-trial and three-trial threshold criteria

Ascending lingual vibrotactile thresholds were obtained from the anterior midline of the tongue for 110 normal speaking adult Ss at 200 and 400 Hz. Two threshold criteria, one test trial and the median of three successive trials, were used at each frequency. The t test comparisons between testing modes showed no significant differences. Correlations between testing modes were high and suggested direct rank orderings of threshold values. These findings were discussed in terms of possible advantages of using the simpler procedure as a more practical approach for measuring oral tactile sensation with children.
Abstract: MemzNet: Memory-Mapped Zero-Copy Network Channel for Moving Large Datasets over 100Gbps Network

High-bandwidth networks are poised to provide new opportunities in tackling large data challenges in today's scientific applications. However, increasing the bandwidth is not sufficient by itself; we need careful evaluation of future high-bandwidth networks from the applications' perspective. We have experimented with current state-of-the-art data movement tools, and realized that file-centric data transfer protocols do not perform well with managing the transfer of many small files in high-bandwidth networks, even when using parallel streams or concurrent transfers. We require enhancements in current middleware tools to take advantage of future networking frameworks. To improve performance and efficiency, we develop an experimental prototype, called MemzNet: Memory-mapped Zero-copy Network Channel, which uses a block-based data movement method in moving large scientific datasets. We have implemented MemzNet that takes the approach of aggregating files into blocks and providing dynamic data channel management. In this work, we present our initial results in 100Gbps networks.
Structure and tectonic evolution of the transitional region between the central Appalachian foreland and interior cratonic basins

Abstract The transitional region between the central Appalachian foreland basin and Michigan and Illinois interior cratonic basins is characterized by first and second order structures related to plate convergent processes at the Laurentian plate margin. The first order structures are the Waverly and Cincinnati arches believed to be forebulges associated with the Taconic and Alleghanian orogenies, respectively. The second order structures are basement faults that exhibit a protracted history of recurrent displacements. First and second order structures are linked in that the basement faults have had a major effect in controlling the location and uplift history of the arches. The Waverly and Cincinnati arches share many similarities that suggest a common process of arch development. The Waverly arch developed over the low density rocks in the Central Metasedimentary belt of the Grenville province near its structural contact with the Central Gneiss belt. Uplift on the arch commenced during passive margin development in the Cambrian, but reached its maximum development at the end of the Middle Ordovician Taconic orogeny. Reactivation of faults along the arch continued as late as the Pennsylvanian. The Cincinnati arch as expressed in the Precambrian basement surface is coincident with the underlying Grenville front on a regional scale. The front is a major crustal suture which served to localize and control the history of the Cincinnati arch. Local deviations between the location of the arch and front are explained by the presence of Proterozoic rift basins filled with low density sedimentary rocks, by interactions between the developing Appalachian, Michigan, and Illinois basins, and by a northward decrease in Alleghanian tectonic loading. In a pattern similar to the Waverly arch, the Cincinnati arch began its history with a period of regional uplift as early as the Middle to Late Ordovician followed by maximum arch development in the Pennsylvanian in response to the Alleghanian orogeny. Neither arch showed significant migration following initial development as predicted by general models of forebulge development. We attribute this to the effect of preexisting basement anisotropies, such as lithotectonic boundaries, which served to control the initial location of the forebulge and affect its subsequent history. A third major arch, the Kankakee arch, occurs in the western part of the transitional region and is oriented at right angles to the other arches. Unlike the Waverly and Cincinnati arches, this arch owes its development to subsidence in the adjacent Michigan and Illinois basins rather than orogenic activity in the Appalachians.
Autoignition Studies of trans- and cis-Decalin in an Ignition Quality Tester (IQT) and the Development of a High Thermal Stability Unifuel/Single Battlefield Fuel

A coal-based thermally stable fuel, referred to as JP-900, was investigated as a potential single battlefield fuel (SBF or “unifuel”). Any proposed SBF or unifuel will have to meet all previous jet fuel specifications with the additional requirement of having an acceptable cetane number. The JP-900 (X1390) jet fuel cut was blended with biodiesel, NORPAR 13, Syntroleum synthetic jet fuel (S-8), and a Sasol high-temperature Fischer−Tropsch (HTFT) diesel fuel. The autoignition propensity of these mixtures was then measured in an ignition quality tester (IQT). From the IQT results, a “unifuel” composed of JP-900 P67-132 and NORPAR 13 was used in a 2.5 L DDC/VM Motori engine. Emissions and heat release data showed no significant difference from an ultra-low sulfur diesel (BP-15). From the autoignition for these fuels and a correlation of autoignition with fuel composition, it was found that the proportions of the isomers of decalin played a key role. It was observed that cis-decalin is significantly more react...
Cost analysis for LWR power plants

Abstract A statistical analysis of light water reactor power plant capital costs that uses a data base that is larger and of higher quality than that used in a previous study. The data span six years, and include virtually all U.S. LWR power plants presently in commercial operation. During this period average capital costs increased at the rate of about $140/k We (1978 dollars) per year, and average construction time increased at the rate of about 4 months per year. Significant economies of scale, either in construction time or capital cost, were not detected. Other findings were that plants built in the Northeast continued to show higher average costs than those in the rest of the country, the experience of the architect-engineer is a factor in reducing costs, and the costs of plants with cooling towers could not be distinguished from those without.
Morphology and growth in culture of Microhilum oncoperae, the cause of a mycosis of Oncopera spp. larvae.

