cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation and differentiation of uveal melanoma

We evaluated 39 patients with intraocular disease by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Malignant uveal melanoma was considered the likely diagnosis in 25 patients. Seventeen patients underwent surgery, and the histopathologic diagnosis of melanoma was confirmed. The authors observed that uveal melanomas had characteristic MRI features consisting of a relatively high-signal intensity in T1-weighted images and a relatively low-signal intensity in T2-weighted images. These images reflected their inherently relative short T1 and T2 relaxation times. Choroidal lesions elevated more than 3 mm were well visualized on MRIs. MRI also proved valuable for differentiating uveal melanoma from associated subretinal effusion, choroidal hemangioma, choroidal metastasis, and hemorrhagic and serous choroidal detachments.
SOME HYDRODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF HUMAN TRANSFERRIN.

The molecular weight of iron-free human transferrin, type C, was 92,000–95,000. Its diffusion constant and intrinsic viscosity at pH 5.0 were 5.30 × 10−7 and 0.046, respectively. The hydrodyanmic information available indicated that transferrin is a prolate molecule with an axial ratio of 1:3 and a hydration of 0.6 gm water per gram protein.
Estimating Extreme Losses for the Florida Public Hurricane Model

While the world thinks of coastal Florida as a paradise and retirement haven, residents in these areas don’t always agree with that depiction. Living under the threat of hurricanes for six months of the year and paying enormous sums of money for wind storm insurance is not exactly paradise. However this has not deterred people from wanting a piece of paradise and migration to Florida has continued unabated. Exposure has increased significantly along coastal regions causing insurance companies to reevaluate their risks. They still focus on estimation of annual insured loss, but increasingly they want to be prepared for extreme losses. This paper attempts to look at various methods of estimating extreme quantiles of the loss distribution in the Public Hurricane Loss Model. Both nonparametric and parametric models are used to estimate the catastrophic quantiles and then compared for accuracy. We found that the Weibull distribution fitted the data very well compare to simple exponential and GDP distributions. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljastats.v5i4.7793
Solubilization of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors of bovine brain

Abstract The effectiveness of several detergents and salts in solubilizing the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (identified by its atropine-sensitive [3H]3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding) from bovine striatal membranes is reported. The highest density of receptor is obtained by extraction with 1% digitonin-0.1 mM EDTA. Although the total solubilized muscarinic receptors (sites/ml) are increased and the nonspecific binding is decreased when 1 M NaCl is included in this extraction medium, the receptor density (sites/mg protein) is lower. The solubilized receptors have the same specific QNB binding affinity, and sensitivity to a variety of drugs, as the membrane-bound muscarinic receptors.
An overview of query optimization in relational systems

There has been extensive work in query optimization since the early ‘70s. It is hard to capture the breadth and depth of this large body of work in a short article. Therefore, I have decided to focus primarily on the optimization of SQL queries in relational database systems and present my biased and incomplete view of this field. The goal of this article is not to be comprehensive, but rather to explain the foundations and present samplings of significant work in this area. I would like to apologize to the many contributors in this area whose work I have failed to explicitly acknowledge due to oversight or lack of space. I take the liberty of trading technical precision for ease of presentation.
Passively Stabilized Fiber Interferometers Using (3x3) Fiber Directional Couplers

A passive stabilization scheme using a (3x3) fiber directional coupler in an all fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer and suitable signal processing has been successfully demonstrated. A stable output with large signal dynamic range and a minimum detectable phase shift in the microradian range has been achieved.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Vacuolar Na+/H+ NHX-Type Antiporters Are Required for Cellular K+ Homeostasis, Microtubule Organization and Directional Root Growth

Na+/H+ antiporters (NHXs) are integral membrane transporters that catalyze the electroneutral exchange of K+ or Na+ for H+ and are implicated in cell expansion, development, pH and ion homeostasis and salt tolerance. Arabidopsis contains four vacuolar NHX isoforms (NHX1–NHX4), but only the functional roles for NHX1 and NHX2 have been assessed thus far. Colocalization studies indicated that NHX3 and NHX4 colocalize to the tonoplast. To investigate the role of all vacuolar NHX isoforms, a quadruple knockout nhx1nhx2nhx3nhx4, lacking all vacuolar NHXs, was generated. Seedlings of nhx1nhx2nhx3nhx4 displayed significantly reduced growth, with markedly shorter hypocotyls. Under high K+, but not Na+, pronounced root skewing occurred in nhx1nhx2nhx3nhx4, suggesting that the organization of the cytoskeleton might be perturbed. Whole mount immunolabeling of cortical microtubules indicated that high K+ caused significant microtubule reorganization in nhx1nhx2nhx3nhx4 root cells of the elongation zone. Using microtubule stabilizing (Taxol) and destabilizing (propyzamide) drugs, we found that the effect of K+ on nhx1nhx2nhx3nhx4 root growth was antagonistic to that of Taxol, whereas elevated K+ exacerbated the endogenous effect of propyzamide on root skewing. Collectively, our results suggest that altered K+ homeostasis leads to an increase in the dynamics of cortical microtubule reorganization in nhx1nhx2nhx3nhx4 root epidermal cells of the elongation zone.
Quantum 1/f noise phenomena in semiconductor noise

Abstract Quantum 1/f noise can occur as coherent state quantum 1/f noise in longer devices and as non-coherent quantum 1/f noise in shorter devices. The first plays an important part in semiconductor resistor 1/f noise whereas the latter is significant in short devices such as bipolar transistors and FETs. The incoherent noise, in turn, consists of “Umklapp” 1/f noise and “elastic collision”-1/f noise; they have different properties.
Optical gain in the ionic excimer Cs2+F- excited by soft x rays from a laser-produced plasma.

