cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acquisition and extinction of differential responses to signals paired with shock or shock omission in goldfish: Evidence for truly discriminated avoidance learning

Goldfish trained to discriminate between signals paired with shock (S−) and signals paired with shock omission (S+) with a linear presentation procedure, originally learned (OL) to control the signal state of a shuttle box and showed a decided preference for the S+ signal. In Experiment 1, following OL, groups had one OL signal replaced (S+ or S−), both signals replaced (S+ and S−), or the OL signals reversed (S+ and S− reversed) and were then tested in a transfer training procedure. In transfer, groups with one signal replaced maintained discriminated performance at OL levels; the S+ replaced group was slightly superior to the S− replaced group on the first day of transfer. With both OL signals replaced, discrimination dropped to chance performance levels, whereas, with OL signal shock pairing reversed, discrimination performance dropped below chance levels. In Experiment 2, following OL, extinction procedures consisted of turning off the shocker (0% shock) or of shocking 100% or a random 25% of the trials. A fourth extinction procedure (R,) retained the trial start response-dependent shock-omission contingency, but shock differentiating the S+ and S− signals was eliminated entirely. Extinction of the S+/S− discrimination was measured both during extinction training per se and with reversal retraining of the S+/S− discrimination later. Groups for which the OL S+ was paired with shock during extinction extinguished on both measures, but groups for which the OL S− was paired with shock omission did not extinguish, especially as shown by the reversal test procedure. Theoretical implications and the implications for several conditioning procedures are discussed.
Fatty acid methyl ester profiles of bat wing surface lipids

Sebocytes are specialized epithelial cells that rupture to secrete sebaceous lipids (sebum) across the mammalian integument. Sebum protects the integument from UV radiation, and maintains host microbial communities among other functions. Native glandular sebum is composed primarily of triacylglycerides (TAG) and wax esters (WE). Upon secretion (mature sebum), these lipids combine with minor cellular membrane components comprising total surface lipids. TAG and WE are further cleaved to smaller molecules through oxidation or host enzymatic digestion, resulting in a complex mixture of glycerolipids (e.g., TAG), sterols, unesterified fatty acids (FFA), WE, cholesteryl esters, and squalene comprising surface lipid. We are interested if fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiling of bat surface lipid could predict species specificity to the cutaneous fungal disease, white nose syndrome (WNS). We collected sebaceous secretions from 13 bat spp. using Sebutape® and converted them to FAME with an acid catalyzed transesterification. We found that Sebutape® adhesive patches removed ~6× more total lipid than Sebutape® indicator strips. Juvenile eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) had significantly higher 18:1 than adults, but 14:0, 16:1, and 20:0 were higher in adults. FAME profiles among several bat species were similar. We concluded that bat surface lipid FAME profiling does not provide a robust model predicting species susceptibility to WNS. However, these results provide baseline data that can be used for lipid roles in future ecological studies, such as life history, diet, or migration.
A Window into the Recent Past in Chiapas: Federal Education and Indigenismo in the Highlands, 1921-1940

In the 1920s and 1930s Mexico's Ministry of Public Education (SEP) launched ambitious projects aimed at modernizing and "civilizing' the highlands of Chiapas "incorporating' its indigenous populations into the national mestizo mainstream, and imposing federal laws and instiaitions in the state. SEP teachers met fierce resistance from ladino alcohol mercliants, debt-labor contractors, planters and politicians and from the Tzotzil and Tzeltal Maya themselves. By the time President Lazaro Cardenas managed to impose his reform agenda on the state in late 1936, die SEP's battle had largely been lost, kind and labor reforms merely provided local ladinos with new ways to control the highland Maya. By 1940, indigenous communities were tied politically to state and national party machines. Only now might tills system of domination lie breaking down, as the PRI reels from its recent losses at the national and state levels
A world view of nurses and midwives responding to alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues

Nurses and midwives are the frontline providers of health care and provide basic health care and specialty nursing care worldwide. Because they are knowledgeable about drug-related problems in many populations and regions they have unique opportunities to demonstrate what nurses can do in relation to the abuse of drugs and alcohol. This paper addresses some newer approaches to alcohol, tobacco and drug problems that nurses and midwives can readily learn and implement at generalist levels of care and in a range of specialised nursing roles. These activities will increase their visibility and can positively impact public health efforts in this area.
Geometrical aspects of scatter-to-primary ratio and primary dose.

