cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protein phosphorylation analysis by mass spectrometry

Phosphorylation is arguably the most important posttranslational protein modification, being heavily involved in the dynamic regulation of protein function during signaling, proliferation, and differentiation. Localizing and quantitating the sites of phosphorylation on proteins is of paramount importance toward understanding the regulation of proteins by phosphorylation. Although biochemical methods in combination with methods based on the detection of the radioactive phosphorus isotopes 32P and 33P are still used, radioactive-free methods utilizing mass spectrometry are becoming widespread because of its speed, sensitivity, and the ability to handle complex protein and peptide mixtures. This review summarizes recent and established methods used for the selective enrichment, derivatization, and selective mass spectrometric detection of phosphorylated species, which have proven to be extremely useful in numerous studies. In addition, the latest trends in the field of mass spectrometric analysis of protein phosphorylation are introduced. Keywords: mass spectrometry; IMAC; precursor ion scanning; neutral loss scanning; peptide fragmentation; phosphoproteomics; immunoprecipitation; quantitation
Treatment of uncertainty using ensemble methods: Comparison of sequential data assimilation and Bayesian model averaging

[1] Predictive uncertainty analysis in hydrologic modeling has become an active area of research, the goal being to generate meaningful error bounds on model predictions. State-space filtering methods, such as the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), have shown the most flexibility to integrate all sources of uncertainty. However, predictive uncertainty analyses are typically carried out using a single conceptual mathematical model of the hydrologic system, rejecting a priori valid alternative plausible models and possibly underestimating uncertainty in the model itself. Methods based on Bayesian model averaging (BMA) have also been proposed in the statistical and meteorological literature as a means to account explicitly for conceptual model uncertainty. The present study compares the performance and applicability of the EnKF and BMA for probabilistic ensemble streamflow forecasting, an application for which a robust comparison of the predictive skills of these approaches can be conducted. The results suggest that for the watershed under consideration, BMA cannot achieve a performance matching that of the EnKF method.
δ18O analysis of Atactodea striata: evaluating a proxy for sea-surface temperature and shellfish foraging from a prehistoric rockshelter in Palau, Micronesia

Abstract In this research we examined the isotopic signatures of sequential growth increments from 10 modern and 11 archaeological Atactodea striata shells (21 shells with a total number of 112 samples). Modern shells and recorded sea surface temperature measurements (SSTs) were used to evaluate the geochemistry of A. striata as a suitable candidate for recording ambient SST. Pairing oxygen isotopes and recorded SST of modern samples with x-ray diffraction (XRD) allows the identification of the biomineralogical composition of A. striata and provides the necessary information to select the most appropriate carbonate temperature equation to convert oxygen isotope values to estimated SST. This SST conversion was then applied to isotopic data from 11 shells recovered from a ~ 1700 year old component at the Chelechol ra Orrak site in Palau, Micronesia. We discuss the biomineralogical composition of A. striata , modern and prehistoric sea-surface temperature variation, and the importance of using modern shellfish analogues in conjunction with archaeological samples for paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Isotope values from modern A. striata , when converted using Grossman and Kus' (1986) temperature conversion equation, was found to be similar to measured SST. Estimated SST from archaeological shells showed that the mean SST at 1700 cal. BP were similar to modern values, but SST ranges may have been slightly greater.
An automated imaging system for radiation biodosimetry

We describe here an automated imaging system developed at the Center for High Throughput Minimally Invasive Radiation Biodosimetry. The imaging system is built around a fast, sensitive sCMOS camera and rapid switchable LED light source. It features complete automation of all the steps of the imaging process and contains built-in feedback loops to ensure proper operation. The imaging system is intended as a back end to the RABiT-a robotic platform for radiation biodosimetry. It is intended to automate image acquisition and analysis for four biodosimetry assays for which we have developed automated protocols: The Cytokinesis Blocked Micronucleus assay, the γ-H2AX assay, the Dicentric assay (using PNA or FISH probes) and the RABiT-BAND assay.
A Two-Step Model Updating Algorithm for Parameter Identification of Linear Elastic Damped Structures

A Frequency Response Functions (FRFs)-based two-step algorithm to identify stiffness, mass, and viscous damping matrices is developed in this work. The proposed technique uses the difference between the experimentally recorded FRF and their analytical counterparts by minimizing the resultant error function at selected frequency points. In the first step, only mass and stiffness matrices are updated while keeping the uncalibrated viscous damping matrix constant. In the second step, the damping matrix is updated via changes on the selected unknown modal damping ratios. By using a stacking procedure of the presented error function that combines multiple data sets, adverse effects of noise on the estimated modal damping ratios are decreased by averaging the FRF amplitudes at resonant peaks. The application of this methodology is presented utilizing experimentally obtained data. The presented algorithm can perform an accurate structural identification via model updating, with a viscous damping matrix that captures the variation of the modal damping ratios with natural frequencies as opposed to other conventional proportional damping matrix formulations.
Health monitoring techniques for composite materials employing thermal parameters and fiber optic sensors