Optical gain was observed on the B → X transition of the Cs2+F− ionic excimer molecule at 185 nm. The excimer was produced by photoionization of CsF vapor with a laser-produced plasma source. An average net gain coefficient of 0.3 cm−1 was measured for 7 Torr of CsF and a 225-mJ pump laser.
Interaction of CArG Elements and a GC-rich Repressor Element in Transcriptional Regulation of the Smooth Muscle Myosin Heavy Chain Gene in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

We have previously shown that maximal expression of the rat smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC) gene in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) required the presence of a highly conserved domain (nucleotides -1321 and -1095) that contained two positive-acting serum response factor (SRF) binding elements (CArG boxes 1 and 2) and a negative-acting GC-rich element that was recognized by Sp1 (Madsen, C. S., Hershey, J. C., Hautmann, M. B., White, S. L., and Owens, G. K. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 6332-6340). In this study, to better understand the functional role of these three cis elements, we created a series of SM-MHC reporter-gene constructs in which each element was mutated either alone or in combination with each other and tested them for activity in transient transfection assays using primary cultured rat aortic SMCs. Results demonstrated that the most proximal SRF binding element (CArG-box1) was active in the absence of CArG-box2, but only upon removal of the GC-rich repressor. In contrast, regardless of sequence context, CArG-box2 was active only when CArG-box1 was present. We further demonstrated using electrophoretic mobility shift assays that Sp1 binding to the GC-rich repressor element did not prevent SRF binding to the adjacent CArG-box2. Thus, unlike other proteins reported to inhibit SRF activity, the repressor activity associated with the GC-rich element does not appear to function through direct inhibition of SRF binding. As a first step toward understanding the importance of these elements in vivo, we performed in vivo footprinting on the intact rat aorta. We demonstrated that both CArG boxes and the GC-rich element were bound by protein within the animal. Additionally, using the rat carotid injury model we showed that Sp1 protein was significantly increased in SMCs located within the myointimal lesion, suggesting that increased expression of this putative repressor factor may contribute to the decreased SM MHC expression within SMCs found in myointimal lesions.
Lithium and psoriasis: what primary care and family physicians should know

Objective This review focuses on the association of lithium treatment and psoriasis. The mechanism of action of lithium in causing psoriasis and the clinical presentation of psoriasis secondary to lithium treatment are considered.
Object classification using tripod operators

Over the last few decades, we have seen an increase in both quality and quantity of 3D data sets. These data sets primarily come in the form of discrete points that are projected onto the surface of the object (point clouds) and are often derived from either LIDAR data (in which case, the surface points are actively sensed) or stereoscopic pairs (in which case, the surface points are derived using two dimensional (2D) feature matching algorithms). As these data sets become larger and denser, they also become harder to sift through which demands methods for automatic object classification through computer vision processes. In this paper we revisit a method of recognizing objects from their surface features known as Tripod Operators.[1] More specifically, we explore how matching multiple features from an unknown object to a known shape allows us to determine the extent to which the objects are similar using the resultant Digital Elevation Model (DEM) or Surface Elevation Model (SEM) that results from manipulation of point clouds.. We apply this method to determine how to separate objects of various classes.
PARATHYROID AUTOTRANSPLANTATION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING A TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY : A REVIEW OF 261 PATIENTS

Parathyroid autotransplantation was first described in 1907 by Halsted. However, this simple and effective method of preserving parathyroid function has been used with increasing frequency only during the past 25 years. Beginning in the late 1960s, our group has transplanted normal parathyroid tissue into the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle whenever these glands could not be preserved in situ with adequate blood supply. In addition, if the blood supply of all four parathyroid glands appeared compromised, cryopreservation of parathyroid tissue was performed in case the autotransplanted tissue did not function after surgery. Since 1970, 393 patients underwent a total thyroidectomy. Parathyroid glands that could not be saved in situ were biopsied to confirm their identity by frozen section and then autotransplanted. Of the 393 patients who underwent a total thyroidectomy, 261 patients required transplantation of one or more glands. Among those 261 patients who underwent selective parathyroid autotransplantation, 33 (13%) required temporary calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Of these 33 patients, 2 (less than 1%) had permanent hypoparathyroidism and are receiving long-term vitamin D therapy.
Evolution into ecology? The strategy of Warming's ecological plant geography.

