cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Symbolic coordinate anatomy for neurology (scan)

Our laboratory is responsible for development and maintenance of CADUCEUS (formerly INTERNIST-1), a computer program to provide expert advice to the clinician in the realm of medical diagnosis. In order to extend its success in internal medicine into neurology, it was necessary to provide a paradigm for Deuroanatomic reasoning. In our anatomic knowledge base (SCAN), the nervous system is partitioned into a hierarchical set of nested cubes. In the computer memory, a symbol for each cube has attached to it lists of structures which are wholly or partially within the cube. The structures may be simple (e.g. right locus ceruleus) or complex (e.g. mid-brain). Lists of cubes belonging to particular vascular territories as well as systems (e.g. visual) are also maintained. Thus computation of anatomic localization from a given symptom or finding is facilitated as well as characterization of consequences of vascular lesions or neighborhood effects from mass lesions.
General relativistic analogue solutions for the Yang-Mills theory

We discuss several solutions to the Yang-Mills equations that can be found using the connection between general relativity and the Yang-Mills theory. Some comments about the possible physical meaning of these solutions are made. In particular, it is argued that some of these analogue solutions of the Yang-Mills theory may have some connection with the confinement phenomenon. To this end, we briefly look at the motion of test particles moving in the background potential of the Schwarzschild analogue solution.
The value of protein structure classification information-Surveying the scientific literature

The Structural Classification of Proteins (SCOP) and Class, Architecture, Topology, Homology (CATH) databases have been valuable resources for protein structure classification for over 20 years. Development of SCOP (version 1) concluded in June 2009 with SCOP 1.75. The SCOPe (SCOP-extended) database offers continued development of the classic SCOP hierarchy, adding over 33,000 structures. We have attempted to assess the impact of these two decade old resources and guide future development. To this end, we surveyed recent articles to learn how structure classification data are used. Of 571 articles published in 2012-2013 that cite SCOP, 439 actually use data from the resource. We found that the type of use was fairly evenly distributed among four top categories: A) study protein structure or evolution (27% of articles), B) train and/or benchmark algorithms (28% of articles), C) augment non-SCOP datasets with SCOP classification (21% of articles), and D) examine the classification of one protein/a small set of proteins (22% of articles). Most articles described computational research, although 11% described purely experimental research, and a further 9% included both. We examined how CATH and SCOP were used in 158 articles that cited both databases: while some studies used only one dataset, the majority used data from both resources. Protein structure classification remains highly relevant for a diverse range of problems and settings.
Preliminary results of one-dimensional vehicle formation control using a structural analogy

Results are presented from a preliminary study to determine the potential benefits of utilizing a structural analogy for formation control of a system of vehicles. Vehicles are modeled as unconstrained mass particles under the influence of control forces in an inertial reference frame. For a system of n particles restricted to motion in one dimension only, equations of motion are developed, and a corresponding dynamic inversion control law is proposed. A dissipative mechanical structure analogy is used to establish a family of feedback controllers. The conditions for global asymptotic stability are presented, and information requirements are discussed. It is shown that a stable system can be generated with each particle obtaining measurements for the mass center location of the system, and the position of the particles immediately next to it. A simulation of the response of a system to initial errors and desired trajectories is presented.
Integrated X-ray L Absorption Spectra. Counting Holes in Ni Complexes

Despite the fact that chemists frequently draw electron density distributions, there are few good methods for measuring this quantity, which has contributed to many longstanding controversies in chemistry. In this paper, we report the first application of element specific L absorption spectra and the “white light” sum rule to a series of nickel complexes, with wide oxidation state range from NiI to NiIV. Nickel L edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy is turning out to be an excellent quantitative probe of 3d-vacancies.
Clinical use of atracurium in large animal species.

Predictable duration and unique method of elimination make atracurium a suitable muscle relaxant for large animals. This abstract presents experience with clinical use of atracurium in large animal anesthesia from 1989 to 2001. Anesthesia records for large animals were reviewed for use of atracurium. Species of animal, nature of the surgical procedure, maintenance anesthetic, method of atracurium administration, antagonism of atracurium, and recovery experience were noted. Of the 264 animals that received atracurium, 248 were horses. Other species included cattle, pigs, llama, and one lion. Surgical procedures most likely to be associated with atracurium use were laparotomy (63) and ophthalmologic (56), orthopedic (44), and reproductive (35) procedures. Majority of maintenance anesthesia was isoflurane in oxygen, 21 animals received halothane, and six received desflurane. Relaxation was evaluated using train-of-four or 50 Hz tetanic stimulus to the superficial peroneal nerve or the facial nerve, and subsequent muscle response was observed. Atracurium was given by single IV bolus dose, by infusion, or a combination of techniques. Initial bolus of atracurium was 0.1–0.2 mg kg−1. Repeat bolus doses and dose interval varied. Mean infusion duration was 77 minutes Infusion rate varied, but was 0.2 mg kg−1 hour−1 for orthopedic and ophthalmologic procedures. Edrophonium (0.5 mg kg−1) given IV over 1 minute, was used to antagonize atracurium in 173 cases. No cardiovascular effects were noted. Recovery to standing was reported as smooth for 158 animals, fair for 33, and rough for 24. A total of 40 recoveries did not have a detailed description. Eight horses were recovered in a support sling. Nine horses were euthanized prior to recovery. In conclusion, atracurium is a useful, safe adjunct to large animal anesthesia, especially when the surgical conditions specifically require relaxation.
A method to implement full six-degree target shift corrections for rigid body in image-guided radiotherapy.