In this paper we investigate the performance of a SCS-6/Ti-15-3 composite system, a carbon/SiC woven composite system, and an AS4/3501-6 composite system, subjected to long term mechanical fatigue, with an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (EFPI) fiber optic strain sensor. Both stiffness reduction and the degradation of thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) are monitored. The obtained results show that the EFPI sensor provides reliable data during long term fatigue loading up to 1 million cycles. The results suggest that the EFPI sensor is a viable means to monitor current and proposed characteristic damage metrics for various composite systems. We also monitor the TEC degradation during the thermal fatigue of celion G30-500/PMR-15 woven cross-ply composite system, and present a simple micromechanical model, that employs a shear lag approach, utilized to predict the effect of matrix cracking on the TEC of the composite. Results show that good agreement between experimental data and theoretical results is obtained, and that this parameter changed by as much as 80% over the fatigue life of the composite.
Synthesis of cis- and trans-2,5-Disubstituted Tetrahydrofurans by a Tandem Dihydroxylation-SN2 Cyclization Sequence

[reaction: see text] Dihydroxylation of delta- and epsilon-mesyloxy alpha,beta-unsaturated esters proceeds with in situ cyclization to afford 2,5-disubstituted and 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans.
Collision problems of random walks in two-dimensional time

Let (Xij: i > 0, i > 0} be a double sequence of independently, identically distributed random variables (i.i.d.) which takes values in the d-dimensional integer lattice Ed . The double sequence {Sm,,: m > 0, n > 0} defined by Sllan= xy=, zyW, Xgj is called the random walk in two-dimensional time generated by 41, or a two-parameter random walk, or simply a random walk when there is no danger of confusion. In this paper we study two different but closely related problems. The first one is the recurrence properties of the random walk when the distribution of X,, is symmetric and the second one is the collision problems of these random walks. To be more specific, one wants to know if the associated random walk would return to the origin infinitely often in certain time sets, and also whether two or more mutually independent random walks would meet infinitely often in certain time sets of interest. In this work after giving some notations and preliminary estimates in Section 1, we give, in Section 2, a necessary and sufficient conditron in terms of the characteristic function associated with a symmetric random walk so that it will return to the origin infinitely often when the time set is the positive integer lattice in the plane. In Section 3, we use the result of Section 2 in order to establish some criteria in terms of the characteristic functions associated with two or more mutually independent random walks with the same distribution so that they
Left-handed DNA in vivo

Left-handed DNA is shown to exist and elicit a biological response in Escherichia coli. A plasmid encoding the gene for a temperature-sensitive Eco RI methylase (MEco RI) was cotransformed with different plasmids containing inserts that had varying capacities to form left-handed helices or cruciforms with a target Eco RI site in the center or at the ends of the inserts. Inhibition of methylation in vivo was found for the stable inserts with the longest left-handed (presumably Z) helices. In vitro methylation with the purified MEco RI agreed with the results in vivo. Supercoil-induced changes in the structure of the primary helix in vitro provided confirmation that left-handed helices were responsible for this behavior. The presence in vivo of left-handed inserts elicits specific deletions and plasmid incompatibilities in certain instances.
Regulation of cell-fate determination in Dictyostelium.

Abstract A key step in the development of all multicellular organisms is the differentiation of specialized cell types. The eukaryotic microorganism Dictyostelium discoideum provides a unique experimental system for studying cell-type determination and spatial patterning in a developing multicellular organism. Unlike metazoans, which become multicellular by undergoing many rounds of cell division after fertilization of an egg, the social amoeba Dictyostelium achieves multicellularity by the aggregation of ∼10 5 cells in response to nutrient depletion. Following aggregation, cell-type differentiation and morphogenesis result in a multicellular organism with only a few cell types that exhibit a defined patterning along the anterior–posterior axis of the organism. Analysis of the mechanisms that control these processes is facilitated by the relative simplicity of Dictyostelium development and the availability of molecular, genetic, and cell biological tools. Interestingly, analysis has shown that many molecules that play integral roles in the development of higher eukaryotes, such as PKA, STATs, and GSK-3, are also essential for cell-type differentiation and patterning in Dictyostelium. The role of these and other signaling pathways in the induction, maintenance, and patterning of cell types during Dictyostelium development is discussed.
Electronic band structure of ordered vacancy defect chalcopyrite compounds with formula II-III 2 -VI 4

First-principles local-density-functional calculations are presented for the electronic band structures of the ordered vacancy defect chalcopyrites with formula $\mathrm{II}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{III}}_{2}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{VI}}_{4}$ for $\mathrm{II}=\mathrm{Zn},$ Cd, Hg, $\mathrm{III}=\mathrm{Al},$ Ga, In, and $\mathrm{VI}=\mathrm{S},$ Se, Te. Their relationship with the band structure of their parent chalcopyrite compounds $\mathrm{I}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{III}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{VI}}_{2}$ with $\mathrm{I}=\mathrm{Cu},$ Ag, and their grand parent II-VI compounds is clarified. An empirical correction for the band gaps beyond local-density approximation is introduced and shown to give good agreement for cases where data are available. The chemical trends are discussed.
The effects of abused inhalants on mouse behavior in an elevated plus-maze.