From an ecological point of view, probably the major feature of Darwin's account of natural selection is the critical shift of perspective that marked his work after 1856. Having discovered the intimate connection between population pressure and species multiplication or divergence, Darwin moved the emphasis of his argument toward biotic factors and away from abiotic factors in evolutionary change. There remains, however, a widespread presumption that the Darwinian scheme was intrinsically ecological and that ecology, after prolonged gestation, was brought forth in the image of its perhaps inadvertent sire, Charles Darwin. I too begin with Darwin, but only in order to define a problem domain; my principal subject is the ecological reasoning of the influential Danish botanist Eugenius Warming. My focus is the strategy of Warming's all-important assessment of what he in 1895-1896 began to call "ecological plant geography." In the course of the discussion I offer the suggestion that Darwin's formulation of natural selection diminished his influence on the development of concrete, empirical ecological inquiry. Darwin's mature conception of natural selection appears to have been bought at a high price. Both the basic notion of descent with modification and the outlines of an explanatory mechanism of descent (namely, natural selection) were in Darwin's hands by 1840. But natural selection was not a static concept. From the outset Darwin used it to explain adaptation, the adjustment and continuing readjustment of plant and animal forms to a changing, abiotic environment. The late Dov Ospovat has shown us that Darwin long held the view that natural selection molded the biological species to changing environmental conditions, the latter in turn being caused by incessant climatic and geological changes.'
Properties of the organization of memory for people: evidence from dream reports.

Steyvers and Tenenbaum (2005) showed that semantic networks for words have three organizational properties: short average path lengths, high clustering, and power law degree distribution. If these are general properties of memory organization, they would apply to memory for other complex material, including people and relations between them. In addition, if during dreaming, characters are generated via knowledge in the dreamer’s memory, the three properties would be found in a relational network of characters in dreams. In dream reports from three individuals, two characters in the same dream were considered affiliated. Resulting social networks have the three properties, with the power law holding when low degrees are omitted. One network with a treelike outline is different from the other two. Results suggest associative memory has the three properties, and demonstrate that dream reports are a potentially valuable source for information about social networks.
Transport of Probe Ions in Solutions of Biological Polyelectrolytes

Transport of monovalent cations was studied in solutions of biological polyelectrolytes, the sodium (or potassium) salts of anionic polysaccharides ι-, κ-, λ-carrageenan, dextran sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate, by steady-state voltammetric reduction of the probe ions Tl+ and H+ at mercury film and platinum disc microelectrodes, respectively. Diffusion coefficients of the electroactive probe ion are determined rapidly and precisely from steady-state, transport-limited current at microelectrodes in solutions with large excess and without supporting electrolyte over a wide range of polyelectrolyte and probe ion concentrations. Electrostatic interactions between polysaccharide anion and probe ion decrease the value of the diffusion coefficient of the probe ion with respect to the value without the polyelectrolyte, with the most pronounced effect in solutions without electrolyte. These interactions are quantified by the transport ratio, D/D0, of the diffusion coefficient of the probe ion with polyelectrolyte...
A most striking confirmation of the Engel metallic correlation

Abstract The Engel correlation between electronic configurations and structures of metals and alloy crystal structures is examined critically. Exceptions and inconsistencies listed by Hume-Rothery are shown to be due to improper application of the theory. For a group of 40 adjoining metals, more than 90% of the predictions of the theory are found to be accurate. A striking confirmation of the theory is the demonstration of intermetallic compounds with enthalpies of formation from −50 kcal/mole up to perhaps −100 kcal/mole.
Predicting quality of life outcomes after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation

Objectives: To examine disease, treatment, cognitive, and psychological factors associated with quality of life (QoL) before and after surgery and assess the ability to predict QoL outcomes. Methods: We identified a retrospective, cross-sectional sample of 85 patients with Parkinson disease who underwent subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS). Patients9 QoL was categorized as “improved” and “stable/worsened” using reliable change indices. Univariate correlational analyses identified relationships between Parkinson9s Disease Questionnaire–39 ratings and disease (Unified Parkinson9s Disease Rating Scale–III [UPDRS-III] motor scores on and off medications, disease duration), treatment (medication burden, unilateral vs bilateral DBS), cognitive (neuropsychological battery), and psychological (depression) variables. Step-wise multiple linear regression and logistic regression models included selected preoperative variables to predict change in QoL ratings and QoL outcome after surgery. Results: Fifty-one percent of patients reported clinically significant improvements in QoL while 47% reported stable QoL and 2% worsened. Motor scores (UPDRS-III) were not relevant to QoL changes, potentially because of the rarity of poor motor outcomes, while single-trial learning and depression scores were the most important variables in predicting QoL changes. There was a subtle additional benefit to undergoing bilateral subthalamic nucleus DBS. Conclusions: The findings provide greater insight into the nonmotor features that contribute to the success of subthalamic nucleus DBS procedures from the patient9s perspective and raise questions about the treatment focus and emphasis on symptom profiles in DBS candidacy evaluations.
Assessing Incidence of Sexual Assault (SA) and Needs of SA Survivors Via Random Digit Dialing.

