cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential distribution of parvalbumin-immunoreactive pericellular clusters of terminal boutons in developing and adult monkey neocortex.

Basket cells are GABAergic inhibitory interneurons and known regulators of pyramidal cells, the major class of excitatory neurons in neocortex. Parvalbumin (PV), a calcium binding protein, has been colocalized with GABA in cortical neurons (Celio, 1986. Science 231: 995–998) and has been reported to be present in the terminal boutons of basket neurons forming pericellular clusters in monkey neocortex (Hendry et al. 1989. Exp. Brain Res. 76: 467–472). In this study, we used immunohistochemical methods to evaluate the regional and laminar distributions of PV-immunoreactive (PV-IR) pericellular clusters of terminal boutons in the neocortex of neonatal, infant, adolescent, and adult rhesus monkeys. PV-IR pericellular clusters were composed of labeled terminal boutons that outlined the somata and proximal dendrites of large pyramidal neurons in layers III and V of primary motor cortex, layers V and VI of primary visual cortex, and layer V of visual association cortex (area 18). This laminar pattern was present in neonatal animals and did not change with age in motor cortex. However, in the visual regions of adolescent and adult animals, such PV-IR structures were not detected. PV-positive pericellular clusters were not observed in the prefrontal cortex at any age. The pattern of distribution of PV-containing pericellular clusters paralleled that of a subpopulation of pyramidal neurons containing nonphosphorylated neurofilament proteins (NFP); double labeling studies confirmed that a sub-group of NFP-positive pyramidal neurons were the targets of PV-IR pericellular clusters. The distribution of PV-IR pericellular clusters was compared to that of PV-IR terminal boutons of another class of interneurons, the chandelier cells. Terminal boutons of chandelier neuron axons align in vertical rod-like structures known as cartridges. Subpopulations of chandelier axon cartridges have been previously shown to be PV-IR and their distribution in visual and prefrontal cortices has been described (DeFelipe et al. 1989. Brain Res. 503: 49–54; Lewis and Lund. 1990. J. Comp. Neurol. 293: 599–615). These two types of structures composed of PV-IR terminal boutons tended to be present in different laminae in all regions and ages examined, except in layer III of primary motor cortex where both PV-IR pericellular clusters and chandelier cartridges were found. These findings indicate that in monkey neocortex PV immunoreactivity is present in pericellular clusters of terminal boutons that are likely to arise from basket cells. The differential regional, laminar and developmental patterns of PV immunoreactivity in these structures may reveal their unique pyramidal cell targets and provide insight into their functional roles in monkey neocortex.
S-100 Protein Synthesis by Isolated Polyribosomes from Rat Brain

The radioactive proteins synthesized in a cell-free system and released from polyribosomes from rat brain were analyzed for the presence of a protein found only in the nervous system. Polyribosomes from rat liver were also studied to demonstrate the organ specificity of the radioactive product synthesized in vitro. The S-100 protein constituted 0.15 percent of the radioactive proteins released from brain polyribosomes.
Sedimentology of the Unicoi Formation in southern and central Virginia: Evidence for late Proterozoic to Early Cambrian rift-to-passive margin transition

Few detailed-facies analyses of the rift-to-passive margin transition have been undertaken in exhumed orogenic belts. The Unicoi and lower Hampton Formations in the central and southern Appalachians record the transition from late Proterozoic to Early Cambrian rifting to initial opening of the Iapetus Ocean. The lower and middle Unicoi Formation consists of feldspathic sandstones, conglomerates, and basalts. Sandstones and conglomerates were deposited from hyperconcentrated flows and tractional currents in distal alluvial-fan and proximal and medial braid-plain environments. Extrusion of basalts was associated with influx of coarse-grained siliciclastics. The presence of thick alluvial-fan sediments, basalts, and abundant lithic clasts and the feldspathic nature of the sandstones are suggestive of a rift setting. Paleontological and geochronological data indicate that rifting continued into Early Cambrian time. The upper Unicoi Formation is composed predominantly of transgressive, quartzose sandstones which represent the incipient phase of passive margin sedimentation related to a second-order, sea-level rise. Differences in degree of crustal attentuation probably controlled the distribution of sedimentary environments during transgression. On most attenuated crust to the east, initial transgressive facies consist of tidal sand-wave and sand-ridge deposits intercalated with proximal and medial braid-plain deposits. As transgression progressed cratonward, tidal sedimentation was supplanted by tide- and wave-influenced sedimentation characterized by sand-wave complexes, tidal inlets, and longshore-directed bedforms. Drowning at the top of the Unicoi Formation is indicated by outer-shelf black mudstones containing Tabc, Tbc, and Tc beds and gravity-flow deposits at the base of the Hampton Formation. Deepening may have been enhanced by continued movement along listric faults throughout the incipient phase of passive-margin development. Most of the Hampton Formation and the overlying Erwin Formation and Shady Dolomite record pro-gradation of the passive margin which culminated in development of a carbonate-rimmed shelf. The rift-to-passive margin phases of sedimentation in the central Appalachians reflect a continuum from fault-influenced to thermothectonic subsidence.
D-serine treatment reduces cocaine-primed reinstatement in rats following extended access to cocaine self-administration