Previous research has shown that abused inhalants (i.e., the volatile solvents) share some of the pharmacological properties of drugs used in the treatment of anxiety. In an attempt to further examine commonalities in the effects of inhalants and central nervous system depressant drugs, the behavioral effects of inhaled 1,1,1-trichloroethane, toluene, methoxyflurane and the convulsant vapor flurothyl were examined and compared to those of diazepam in the elevated plus-maze, a test used to predict antianxiety effects. After inhalant exposure or diazepam injection, mice were placed in the center of an elevated plus-maze and the number of entries and time spent in each type of arm (open versus closed) were measured during 5-min tests. Exposure to increasing concentrations of toluene produced concentration-related increases in the total number of open arm entries and the total time spent on the open arms, a pattern of behavioral effects similar to that produced by diazepam. A similar pattern was observed for increasing concentrations of 1,1,1-trichloroethane and methoxyflurane but changes in open arm activity were only observed at concentrations that increased locomotor activity. Conversely, only decreases in open arm time and number of entries were observed for flurothyl. The increasing evidence for commonalities in the behavioral effects of volatile solvents and depressant drugs may provide a foundation for understanding the neurobehavioral basis of inhalant abuse.
Agency and Virtue: Dimensions Underlying Subgroups of Women

Previous research indicates that the stereotype of women can be considered to have 3 subgroups: housewife, career woman, and sex object. In 2 samples (N = 19 and 35), we found evidence that these subgroups can be reliably distinguished in terms of 2 dimensions: agency and virtue. Participants sorted 27 feminine traits and then rated these traits in terms of their agency and virtue. Cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling with property fitting were used to identify subgroups, to fit virtue and agency dimensions to the subgroups, and to test for differences among the subgroups in terms of virtue and agency. Across both samples, agency and virtue fit the subgroups well (average R2 = .75), produced many significant differences among the subgroups, and are consistent with a system-justification perspective of sexism (Glick & Fiske, 2001) in which a belief in women's virtue and lack of agency reflects and maintains status differences between men and women.
Acetylcholinesterase - the acyl-enzyme intermediate.

Abstract The origin of the acetyl-enzyme theory for hydrolytic reactions of acetylcholinesterase is outlined. The relationship of this theory to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by organophosphates is emphasized. The steady state concentration of the acetyl-enzyme was measured using acetate labeled, tritrated acetylcholine as substrate. From pH 6 to pH 9.0, 60% to 70% of the 18S enzyme is labeled at 22°C in high ionic strength.
Nanofibrillated Cellulose (NFC): A High-Value Co-Product that Improves the Economics of Cellulosic Ethanol Production

Cellulosic ethanol is a sustainable alternative to petroleum as a transportation fuel, which could be made biologically from agricultural and forestry residues, municipal waste, or herbaceous and woody crops. Instead of putting efforts on steps overcoming the natural resistance of plants to biological breakdown, our study proposes a unique pathway to improve the outcome of the process by co-producing high-value nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), offering a new economic leverage for cellulosic ethanol to compete with fossil fuels in the near future. In this study, glucose has been produced by commercial enzymes while the residual solids are converted into NFC via sonification. Here, we report the morphology of fibers changed through the process and yield of glucose in the enzymatic hydrolysis step.
Contact Angles of Liquid Drops on Low-Energy Solid Surfaces

Abstract There have been many experiments that have determined the wetting behavior of liquids on low-energy solid surfaces. These experiments show that, in general, the contact angle, θ, measured through the liquid, increases with increasing liquid–vapor surface tension, σlv. Surprisingly, in experiments with some such surfaces, the contact angle of a drop appears to depend almost entirely on the liquid–vapor surface tension and very little on the other properties of the liquid. To gain some insight into this phenomenon, we have used a generalized van der Waals theory to model a diverse series of liquids on a low-energy substrate and to calculate the corresponding surface tensions and contact angles. We find that it is indeed possible to reproduce behavior similar to that seen in experiments, with the data for cos θ plotted versus σlvfalling in a narrow band which could almost be interpreted as a smooth curve. The width of the band in our calculation depends on the ranges of the model parameters and on the details of the molecular interactions.
A collaborative approach to investigate site fidelity, home range, and homing behavior of cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus)