Using an approximation of Bjarngard and Petti [Phys. Med. Biol. 3 3, 21–32 (1988)] that the scatter‐to‐primary ratio SPR(r,d) is a linear function of the geometrical parameter z=r d/(r+d) (where r is the radius of photon beam and d is depth in phantom), a method was developed to determine primary dose directly from depth‐dose data, measured within the range of fields with lateral electronic equilibrium. This method was evaluated using tabulated TAR data for Co‐60 γ radiation in water. The results for primary dose agree within ∼1% of those from other studies. It was shown that this method is applicable within the energy range of therapeuticx rays. Primary dose was determined in the case of 6‐ and 18‐MV x rays using proposed method.
Control of the spectrum of irregular oscillations of linear systems with coinciding ranks of the matrix multiplying the control and the extended matrix

We consider a linear periodic control system such that the ranks of the matrix multiplying the control and the extended matrix consisting of the averaged coefficient matrix and the matrix multiplying the control are the same. We assume that the control has the form of feedback linear in the state variables and is periodic with the same period as the system itself. We pose the problem of control of the frequency spectrum of strongly irregular periodic oscillations with an objective set, that is, the problem of finding a feedback coefficient such that the closed system has a strongly irregular periodic solution with the desired frequencies. We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the solvability of this problem.
Nutrition in the Pediatric Double Lung Transplant Patient With Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal genetic disease in the white population. The pulmonary infections and pancreatic insufficiency make CF a medically challenging disease. Although the importance of nutrition in the CF patient is known, approximately 50% of CF patients are in less than the 10th percentile for weight and height as reported by the 1991 CF Foundation Registry of 114 CF Centers in the United States. This paper addresses the nutritional status of 10 pediatric CF patients who underwent double lung transplant at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh between August 1991 and May 1993. Patients who survived beyond 1 year gained a significant amount of weight sooner after transplant than those who survived less than 1 year. Gastrostomy tube feedings were more effective than oral intake for weight gain after transplant. CF patients with pancreatic insufficiency have more difficulty with adjustment of doses of immunosuppressive agents for reasons that are not clearly understood.
Establishing Drug Resistance in Microorganisms by Mass Spectrometry

A rapid method to determine drug resistance in bacteria based on mass spectrometry is presented. In it, a mass spectrum of an intact microorganism grown in drug-containing stable isotope-labeled media is compared with a mass spectrum of the intact microorganism grown in non-labeled media without the drug present. Drug resistance is determined by predicting characteristic mass shifts of one or more microorganism biomarkers using bioinformatics algorithms. Observing such characteristic mass shifts indicates that the microorganism is viable even in the presence of the drug, thus incorporating the isotopic label into characteristic biomarker molecules. The performance of the method is illustrated on the example of intact E. coli, grown in control (unlabeled) and 13C-labeled media, and analyzed by MALDI TOF MS. Algorithms for data analysis are presented as well.
Brown on Mill’s moral theory: A critical response

In this article, I argue that the reading of Mill that D.G. Brown presents in ‘Mill’s Moral Theory: Ongoing Revisionism’ is inconsistent with several key passages in Mill’s writings. I also show that a rule-utilitarian interpretation that is very close to the one developed by David Lyons is able to account for these passages without difficulty.
EB1 enables spindle microtubules to regulate centromeric recruitment of Aurora B.

The Aurora B kinase coordinates kinetochore–microtubule attachments with spindle checkpoint signaling on each mitotic chromosome. We find that EB1, a microtubule plus end–tracking protein, is required to enrich Aurora B at inner centromeres in a microtubule-dependent manner. This regulates phosphorylation of both kinetochore and chromatin substrates. EB1 regulates the histone phosphorylation marks (histone H2A phospho-Thr120 and histone H3 phospho-Thr3) that localize Aurora B. The chromosomal passenger complex containing Aurora B can be found on a subset of spindle microtubules that exist near prometaphase kinetochores, known as preformed K-fibers (kinetochore fibers). Our data suggest that EB1 enables the spindle microtubules to regulate the phosphorylation of kinetochores through recruitment of the Aurora B kinase.
Distance Guest Speakers in Online Synchronous Classrooms: Practical and Legal Considerations

Social work students increasingly are served by distance education, which necessitates the use of creative and innovative online teaching methods. An instructor embarking upon online teaching should consider interpersonal and technical issues, be familiar with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, and understand other legal implications related to recording a guest speaker. This paper offers an illustrative example and recommendations regarding the use of guest speakers who visit from a distance in a synchronous classroom.
Cellular remyelinating therapy in multiple sclerosis

Demyelination is a pathological hallmark of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects mainly young people in western countries. Recent studies have shown that remyelination can be accomplished by supplying demyelinated regions with myelinogenic cells or neural stem cells via transplantation. The remyelinating effect of these cells may be via one or more mechanisms, including: 1) as an immunomodulator by producing soluble factors; 2) direct cell replacement by differentiating into neural and glial cells in the lesion; and 3) indirect action by promoting neural and glial differentiation of endogenous cells. Identifying these mechanisms will help in choosing an optimal and more effective approach for cell-based therapy. Here we present a brief view focusing on myelin-forming cell types that can be used for cell transplantation and draw on a variety of recent experimental findings to speculate on the likely future evolution of remyelinating therapies.
Clustering, community partition and disjoint spanning trees