The most intractable feature of drug addiction is the high rate of relapse, even following extended periods of abstinence from drug-taking. Evidence suggests that allowing rats extended access to cocaine self-administration leads to behavioral characteristics in these animals that are consistent with the development of addiction in humans. In the current study, rats were allowed to self-administer cocaine over a total of 22 daily sessions, the final seven of which were long-access (LgA) sessions of 6 h duration. Assessments of reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior were made following reintroduction to the drug-taking environment and noncontingent priming with either conditioned stimulus (CS) or cocaine in both extinguished and abstinent subject groups. Three separate groups of rats were treated with either saline or D-serine (100 mg/kg i.p.) administered 2 h prior to, or immediately following, each extinction training session. Saline-treated LgA rats were resistant to the effects of extinction training to reduce noncontingent priming of reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior with either CS or cocaine. In contrast, treatment with D-serine either before or immediately following the sessions resulted in a significant enhancement in the ability of extinction training to reduce cocaine-primed reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. These results suggest that D-serine can act to enhance the consolidation of extinction learning in LgA rats, and is therefore a promising adjunctive agent along with behavioral therapy for the treatment of cocaine addiction.
Fathers of Young Children with Disabilities in the United States: Current Status and Implications

(2010). Fathers of Young Children with Disabilities in the United States: Current Status and Implications. Childhood Education: Vol. 86, International Focus Issue 2010: Father/Male Involvement in the Care and Education of Children, pp. 382-388.
SPECIFIC INHIBITION OF ANTI-RH ANTIBODIES BY EXTRACTS FROM TWIGS OF ANGIOSPERMOUS PLANTS.

INVESTIGATION of higher plants, bacteria and viruses for their content of substances related to the human blood groups has been in progress in this laboratory for more than a decade1,2. Substances possessing only Rh specificity have not been reported previously by us. Recent attempts to confirm reports on Rh0(D) blood group specificity for an unidentified strain of Pseudomonas and a ‘glycopeptide’ prepared from it and for L-glucose, rutinose and sialic acids were not successful3.
Zeatin-induced shoot regeneration from immature chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cotyledons

For the purpose of developing an in vitro regeneration system for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), an important food legume, immature cotyledons approximately 5 mm long were excised from developing embryos and cultured on B5 basal medium supplemented with 1.5% sucrose and various growth regulator combinations. Only non-morphogenic callus was formed in response to concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) previously reported to induce somatic embryogenesis on immature soybean cotyledons. However, 4.6, 13.7, and 45.6 μM zeatin induced formation of white, cotyledon-like structures (CLS) at the proximal end of immature cotyledons placed with adaxial surface facing the agar medium. No morphogenesis, or occasional formation of fused, deformed CLS, was observed when zeatin was replaced with kinetin or 6-benzyladenine, respectively. The highest response frequency, 64% of explants forming CLS, was induced by 13.7 μM zeatin plus 0.2 μM indole-acetic acid (IAA). Within 20–40 days culture on zeatin, shoots formed at the base of CLS on approximately 50% of CLS-bearing explants, and proliferated upon subsequent transfer to basal medium with 4.4 μM BA or 4.6 μM kinetin. This regeneration system may be useful for genetic transformation of chickpea.
Blister fluid from epidermolysis bullosa letalis induces dermal-epidermal separation in vitro.