Microscopic and colony morphology of thirteen isolates of the entomopathogenic fungus Microhilum oncoperae were studied under a range of cultural conditions. Contrary to the original description, several conidia can be produced from a single denticle. All thirteen isolates of M. oncoperae were able to germinate, produce hyphae and sporulate on several different mycological media at temperatures between 5 and 25 °C. None of the isolates could grow above 30°, and at 5° isolates differed in the rate of conidial germination. M. oncoperae conidia germinated more rapidly at 5° than those of two Metarhizium anisopliae and five Beauveria bassiana isolates. Selective agars used for isolating other entomopathogenic fungi from soil were inhibitory to the growth of M. oncoperae .
Modeling aspects of hydrodesulfurization by molybdenum hydride compounds: Desulfurization of thiophene and benzothiophene and C–S bond cleavage of dibenzothiophene

Abstract The molybdenum hydride complexes Mo(PMe3)5H2 and Mo(PMe3)4H4 are capable of cleaving the C–S bonds of thiophene, benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene. For example, Mo(PMe3)5H2 reacts with thiophene to give the η5-thiophene and butadiene–thiolate complexes, (η5-C4H4S)Mo(PMe3)3 and (η5-C4H5S)Mo(PMe3)2(η2-CH2PMe2). These complexes are also obtained from the reaction between Mo(PMe3)4H4 and thiophene under photochemical conditions, whereas at elevated temperatures thiophene is desulfurized to liberate but-1-ene. Similarly, Mo(PMe3)4H4 desulfurizes benzothiophene at elevated temperatures to liberate ethylbenzene, while the arylthiolate complex Mo(PMe3)4(SC6H4Et)H3 is obtained photochemically. Furthermore, Mo(PMe3)4H4 cleaves the C–S bond of dibenzothiophene to give [η6,κ1-C6H5C6H4S]Mo(PMe3)2H.
Thin-film maximum thermometer

Abstract A new temperature-sensitive device which takes advantage of the resistance annealing characteristics of Cr-SiO cermet films is described. The device is particularly useful to record temperatures which occur in the vicinity of r.f. glow discharges during sputter deposition of films. It permits a post-deposition reading (to an accuracy of ±20 °C) of the maximum temperature encountered by the substrate.
Achieving long-term weight maintenance in Mexican-American adolescents with a school-based intervention.

Abstract Purpose This study evaluated 24-month outcomes of a school-based intensive lifestyle weight management program targeting overweight Mexican-American adolescents. Methods We recruited a total of 71 adolescents (32 males; 45.1%) between the ages of 10 and 14 years, at or above the 85th percentile for body mass index (BMI). Participants were randomized to a 6-month instructor-led intervention (ILI) or a self-help (SH) program. Both interventions were aimed at modifying eating and physical activity behaviors using behavior modification strategies. We assessed changes in participants' standardized BMI and BMI percentile at baseline, 1, and 2 years. Results Repeated-measures analyses showed that ILI participants showed significantly greater decreases in standardized BMI at 1 and 2 years ( F = 8.58, p F = 9.27, p Conclusions A school-based intervention resulted in improved weight outcomes in overweight Mexican-American adolescents and results were maintained over 2 years.
Development of swimming in the medicinal leech, the gradual acquisition of a behavior.

Observing the development of behavior provides an assay for the developmental state of an embryo’s nervous system. We have previously described the development of behaviors that were largely confined to one or a few segments. We now extend the work to a kinematic analysis of the development of swimming, a behavior that requires coordination of the entire body. When leech embryos first begin to swim they make little forward progress, but within several days they swim as effectively as adults. This increase in efficacy depends on changes in body shape and on improved intersegmental coordination of the swim central pattern generator. These kinematic details suggest how the swim central pattern generating circuit is assembled during embryogenesis.
Mechanisms and kinetics of the thermal decompositions of trichlorosilane, dichlorosilane, and monochlorosilane

Decomposition studies of trichlorosilane, dichlorosilane, and monochlorosilane at 921 K, 872 K, and 806 K, respectively, are reported. The studies were made at fixed reactant pressures over a range of total pressures in a wall conditioned, quartz reactor connected to a quadrupole mass-spectrometer. Products were monitored sequentially and continuously in time. The dichlorosilane decomposition was also studied by the comparative-rate single-pulse shock-tube method at temperatures around 1250 K. Two mechanisms of decomposition are considered: a silylene based mechanism initiated by molecular elimination reactions (Scheme I), and a free radical based mechanism initiated by bond fission reactions (Scheme V). Modeling tests of these mechanisms show that only the former is consistent with the experimental data. The decompositions are shown to be essentially nonchain processes initiated by the following pressure dependent reactions: HSiCl3(SINGLEBOND)4 SiCl2+HCl, H2SiCl2(SINGLEBOND)1 SiCl2+H2 and H3SiCl(SINGLEBOND)5 HSiCl+H2. High pressure Arrhenius parameters recommended for these reactions are A4,∞=A1,∞=A5,∞=1014.5±0.5 s−1, E4,∞=71.9±2.1 kcal/mol, E1,∞=69.2±2.0 kcal/mol, and E5,∞=60.6±1.8 kcal/mol. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet: 30: 69–88, 1998.
Evaluating the performance and acceptance of teleconference instruction versus traditional teaching methods for undergraduate and graduate students

ABSTRACT Institutions are currently seeking alternative ways to deliver a full-line of course materials without acquiring additional staffing. Hence, faculty is charged with creating alternative ways to deliver or offer course content to students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate undergraduate and graduate performance and perception of teleconferencing versus traditional blackboard lectures. In the undergraduate course, we discovered that students performed equally as well on exams and provided favorable reviews of the course; however, the acceptance of this new format is lacking given the enrollment and number of students dropping, e.g., 30 to 40% reduction in the course before semester's end. On the other hand, students taking the graduate course appear to accept the technology well with consistent enrollments and achievement in course content. In summary, using teleconferencing as a way to teach students may be better suited for graduate students when compared to undergraduates.