Treatment position setup errors often introduce temporal variations in the position of target relative to the planned external radiation beams. The errors can be introduced by the movement of a target relative to external setup marks or to other relevant landmarks that are used to position a patient for radiotherapy. Those variations can cause dose deviations from the planned doses and result in suboptimal treatments where part of the target is not fully irradiated or a critical structure receives more than desired radiationdoses. Clinically available technology for image-guidedradiotherapy can detect variations of target position. In this study, a method has been developed to correct for target position variations and restore the original beam geometries relative to the target. The technique involves three matrix transformations: (1) transformation of beams from the machine coordinate system to the patient coordinate system as in the patient geometry in the approved dosimetric plan; (2) transformation of beams from the patient coordinate system in the approved plan to the patient coordinate system that is identified at the time of treatment; (3) transformation of beams from the patient coordinate system at the time of treatment in the treatment patient geometry back to the machine coordinate system. The transformation matrix used for the second transformation is determined through the use of image-guidedradiotherapy technology and image registration. By using these matrix transformations, the isocenter shift, the gantry, couch and collimator angles of the beams for the treatment, adjusted for the target shift, can be derived. With the new beam parameters, the beams will possess the same positions and orientations relative to the target as in the plan for a rigid body. This method was applied to a head phantom study, and it was found that the target shift was fully corrected in treatment and excellent agreement was found in target dose coverage between the plan and the treatment.
Studies on the denaturation of antibody: I. The action of urea on diphtheria antitoxin

Although a great deal of information has been accumulated regarding the stability of antibody under various conditions and treatments (1), the action of urea and similar substamces seems to have been largely neglected. Since the action of urea in denaturing proteins involves weakening the secondary bonds about the peptide linkages (2, 3) it is of interest to know the effect of urea on antibody. Pappenheimer, Lundgren, and Williams (4) report that diphtheria antitoxin is unaffected by "strong" urea solutions. Very recently Erickson and Neurath (5) have reported some experiments on the action of guanidine hydrochloride on horse antipneumococcus antibody. The present investigation of the stability of antibody in urea was undertaken because of the presumable importance of the results to the theory of antibody structure. Diphtheria antitoxin has been chosen as the antibody for study because the accurate neutralization methods available for its determination permit direct measurement of the fundamental property of antibody, its ability to combine with antigen.
Sonar imaging with the synthetic aperture technique

It is well known that the coherency content of acoustic signals propagated in the ocean has been exploited in signal processing schemes to enhance the signal-to-noise performance of sonar systems. Currently, acoustic imaging techniques which rely on coherency are being developed. Recently, some of these techniques have passed from laboratory curiosities to hardware systems. Two such applications are acoustic holography and synthetic aperture sonar (SAS). This paper reviews the basic principles of the SAS technique. The characteristics which are useful for some present day problems will be discussed. Limitations of the SAS method caused by the ocean environment will be noted in general terms.
Radiographic changes after colonoscopic decompression for acute pseudo-obstruction

PURPOSE: Colonoscopy has been the principal tool for decompression in acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, known as Ogilvie's syndrome. The objectives of this study were to determine the immediate effect of colonoscopy on the cecal diameter (measured on supine radiographs) and to delineate possible correlations in the diameters of dilated segments of the colon. METHODS: The charts and radiographs of 24 patients who had colonoscopic decompression for acute colonic pseudo-obstruction between 1992 and 1997 at the San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of California, San Diego Hospitals were reviewed. We measured cecal, transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon diameters on serial radiographs up to the point of clinical resolution. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation cecal diameter change (between initial and post-decompression films) was −2±3.4 cm at four hours and −2.2±3.3 cm one day after decompression. On the daily radiographs between colonoscopic decompression and clinical resolution, there was a close correlation between the diameter of the cecum and that of the transverse colon (P<0.05). There was no correlation between the cecal diameter and that of the descending or sigmoid colon. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopic decompression only causes a small decrease in cecal size in the patient with acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. Dilation patterns of the cecum and transverse colon are significantly correlated in acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. This correlation provides additional support to the contention that the same pathophysiology affects these two segments of the colon.
Transcriptional and post‐transcriptional control of lysyl oxidase expression in vascular smooth muscle cells: Effects of TGF‐β1 and serum deprivation