Abstract Normal human skin was cultured with blister fluid (BF) from 2 patients with epidermolysis bullosa letalis (EB letalis). After 12–24 h incubation, initial separation was observed at the dermal-epidermal junction. Complete separation was seen after 48–72 h incubation. Epidermal and dermal structures themselves were well preserved up to 72 h. Electron microscopy revealed that the separation took place through the lamina lucida. These findings corresponded to in vivo histologic pictures of the skin lesions. The activity in BF was lost by lowering (pH 4) or elevating (pH 9) pH of the media or by prolonged autoclaving (5 h). Boiling and dialization did not affect the activity of BF. Certain protease inhibitors, such as α 2 -macroglobulin, aprotinin (trasylol), soybean trypsin inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride, or 50% fetal bovine serum, inhibited or depressed the separation, while triamcinolone acetonide, n-ethylmaleimide, or EDTA did not. Patient's serum (case 2) and normal human sera partially inhibited cleft formation. It was proposed that in EB letalis some factors in BF, probably protease(s), play an important role in the induction and/or spread of blister.
The occurrence of different intrusive errors in patients with Alzheimer's disease, multiple cerebral infarctions, and major depression.

Abstract Recent evidence suggests that specific types of intrusive errors may occur more often in the protocols of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients than in those of patients diagnosed with other types of dementia. Using the FULD Object Memory Evaluation, we documented the occurrence of five qualitatively different types of intrusive errors for mildly and moderately impaired patients with AD and multiple cerebral infarctions (MCI). Depressed and normal elderly controls were also studied. Despite an equivalent degree of impairment on a broad array of neuropsychological measures, mildly impaired AD patients evidenced greater deficits on a measure tapping retrieval from semantic memory and demonstrated a higher occurrence of specific types of intrusive errors relative to their mildly impaired MCI counterparts. Further, both of these measures were highly correlated, suggesting that these indices may be particularly sensitive to semantic dysfunction associated with early AD.
Proteinase Activation: A Mechanism for Cellular Dyshesion in Pemphigus

An in vitro model system using cultured newborn epidermal cells was employed to investigate the binding of pemphigus autoantibody and subsequent loss of adhesion between epidermal cells. Pemphigus antibodies bound to both mouse and human cultured epidermal cells. Incubation of cultured newborn mouse epidermal cells with pemphigus antibody followed by gentle agitation induced loss of adhesion between the epidermal cells and the plastic culture dish. Release of viable epidermal cells from the dish was inhibited by the proteinase inhibitors, soybean trypsin inhibitor and alpha 2 -macroglobulin. These observations suggest that pemphigus antibody induces viable epidermal cells to activate cellular proteinases which then degrade the glycocalyx and cause cellular dyshesion and acantholysis.
Mortality Differences Between Elderly Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites in San Antonio, Texas

Objective: To identify differences in causes of death between elderly Mexican Americans (MA) and non-Hispanic whites (NHW). Design: Retrospective death certificate review. Subjects: Elderly Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites age 65 and over who died in Bexar County, Texas during 1989. Measures: Data obtained from chart review included age, sex, race/ethnicity, and cause of death. Age-adjusted and cause-specific mortality rates, odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results: Mexican Americans were at greater risk of dying in nine of the thirty causes of death examined. The mortality rates of MA subjects were higher than those of NHW from death caused by diabetes (OR = 3.19, CI = 2.27–4.49), renal failure (OR = 2.06, CI = 1.44–2.94), congestive heart failure (OR = 1.50, CI = 1.44–2.94), and multiple systemic diseases (OR = 2.59, CI = 1.89–3.57). Among the male subjects, MA had a greater risk than NHW of dying from myocardial infarction (OR = 1.83, CI = 1.15–2.90), coronary disease (OR = 1.37, CI = 1.07–1.75) and septicemia/pyuria (OR = 2.12, CI = 1.09–4.10). Among female subjects, MA had a greater likelihood of dying from cirrhosis (OR = 3.03, CI = 1.00–9.29). For only one of the causes of death was the risk lower among MA than NHW: MA female subjects had a lesser chance of dying from the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than NHW females (OR = 0.36, CI = 0.18–0.72). Conclusion: Mexican American elders have a greater risk of dying from non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and renal failure than their NHW counterparts. Elderly MA men have a greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than their NHW counterparts. Mexican American women may have a greater risk of dying from cirrhosis, but a lower risk of dying from complications of COPD. Finally, death from ill defined causes, such as multiple systemic diseases, may be a major under-acknowledged cause of death among older MA.
Mindfulness-Based Treatment for People With Severe Mental Illness: A Literature Review