Author: Mary Simmerling, University of Chicago, mcs@uchicago.edu Goal. To determine the incidence of sexual assault (SA) within the community and to do a needs assessment for SA survivors in the community. The study will use random digit dialing (RDD) to households in the community. The research assistants working on the project will ask the person who answers the phone if she may speak to any females in the home over the age of 18. If there are any qualifying subjects in the home, they will be invited to participate in a 45 minute survey about their experience(s) of violence in the community. The survey will include demographic questions, specific questions about SA experience(s), and the subjects’ help-seeking behavior and post-assault needs. Study methods include completing a survey questionnaire about the survivor participant’s sexual assault experience(s), and participating in an in-depth interview that focuses on general life history as well as specific information about the sexual assault(s). Ethical and scientific justification. There is alleged to be a high incidence of SA that is never reported to the police or others. Consequently, it is difficult to gauge the actual incidence of SA within a community. This study would gauge the incidence of SA in the community, and assess the needs of SA survivors. RDD permits representative sampling that will help to inform estimates of actual incidence as well as the needs of non-reporting and reporting SA survivors. SA survivors who do not come forward to report their assault may also be less likely to self-select to participate in research in this topic. The use of RDD may help to identify and include those survivors in this type of research. The use of RDD may also allow for increased privacy protection for participants who may not be comfortable participating in face-to-face interviews on this topic. Ethical objections or barriers. Asking survivors to recall their assault experiences may be re-traumatizing for them, cause emotional distress, and leave them worse off in terms of their recovery (e.g., may exacerbate PTSD). This may be particularly pronounced in research that utilizes RDD in which subjects are not self-selecting as they would be in the case of advertisements for participants in such a study. Although the use of RDD allows for the inclusion of non-reporting SA survivors who may not otherwise come forward to participate, it may be experienced as an invasion of privacy by these individuals. The use of RDD to reach out to non-reporting SA survivors may result in their first disclosures being to the researchassistant interviewers. This may be very distressing to subjects whose first disclosure might better be to a trained counselor. As “vulnerable subjects” survivors need to be protected from risks such as shame, stigma, and emotional distress. Also, they may have “limited autonomy” and so not be positioned to choose freely whether to participate and if so to what extent. Suggested empirical questions:
Guanosine 3':5' monophosphate-dependent protein kinase from bovine adrenal cortex: partial purification and characterization.

Abstract Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase has been partially purified from bovine adrenal cortex. The enzyme was specifically activated by cyclic GMP at lower concentrations. The K a for cyclic GMP was 9 × 10 −8 M whereas that for cyclic AMP was 7 × 10 −6 M. An optimum concentration of 75 mM magnesium was needed for maximal stimulation by cyclic GMP whereas 10 mM magnesium ion concentration was found to be optimal for the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. The enzyme was found to have a molecular weight of 225,000 based on gel filtration. When the enzyme was photoaffinity labeled with cyclic GMP, it again demonstrated the molecular weight of 225,000. This indicated that the enzyme was not dissociated into regulatory and catalytic components by cyclic GMP. The protein was composed of two polypeptides having the same molecular weight of 110,000 as shown by SDS-PAGE, and thus it appears to consist of two subunits of equal size. This study thus provides the direct evidence for the presence of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase in adrenal cortex and lends additional support for the molecular model proposed earlier from our laboratory postulating a crucial role for this protein in adrenal steriodogenesis [4].
Compositional dependence of thermal, elastic, and mechanical properties in Cu–Zr–Ag bulk metallic glasses

Starting from the two binary bulk glass formers in the Cu–Zr system, we systematically investigated the compositional dependence of glass formation, thermal, elastic, and mechanical properties in the Cu–Zr–Ag ternary bulk glassy alloys. Both Cu(50−x)Zr50Agx and Cu(64−x)Zr36Agx series show a good combination of high glass-forming ability and high Poisson’s ratio. However, compressive plastic deformation was only observed in Cu(50−x)Zr50Agx series and the possible underlying mechanism is discussed.
Qualitative and quantitative assessments of HAART adherence of substance-abusing women.

This study was set up to examine factors affecting adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) by substance abusing women and to conduct a pilot study of a reminder device intervention. Three focus groups totaling 24 HIV-positive women developed priority lists of issues affecting adherence. Another group of 24 HIV-positive women received a timer-reminder with structured interviews on adherence at baseline and two monthly follow up intervals. Focus groups described key barriers to HAART adherence as substance abuse, forgetting, feeling ill, others' negative attitudes, obtaining refills and confidentiality. Primary disadvantages to HAART were side effects, pill-taking schedule and burden of taking medications. Facilitators included reminders (e.g. pill boxes) and spirituality. After receiving the reminder, missing a dose was less common (p<0.05) due to sleeping through dose, being busy and feeling too good while a favourable trend (p=0.07) was seen for change in daily routine and having too...
Catalytic upgrading nitrogen-riched wood syngas to liquid hydrocarbon mixture over a Fe-Pd/ZSM-5 catalyst.