Abstract Understanding the area use requirements of species targeted for protection by marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical to the future conservation efforts of economically important fish species. Knowledge of home range size and site fidelity is essential in determining whether species will benefit from the protection offered by a MPA, the size of the area needed to protect individuals, and the extent to which surrounding unprotected areas may be supplemented through post-recruitment movement or “spillover”. We utilized a traditional mark and recapture approach, along with GIS spatial analysis to investigate the site fidelity, home range, and homing behavior of the economically important fish species cabezon ( Scorpaenichthys marmoratus ) on the south central coast of California. In collaboration with members of the commercial live-fish fishery, a total of 1240 sub-adult and adult cabezon were tagged during 10 days of fishing from September to December of 2004 along ∼18 km of coastline. A public awareness and reward program resulted in 330 total recaptures from 290 different individuals (23% recapture rate) with recaptured individuals at liberty up to 1000 days after initial tagging. A majority of individuals displayed high site fidelity, with 81% of recapture events occurring within 100 m of their initial capture locations, and only 9 individuals (.03%) recaptured greater than 1 km. Most individuals (64%) displayed home ranges less than 1000 m 2 . Ten individuals recaptured after experiencing translocation of up to 5.3 km displayed strong homing behavior, returning to within 14 m of their initial capture locations. Findings suggest that under circumstances where suitable habitat is available in nearby unprotected areas, that adult “spillover” will likely be limited to areas within 100 m from MPA boundaries. In addition, the size of the area needed to protect individual cabezon, should be at least 1000 m 2 . Findings from this study demonstrate many of the potential benefits of scientists and fishers working together to investigate area use patterns of economically important fish species to facilitate future design and assessment of MPAs.
Adult male coatis play with a band of juveniles

This study examined the play behaviour in one group of coatis (Nasua narica) at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. We incidentally found adult males playing with juvenile coatis, and conducted post-hoc analyses to investigate this interaction. Coati groups consist of adult females and juveniles of both sexes until male juveniles reach two years of age and leave the band to become solitary. Adult males only tolerate juveniles for a brief period during breeding season when the males court females to mate. Outside of the breeding season, adult males are known to prey on juveniles. In this study, when adult males were present with the band, play occurred more than was expected by chance, and adult males engaged in many of these play bouts. Because the mechanisms driving infanticidal behaviour are not well understood, and adult male coatis show a range of behaviours from infanticide to highly affiliative interactions with juveniles, using coatis as a model system may elucidate mechanisms underlying infanticide.
Rate of progression in Alzheimer's disease correlates with coated-platelet levels—a longitudinal study

Coated-platelets represent a subset of platelets produced by activation with both collagen and thrombin that retain full-length amyloid precursor protein on their surface. In our initial cross-sectional study, coated-platelet levels correlated inversely with disease severity in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Higher levels were observed in the early stage compared with the advanced stage of the disease. In this longitudinal study, we investigated for the first time the relationship between initial coated-platelet levels and disease progression in individuals with AD. Coated-platelet levels were assayed in 25 patients with AD who where then clinically monitored for 2 years. A significant linear correlation (r = 0.47, P = 0.017) was detected between the initial coated-platelet levels and disease progression measured in the Mini-Mental State Examination score. The most severe decline was noted in individuals with the highest initial coated-platelet production. These findings support our previous observations from cross-sectional studies and suggest the need for additional study of coated-platelets as a link to the sequence of events leading to the development of AD.
PLANT TISSUE EXTRACTION METHOD FOR COMPLEXED AND FREE CYANIDE

A method for free cyanide and strongly-complexed cyanide measurement within plant tissue was developed to study uptake and movement of cyanide species separately from cyanide metabolism and metabolite movement by a willow plant (Salix eriocephala var. Michaux). Spike recoveries from solutions with and without plant tissue, using various solvent combinations, and background control tissue contributions were investigated to obtain an accurate and precise extraction method for measurement of complexed and free cyanide concentrations within plant tissue. The optimum extraction technique involved the freezing of plant tissue with liquid nitrogen to facilitate homogenization prior to extraction. Homogenized willow tissue samples, 1 to 1.5 g-fresh weight, were ground a second time under liquid nitrogen followed by grinding in slurry with 2.5 M NaOH. The slurry was brought to 100 mL volume, sonicated for 5 min, extracted in the dark for 16 h, and analyzed without filtration for total and free cyanide by acid distillation and microdiffusion respectively. Sample tissue extraction controls found recoveries of 89% and 100% for 100 μg L−1 CNT as KCN and K4Fe(CN)6 spiked in willow tissue slurries. Methanol, hexane, and 2-octanol inclusion in the solvent matrix with 2.5 M NaOH interfered with the cyanide analytical technique while chloroform reacted with NaOH and free cyanide in solution. Filtration was not included due to increased cyanide loss, and analysis of control tissue showed minimal release of cyanide or interference of plant tissue with the cyanide analytical method. Tissue cyanide concentrations from hydroponically-exposed tissue using the optimal extraction method agreed with tissue cyanide stable isotope (15N) results.
Retroviral Cyclin Controls Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 8-Mediated Transcription Elongation and Reinitiation