This article provides a synthesis of current findings from existing mindfulness-based treatment interventions and their relevance to individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). A mindfulness-oriented approach to coping with SMI goes beyond symptom management and exemplifies key recovery principles such as self-determination and resilience. Although previous studies and critical reviews provide evidence of a relationship between mindfulness training and positive mental health and physical outcomes for various populations, this is the first critical review to systematically examine the efficacy of these methods in treating SMI. Evidence suggests that this approach shows promise in reducing symptom-associated distress, increasing feelings of self-efficacy, and reducing psychiatric hospitalizations for individuals with psychotic disorders. This review also reveals several ongoing challenges in the field including the need for more rigorously controlled studies, further operationalization of the construct of...
Metal ligand-induced alterations in the surface structures of lactoferrin and transferrin probed by interaction with immobilized copper(II) ions

We have evaluated immobilized Cu(II) ions as a potential site-directed molecular probe to monitor ligand-induced alterations in protein surface structures. Metal ion-induced alterations in the surface structures of different lactoferrins (human and porcine), transferrins (human and rabbit), and ovotransferrin (chicken) were examined. Although these 78,000-dalton glycoproteins are related gene products with similar overall structure and function, they differ greatly in the number and distribution of surface-exposed electron-donor groups thought to interact with Cu(II) ions. Each of these proteins interacted with immobilized Cu(II) ions through sites which are distinct from the two specific high affinity metal binding sites identified for iron. In both the presence and absence of bound iron, transferrins interacted more strongly with the immobilized Cu(II) ions than did lactoferrins; ovotransferrin interacted only weakly. Although iron binding increased the affinities of lactoferrins for immobilized Cu(II), iron binding decreased the affinities of transferrins and ovotransferrin for immobilized Cu(II) ions. Iron-saturated and iron-free lactoferrins were resolved by pH gradient elution, but only in the presence of 3 M urea; they were not resolved by imidazole affinity elution. Conversely, the iron-saturated and iron-free forms of transferrin were only separated by imidazole affinity elution. Urea did not influence the resolution of apo and holo ovotransferrins by imidazole. The differential effects of urea and imidazole suggest the participation of different types of surface electron-donor groups. The progressive site-specific modification of surface-exposed histidyl residues by carboxyethylation revealed several lactoferrin forms of intermediate affinity for immobilized iminodiacetate-Cu(II) ions. In summary, independent of species, the affinity for immobilized Cu(II) ions increased as follows: iron-saturated ovotransferrin less than metal-free ovotransferrin less than apolactoferrin less than hololactoferrin much less than diferric or holotransferrin less than monoferric transferrin less than apotransferrin. We have demonstrated the use of immobilized Cu(II) ions to distinguish and to monitor ligand-induced alterations in protein surface structure. The results are discussed in relation to protein surface-exposed areas of electron-donor groups.
Vibrational spectra and a potential function for 3-chlorocyclopropene and its various deuterated modifications