Clustering method is one of the most important tools in statistics. In a graph theory model, clustering is the process of finding all dense subgraphs. A mathematically well-defined measure for graph density is introduced in this article as follows. Let G = (V, E) be a graph (or multi-graph) and H be a subgraph of G. The dynamic density of H is the greatest integer k such that min∀P {vE(H/P)v/vV(H/P)v − 1} > k where the minimum is taken over all possible partitions P of the vertex set of H, and H/P is the graph obtained from H by contracting each part of P into a single vertex. A subgraph H of G is a level-k community if H is a maximal subgraph of G with dynamic density at least k. An algorithm is designed in this paper to detect all level-h communities of an input multi-graph G. The worst-case complexity of this algorithm is upper bounded by O(vV(G)v2h2). This new method is one of few available clustering methods that are mathematically well-defined, supported by rigorous mathematical proof and able to achieve the optimization goal with polynomial complexity. As a byproduct, this algorithm also can be applied for finding edge-disjoint spanning trees of a multi-graph. The worst-case complexity is lower than all known algorithms for multi-graphs.
Trophoblastic giant cells in placentas of rats and mice and their probable role in steroid-hormone production.

Implantation sites of rats (pregnant 10 to 21 days) and of mice have been assayed for Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity by histochemical and biochemical methods. Histochemically, activity was limited to the peripheral giant trophoblasts of the fetal placenta. In rats, enzymic activity was found by both methods to rise to a peak at about 13 to 15 days of gestation and thereafter to decline. This enzyme is required for oxidation of C19 and C21 Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroids to Δ4-3-ketosteroids and thus plays a key role in the biosynthesis of the active steroid hormones. Other features of the giant cells indicating their function in the production of steroid hormones are a conspicuous amount of cytoplasmic lipid and a high capacity for making reduced triphosphopyridine nucleotide (TPNH) as a result of oxidation of glucose-6-phosphate. Some confirmatory evidence has also been presented for local erosive activity and trophic-hormone production by the giant cells. The attributes of the giant cells in rat and ...
Tumour suppressor TRIM33 targets nuclear β-catenin degradation

Aberrant activation of β-catenin in the nucleus has been implicated in a variety of human cancers, but the fate of nuclear β-catenin is unknown. Here we demonstrate that the tripartite motif-containing protein 33 (TRIM33), acting as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, reduces the abundance of nuclear β-catenin protein. TRIM33-mediated β-catenin is destabilized and is GSK-3β or β-TrCP independent. TRIM33 interacts with and ubiquitylates nuclear β-catenin. Moreover, protein kinase Cδ, which directly phosphorylates β-catenin at Ser715, is required for the TRIM33-β-catenin interaction. The function of TRIM33 in suppressing tumour cell proliferation and brain tumour development depends on TRIM33-promoted β-catenin degradation. In human glioblastoma specimens, endogenous TRIM33 levels are inversely correlated with β-catenin. In summary, our findings identify TRIM33 as a tumour suppressor that can abolish tumour cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by degrading nuclear β-catenin. This work suggests a new therapeutic strategy against human cancers caused by aberrant activation of β-catenin.
The dense α-√3 × √3Pb/Si(1 1 1) phase: A comprehensive STM and SPA-LEED study of ordering, phase transitions and interactions

Abstract The T – θ phase diagram for the system Pb/Si(1 1 1) was determined in the coverage range 6/5 ML θ
Bilinear transformations on matrices: Rank preservers

Let A be any element in an algebraically closed field F of characteristic not 2, and let M: F”‘” X F”‘” 4 F”‘” be a bilinear map on the algebra F”‘” of IZ X n matrices over F. We prove for n > 5 that if AB + ABA = 0 implies M(A, B) = 0 and rank(AB + ABA) = 1 implies rank M(A, B) = 1 for all matrices A, B E F”‘“, then there exist invertible matrices P, Q E F”‘” such that either M( X, Y ) = P( XY + AYX)Q or M(X, Y) = P( XY + AYX)‘Q. 0 Elsevier Science Inc., 1997 Throughout, F is a field and Fnx” is the algebra of n X n matrices over F. During the past 35 years, a substantial effort has been made to solve preserver problems for linear maps on F”’ “. (An entire issue of Linear and Multilinear Algebra [3] consists of recent survey articles on every aspect of the subject.) The linear-preserver problem is to characterize all linear maps on Fnxn that preserve some function of a matrix or some subset of matrices. One such problem is to characterize all linear maps L such that
Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and the metabolite, 2-methoxyacetic acid affect in vitro chondrogenesis

Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (DEGME), ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) and their common metabolite, methoxyacetic acid (MAA) have been associated with adverse reproductive effects. The objective of this research is to investigate the effects of DEGME, EGME and MAA on in vitro chondrogenesis and the mechanisms by which these effects occur. Micromass cultures were exposed to DEGME, EGME or MAA for 5 days and proteoglycan abundance and cell proliferation determined. Longer-term 9- and 14-day cultures were exposed to MAA and apoptosis analyzed. All three chemicals decreased proteoglycan abundance and cell proliferation at the highest dose tested (100 microL/mL). However, only MAA showed a dose-dependent effect for both parameters at 0.01, 10, and 100 microL/mL. Furthermore, micromass cultures show an increase in apoptotic cells which when treated with MAA suggest that cell death could result from induced apoptosis. These results suggest that effects of DEGME and EGME are the result of generalized toxicity, but their metabolite MAA induces mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis during in vitro chondrogenesis.
Detection of avian influenza antigens in proximity fiber, droplet, and optical waveguide microfluidics