Walleye dermal sarcoma virus (WDSV) infection is associated with the seasonal development and regression of walleye dermal sarcoma. Previous work showed that the retroviral cyclin (RV-cyclin), encoded by WDSV, has separable cyclin box and transcription activation domains. It binds to cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) and enhances its kinase activity. CDK8 is evolutionarily conserved and is frequently overexpressed in human cancers. It is normally activated by cyclin C and is required for transcription elongation of the serum response genes (immediate early genes [IEGs]) FOS, EGR1, and cJUN. The IEGs drive cell proliferation, and their expression is brief and highly regulated. Here we show that constitutive expression of RV-cyclin in the HCT116 colon cancer cell line significantly increases the level of IEG expression in response to serum stimulation. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and nuclear run-on assays provide evidence that RV-cyclin does not alter the initiation of IEG transcription but does enhance the overall rate of transcription elongation and maintains transcription reinitiation. RV-cyclin does not increase activating phosphorylation events in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and does not inhibit decay of IEG mRNAs. At the EGR1 gene locus, RV-cyclin increases and maintains RNA polymerase II (Pol II) occupancy after serum stimulation, in conjunction with increased and extended EGR1 gene expression. The RV-cyclin increases CDK8 occupancy at the EGR1 gene locus before and after serum stimulation. Both of RV-cyclin's functional domains, i.e., the cyclin box and the activation domain, are necessary for the overall enhancement of IEG expression. RV-cyclin presents a novel and ancient mechanism of retrovirus-induced oncogenesis. IMPORTANCE The data reported here are important to both virology and cancer biology. The novel mechanism pinpoints CDK8 in the development of walleye dermal sarcoma and sheds light on CDK8's role in many human cancers. CDK8 controls expression from highly regulated genes, including the interferon-stimulated genes. Its function is likely the target of many viral interferon-resistance mechanisms. CDK8 also controls cellular responses to metabolic stimuli, stress, and hypoxia, in addition to the serum response. The retroviral cyclin (RV-cyclin) represents a highly selected probe of CDK8 function. RV-cyclin does not control CDK8 specificity but instead enhances CDK8's effects on regulated genes, an important distinction for its use to delineate natural CDK8 targets. The outcomes of this research are applicable to investigations of normal and abnormal CDK8 functions. The mechanisms defined here will contribute directly to the dermal sarcoma model in fish and clarify an important path for oncogenesis and innate resistance to viruses.
Extended soot limits for rich n-HeptaneAir flames

A rich n-heptane/air mixture was burned in a flat flame burner in an inert environment, and the soot limits of stable one-stage flames were measured. With a small thin metal plate placed on the flame to suppress soot-containing cusps on the flamelets, the richest soot-free flame burned was with a mixture for which the equivalence ratio was 2.25. Hydrogen yield was, however, low. Extremely rich soot-free two-stage flames could be obtained, but they were unstable.
The Cost of Shame: International Organizations and Foreign Aid in the Punishing of Human Rights Violators

Are violators of international human rights norms punished with lower levels of foreign aid? Despite their abstract preferences, governments often lack the incentive to punish norm violators bilaterally. Multilateral lending institutions, such as the World Bank, could fill the void if they wanted to consider human rights abuses and could bypass restrictions on evaluating the political character of recipients. This article argues that `shaming' in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, through resolutions that explicitly criticized governments for their human rights records, provided substantive information about rights abuses and gave political cover for the World Bank and other liberal multilateral aid institutions seeking to sanction human rights violators. Statistical analyses support these theoretical claims. The adoption of a UNCHR resolution condemning a country's human rights record produced a sizeable reduction in multilateral, and especially World Bank, aid but had no effect on the countr...
Mitral Valve Prolapse in Anorexia Nervosa

Excerpt Mitral valve prolapse occurs frequently in patients with anorexia nervosa (1, 2). We have confirmed this association and identified one of its causes. We examined 28 consecutive female pati...
Bulk excitons in solid neon: Theory

In a recent paper Saile and Koch present a detailed experimental reinvestigation of the excitonic spectrum of solid neon. With respect to a previous work, relevant corrections are introduced in the case of the $n=1$ excitonic transitions. Saile and Koch compare their results with theoretical studies which were, however, based on the previous data. Other relevant theoretical works have been published meanwhile. We provide a series of comments to the new experimental data, on the basis of the complete series of the previous theoretical works.
Future directions in the medical treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis: the need for combination drug therapy.

Future directions in the medical treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis: the need for combination drug therapy
Gonadotropin releasing hormone treatment of dairy cows with ovarian cysts. I. Gross ovarian morphology and endocrinology.