Abstract Biomass like wood chips, switchgrass and other plant residues are first converted to syngas through gasification process using air, oxygen or steam. A downdraft gasifier is performed for syngas production in Mississippi State. The syngas from the gasifier contains up to 49% (vol) N 2 . High-level nitrogen-containing (nitrogen can be up to 60%) synthesis gas is converted to liquid hydrocarbon mixture through a one-stage catalytic process with a Fe–Pd/ZSM-5 catalyst. The Fe–Pd/ZSM-5 catalyst shows relatively high activity and selectivity in producing liquid hydrocarbons when running with nitrogen-rich syngas. The CO conversion, hydrocarbon selectivity and hydrocarbon distribution as a function of temperature, pressure, GHSV, composition of the feed, and reaction time are examined.
Care of the Neonate with Erythroblastosis Fetalis

Erythroblastosis fetalis, hemolytic disease of the newborn, occurs when an isoimmunized mother produces antibodies that cross the placenta and cause hemolysis of fetal red blood cells. This hemolysis can be accompanied by severe anemia, ascites, pleural and pericardial effusions, congestive heart failure, and neurological damage with resultant perinatal mortality. Rh isoimmunization in pregnancy still occurs in spite of the advent of Rh immune globulin. This article describes the complex management and nursing implications associated with caring for the neonate with erythroblastosis fetalis.
Raman spectra of gases: 24—Phenol

The medium resolution Raman spectrum of gaseous phenol has been recorded between 4000 and 50 cm−1 using the 5145 A line of an argon laser. A number of a′ bands have been observed which correspond to previously assigned normal modes, but lines at 1388 and 1285 cm−1, which are not normally observed in the infrared spectrum of the gas, have been assigned as fundamentals. In addition, a strong Raman band at 1007 cm−1 is probably an overtone of an out-of-plane vibration at 503 cm−1 in resonance with a nearby a′ fundamental. Two bands at 824 and 810 cm−1 were both found to belong to the symmetric a′ species. Previous assignments have dealt with these two bands as having different symmetries. A reassignment of some of the fundamentals of phenol may be necessary to account for these Raman observations.
Height and biomass of mangroves in Africa from ICESat/GLAS and SRTM

The accurate quantification of the three-dimensional 3-D structure of mangrove forests is of great importance, particularly in Africa where deforestation rates are high and the lack of background data is a major problem. The objectives of this study are to estimate 1 the total area, 2 canopy height distributions, and 3 above-ground biomass AGB of mangrove forests in Africa. To derive the 3-D structure and biomass maps of mangroves, we used a combination of mangrove maps derived from Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus ETM+, lidar canopy height estimates from ICESat/GLAS Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite/Geoscience Laser Altimeter System, and elevation data from SRTM Shuttle Radar Topography Mission for the African continent. The lidar measurements from the large footprint GLAS sensor were used to derive local estimates of canopy height and calibrate the interferometric synthetic aperture radar InSAR data from SRTM. We then applied allometric equations relating canopy height to biomass in order to estimate AGB from the canopy height product. The total mangrove area of Africa was estimated to be 25,960 km2 with 83% accuracy. The largest mangrove areas and the greatest total biomass were found in Nigeria covering 8573 km2 with 132 × 106 Mg AGB. Canopy height across Africa was estimated with an overall root mean square error of 3.55 m. This error includes the impact of using sensors with different resolutions and geolocation error. This study provides the first systematic estimates of mangrove area, height, and biomass in Africa.
Role of a telencephalic nucleus in the delayed song learning of socially isolated zebra finches

Male zebra finches normally learn their song from adult models during a restricted period of juvenile development. If song models are not available then, juveniles develop an isolate song which can be modified in adulthood. In this report we investigate the features of juvenile experience that underly the timing of song learning. Juvenile males raised in soundproof chambers or in visual isolation from conspecifics developed stable isolate song. However, whereas visual isolate song notes were similar to those of colony-reared males, soundproof chamber isolates included many phonologically abnormal notes in their songs. Despite having stable isolate songs, both groups copied new notes from tutors presented to them in adulthood (2.7 notes per bird for soundproof chamber isolates, 4.4 notes per bird for visual isolates). Old notes were often modified or eliminated. We infer that social interactions with live tutors are normally important for closing the sensitive period for song learning. Lesions of a forebrain nucleus (IMAN) had previously been shown to disrupt juvenile song learning, but not maintenance of adult song for up to 5 weeks after surgery. In this study, colony-reared adult males given bilateral lesions of IMAN retained all their song notes for up to 4–7.5 months after lesioning. However, similar lesions blocked all song note acquisition in adulthood by both visual and soundproof chamber isolates. Other work has shown that intact hearing is necessary for the maintenance of adult zebra finch song. We infer that auditory pathways used for song maintenance and acquisition differ: IMAN is necessary for auditorily guided song acquisition—whether by juveniles or adults—but not for adult auditorily guided song maintenance. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Non-optimal unanimous agreement under majority rule: Reply