Virus antigens of avian influenza subtype H3N2 were detected on two different microfluidic platforms: microchannel and droplet. Latex immunoagglutination assays were performed using 920-nm highly carboxylated polystyrene beads that are conjugated with antibody to avian influenza virus. The bead suspension was merged with the solutions of avian influenza virus antigens in a Y-junction of a microchannel made by polydimethylsiloxane soft lithography. The resulting latex immunoagglutinations were measured with two optical fibers in proximity setup to detect 45° forward light scattering. Alternatively, 10 μL droplets of a bead suspension and an antigen solution were merged on a superhydrophobic surface (water contact angle = 155°), whose movement was guided by a metal wire, and 180° back light scattering is measured with a backscattering optical probe. Detection limits were 0.1 pg mL-1 for both microchannel with proximity fibers and droplet microfluidics, thanks to the use of micro-positioning stages to help generate reproducible optical signals. Additionally, optical waveguide was tested by constructing optical waveguide channels (filled with mineral oil) within a microfluidic device to detect the same light scattering. Detection limit was 0.1 ng mL-1 for an optical waveguide device, with a strong potential of improvement in the near future. The use of optical waveguide enabled smaller device setup, easier operation, smaller standard deviations and broader linear range of assay than proximity fiber microchannel and droplet microfluidics. Total assay time was less than 10 min.
Symptom Burden Predicts Hospitalization Independent of Comorbidity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: To determine whether cumulative symptom burden predicts hospitalization or emergency department (ED) visits in a cohort of older adults. Design: Prospective, observational study with a baseline in-home assessment of symptom burden. Setting: Central Alabama. Participants: Nine hundred eighty community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older (mean 75.3 ± 6.7) recruited from a random sample of Medicare beneficiaries stratified according to sex, race, and urban/rural residence. Measurements: Symptom burden score (range 0�10). One point was given for each symptom reported: shortness of breath, tiredness or fatigue, problems with balance or dizziness, leg weakness, poor appetite, pain, stiffness, constipation, anxiety, and loss of interest in activities. Dependent variables were hospitalizations and ED visits, assessed every 6 months during the 8.5-year follow-up period. Using Cox proportional hazards models, time from the baseline in-home assessment to the first hospitalization and first hospitalization or ED visit was determined. Results: During the 8.5-year follow-up period, 545 (55.6%) participants were hospitalized or had an ED visit. Participants with greater symptom burden had higher risk of hospitalization (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05�1.14) and hospitalization or ED visit (HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.06�1.14) than those with lower scores. Participants living in rural areas had significantly lower risk of hospitalization (HR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.69�0.99) and hospitalization or ED visit (HR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.70�0.95) than individuals in urban areas, independent of symptom burden and comorbidity. Conclusion: Greater symptom burden was associated with higher risk of hospitalization and ED visits in community-dwelling older adults. Healthcare providers treating older adults should consider symptom burden to be an additional risk factor for subsequent hospital utilization.
An esterase of rat cerebral cortex acting on o-nitrophenyl acetate: Method of assay, properties, and intracellular distribution☆

A colorimetric procedure for the measurement of the esterase activity of rat cerebral cortex acting on o-nitrophenyl acetate has been developed in which advantage is taken of the ability of formamide to elicit color formation when added to an ethyl acetate extract containing o-nitrophenol. The intracellular distribution of the esterase was investigated by means of differential centrifugation and the enzyme was found to have a predominantly “microsomal” localization.
Quantitative Analysis of Phosphotyrosine Signaling Networks Triggered by CD3 and CD28 Costimulation in Jurkat Cells

The mechanism by which stimulation of coreceptors such as CD28 contributes to full activation of TCR signaling pathways has been intensively studied, yet quantitative measurement of costimulation effects on functional TCR signaling networks has been lacking. In this study, phosphotyrosine networks triggered by CD3, CD28, or CD3 and CD28 costimulation were analyzed by site-specific quantitative phosphoproteomics, resulting in identification of 101 tyrosine and 3 threonine phosphorylation sites and quantification of 87 sites across four cell states. As expected, CD3 stimulation induced phosphorylation of CD3 chains and upstream components of TCR pathways such as Zap70, while CD28 stimulation induced phosphorylation of CD28, Vav-1, and other adaptor proteins including downstream of tyrosine kinase 1, Grb2-associated protein 2 (Grap2), and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein. CD3 and CD28 costimulation induced a complex response including decreased threonine phosphorylation in the ERK1 and ERK2 activation loops and increased phosphorylation of selected tyrosine sites on ERK1/2, p38, phospholipase C-gamma, Src homology 2 domain-containing transforming protein 1, Grap2, and Vav-1, potentiating T cell activation. Hierarchical clustering and self-organizing maps were used to identify modules of coregulated phosphorylation sites within the network. Quantitative information in our study suggests quantitative and qualitative contribution by costimulation of CD28 on CD3-stimulated TCR signaling networks via enhanced phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma/Src homology 2 domain-containing transforming protein 1/Grap2/Vav-1 and their effects on downstream components including MAPKs.
Provable strategies for vision-guided exploration in three dimensions