Abstract I.r. and Raman spectra have been obtained for 3-chlorocyclopropene and 3-chlorocyclopropene- d 3 under a variety of experimental conditions. For mixtures of the two d 2 isotopic species and of the two d 2 isotopic species, only infrared spectra have been recorded. The pattern of gas-to-condensed-phase frequency shifts is interpreted as evidence of hydrogen bonding for the CH hydrogen atoms. A complete assignment of the vibrational fundamentals for the d 0 and d 3 species is derived from the spectra. For the d 0 species these frequencies (in cm −1 ) are: (a′) 3171, 3029, 1633, 1266, 1141, 913, 713, 591, 345; (a″) 3140, 1034, 1017, 866, 840, 349. With guidance from normal coordinate calculations 59 of the 60 fundamentals for the d 1 and d 2 species are assigned. The full set of 89 observed frequencies has been used to fit an 18-parameter valence-type potential function. In comparison with the force constants for CC and CC stretching of cyclopropene and 3,3-difluorocyclopropene, the CC force constants of 3-chlorocyclopropene show changes similar to those expected for a substitution of a single fluorine atom. This finding is consistent with a σ-acceptor role for the mechanism of the interaction of fluorine and chlorine atoms with the cyclopropene ring system.
Application of a character sum estimate to a 2-class number density

Abstract An asymptotic formula is obtained for the number of imaginary quadratic number fields with 2-class number equal to 2, from which one can then obtain a type of density result for the 2-class number. The solution of this problem leads to an interesting question about a character sum over primes.
Learning graph structures in discrete Markov random fields

We present a general algorithm for learning the structure of discrete Markov random fields from i.i.d. samples. The algorithm either achieves the same computational complexity or lowers the computational complexity of earlier algorithms for several cases, and provides a new low-computational complexity algorithm for the case of Ising models where the underlying graph is the Erdős-Renyi random graph G ∼ G(p, c over p).
Interaction of lighting and other environmental variables on activity of hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal system.

Interaction of lighting and other environmental variables on activity of hypothalamo–hypophyseal–gonadal system
Microwave spectrum of fluoroacetyl chloride

Abstract The microwave spectrum of fluoroacetyl chloride has been studied in the 8–40 GHz region and transitions arising from one conformer have been assigned. This conformer has all the heavy atoms in a plane with the fluorine and chlorine atoms trans to one another. The rotational constants and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants for the ground vibrational state are (in MHz): H2FCCO35Cl: A = 9025.82, B = 2403.92, C = 1920.70, χaa = −47.7, χbb = 23,7, χcc = 24.1; H2FCCO37Cl: A = 8994.95, B = 2342.24, C = 1879.75, χaa = −38.0, χbb = 18.9, χcc = 19.1. The spectrum of the first excited torsional state has been assigned. Some lines possibly due to a second conformer have been observed but not yet assigned.
Procyanidins extracted from pine bark protect α-tocopherol in ECV 304 endothelial cells challenged by activated RAW 264.7 macrophages: role of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite

A co-culture system was used to study the effect of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) generated by RAW 264.7 macrophages grown on filters and activated by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ, on the α-tocopherol levels in ECV 302 endothelial cells. The results indicate that: RNS generated by activated macrophages or by direct administration of peroxynitrite lead to a significant loss of α-tocopherol in endothelial cells; pre-incubation with procyanidin extracted from pine bark (Pycnogenol) protects α-tocopherol of endothelial cells and enhances by about 15% basal endogenous levels of α-tocopherol. These results demonstrate flavonoids participate in the cellular antioxidant network and suggest that Pycnogenol may play an important role in the protection of endothelium from oxidative stress induced by reactive nitrogen species.
Recognition of Depositional Environments Through Thin-Section Analysis of Detrital Sediments: ABSTRACT

Petrographic analysis can be a powerful tool in the recognition and delineation of depositional environments of detrital sediments. A study of varied fluvial-deltaic, and interdeltaic environments in the Eocene of the Gulf Coast and the Cretaceous of Montana-Wyoming shows that individual environments may be segregated by applying univariate and multivariate statistical techniques to petrographic data (composition and texture). These results are supported by data collated from Holocene environments in the Mississippi alluvial valley and delta, and Galveston barrier island. Holocene environments that can be segregated with a minimum of 80% reliability are point bar, natural levee, lake, bay, lower shoreface, middle shoreface, upper shoreface-beach, dune, and lagoon. Consequently, full diameter cores may not be necessary for precise environmental interpretation everywhere in the subsurface. Small samples, such as side-wall cores, taken throughout an interval, may yield significant and reliable environmental information. An example is provided by the Lower Cretaceous Muddy Sandstone of Montana in which the subenvironments of the petroliferous barrier-bar complex at Bell Creek field can be recognized from thin-s ction analysis and verified by a study of full-diameter cores. The presence of the Bell Creek barrier bar can be predicted through thin-section analyses of sediments in dry holes which surround the bar. If thin-section data are integrated with paleogeographic knowledge of the Lower Cretaceous, the relative position and strike of the barrier system may be ascertained. End_of_Article - Last_Page 843------------
Common cause: institutional corruption's role in the Libor and the 4pm fix scandals