I agree with Lee that the possibility for stable less-than-unanimous coalitions exists; however, there are compelling reasons why unanimous coalitions will be more stable. Game-theoretic models often do not have the clear-cut answers that simple maximization problems do, and this is one factor that makes the study of political coalitions interesting. Lee has raised some good issues regarding the applicability of my model of non-optimal unanimous agreement. Examining the arguments on both sides, I believe that my model is more descriptive than Lee's alternative model of coalitions that exclude some people who want to join. I will close by reiterating a fundamental point from my original article on which Lee and I agree: unless a unanimous decision rule is used, unanimous agreement does not imply that a Pareto-superior move is made.
A radar profiling algorithm designed for use with multiresolution radiometer measurements

In order to better understand the differences between global rainfall maps produced by the TRMM TMI and PR operational products, a combined framework has been developed. The key component of this method is a radar profiling algorithm with three variable parameters representing the ice PSD, rain DSD, and cloud LWP, which are then adjusted to match both radar estimates of the PIA and radiometer brightness temperatures. Comparisons with ground validation data show that a single value representing cloud water uncertainty can be tuned to match gauge- and polarimetric radar-based rainfall totals at Melbourne, FL and Kwajelein, respectively, despite the differences in climate and geography at these two sites.
Analysis of genomic imprinting at 1p35-36 in neuroblastoma.

Background Deletion of the distal short arm of chromosome 1 occurs in 25–35% of primary neuroblastomas, and a putative tumor suppressor gene has been mapped to a consensus region of deletion at 1p36.2–36.3. Indirect evidence suggests the presence of an imprinted neuroblastoma suppressor gene within this region, as well as an additional nonimprinted, proximal suppressor gene, inactivation of which correlates with MYCN amplification. Procedure To test this hypothesis, we performed 1p loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies on a series of neuroblastomas for which parental DNA had been collected. PCR-formatted polymorphic markers were used to determine the size of the 1p deletion and the parental origin of the deleted 1p homologue. Results Twenty-six neuroblastomas with 1p LOH were evaluated. Twenty-four had MYCN amplification, and of these, 15 demonstrated loss of the paternally inherited 1p. Two neuroblastomas with a single copy of MYCN were evaluated and both had deletion of the paternally inherited 1p, with one case exhibiting a small terminal deletion. In addition, we have reviewed 49 previously reported neuroblastomas where 1p LOH data and the parental origin of the deleted 1p homologue were available. Conclusions Analyzed together, these 75 neuroblastomas demonstrate random deletion of parental 1p homologues (P = 0.30). Further, tumors with smaller deletions (breakpoints distal to D1S201 or D1S7) showed a random loss of the parental 1p homologues (P = 0.59), contrary to the expected preferential maternal 1p deletion if an imprinted suppressor gene mapped to this region. However, 19 tumors with 1p LOH and single copy MYCN had deletion of the maternal 1p homologue preferentially (P = 0.02), which does not exclude the possibility that loss of an imprinted suppressor gene plays a role in this subset. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 36:52–55, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Persistent renal and extrarenal immune changes after severe ischemic injury

Persistent renal and extrarenal immune changes after severe ischemic injury. Background Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with delayed graft function and decreased long-term allograft function. However, most experimental studies evaluating renal I/R injury have focused on acute events after ischemia. T cells are potential candidates to link preservation injury, alloimmunity, and fibrosis. We hypothesized that severe renal I/R injury would generate long-term kidney damage and immune changes. Methods C57BL/6 mice underwent 60 minutes of warm unilateral I/R injury or sham surgery and were studied for 6 weeks. Serum creatinine, renal histology, and albumin excretion were measured. Phagocyte infiltration, CD4+ infiltration, renal cytokine expression, and splenic lymphocyte intracellular cytokine production were also measured in mice at 6 weeks. Results Serum creatinine levels rose following 60 minutes of unilateral I/R injury compared to sham mice. Histologic analysis of ischemic kidneys at 6 weeks revealed a pronounced loss of tubular architecture and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Phagocyte and CD4+ T-cell infiltration were significantly increased in ischemic kidneys. This was accompanied by a significant increase in interleukin (IL)-1β and regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) expression. Despite similar splenic CD4 and CD8 numbers, intracellular cytokine staining of T cells revealed a significant increase in interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in I/R injury mice compared to sham mice. Conclusion Persistent renal and extrarenal immune responses occur after a single episode of severe I/R injury. These immune processes resulting from injury could in turn have long-term consequences on progression of renal disease in transplanted and native kidneys.
Prospective determination of chorionicity, amnionicity, and zygosity in twin gestations