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) markedly reduced cell proliferation and elevated steady state lysyl oxidase (LO) mRNA 3-fold in neonatal rat aorta smooth muscle cells cultured in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. The increase in LO mRNA was prevented by the presence of cycloheximide, indicative of controlling events at the level of protein synthesis. The basal level of mRNA in cells proliferating in 10% fetal bovine serum in the absence of TGF-β1 was enhanced 7-fold upon decreasing growth by shifting to medium containing 0.5% serum. Changes in LO activity paralleled those in LO mRNA. Nuclear run-on assays revealed that the stimulation of expression in 0.5% serum involved increased gene transcription whereas that caused by TGF-β1 was mostly post-transcriptional in origin. LO mRNA was quite labile (t½ approximately 3 h) in 10% serum but was markedly stabilized (t½ > 12 h) by the presence of TGF-β1 in the 10% serum medium. LO mRNA was also considerably more stable under retarded growth conditions (0.5% serum) in the absence of TGF-β1. LO promoter activity in luciferase reporter constructs transfected into these cells was low and not significantly affected by the addition of TGF-β1 to the 10% serum medium but was markedly elevated by shifting from 10 to 0.5% serum in the absence of TGF-β1. Thus, LO expression is inversely correlated with cell proliferation, and is subject to control at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. TGF-β1 enhances LO expression in these cells by dramatically stabilizing LO mRNA. J. Cell. Biochem. 65:395–407. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Staging laparotomy and splenectomy: treatment and complications of Hodgkin's disease in children.

Twenty-five cases of Hodgkin's Disease (15 males and 10 females) aged 5 to 17 years were studied from April 1970 to July 1976 (75 month period). Histology revealed that 2 had lymphocytic predominance, 12 had nodular sclerosis, and 11 had mixed cellularity. Pathologic staging revealed that 3 were IA, 1 IB, 5 IIA, 4 IIB, 6 IIIA, and 6 IIIB. Laparotomy altered the staging in 12 patients (9 were staged up and 3 down). All but 2 patients received extended field radiation, and 5 had recurrence of disease and were treated with combination chemotherapy. Twenty-three are alive without evidence of disease (21–75 months), and the 2 deaths were not due to Hodgkin's Disease but to hemobilia (postliver biopsy) and penumococcal septicemia, purpura fulminans, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (14 months postsplenectomy). Other complications included 2 patients with intestinal obstruction, 1 with postoperative subphrenic abscess, and 1 with streptococcal septicemia and polyarthritis. Nineteen patients received continuous penicillin prophylaxis postoperatively and the 2 with serious infections were amongst the 6 who had not received penicillin or whose penicillin had been discontinued at the time of infection. It is concluded that laparotomy and splenectomy in children is essential for accurate staging but carries significant risk, and continuous penicillin prophylaxis is recommended.
Minimizing gravity sag of a large mirror with an inverted Hindle-mount

A method of minimizing the optical distortion from gravity sag on a suspended large autocollimating flat mirror has been devised. This method consists of an inverted nine-point Hindle-Mount. A conventional Hindle-mount is located underneath a sky-viewing mirror and is primarily under compression loads from the weight of the mirror. It is not suitable for the situation where the mirror is viewing the ground, since a mirror would tend to fall out of the mount when in an inverted position. The inverted Hindle-Mount design consists of bonded joints on the backside of the mirror that allow the mirror to be held or suspended above an object to be viewed. This ability is useful in optical setups such as a calibration test where a flat mirror is located above a telescope so that the telescope may view a known optic.
Chapter 8 - Confined Electronic States in Metallic Multilayers

Publisher Summary In bulk metallic systems, electrons have the freedom to move throughout the 3-dimensional space. When the size of a given metallic system is reduced to nanometer scale along at least one direction, it is expected some electron confinement along that direction. These electronic states may be described as resonances arising from interface/surface reflectivity. Such confined states are likely to show effects not seen in the bulk structures and produce size dependent responses to external and other probes. These may be viewed as some sort of a resurrection of other-wise dead materials science problems. In a sandwich structure, where magnetic layers are separated by a nonmagnetic spacer, it is expected to see confined electronic states, sometimes referred to as quantum well (QW) states, when the spacer layer thickness satisfies appropriate boundary conditions. The chapter discusses the experimental evidence for the existence of confined states in multilayer systems and examines how far can simple theories of spin-dependent transport can be taken, provided k-resolution is available. Using high quality single crystal samples, it may be possible to obtain (and possibly tune) k-dependent transport. It is instructive to review some of the past work in this field, to understand the historical progression. The chapter discusses wedge shaped samples, phase accumulation model, interfacial roughness, envelope functions of the QW state, multiple quantum wells, non-free-electron-like behavior, reduction of the 3-dimensional Schrodinger equation, envelope functions, and the full problem. In principle, the relevant many particles Hamiltonian in all the different regions of the heterojunction carries all the necessary information and its appropriate eigenstates can be used to describe, for example, quantum tunneling in such a device. The chapter details the applications—confined states in metallic multilayers—spin transmission and rotations, angle resolved and inverse photoemission.
A comparison of the dominant Auger transitions in p-type (Hg,Cd)Te☆