The unfolding scandal surrounding currency trading pegged to the London 4pm fix is eerily reminiscent of the Libor abuses that have cost banks billions in fines and continue to be investigated by authorities. In both cases, an opaque system rife with skewed influences and incentives produced behavior that might be characterised as institutional corruption. But Libor and the 4pm fix scandals are also different in a number of notable ways, greatly increasing the number of regulatory remedies that will be needed to restore public trust in market integrity. Complicating matters, unique characteristics of global financial markets mean standard corruption treatments like greater transparency may have limited effects, or even prove counterproductive.
The tumor microenvironment: a potential arbitrator of the tumor suppressive and promoting actions of TGFβ

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) members are secreted in biologically inactive complexes that must be activated in order to enable binding to their cell surface receptors. Interestingly, many of the proteins that can activate TGFβ have been implicated in either suppressing or promoting tumorigenesis. Included among these are matrix proteins (thrombospondin-1), receptors (integrins ανβ6 and ανβ8) and proteases (matrix metalloproteases and plasmin). These proteins cannot only activate TGFβ, but can also modulate cell responsiveness to TGFβ. In this section, we review data highlighting the complexity and bidirectionality of TGFβ matrix interactions within the tumor microenvironment, and propose that these dynamic interactions are a critical spatial and temporal determinant of the effects of TGFβ on tumorigenesis.
Tuberoinfundibular neurons: Dopaminergic and norepinephrinergic sensitivity

The techniques of microelectrophoresis and antidromic identification have been utilized in the female rat anesthetized with urethane to localize the tuberoinfundibular neurons and to determine their pharmacological sensitivity to dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and glutamate (GLUT). Extracellular recordings were made of 149 single units in the arcuate (ARC) nucleus; 79 of which were antidromically identified (43 were spontaneously active and 36 were silent) and the remaining 70 cells were determined to be spontaneously active but could not be antidromically identified (unidentified ARC neurons). The mean latency of the antidromically activated potentials was 9.5 msec, which gave a conduction velocity of 0.05 mm/msec. The spontaneous firing rate of antidromically identified ARC neurons varied from less than 1/sec to 8/sec while unidentified cells discharged at rates from less than 3/sec to 10/sec. These data indicate that ARC neurons exist which are capable of conducting impulses and send their axons into the external layer of the ME. Successful drug applications were made on 104 ARC neurons; of the 43 antidromically identified units, 37 were spontaneously active and 6 were silent. There were 61 spontaneously active, unidentified neurons. Two distinct pools of antidromically identified ARC neurons were found based on their sensitivity to NE and DA. Neurons displaying excitation to NE (N= 23) were either inhibited (N= 10 or non-responsive (N= 13) to DA applied electrophoretically; no NE-sensitive ARC neurons were excited by DA. The second pool of neurons (N= 14) was excited by DA. These neurons when tested with NE were either reproducibly inhibited (N= 3) or non-responsive (N= 11); no DA-sensitive neurons were excited by NE. In the unidentified ARC neurons, iontophoretically applied NE and DA gave reproducible effects on individual neurons, so that some neurons were excited by both NE and DA, some were inhibited by both, and still others were excited by one and inhibited by the other chemical. Glutamate (GLUT) had a powerful excitant action on nearly all the neurons tested, increasing the electrical activity of the spontaneously active neurons as well as initiating activity in quiescent ARC neurons. These data are suggestive of a tuberoinfundibular neuronal system whose activity is modulated by either DA or NE. This evidence is certainly compatible with a functional role for both DA and NE in regulating pituitary function by altering the activity of presumed neurosecretory neurons which release hypophysiotropic hormones.
Relevance and application of sortase and sortase-dependent proteins in lactic acid bacteria.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a diverse group of Gram-positive bacteria found in a vast array of environments including dairy products and the human gastrointestinal tract. In both niches, surface proteins play a crucial role in mediating interactions with the surrounding environment. The sortase enzyme is responsible for covalently coupling a subset of surface dependent proteins (SDPs) to the cell wall of Gram-positive organisms through recognition of a conserved C-terminal LPXTG motif. Genomic sequencing of LAB and annotation has allowed for the identification of sortase and SDPs. Historically, sortase and SDPs were predominately investigated for their role in mediating pathogenesis. Identification of these proteins in LAB has shed light on their important roles in mediating nutrient acquisition through proteinase P as well as positive probiotic attributes including adhesion, mucus barrier function, and immune signaling. Furthermore, sortase expression signals in LAB have been exploited as a means to develop oral vaccines targeted to the gastrointestinal tract. In this review, we examine the collection of studies which evaluate sortase and SDPs in select species of dairy associated and health promoting LAB.
The weak local global principle in algebraic k-theory