An approach is presented for exploring an unknown, arbitrary surface in three-dimensional (3D) space by a mobile robot. The main contributions are (1) an analysis of the capabilities a robot must possess and the trade-offs involved in the design of an exploration strategy, and (2) two provably-correct exploration strategies that exploit these trade-offs and use visual sensors (e.g., cameras and range sensors) to plan the robot's motion. No such analysis existed previously for the case of a robot moving freely in 3D space. The approach exploits the notion of the occlusion boundary, i.e., the points separating the visible from the occluded parts of an object. The occlusion boundary is a collection of curves that "slide" over the surface when the robot's position is continuously controlled, inducing the visibility of surface points over which they slide. The paths generated by our strategies force the occlusion boundary to slide over the entire surface. The strategies provide a basis for integrating motion planning and visual sensing under a common computational framework. >
Counterpoint: Intensive Glucose Control and Mortality in ACCORD—Still Looking for Clues

Early cessation of the intensive glycemic treatment arm of the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial because of a 22% excess of all-cause mortality compared with the standard arm (1) came as an unpleasant surprise to many observers. Since then, considerable discussion of the significance of this result has ensued along with various theories as to why it occurred. In the companion article, a respected statistician, John Lachin, proposes yet another hypothesis: that the finding was due to the play of chance (2). In response, this article will address three related issues: 1 ) Dr. Lachin's hypothesis; 2 ) a review of findings of post hoc analyses of the ACCORD data seeking support or lack of support for the other main theories; and 3 ) my own opinions on why continued study of the ACCORD data are needed, including a reformulation of one of the original theories regarding the cause of excess mortality. ### The play-of-chance hypothesis “How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” asked Sherlock Holmes of Dr. Watson in The Sign of the Four (1890). Dr. Lachin's exposition of the theory that the apparent excess of mortality in ACCORD was due to the play of chance is very welcome. This possibility has not previously been given enough attention. The excess of deaths with the intensive glycemic treatment strategy was indeed not large, a 22% relative increase from 1.1 to 1.4% of participants affected per year (1). In absolute terms, it was 257 versus 203 deaths or an excess of 54 among 10,251 study participants. Had this been the primary end point, a direct comparison would have shown the level of statistical significance generally regarded as conclusive. But it was not the primary end point and repeated measurements …
Coordinate transcription of the ADAMTS-1 gene by luteinizing hormone and progesterone receptor.

ADAMTS-1 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin-like motifs) is a multifunctional protease that is expressed in periovulatory follicles. Herein we show that induction of ADAMTS-1 message in vivo and transcription of the ADAMTS-1 promoter in cultured granulosa cells are dependent on separable but coordinate actions of LH and the progesterone receptor (PR). To analyze the molecular mechanisms by which LH and PR regulate this gene, truncations and site-specific mutants of ADAMTS-1 promoter-luciferase reporter constructs (ADAMTS-1-Luc) were generated and transfected into rat granulosa cell cultures. Three regions of the promoter were found to be important for basal activity, two of which were guanine cytosine-rich binding sites for specificity proteins Sp1/Sp3 and the third bound a nuclear factor 1-like factor. Despite the absence of a consensus PR DNA response element in the proximal ADAMTS-1 promoter, cotransfection of a PRA (or PRB) expression vector stimulated ADAMTS-1 promoter activity,...
Inhibitors arrest myofibrillogenesis in skeletal muscle cells at early stages of assembly

A three-step model for myofibrillogenesis has been proposed for the formation of myofibrils [Rhee et al., 1994: Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 28:1–24; Sanger et al., 2002: Adv. Exp. Med. 481:89–105]: premyofibril to nascent myofibril to mature myofibril. We have found two chemically related inhibitors that will arrest development at both the first and second step. Cultured quail embryonic skeletal myoblasts were treated with ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) or 2-aminoethyl-methanesulfonate (MTSEA+). When the myoblasts fused in the presence of either of these compounds, myosheets rather than myotubes formed. Treated cells were fixed and immunostained against multiple proteins commonly found in muscle cells. Protein expression and localization throughout the myosheet were similar to that of developing myotube tips. Cells treated with high concentrations of EMS (10 mM) stained for non-muscle myosin II, sarcomeric alpha-actinin, and tropomyosin. No zeugmatin (Z-band region of titin) or muscle myosin II antibody staining was detected in fibers in this treatment group. These fibers are comparable to premyofibrils in control myotubes. At lower concentrations of EMS (7.5 to 5 mM), fibers that formed stained for muscle myosin II and titin as well as for non-muscle myosin IIB, sarcomeric alpha-actinin, and tropomyosin. Muscle myosin II was in an unbanded pattern. These fibers are comparable to nascent myofibrils observed during normal myofibrillogenesis. Similar effects to those obtained by treating cells with EMS were obtained when we treated cultured cells with MTSEA+ (5 mM) and stained them with sarcomeric alpha-actinin. MTSEA+ is chemically related to EMS, and is a well-known inhibitor of ryanodine receptors in skeletal muscle cells. Some abnormalities such as nemaline-like rods and other protein aggregates also appear within the myosheet during EMS and MTSEA+ treatment. Removal of these two inhibitors of myofibrillogenesis allows the premyofibrils and nascent myofibrils to form mature myofibrils. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 59:1–16, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Combined differential and common-mode scattering parameters: theory and simulation