Dairy cows diagnosed as having ovarian cysts were assigned to receive either sterile water or 100 mug GnRH (5 cows/group). Immediately prior to treatment and three days post-treatment, ovaries were observed via paralumbar laparotomy, photographed and visible structures and ovarian size recorded. Nine to thirteen days post-treatment, ovaries were removed. Blood plasma was collected for hormone determinations prior to each surgery, 1.5 and 3.0 hours and 1, 5 and 9 days post-treatment. Although concentrations were similar between groups prior to treatment, concentrations of progesterone were higher and LH and estradiol-17beta lower for GnRH treated cows than control cows, immediately prior to ovariectomy. A layer of luteal tissue approximately 5 mm thick was present around the periphery of the cystic structure at ovariectomy in 4 of 5 GnRH treated cows, but in only one control cow. The thickness of the luteal layer around the periphery of the ovarian cysts was correlated -.82, .78 and -.63 with estradiol-17beta, progesterone and LH, respectively. In summary, response to GnRH treatment in cows with ovarian cysts appears to be characterized in most cases by luteinization of the cystic structures.
The Palomar/MSU Nearby Star Spectroscopic Survey. IV. The Luminosity Function in the Solar Neighborhood and M Dwarf Kinematics*

We have used new astrometric and spectroscopic observations to refine the volume-complete sample of M dwarfs defined in previous papers in this series. With the addition of Hipparcos astrometry, our revised VC2 sample includes 558 main-sequence stars in 448 systems. Analysis of that data set shows no evidence of any systematic kinematic bias. Combining those data with a Hipparcos-based sample of AFGK dwarfs within 25 pc of the Sun, we have derived the solar neighborhood luminosity function, ?(MV), for stars with absolute magnitudes between -1 and +17. Using empirical and semiempirical mass-MV relations, we transform ?(MV) to the present-day mass function, ?(M) (=dN/dM). Depending on the mass-luminosity calibration adopted, ?(M) can be represented by either a two-component or a three-component power law. In either case, the power-law index ? has a value of ~1.3 at low masses (0.1 M? 4) stars in the Hipparcos 25 pc sample are well represented by two-component Gaussian distributions, with ~10% of the stars in the higher velocity dispersion component. We suggest that the latter component is the thick disk, and we offer a possible explanation for the relatively low velocity dispersions shown by ultracool dwarfs.
Sea surface temperature control on the stable isotopic composition of rainfall in Panama

[1] The climate dynamical controls on rainfall oxygen isotope values (δ18Orain) are poorly constrained in most areas. In Central America, rainfall variations are associated with sea surface temperature anomalies in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, yet the response in δ18Orain has not been adequately investigated. Analysis of a 30-year time series of δ18Orain in Panama was used to test the hypothesis that δ18Orain variations are forced by anomalies in rainfall and sea surface temperatures (SSTAs) in the bordering tropical oceans. The results show that δ18Orain values in Panama are positively (negatively) correlated with SSTAs in the Pacific Ocean (Caribbean Sea). The data are consistent with a dominant 'amount effect' whereby lowest δ18O values are associated with a northerly position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone when regional rainfall is high. The source effect (Caribbean vs. Pacific), as constrained by wind direction, does not appear to be an important control on the temporal variations in δ18Orain.
Effect of clear cutting on nutrient fluxes in a subalpine forest at Fraser, Colorado

Abstract. Nutrient fluxes were investigated on a forested and a clearcut plot in a mixed conifer high elevation (2900 m) forest at the Fraser Experimental Forest in Fraser, Colorado, USA. Plots were located on a coarse loamy mixed Dystric Cryochrept with relatively high base saturation (30-90%) and underlain by an impermeable clay subsoil. Following harvest in late 1984, annual mean NO3 concentrations of 195 to 198 μmol l-1 were observed from 1988 through 1990 and concentrations were still above reference levels in 1993. Total nitrogen loss attributable to leaching following harvest was estimated at 48kg ha-1 over 8 years. Over this same period, atmospheric nitrogen inputs exceeded annual outflow of NH4 plus NO3 from the control plots by approximately 11 kg N ha-1. A slight enrichment Of SO4 and Cl was observed from the harvested plot in 1986 but concentrations later fell below control plot levels, apparently due to dilution by the increased discharge from the harvested plot which was three to four times that from the control plot. Elevated Ca, Mg, and Na concentrations followed a similar pattern to NO3 due to exchange reactions, while a depression in alkalinity of about one-third the amount of NO3 found was also observed. Enrichment of K occurred primarily in water collected at less than 1 m depth. Increases in base cation loss due to leaching after harvest were about twice the amount that can be accounted for by the increased flux of NO3, SO4, and Cl anions. The excess reflects the increased water flux and consequent leaching of base cations in association with HCO3 and organic anions.
A progressive geophysical exploration strategy at the Shea Creek uranium deposit

The Athabasca Basin is a large Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic quartz arenite sandstone basin that occupies most of the northernmost quarter of Sas-katchewan and a smaller portion of northeastern Alberta. The locations of the basin and the uranium discoveries discussed in this paper are shown in Figure 1. The majority of the unconformity-type uranium deposits of the Athabasca Basin are sandstone-hosted and are associated with post-Hudsonian, reactivated graphitic faults within Aphebian metasedimentary gneisses of the Wollaston Domain and the Wollaston-Mudjatik transition zone in the eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin. However, the Shea Creek deposit, consisting of the Anne, Kianna, and Colette zones, occurs in the western portion of the basin and is associated with the transition between the granitic Clearwater Domain and the Lloyd Domain.
Computer and EADL Access for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Participation in modern society virtually requires access to electronic and information technologies. However, the person with a spinal cord injury (SCI) may find conventional technology difficult to operate because the controls are designed for individuals with very good hand control. Fortunately, there are a wide range of alternative access technologies that can allow an individual with limited hand control to operate electronic technologies. These range from changes in the way the conventional keyboard/keypad responds to user input to virtual control systems where the residual motor control of the individual with SCI is captured to provide control of the device.
Decreases in Behavior in Vicarious Reinforcement Procedures