Abstract We predict that the Auger hole-hole collision process involving a transition from the light hole band to the heavy hole band is an important recombination mechanism in non-degenerate p-type (Hg,Cd)Te. This is based on a comparison of the calculated lifetime for this mechanism with that due to the electron-electron collision mechanism discussed by Beattie and Landsberg which involves only the heavy hole valence band. We have estimated the ratio of the intrinsic lifetimes of these two mechanisms by approximating the integrals appearing in the lifetime expressions. We have determined the range of composition, temperature and doping density over which the Auger lifetime in p-type (Hg,Cd)Te is controlled by the light hole mechanism.
Abstract 4530: Mechanism-based combination therapy of PI3 kinase delta-specific inhibitor Idelalisib with Bendamustine in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell malignancy influenced by oncogenic mutations and the factors of the microenvironment such as BCR signaling that promote B-cell survival and proliferation. BCR signaling cascade activates multiple downstream effector kinases including Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway that is critically important in the clonal expansion of B-CLL cells. Of the four p110 catalytic subunit isoforms, p110 delta isoform is over-expressed in many B-cell malignancies, including CLL. Idelalisib (I) is a small molecule highly selective PI3K delta inhibitor. I promotes apoptosis in B-cell malignancies by disrupting the molecular pathways related to BCR signaling, leukemia cell migration and microenvironment. Importantly, I inhibits BCR derived PI3K signaling, which ultimately dampens AKT activation. Bendamustine (B), an alkylating agent that induces DNA damage and repair response, is recently approved for CLL therapy. Kinases that are important for CLL cell survival may also be activated during this DNA damage response. Based on this background, we hypothesize that the treatment of CLL cells with I and B may modulate the repair mechanisms and sensitize B-CLL cells to enhanced apoptosis. Our model system includes primary CLL patient samples with or without BCR activation. Our findings show that compared to time-matched DMSO control, treatment with I or B as a single agent resulted in 5-15% and 5-20% dose-dependent cell death, respectively. In contrast, combined treatment (I+B at 0.5+5, 1+10, 3+15, 5+20, 10+30 µM) of CLL cells for 24 h resulted in 10-40% of apoptosis as measured by annexin/PI (n=6). This was synergistic with a combination index of Citation Format: Prexy Shah, Kumudha Balakrishnan, William Wierda, Varsha Gandhi. Mechanism-based combination therapy of PI3 kinase delta-specific inhibitor Idelalisib with Bendamustine in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4530. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4530
Shape of the Kondo resonance.

An electron scattering from a local impurity spin has its density of states altered by spin-flip scattering. This phenomenon causes a peak in the local density of states, which is called the ``Kondo resonance.'' We propose a simple formula for the shape of this resonance. For a dilute Kondo system, we use Fermi-liquid theory to calculate the effect of the Kondo resonance on the heat capacity, magnetic susceptibility, and resistivity. Good agreement is found when compared to exact solutions.
Shopping value in online auctions: Their antecedents and outcomes

Abstract Online auctions present unique characteristics in the consumer decision-making process that raise new issues related to consumer shopping behaviors in auction-based purchases. The present research examined the relationship between consumer characteristics (i.e., compulsive buying behavior, variety-seeking tendency, and price sensitivity) and shopping value (i.e., utilitarian and hedonic) in online auctions and found that both compulsive buying behavior and variety-seeking tendency are critical factors of shopping value in the online auction environment. There were no positive relationships between price sensitivity and shopping value. The results of this study also revealed that consumers’ shopping value positively influenced their preference, which, in turn, formed behavioral intentions in online auctions. While utilitarian value was found to be a significant predictor of behavioral intentions, hedonic value was not. However, hedonic value influenced intentions indirectly through preference.
Event-triggered cooperative control with general linear dynamics and communication delays

The consensus problem with general linear dynamics and communication delays is investigated. An event-triggered consensus protocol is proposed, where each agent implements a model of the decoupled dynamics of its neighbors. This approach not only avoids the need for continuous communication between agents but also provides a decentralized and asynchronous method for transmission of information in the presence of time-varying communication delays. This method gives more flexibility for scheduling information broadcasting compared to periodic and sampled-data implementations. Lower-bounds on the inter-event times are computed and shown to be positive in order to avoid Zeno behavior.
Water-gas shift: in situ spectroscopic studies of noble metal promoted ceria catalysts for CO removal in fuel cell reformers and mechanistic implications