A theory for combined differential and common-mode normalized power waves is developed in terms of even and odd mode impedances and propagation constants for a microwave coupled line system. These are related to even and odd-mode terminal currents and voltages. Generalized s-parameters of a two-port are developed for waves propagating in several coupled modes. The two-port s-parameters form a 4-by-4 matrix containing differential-mode, common-mode, and cross-mode s-parameters. A special case of the theory allows the use of uncoupled transmission lines to measure the coupled-mode waves. Simulations verify the concept of these mixed-mode s-parameters, and demonstrate conversion from mode to mode for asymmetric microwave structures. >
Flow cytometry of lesional skin enhances the evaluation of cutaneous B-cell lymphomas.

Background Cutaneous B-cell lymphoproliferative lesions can pose diagnostic challenges. This study investigates the utlility of flow cytometry in 42 cases of suspected cutaneous B-cell lymphoma. Methods All available cases were reviewed [World Health Organization-European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (WHO-EORTC) classification]. Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction-immunoglobulin H (PCR-IgH) analysis of blood and/or lesional skin were performed on primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (pcBCL, 17 cases), secondary cutaneous BCL (scBCL, 8 cases) and atypical lymphoid hyperplasia (ALH, 17 cases). Results Flow cytometry of skin detected a B-cell clone in 3/13 cases of ALH, 8/8 cases of pcBCL and 4/4 cases of scBCL, while PCR detected a clone in 3/14 cases of ALH, 4/15 cases of pcBCL and 6/8 cases of scBCL. Of eight cases of pcBCL analyzed by both methods, all eight were positive by flow while only three were positive by PCR. All cases positive by PCR were also positive by flow. Of five cases with both flow and light chain immunohistochemistry, all five showed light chain restriction by flow, while only two were positive by immunohistochemistry. Conclusion Flow cytometry is more sensitive than PCR in detecting B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (12/12 cases, 100% vs. 10/23 cases, 43%; p < 0.001). Furthermore, flow cytometry complements immunohistochemistry in the detection of light chain restriction.
Evolution of Pediatric Chronic Disease Treatment Decisions: A Qualitative, Longitudinal View of Parents' Decision-Making Process.

Background. In the context of pediatric chronic conditions, patients and families are called upon repeatedly to make treatment decisions. However, little is known about how their decision making evolves over time. The objective was to understand parents’ processes for treatment decision making in pediatric chronic conditions. Methods. We conducted a qualitative, prospective longitudinal study using recorded clinic visits and individual interviews. After consent was obtained from health care providers, parents, and patients, clinic visits during which treatment decisions were expected to be discussed were video-recorded. Parents then participated in sequential telephone interviews about their decision-making experience. Data were coded by 2 people and analyzed using framework analysis with sequential, time-ordered matrices. Results. 21 families, including 29 parents, participated in video-recording and interviews. We found 3 dominant patterns of decision evolution. Each consisted of a series of decision ev...
Regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-1 gene transcription by members of the purine-rich element-binding protein family.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-1 (GnRH1) controls reproduction by stimulating the release of gonadotropins from the pituitary. To characterize regulatory factors governing GnRH1 gene expression, we...
Vasospasm Surveillance With Transcranial Doppler Sonography in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The use of transcranial Doppler monitoring for the diagnosis of vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage is backed by national guidelines. However, it remains poorly used across neurologic intensive care units in the United States. This current practice article uses 2 clinical vignettes to illustrate the simplicity and logic behind routine daily surveillance of vasospasm with transcranial Doppler sonography in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, in preference to other modalities.
Spatially Selective Heteronuclear Multiple-Quantum Coherence Spectroscopy for Biomolecular NMR Studies

Spatially selective heteronuclear multiple-quantum coherence (SS HMQC) NMR spectroscopy is developed for solution studies of proteins. Due to "time-staggered" acquisitioning of free induction decays (FIDs) in different slices, SS HMQC allows one to use long delays for longitudinal nuclear spin relaxation at high repetition rates. To also achieve high intrinsic sensitivity, SS HMQC is implemented by combining a single spatially selective (1)H excitation pulse with nonselective (1) H 180° pulses. High-quality spectra were obtained within 66 s for a 7.6 kDa uniformly (13) C,(15) N-labeled protein, and within 45 and 90 s for, respectively, two proteins with molecular weights of 7.5 and 43 kDa, which were uniformly (2)H,(13) C,(15) N-labeled, except for having protonated methyl groups of isoleucine, leucine and valine residues.
An Electronic Screen for Triaging Adolescent Substance Use by Risk Levels