Results of past research on vicarious reinforcement are mixed. Some researchers have reported an increase in the frequency of modeled behavior, others have reported no change, and still others have reported a decrease. If a subject imitates a model whose behavior is reinforced, and the subject's behavior is not then followed by reinforcement, the procedure is extinction. In the present study kindergarten children who received direct reinforcement following working on a picture puzzle increased their rate of correct placement of puzzle pieces. 10 of 12 observer-subjects, also working on picture puzzles, showed a decrease in their rate of correct placement of puzzle pieces. Observer-subjects also had a significantly higher rate of verbal behaviors classified as attention getting, complaints, and aggression, than the subjects whose behavior was directly reinforced. These results support the hypothesis that nonreinforcement of the vicariously reinforced subject's behavior helps account for the mixed results d...
Differential effect of subtype of parental major affective disorder on children

Fifty offspring of patients with major affective disorder (MAD) were studied. The children and their parents were interviewed using a structured diagnostic instrument. The results supported previous studies that the children of patients with MAD endorse a variety of symptoms of psychopathology. In addition, when the sample was separated by subtype of parental MAD, few differences in the types of symptoms were reported, and the differences that were found may be spurious. The differences, as well as indications for future research, are discussed.
Development of bilirubin transport and metabolismin the newborn rhesus monkey

Hepatic transport and metabolism of bilirubin have been examined in term, premature, and postmaturenewborn Macaca mulatta (rhesus) monkeys with and without prior phenobarbital treatment of pregnant mother and neonate. In untreated neonates a biphasic pattern of physiologic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia has been observed. Phase I was characterized by a rapid increase in serum bilirubin concentration to 4.5 mg/dl by 19 hours and an equally rapid decline to 1.0 mg/dl by 48 hours of age. Phase II was characterized by a stable elevation at 1.0 mg/dl (four times greater than in the adult) from 48 to 96 hours of age, followed by a decline to normal adult concentrations thereafter. An identical pattern was observed in 29 normal, term human neonates, but the duration of each phase was approximately three times as long as that in the monkey. Phase I hyperbilirubinemia appears to result from a sixfold increase in bilirubin load presented to the liver in the neonatal period, combined with marked deficiency in hepatic bilirubin conjugation, the rate-limiting step during Phase I. Hepatic uptake of bilirubin is not rate limiting during Phase I but may contribute to Phase II hyperbilirubinemia. An increased bilirubin load persists throughout the first 19 days of life in the monkey. Phase I physiologic jaundice in the monkey neonate was completely eliminated by prenatal maternal and neonatal administration of phenobarbital. A threefold enhancement of hepatic conjugation of bilirubin (glucuronyl transferase activity) during Phase I entirely accounted for the prevention of hyperbilirubinemia. The bilirubin load was unaffected by administration of phenobarbital. Whereas in control neonates the bilirubin load slightly exceeded hepatic bilirubin conjugating capacity and resulted in retention of bilirubin, in phenobarbital-treated neonates, hepatic conjugating capacity slightly exceeded that required for the bilirubin load. Administration of phenobarbital failed to alter Phase II hyperbilirubinemia and did
The Role of Breastfeeding in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

The objective of this article is to review the literature regarding the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in bottle-fed infants compared to those that are breastfed. A meta-analysis and qualitative literature review were performed. Cohort and case-control studies were included if they met a minimum SIDS definition and presented data allowing calculation of an odds ratio (OR). Twenty-three studies were included in the meta-analysis. The studies were heterogeneous, and a majority (14) were of "fair" or "poor" quality. Crude ORs from 19 individual studies favored breastfeeding as protective against SIDS. The combined analysis indicated that bottle-fed infants were twice as likely to die from SIDS (pooled OR = 2.11; 95% CI 1.66-2.68). The results of the analysis show that there is an association between bottle-feeding and SIDS, but this may be related to confounding variables.
Temozolomide treatment for aggressive pituitary tumors: correlation of clinical outcome with O(6)-methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation and expression.