Abstract In situ, steady-state diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) measurements for adsorption of CO and for water-gas shift (WGS) reaction conditions indicate that formates are present on the surface of reduced ceria, being formed by reaction with geminal OH groups that are present after reduction of the ceria surface shell. The process of surface shell reduction was strongly catalyzed by the presence of metal, while changing very little if at all the catalysis of bulk reduction. Gold was found to reduce the surface ceria at a lower temperature than that of platinum, but platinum gave a slightly higher degree of surface shell reduction. Under steady-state WGS at a high H 2 O/CO ratio, the concentrations of surface formates are strongly limited at high CO conversions, while metalCO was not. Since under these conditions, CO exhibits a first order rate dependency, the active site should move to sparser coverages of CO, indicating that a formate mechanism is more likely the correct one. At low temperatures and conversions, the formates were close to the equilibrium adsorption/desorption coverages obtained from only CO adsorption. In situ X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) directly links the metal to its ability to aid in catalyzing reduction of the surface shell of ceria. After surface shell reduction of ceria by hydrogen, addition of water to the hydrogen stream gave no indication of reoxidation whatsoever, as would be necessary under a ceria-mediated redox process. The reoxidation of ceria by water under helium alone was very slow, and only slight changes were recorded at 350 °C. Therefore, the results strongly favor a formate mechanistic scheme for low temperature water-gas shift. To date, most researchers have claimed a ceria-mediated redox process operating to describe the mechanism. Both mechanisms require reduction of the ceria surface.
An experimental and numerical simulation of mixed convection in large baffled rectangular chambers

Abstract The effects of mixed convection within large baffled chambers for both ‘aided’ and ‘opposed’ buoyant forces are investigated. Experimental and numerical results are compared for the momentum boundary layer thickness and temperature distribution within the chamber. Two- and three-dimensional transient laminar numerical models are formulated using a fully implicit finite-difference scheme. The inlet and wall temperatures are held constant while maintaining a uniform inlet velocity. Two tiers of four (two per tier) horizontal baffles are located axisymmetrically about the vertical axis with the inlet at the top and exhaust at the base of the chamber. The difference between the inlet and wall temperatures ranges between −1.0 and 3.3°C with a Prandtl number, Pr = 0.7, inlet Reynolds number. Re = 32 and 235, and inlet Rayleigh number, Ra = 0–6.8 × 10 7 . It is concluded that the flow is predominantly buoyant and asymmetric in nature. The development of the flow is sensitive to small variations in the temperature difference between the inlet and wall.
The Democratic Disadvantage in the Strategic Communications Battlespace

This article explores the struggle for influence taking place online between liberal democracies and extremists. It begins by describing the various online forms of strategic communication used by terrorist organizations to achieve their objectives. Particular attention is focused on how members of the global salafi jihadist network use the Internet to provide motivational/ideological and operational information to potential recruits and supporters. The discussion then examines the current public diplomacy effort of the U.S., and identifies an important disadvantage in our approach. In an age of universal access to the means of providing information online, citizens of a liberal democracy like ours have the power to undermine our strategic communications and public diplomacy efforts, largely through ignorance and irresponsibility. This problem is particularly acute when communicating with many corners of the Muslim world, where there is no frame of reference for understanding the implications of a free an...
Heroic medicine, physician autonomy, and patient rights.

In 1970, the prominent medical sociologist Eliot Freidson lamented the near absence of a concept of patients' rights in medicine.1 In response, he called for measures to ensure patients' rights to participate in their care, arguing there is an "ineradicable moral element"2 to the practice of medicine that demands the participation of those on whom it is practiced.3 Since Freidson first published his classic study of professional autonomy, many changes have taken place that were intended to enhance the rights of patients and increase the accountability of professionals: The courts and the legislatures have mandated the protection of patients' rights, ethics committees have been convened, and bioethicists and lawyers have joined physi-
Mapping freeze/thaw boundaries with SMMR data

Abstract Nimbus 7 SMMR data are used to map daily freeze/thaw patterns in the upper Midwest for the fall of 1984. The combination of a low 37 GHz radiobrightness and a negative 10.7, 18 and 37 GHz spectral gradient, ∂T b ∂f , appears to be an effective discriminant for classifying soil as frozen or thawed. The 37 GHz emissivity is less sensitive to soil moisture than are the lower frequency emissivities so that the 37 GHz radiobrightness appears to track soil surface temperature relatively well. The negative gradient for frozen ground is a consequence of volume scatter darkening at shorter microwave wavelengths. This shorter wavelength darkening is not seen in thawed moist soils.
Comparing earnings profiles in urban areas of an LDC: rural-to-urban migrants vs. native workers.