Roughly speaking, the weak local global principle in algebraic K-theory assures that two locally isomorphic modules or forms differ- -on the level of Grothendieck rings - - by a nilpotent element only. This paper contains a thorough investigation of this rather useful principle in various cases, including Witt and Witt-Grothendieck rings and their equivariant generalizations. The proofs are based on an abstract categorical "localization lemma" which reduce s the proof in each special case to the verification of two simple assertions. In the .case of Witt rings the results are applied to deduce Pfister's basic structure theorems for Witt rings over arbitrary commutative rings from the corresponding statements for Witt rings over local rings. In the last section explicit isomorphisms of certain modules and forms, derived from locally isomorphic modules or forms in a canonical way, are exhibited. There are further possible applications of the results of this paper towards the theory of signatures of Witt rin...
Transverse form factors of excited states in 16O

Abstract : Experimental results are reported about the electromagnetic properties of excited states below the giant resonance' in O16 using 180 deg inelastic scattering of electrons with incident energies of 43, 59 and 69 MeV. A comparison is made with the transverse form factors for inelastic electron scattering from 1, T = 1 states, calculated by Lewis, and from 2, T = 1 states calculated by deForest on the basis of the particle-hole model of the nucleus. Combined with known photon absorption cross sections, the interpretation of all the available data for the 13 MeV level required a 1 state to account for the photon point and the 2 state for the high q points. For the level at 17 MeV the theory is about a factor of 2 higher than the electron scattering results. The peak observed at 20.2 MeV has a transverse form factor with a q-dependence that follows within a factor of 2 the theoretical results for the strong 2 state calculated by deForest. Properties of levels at 11.00 and 12.0 MeV excitation are also discussed. (Author)
Success of re-use of cardiac electrode catheters

Abstract The feasibility of cardiac electrode catheter re-use was prospectively evaluated over a 5-year period (1981 to 1986), during which time 178 catheters were used 1,526 times for 847 electrophysiologic procedures. Detailed records of catheter testing and use were maintained. No complications were encountered during the study period. All re-used catheters functioned for cardiac pacing and electrographic recording. Surveillance cultures and biologic indicators revealed that adequate sterilization procedures were used. Thus, electrode catheters may be safely re-used provided a thorough cleaning, testing and record-keeping system is instituted. This may result in lower patient cost (approximately $30 per re-use vs $200 per single use) for electrophysiologic catheterization.
Sound source location by arrival-times on a non-rigid three-dimensional hydrophone array

Abstract Three-dimensional locations of underwater biological sound sources were accomplished by arrival-time-difference measurements on a four-hydrophone array. Accuracy of the locations depended on proximity of the source to the array, demonstrating that the arrival-time-difference method of location inherently is accurate only for nearby sources. A system of concurrent calibration periodically reassesses the hydrophone positions and makes practical the use of flexible non-rigid arrays at sea. Sources located by the array included passing ships, other artificial sources, whales, and porpoises. Direction to a sound source may be reliably indicated even though the source is too distant for useful location. In coastal waters in springtime, the sound levels varied drastically on identical hydrophones separated by only 30 m, presumably largely an effect of shallow-water propagation.
Constitutive equations for ideal gas mixtures and ideal solutions as consequences of simple postulates