Context: The typically indolent behavior of pituitary tumors is juxtaposed with high rates of tumor cell invasion into adjacent dural structures, and occasional aggressive behavior. Although clinically significant invasion and malignant transformation remain uncommon, there are limited treatment options available for the management of these aggressive tumors. Recently, case reports have described efficacy of temozolomide for the treatment of aggressive pituitary tumors. Design: Seven patients with aggressive pituitary tumors have been treated with temozolomide. We compared O6-methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation and MGMT expression in 14 surgical specimens from these seven patients and correlated these molecular features with the clinical response to temozolomide. Results: Significant tumor regression was seen in two patients (29%), a 20% reduction in tumor volume with subsequent stable tumor size was noted in one patient, arrest of tumor growth occurred in three patients, and progr...
Preconception Wellness: Differences in Health by Immigrant Status

Disparities in health between immigrant and non-immigrant pregnant women in the United States is well documented, but few have documented disparities before pregnancy. Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2006), we examined the health of reproductive-aged women (8,095), sorted by immigrant and pregnancy pregnant US-born (P-US), pregnant foreign-born (P-FB), non-pregnant US-born (NP-US), and non-pregnant foreignborn (NP-FB). P-US women were 5.2 times more likely to report illicit drug use than P-FB women. NP-US women were 3.7 times more likely to report illicit drugs use, 45% less likely to have a normal BMI, 2.0 times more likely to binge drink, 7.6 times more likely to smoke, 1.6 times more likely to engage in moderate physical activity, and 1.7 times more likely to use birth control than NP-FB women. The lower prevalence of numerous destructive health behaviors among preconceptional immigrant women is an important finding.
Secure programs via game-based synthesis

Several recent operating systems provide system calls that allow an application to explicitly manage the privileges of modules with which the application interacts. Such privilege-aware operating systems allow a programmer to a write a program that satisfies a strong security policy, even when the program interacts with untrusted modules. However, it is often non-trivial to rewrite a program to correctly use the system calls to satisfy a high-level security policy. This paper concerns the policy-weaving problem, which is to take as input a program, a desired high-level policy for the program, and a description of how system calls affect privilege, and automatically rewrite the program to invoke the system calls so that it satisfies the policy. We describe a reduction from the policy-weaving problem to finding a winning strategy to a two-player safety game. We then describe a policy-weaver generator that implements the reduction and a novel game-solving algorithm, and present an experimental evaluation of the generator applied to a model of the Capsicum capability system. We conclude by outlining ongoing work in applying the generator to a model of the HiStar decentralized-information-flow control (DIFC) system.
Effects of catechol estrogen methyl ethers on lipid metabolism in prepubertal rats

Thirty-five day old ovariectomised rats were given daily subcutaneous injections (0.05-5.0 micrograms/100 gm body weight) of estradiol (E2) 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME2) or 4-methoxyestradiol (4-ME2) for six days. At the end of the last injection, the animals were sacrificed and serum lipoproteins were analysed. It was observed that cholesterol decreased significantly in normal fed animals who received E2 and 4-ME2, while no effect was seen in cholesterol fed animals. In the E2 treated group there was a decrease in esterified and free cholesterol, while in the 4-ME2 group only esterified cholesterol decreased. High density lipoproteins were significantly elevated in the E2 treated group. However, there was an increase in very low density lipoproteins and a decrease in low density lipoproteins in 2-ME2 and 4-ME2 treated groups. These results suggest that catechol estrogens may play an important role in the lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerotic diseases, and the mechanism of action may differ from that of estradiol.
Activation of the myogenic lineage by MEF2A, a factor that induces and cooperates with MyoD

Muscle enhancer factor-2A (MEF2A), a member of the MADS family, induced myogenic development when ectopically expressed in clones of nonmuscle cells of human clones, a function previously limited to the muscle basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins. During myogenesis, MEF2A and bHLH proteins cooperatively activate skeletal muscle genes and physically interact through the MADS domain of MEF2A and the three myogenic amino acids of the muscle bHLH proteins. Thus, skeletal myogenesis is mediated by two distinct families of mutually inducible and interactive muscle transcription factors, either of which can initiate the developmental cascade.
Closed channel fabrication using micromolding of metallic glass

Abstract Casting and molding are attractive options for low cost mass production. Metallic glasses may avoid many of the problems associated with micromolding of metals such as high temperatures and pressures, costly mold production, and shrinkage due to crystallization. In this study, we have produced 100 μm2, enclosed channels in metallic glass using a novel multilayer Si stack micromolding process. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the enclosed channels are provided to verify that the closed channels extended through the sample.
Purple Coneflower Is a Host of the Aster Yellows Phytoplasma.

The perennial plant purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, Asteraceae) is native to open woods and prairies of the eastern U.S. and is gaining popularity as a garden and roadside ornamental. It is propagated both by seed and by division of established plant crowns. During late summer 1996, three of seven purple coneflower plants located in a residential garden in Dane County, WI, exhibited symptoms associated with diseases caused by phytoplasmas. These plants had been established from seed in spring 1995. Stems were thickened and brittle. Leaves were slightly twisted and drooped, and flower parts lacked normal pigmentation. Petals of ligulate flowers were narrow. Clusters of short, thin stems bearing sterile, dwarfed, distorted, green heads had grown from the receptacles of severely affected flower heads. A presumptive fluorescence test with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining was positive for phytoplasmalike bodies in phloem sieve elements in the midveins of leaves from a symptomatic plant...