"We use Tanzanian data to test a recently proposed hypothesis that rural-to-urban migrants have an incentive to supply greater work effort than native urban workers, because of the migrants' positive probability of returning to the low-wage rural areas. We treat the choice between public- and private-sector employment as endogenous and, for theoretical and empirical reasons, distinguish migrants with access to rural land from those without access. Our results show that migrants in both sectors face lower initial wage offers than native urban workers. But, the wage gap is eliminated within a decade or less, and thereafter, migrants surpass the wage offers of native workers."
761 MULTIPLE SIBLING MENTAL RETARDATION AND THE IMPACT OF THE FRAGILE X CHROMOSOME

Mental retardation in two or more siblings with two normal parents represents an area about which little is known and is a difficult problem with regard to accurate diagnosis, elucidation of genetic mechanisms, and genetic counseling. Sixty-one families with two or more mentally retarded siblings with two normal parents were ascertained from a large institution for the mentally retarded and a clinical genetics service. Investigation included pedigree analyses, physical examination, biochemical/metabolic analyses and chromosome analyses. A specific diagnosis and/or genetic mechanism was found in only 25% (15/61) of the families. Of the sixty-one families, 22 had affected males only, of which two had definite X-linked recessive mental retardation. When chromosome analysis utilizing Medium 199 was done, an Xq27 fragile site was found in 36% (8/22) of the families with affected males only, including one of the known X-linked recessive families. Thus, the ability to detect the Xq27 fragile site resulted in an increase to 36% (22/61) of definite diagnoses for all families. Multiple sibling mental retardation represents a major clinical problem for which the detection of the Xq27 fragile site has an important impact.
A Primer on a Hepatocellular Carcinoma Bioresource Bank Using the Cancer Genome Atlas Guidelines: Practical Issues and Pitfalls

Background Since the advent of the human genome, the era of personalized genomic medicine is indisputably in progress.
Differential regulation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-dependent Ca2+ signaling in smooth muscle by cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases. Inhibitory phosphorylation of PLA2 by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases

Both cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases inhibit agonist-stimulated phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) activity and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent Ca2+ release in vascular and visceral smooth muscle. In smooth muscle of the intestinal longitudinal layer, however, the initial steps in Ca2+ mobilization involve activation of cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) and arachidonic acid (AA)-dependent stimulation of Ca2+ influx. The present study examined whether cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases are capable of regulating these processes also. Agents that activated cAMP-dependent protein kinase (5, 6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate (Sp-isomer) and isoproterenol), cGMP-dependent protein kinase (8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and Na nitroprusside), or both kinases (vasoactive intestinal peptide and isoproterenol >1 microM) induced phosphorylation of cPLA2 and inhibition of agonist-stimulated cPLA2 activity. Phosphorylation and inhibition of cPLA2 activity by cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases were blocked by the corresponding selective inhibitors (cAMP-dependent protein kinase, N-[2(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide hydrochloride (H-89) and myristoylated protein kinase inhibitor () amide; cGMP-dependent protein kinase, (8R,9S, 11S)-(-)-9-methoxy-carbamyl-8-methyl-2,3,9,10-tetrahydro-8, 11-epoxy-1H,8H,11H,-2,7b,11a-trizadizobenzo(a,g)cycloocta(c, d, e)-trinden-1-one (KT-5823)). In contrast, AA-stimulated Ca2+ influx was inhibited by agents that activated cGMP-dependent protein kinase only; the inhibition was selectively blocked by KT-5823. The study provides the first evidence of inhibitory phosphorylation of cPLA2 in vivo by cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases. Inhibition of cPLA2 activity and AA-induced Ca2+ influx partly account for the ability of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and/or cGMP-dependent protein kinase to cause relaxation. Their importance resides in their location at the inception of the Ca2+ signaling cascade.
FY 1987 Federal Budget Proposal: Mixed outlook for geophysics

A new emphasis on “global geosciences” and a new start for the Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX) were among the highlights for geophysics in the federal budget for fiscal year (FY) 1987 that the Reagan administration submitted to Congress on February 5, 1986. Budget increases planned for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), however, contrasted with cuts planned for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Under the proposed budget, funding for research and development (R&D) would increase significantly in FY 1987, rising 16.9% over the funding that will remain in the FY 1986 budget after March 1, 1986. On that date, cuts in the FY 1986 budget will take effect under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, better known as Gramm-Rudman-Hollings (Eos, January 28, 1986, p. 41). Although that law was recently found unconstitutional by a special federal judicial panel, their ruling will not go into effect unless and until it is upheld by the Supreme Court, so the March 1 cuts are expected to go forward as planned. (If the Supreme Court hears the appeal, they will probably rule before early July, according to The Washington Post.) Under Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, the FY 1986 budgets of non-defense programs not protected in the law's provisions will be cut by 4.3%. Unprotected defense programs will be cut by close to 5%.
A new deconvolution approach to perfusion imaging exploiting spatial correlation