RESULTS Of 340 patients invited to participate, 216 (63.5%) enrolled in the study. Sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 84% (95% CI, 76%-89%) for identifying nontobacco substance use, 90% (95% CI, 77%-96%) and 94% (95% CI, 89%-96%) for substance use disorders, 100% and 94% (95% CI, 90%-96%) for severe substance use disorders, and 75% (95% CI, 52%-89%) and 98% (95% CI, 95%-100%) for nicotine dependence. No significant differences were found in sensitivity or specificity between the full tool and the Screening to Brief Intervention.
On the spatial motion of a rigid body with point contact

A study is made of the so-called slide motions between developable ruled surfaces with the line contact under spatial motion. In particular, the authors consider instantaneous time-based kinematics, which includes the contact speeds and rates of change along reference curves on the surfaces, the velocity, acceleration, and jerk of a reference point on the moving surface, and the constraints on the angular velocity and angular acceleration for maintaining line contact. The derived kinematic relationships can be applied to robotic path planning and actual motion calculations in the presence of a tactile sensor to measure the relative motion at the contact line. >
Does Exposure to UV Radiation Induce a Shift to a Th-2-like Immune Reaction?

In addition to being the primary cause of skin cancer, UV radiation is immune suppressive and there appears to be a link between the ability of UV to suppress the immune response and induce skin cancer. Cytokines made by UV-irradiated keratinocytes play an essential role in activating immune suppression. In particular, we have found that keratinocyte-derived interleukin (IL)-10 is responsible for the systemic impairment of antigen-presenting cell function and the UV-induced suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). Antigen presentation by splenic adherent cells isolated from UV-irradiated mice to T helper-1 type T (Th1) cells is suppressed, whereas antigen presentation to T helper-2 type T (Th2) cells is enhanced. The enhanced antigen presentation to Th2 cells and the impaired presentation to Th1 cells can be reversed in vivo by injecting the UV-irradiated mice with monoclonal anti-IL-10 antibody. Furthermore, immune suppression can be transferred from UV-irradiated mice to normal recipients by adoptive transfer of T cells. Injecting the recipient mice with anti-IL-4 or anti-IL-10 prevents the transfer of immune suppression, suggesting the suppressor cells are Th2 cells. In addition, injecting UV-irradiated mice with IL-12, a cytokine that has been shown to be the primary inducer of Th1 cells, and one that prevents the differentiation of Th2 cells in vivo, reverses UV-induced immune suppression. These findings support the hypothesis that UV exposure activates IL-10 secretion, which depresses the function of Th1 cells, while enhancing the activity of Th2 cells.
Isoenzyme changes in Candida albicans during domestication.

Abstract Isoenzyme analysis was performed on multiple strains of two commonly used reference cultures of Candida albicans (B311 and NCPF3153). Whereas strains originating from C. albicans B311 showed no variation in isoenzyme profiles, some strains derived from NCPF3153 were identical to B311 strains but others showed variation in their glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase isoenzymes. The results are compared with those from previous analyses with these strains and show that C. albicans can undergo genetic alterations during prolonged maintenance in laboratories.
Diagnosis of fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome accounts for between one third and one half of all X-linked mental retardation. It is the most common cause of familial intellectual handicap and is second in prevalence only to Down’s syndrome among the mental retardations. The syndrome is known to affect about 1 in 2500 males and a similar number of females. It has been detected in all ethnic groups with access to modern medicine. The economic and social costs of this disorder made the determination of its molecular basis a high priority.
The South American radiation of Lepechinia (Lamiaceae): phylogenetics, divergence times and evolution of dioecy

Lepechinia (Lamiaceae) is a diverse and widespread genus that is important in indigenous New World culture. We present a phylogenetic analysis of 72 accessions representing 31 species of Lepechinia using data from three plastid (trnL-F, ycf1, ycf1-rps15 spacer) and four nuclear [internal transcribed spacer (ITS), external transcribed spacer (ETS), granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSS)I, pentatricopeptide repeat region (PPR)-AT3G09060] DNA regions. Data were analysed using parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Divergence time estimation using BEAST shows Lepechinia had a mid/late Miocene origin, perhaps as a response to global cooling patterns. Cladogenesis in most South American Lepechinia is shown to have occurred within the past 5 Myr, presumably as a response to climatic and orogenic events. Dioecy has arisen multiple times in Lepechinia, once in North America and at least twice in South America, and not necessarily involving gynodioecy as an intermediary step. Dioecy and gynodioecy are demonstrated to be associated with several floral characters, including flower size, number and colour. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London
Diversity in antistaphylococcal mechanisms among membrane-targeting antimicrobial peptides.