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the predictive accuracy of a composite ultrasonographic evaluation for chorionicity, amnionicity, and zygosity in a consecutive series of twins. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred ten consecutive twins were seen for ultrasonography beginning January 1992. Chorionicity, amnionicity, and, zygosity were prospectively assessed with a composite of ultrasonographic findings (placental number, fetal sex, membrane thickness, and "twin peak" sign). Clinical and pathologic confirmation of chorionicity, amnionicity, and zygosity was available on 100 of these twins. RESULTS: The 100 twins had 3.6 ± 1.6 ultrasonographic scans each (mean ± SD) with the first performed at 22.6 ± 6.9 weeks. Chorionicity, amnionicity, and zygosity were each predicted with ≥91% sensitivity and specificity. In 35 (35%) cases zygosity could not be determined by either ultrasonographic or clinical or pathologic assessmen at delivery. CONCLUSION: Chorionicity, amnionicity, and zygosity have important implications for antepartum management and prognosis of twins. By use of a composite of ultrasonographic findings, chorionicity, amnionicity, and zygosity were predicted with excellent reliability when they were prospectively tested in a heterogeneous consecutive series of twins.
Response to Gibb: NMDA receptor subunit gating – uncovered

We agree with Alasdair Gibb's emphasis on the importance of understanding in detail the functional basis of NMDA receptor activation by full and partial agonists [1xNMDA receptor subunit gating – uncovered. Gibb, A.J. Trends Neurosci. 2003; See all References[1]. Kinetic models are not just academic exercises; they also help us to frame questions about how receptors work. Furthermore, quantitative models nicely complement emerging structural studies to help create a clearer picture of function. Our efforts to expand NMDA receptor models to account for single channel properties is an attempt to create a baseline understanding of function from which we can explore the mechanisms that enable ions and exogenous compounds to modulate receptor properties. Our motivation here highlights another important role kinetic models can serve.We would like to point out that since our paper was published, elegant work with cell-attached patches that contained single NMDA receptors by Popescu and Auerbach [2xModal gating of NMDA receptors and the shape of their synaptic response. Popescu, G. and Auerbach, A. Nat. Neurosci. 2003; 6: 476–483PubMedSee all References[2] has produced some similarities to, as well as some differences from, our current working hypothesis. Some of the differences are likely to reflect different receptor subtypes (NR2A versus NR2B) and different recording techniques (cell-attached versus outside-out patches). Clearly, we do not yet have the final picture of NMDA receptor function. As in all aspects of science, our current understanding and working models are fluid and will be reshaped and revised as new data emerges. Nevertheless, we feel our studies provide a step forward in thinking about functional features of NMDA receptors. We hope our study stimulates new experimentation that will help further illuminate how the NMDA receptor channel complex operates.
ANTICOAGULANT ASSOCIATED HEMATURIA: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

AbstractWe studied prospectively 32 consecutive patients with new onset of gross or microscopic hematuria while on anticoagulant therapy. Of the patients 19 men and 11 women (mean age 65 years) underwent urological evaluation. Of 6 patients with microscopic hematuria 3 with nephrolithiasis subsequently underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Two of 24 patients (7 percent) with gross hematuria had neoplastic disease invading the bladder. 1 had benign prostatic hyperplasia requiring resection, 1 had urethral stricture, 1 had ureteropelvic junction obstruction and 1 had nephrolithiasis. Thus, significant urinary tract disease was present in 9 patients (30 percent). Hematuria resolved in more than 90 percent of the patients after treatment. Based upon these observations, we believe that gross or microscopic anticoagulant associated hematuria is frequently precipitated by a significant genitourinary pathological condition and its prompt evaluation is recommended.
Domain defects in strings and walls.

A type of model is considered where the Witten mechanism allows the breaking of a discrete symmetry within the core of a cosmic string or a domain wall. The formation of a real scalar field condensate results in the creation of different, but energetically degenerate, domains which are separated by massive domain defects. The defects within strings (domain kinks) are particlelike states, whereas the defects within walls (domain ribbons) resemble stringlike states. Relativistic kink-antikink pairs annihilate after their initial formation, with the release of boson radiation, and kink-antikink pairs can be created through string intercommutations. Ribbons and antiribbons can be either infinite in extent or form closed loops. Ribbon loops can be involved in fission or fusion processes producing boson radiation, and oscillating ribbon loops decay mainly through the production of boson radiation, with a negligible fraction of the released energy being emitted in the form of gravitational radiation.
Unraveling the complexities of variation in female mate preference for vertical bars in the swordtail, Xiphophorus cortezi

Investigations into the nature of mate choice suggest that variation in female mate preferences is often context dependent, varying in response to genetic and environmental influences on female condition as well as to external environmental stimuli. Determining whether variation in female mate preference is adaptive requires understanding the variables involved that produce this variation and how they interact. Comparative, multivariate studies of wild-caught adult females can be used as initial assessments of variation in female mate preferences, providing valuable insights into the parameters that influence female preferences under natural conditions. We examined variation in female preferences for the pigment pattern vertical bars across five populations of the swordtail, Xiphophorus cortezi. The populations we examined are genetically differentiated and varied in the frequency of males and females with bars. We also considered a variable indicative of within-individual variation (size, as influenced by age) and a variable that varies across individuals (genotype for vertical bars: barred or barless). Using Akaike information criterion, all candidate models explaining variation in strength of preference included female bar state, female size, and population. We suggest that a combination of genetic (bar state) and environmental (female size) conditions influenced how they responded to experience with both male phenotypes in X. cortezi. Future studies should examine the possibility that barred and barless females respond differently over an environmental gradient.
Can New Neurons Replace Memories Lost