The parts of the human body affected by a disease do not only undergo structural changes but also demonstrate significant physiological (functional) abnormalities. An important parameter that reveals the functional state of tissue is the flow of blood per unit tissue volume or perfusion, which can be obtained using dynamic imaging methods. One mathematical approach widely used for estimating perfusion from dynamic imaging data is based on a convolutional tissue-flow model. In these approaches, deconvolution of the observed data is necessary to obtain the important physiological parameters within a voxel. Although several alternatives have been proposed for deconvolution, all of them treat neighboring voxels independently and do not exploit the spatial correlation between voxels or the temporal correlation within a voxel over time. These simplistic approaches result in a noisy perfusion map with poorly defined region boundaries. In this paper, we propose a novel perfusion estimation method which incorporates spatial as well as temporal correlation into the deconvolution process. Performance of our method is compared to standard methods using independent voxel processing. Both simulated and real data experiments illustrate the potential of our method.
Enhancement by sodium orthovanadate of the formation and mineralization of bone nodules by chick osteoblasts in vitro

Abstract Orthovanadate is a known inhibitor of phosphotyrosyl protein phosphatase and is reported to stimulate osteogenic cell proliferation and differentiation when administered during the logarithmic growth phase and to potentiate the mitogenic effects of several growth factors. There is little information concerning the effects of orthovanadate on bone matrix deposition and mineralization, although there is some evidence that it increases collagen synthesis by osteogenic cells. To test the effects of orthovanadate on bone nodule formation and mineralization, osteogenic cells were exposed to 5–50 μM orthovanadate or 10 −7 M insulin-like growth factor-1 for 3, 7, and 21 days after plating. Exposure to orthovanadate produced differential effects on cellular proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity following completion of the logarithmic growth phase, and on resultant bone nodule formation and mineralization by these populations. The effects of orthovanadate on osteogenic cultures were concentration dependent: 5 μM concentrations produced a relatively large quantity of poorly mineralized matrix, while 30–50 μM concentrations produced a smaller quantity of heavily mineralized matrix. Thus, orthovanadate could possibly be used as a growth factor for bone, if administered at the critical dosage at the proper stage of the life cycle of the osteoblast.
The Life of Harold Sellers Colton: A Philadelphia Brahmin in Flagstaff, by Jimmy H. Miller, Navajo Community College Press, Tsaile, 1991

Mr Miller's The Life of Harold Sellers Colton: A Philadelphia Brahmin in Flagstaff is an interesting but very general look into one of the most scientifically diverse "archaeologists" in Southwestern archaeology. The life and work of Harold Colton s briefly outlined in Miller's effort and should have been greatly expanded upon, especially noting the source material that he had at his command.
Is there a trillion dollar family business market

Abstract Should it matter to industrial marketers that most businesses in the United States are family businesses? It doesn't matter if “family business” status is a distinction without a difference, and it does if family businesses engage in buyer behavior that is significantly different than that of other firms in purchasing at least some classes of goods and services. There is a mounting body of evidence which indicates that the family business market meets segment adequacy criterion of measurability, substantability, accessibility, and actionability. New research reported here demonstrates that the family business market is significant for providers of professional and financial services, and certain other categories of products. This review of the growing family business literature provides implications for managers whose markets include a high proportion of family businesses.
High cerebral blood volume in human gliomas predicts deletion of chromosome 1p: Preliminary results of molecular studies in gliomas with elevated perfusion.

PURPOSE: To determine if increased perfusion using dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MRI (DSC MRI) in gliomas may be predictive of 1p19q deletions. Loss of heterozygosity of chromosomes 1p and 19q confers responsiveness to chemotherapy improving survival in gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 16 patients who had DSC MRI and molecular studies of their excised gliomas for 1p19q deletions. Allelic status was assessed by loss of heterozygosity using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA was extracted from paraffin curls of brain tumor sections and nail clippings. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) measurements were then statistically compared with the presence of 1p and 19q deletions. RESULTS: Patients with 1p19q deletions (N = 7) demonstrated rCBV values of 10.54 +/- 2.93. Patients without 1p deletions (N = 9) had rCBV values of 4.84 +/- 2.4 (P = 0.012). Logistic regression demonstrated that rCBV was able to predict the presence of a 1p deletion to significance levels of 0.038 and 0.044, adjusted and not adjusted for age and sex, respectively. The kappa coefficient for the agreement between predicted deletion status using rCBV and the truedeletion status was 0.746 (P = 0.0028). Deletions of 19q alone, or together with 1p deletions, were not associated with high rCBV. CONCLUSION: Histopathologic, molecular, and imaging evidence supports increased neovascularity in gliomas with 1p deletions in this preliminary study. We propose a diagnostic algorithm to obtain molecular studies in gliomas demonstrating high rCBV.
Ultrastructural evidence for uptake of silicon-containing silicic acid analogs byUrtica pilulifera and incorporation into cell wall silica