Many antimicrobial peptides permeabilize the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. However, it is unclear how membrane permeabilization and antimicrobial activity are related for distinct peptides. This study investigated the relationship between Staphylococcus aureus membrane permeabilization and cell death due to the following antistaphylococcal peptides: thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein 1 (tPMP-1), gramicidin D, and protamine. Isogenic S. aureus strains ISP479C and ISP479R (tPMP-1 susceptible and resistant, respectively), were loaded with the fluorochrome calcein and exposed to a range of concentrations of each peptide. Flow cytometry was then used to monitor membrane permeabilization by quantifying the release of preloaded calcein. Killing was determined by quantitative culture at time points simultaneous to measurement of membrane permeabilization. Membrane permeabilization and killing caused by tPMP-1 occurred in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, reflecting the intrinsic tPMP-1 susceptibilities of ISP479C and ISP479R. In comparison, gramicidin D killed both S. aureus strains to equivalent extents in a concentration-dependent manner between 0.5 to 50 μg/ml, but cell permeabilization only occurred at the higher peptide concentrations (25 and 50 μg/ml). Protamine permeabilized, but did not kill, either strain at concentrations up to 10 mg/ml. Regression analyses revealed different relationships between membrane permeabilization and staphylocidal activity for the distinct antimicrobial peptides. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that permeabilization, per se, does not invariably result in staphylococcal death due to distinct antimicrobial peptides. Thus, although each of these peptides interacts with the S. aureus cytoplasmic membrane, diversity exists in their mechanisms of action with respect to the relationship between membrane permeabilization and staphylocidal activity.
Why we don't know how to simulate the Internet

Simulating how the global Internet data network behaves is an immensely challenging undertaking because of the network's great heterogeneity and rapid change. The heterogeneity ranges from the individual links that carry the network's traffic, to the protocols that interoperate over the links, to the “mix” of different applications used at a site and the levels of congestion (load) seen on different links. We discuss two key strategies for developing meaningful simulations in the face of these difficulties: searching for invariants and judiciously exploring the simulation parameter space. We finish with a look at a collaborative effort to build a common simulation environment for conducting Internet studies.
Davis Social Links or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Net

When the Internet was conceived, its fundamental operation was envisioned to be point-to-point communication allowing anybody to talk directly to anybody. With its increasing success, the Internet is under increasing attack, e.g. spams, Denial of Service (DoS), Domain Name Server hijacking, etcetera. This paper introduces a clean-slate approach to redesigning the Internet, entitled Davis Social Links (DSL). Instead of directly connecting the source and sink, DSL routes the message (or request to communicate) through social contacts each of which can decide to drop the message/request based upon the previous hop’s prior actions. In this way, trust is an integral part of networking. DSL separates identity from location, and promotes searching to a fundamental operation in the network. DSL also provides end-users control over who can reach them, and who their messages reaches. Finally, DSL provides components in the operating system to aid the user in identifying applications which are misbehaving. These features help make the entire network more resilient to attacks, and provides mechanisms that current and future applications can utilize to stop worrying and love the Net.
Providence as Mystery, Providence as Revelation: Puritan and Anglican Modifications of John Calvin's Doctrine of Providence

Acceptance of providence, the belief that an ultimate being determines the course of events, has always created problems for moralists and advocates of free will, and for obivous reasons. If any events has been foreordained, how can hemans be free? If all is determined, why should humans try to do what is right? Aside from the philosophical questions raised by a belief in provedence, however, scholars such as the distinguished economists Jacob Viner have begun to examine the doctrine of providence from the point of view of its broad ideological and social impact. Though Professor Viner modestly claimed that his study of providence was simply an intellectual history pursued for its own sake, he demonstrated many of the doctrine's implications for early modern thought and social structures. Similar emphasis on the significance of the early modern idea of providence is also found in Keith Thomas' Religion and the Decline of Magic.
Discordant patterns of morphological variation in genetically divergent populations of ornate shrews (Sorex ornatus).

Although the ornate shrew (Sorex ornatus) is widely distributed throughout California and northern Baja California, genetic analyses have shown that it is phylogeographically structured into 3 genetically differentiated regions (southern, central, and northern) within its distribution. These genetic groups might have been separated for more than a million years. In the northern region, ornate shrews cannot be genetically differentiated from their sister taxon, the wandering shrew (S. vagrans). Therefore it has been suggested that northern ornate shrews might have been misclassified. However, by analyzing skull morphology we show that ornate and wandering shrews, as well as the closely related montane shrew (S. monticolus), are well differentiated. Shrews from the northern region have a morphology similar to ornate shrews and not to wandering or montane shrews. Within the ornate shrews, populations across the range differ in morphology. However, morphological differentiation is not concordant with the deep tripartite pattern of genetic differentiation. Our results imply that skull shape differences among populations could be the result of local adaptation, whereas the long history of isolation might have contributed little to morphological differences between species. In addition, these results suggest that wandering shrews might be derived from the postglacial northward expansion of an ancestral population of northern ornate shrews.