It now appears that new neurons are produced not only in the healthy adult brain but also in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the function of new neurons in the healthy brain is unknown, there is evidence that they are involved in certain types of memory formation and that their survival is enhanced dramatically and persistently by learning experiences. The evidence that neurogenesis, or at least the expression of proteins unique to immature neurons, occurs during the late stages of AD raises the possibility that their production could be enhanced earlier in the disease process before so many neurons and memories are lost.
THE LARGEST PROJECTIONS OF REGULAR POLYTOPES

The projections of the regularn-dimensional simplex and crosspolytope intoRk with the largestk-volume are determined here for the casesk=2,n≧2 andk=3, 4≦n≦6. The proofs involve a combination of exterior algebra and computer gradient methods.
Temporal Regulation of Enhancer Function in Intestinal Epithelium A ROLE FOR ONECUT FACTORS

Abstract An intestine-specific gene regulatory region was previously identified near the second exon of the human adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene. In mammalian intestine, ADA is expressed at high levels only along the villi of the duodenal epithelium, principally if not exclusively in enterocytes. Within the ADA intestinal regulatory region, a potent duodenum-specific enhancer was identified that controls this pattern of expression. This enhancer has been shown to rely on PDX-1, GATA factors, and Cdx factors for its function. Upstream of the enhancer, a separate temporal regulatory region was identified that has no independent enhancer capability but controls the timing of enhancer activation. DNase I footprinting and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to begin to characterize temporal region function at the molecular level. In this manner, binding sites for the Onecut (OC) family of factors, YY1, and NFI family members were identified. Identification of the OC site was especially interesting, because almost nothing is known about the function of OC factors in intestine. In transgenic mice, mutation of the OC site to ablate binding resulted in a delay of 2–3 weeks in enhancer activation in the developing postnatal intestine, a result very similar to that observed previously when the entire temporal region was deleted. In mammals, the OC family is comprised of OC-1/HNF-6, OC-2, and OC-3. An examination of intestinal expression patterns showed that all three OC factors are expressed at detectable levels in adult mouse duodenum, with OC-2 predominant. In postnatal day 2 mice only OC-2 and OC-3 were detected in intestine, with OC-2 again predominant.
Using meteorological data assimilation models in computing tropospheric delays at micrwave frequencies

Abstract Despite improvement of space geodetic techniques, the troposphere continues to be a source of random and systematic error. We have investigated the possibility of correcting tropospheric delay models in space geodetic analysis with data from a meteorological data assimilation model. Four radiosonde sites in different climatic regions were selected for study. The precision and accuracy at a 5° elevation angle of commonly used tropospheric mapping functions and of data assimilation model delays were evaluated by comparisons with raytracings of radiosonde profiles. We determined the model delays by raytracing site profiles calculated by interpolation of the gridded (2°×2.5°) model profiles. Monthly variations in the atmospheric profile at a typical continental site result in hydrostatic mapping function delay variations at a 5° observation elevation of 50–100 mm, which results in about 12–25 mm of variation in the estimated site vertical coordinate. Rms differences between radiosonde delays and the common mapping functions delays are 9–35 mm. Rms differences between radiosonde delays and data assimilation model delays are 5–6 mm. Along with mapping function errors, unmodeled atmospheric delay gradients produce errors in geodetic analysis. The gradient delay at an elevation of 5° has an rms variation of about 45 mm over a year. For the 1990–1993 VLBI sessions using the antenna at Westford, Massachusetts, we found that the gradient vector computed from the data assimilation model is correlated with corresponding VLBI gradient vector estimates with correlation coefficients of 0.60 and 0.49 for the north and east components respectively. When the model gradient includes only the hydrostatic part of the refractivity, this correlation is reduced to 0.53 and 0.48.
Properties of IgG-Binding Proteins Expressed by Streptococcus pyogenes Isolates Are Predictive of Invasive Potential

Recent clinical Streptococcus pyogenes isolates of the M1 serotype can be grouped according to the IgG-binding properties of their M proteins. One group expressed an IgG-binding M1 protein reactive with human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 (type IIo); the other expressed a protein with predominant reactivity with human IgG3 alone (type IIb). Both IgG-binding protein phenotypes were equally resistant to phagocytosis in human blood; however, when they were injected into a skin air sac on outbred CD1 mice, all mice injected with M1 isolates of the type IIo phenotype were dead within 70 h, while only 40% of those injected with M1 isolates of the type IIb phenotype died within the same period. Bacteria recovered from the spleens of animals that died after injection with type IIb phenotype isolates demonstrated a change in their IgG-binding profile and were indistinguishable, in vitro or in vivo, from isolates displaying the type IIo phenotype.