In natural environments the stinging nettle plant,Urtica pilulifera, bears stinging cells in which electron dense silica deposits occupy a significant volume of the cell wall. Plants were grown in hydroponic solutions with and without supplements of silicic acid, the chemical form of silicon available to biological systems to determine if this plant and the stinging cells will grow normally under conditions of silicon starvation. In separate experiments, several analogs of silicic acid were added as supplements to the hydroponic solution to determine whether silicic acid binding sites had detectably different specificities for the different molecular structures of the analogs. The analogs [(R-)nSi(-OH)m] have the following structures (R, n, m): (1)-H, 1, 3; (2)-CH3, 1, 3; (3)-CH3, 2, 2; (4)-CH3, 3, 1; (5)-CH2CH3, 1, 3; and (6)-C6H5, 1, 3. Electron microscopy was used as an assay for the uptake and incorporation of analogs into an electron dense silica-like product in the stinging cell wall. The results indicate that cell wall silica production occurred only when the analog contained at least three hydroxyl groups. The morphology and ontogeny of the plant was normal except for: 1, the appearance of green spots on the leaves when the analog contained two or more hydroxyl groups, and 2, total blockage of flowering by the two methyl derivative of silicic acid, (CH3)2Si(OH)2.
Persistence of retrieval enhancement by amphetamine following scopolamine-induced amnesia

Little information is available on the permanence of pharmacologically-induced retrieval enhancement following amnesia. This was studied by comparing the rate of forgetting of a memory reactivated by d-amphetamine after amnesia with spontaneous forgetting of undisturbed fear conditioning. Mice were treated with either saline or scopolamine before conditioning and retention was tested three days later. Scopolamine-treated mice received either saline or amphetamine before testing while the saline controls received a second saline injection. The scopolamine-saline group exhibited robust amnesia, whereas both saline-saline and scopolamine-amphetamine groups showed good retention. To test the persistence of these effects mice in the three groups were subdivided and given a second retention test either 1 day, 1 week or 1 month after the first test. Amphetamine was not administered before the second test. The scopolamine-saline mice continued to exhibit amnesia for up to 1 month while the scopolamine-amphetamine and saline-saline groups continued to show strong memory with only a modest decrement in performance by 1 month after the first test. These results show that amphetamine results in a permanent recovery from scopolamine amnesia.
Optimization of bwr fuel management using an accelerated exhaustive search algorithm

Abstract Using an alternative to dynamic programming, optimum fuel cycle costs of a three-zone, scatter-loaded nuclear power reactor can be found with nominal computer memory and time requirements. The optimization algorithm, called Elimination of Similar End States, is an accelerated exhaustive search technique. Application to a BWR core model yielded a non-uniform loading strategy with a fuel cycle cost 5·6 per cent lower than for a reference, uniform loading scheme.
Morphological evidence for local microcircuits in rat vestibular maculae

Previous studies suggested that intramacular, unmyelinated segments of vestibular afferent nerve fibers and their large afferent endings (calyces) on type I hair cells branch. Many of the branches (processes) contain vesicles and are presynaptic to type II hair cells, other processes, intramacular nerve fibers, and calyces. This study used serial section transmission electron microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction methods to document the origins and distributions of presynaptic processes of afferents in the medial part of the adult rat utricular macula. The ultrastructural research focused on presynaptic processes whose origin and termination could be observed in a single micrograph. Results showed that calyces had 1) vesiculated, spine-like processes that invaginated type I cells and 2) other, elongate processes that ended on type II cells pre- as well as postsynaptically. Intramacular, unmyelinated segments of afferent nerve fibers gave origin to branches that were presynaptic to type II cells, calyces, calyceal processes, and other nerve fibers in the macula. Synapses with type II cells occurred opposite subsynaptic cisternae (C synapses); all other synapses were asymmetric. Vesicles were pleomorphic but were differentially distributed according to process origin. Small, clear-centered vesicles, approximately 40-60 nm in diameter, predominated in processes originating from afferent nerve fibers and basal parts of calyces. Larger vesicles approximately 70-120 nm in diameter having approximately 40-80 nm electron-opaque cores were dominant in processes originating from the necks of calyces. Results are interpreted to indicate the existence of a complex system of intrinsic feedforward (postsynaptic)-feedback (presynaptic) connections in a network of direct and local microcircuits. The morphological findings support the concept that maculae dynamically preprocess linear acceleratory information before its transmission to the central nervous system.
A reinvestigation of the vibrational spectroscopy of pentaphenylarsenic and pentaphenylantimony

Abstract The laser-Raman and infrared spectra of pentaphenylarsenic and pentaphenylantimony have been recorded both in the solid state and in solution. Structural conclusions for these molecules are based on an analysis of the phenyl-metal vibrations. These show that both pentaphenylarsenic and pentaphenylantimony retain their solid state geometries, trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal respectively, in solution.