It is shown that all features one normally associates with ideal gas mixtures (Boyle's law, Charles' law, the existence of a universal gas constant common to all species in the mixture, etc.) follow easily from standard equations of classical thermodynamics taken together with three postulates which state nothing more than the variables upon which chemical potentials, partial molar volumes, and partial molar internal energies depend. The standard equations for ideal solutions comprised of three or more species can be derived in a similar fashion from slightly weaker postulates; these postulates do not suffice to yield the ideal solution equations for binary mixtures, as is shown by counterexample.
Erratum to: Evaluation of Comprehensive Treatment Models for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

It should be noted that for six of the 30 CTMs, the information from model developers was obtained through email communication rather than telephone interviews as originally stated in the paper. Also, since publication of this article, information to which we did not have access at the time of the review became available. An article by BakerEriczen et al. (2007), which examined outcomes for the Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) model, was published shortly after we had concluded collecting articles for our review. If we had access to the article at the time of the review, the rating of the PRT model for Outcome Data would change to 4 and the rating for Quality would change to 2. Also, additional information provided by the Alpine program supports an Operationalization rating of 5.
Early failure of the shelhigh pulmonary valve conduit in infants

Abstract Background . The ideal valved conduit for right-sided (pulmonary) reconstruction in infants and children remains elusive. Desired characteristics include availability, ease of implantation, and longevity. Cryopreserved homografts are most commonly used, but availability of small sizes and limited durability remain problematic. The Shelhigh porcine-valved conduit (SPVC) with its No-React anticalcification properties was developed as a potential alternative to homografts. Methods . During a 10-month period, 8 patients underwent seven successful SPVC implantations. Median age was 9.5 days. Six conduits were less than 12 mm in diameter (range, 9 to 19 mm). Results . The early and late survival rates were 100%. During a mean follow-up of 18 months, five conduits were replaced at 6, 10, 12, 12, and 13 months for severe obstruction. Actuarial conduit failure at 12 months was 72%. Explanted SPVCs demonstrated marked pseudointimal peel formation along the original intima with an intense granulomatous inflammatory reaction. The intimal reaction was severely fibrogenic, but calcification was not present. For comparison, we retrospectively reviewed the cases of 23 infants receiving cryopreserved homografts during an overlapping period. Twelve patients, 6 of them neonates, were less than 90 days old. Mean homograft size was 13 mm (range, 8 to 15 mm), with nine less than 13 mm. During a mean follow-up of 26 months, six conduits were replaced at 7, 12, 12, 16, 20, and 35 months (sizes 13, 17, 14, 12, 10, and 12 mm, respectively). Only three of nine homografts less than 13 mm in size were replaced during a mean follow-up of 12 months. The overall homograft replacement rate was 17% at 22 months ( p = 0.005) compared with the SPVC). Conclusions . Although the SPVC appears to resist calcification, a marked foreign-body type of reaction results in pseudointimal peel formation and early conduit stenosis. In its present configuration, the SPVC in not a suitable valved conduit for use in infants. Although not ideal, the cryopreserved homograft has superior longevity to the SPVC.
Effects of Job Incumbents' Race and Sex of Evaluations of Managerial Performance

The article focuses on a study which investigated the impact of a job incumbent's race and sex on managerial performance evaluations. Subjects consist of undergraduate students enrolled in an intro...
Asymptotically robust detection of known signals in nonadditive noise

Robust detection of known weak signals of unknown amplitude is considered for a class of combined additive and nonadditive noise models and an asymptotically large set of independent observations. This class includes observation models that may have combinations of multiplicative and signal-dependent noise terms. Sufficient conditions are given for robust detection schemes for cases where the general form of the observation model is known but the additive noise distribution is known only to be a member of a general convex uncertainty class. Robust schemes satisfying these conditions are found for some example cases where additive signals and noise have been processed by memoryless nonlinearities. Some interesting example cases of combined multiplicative and signal-dependent noise are shown to use redescending nonlinearities, instead of the limiter nonlinearities typically found for similar additive noise cases. >
Discrimination Over the Life Course: A Synthetic Cohort Analysis of Earnings Differences Between Black and White Males, 1940-1990

Using data from the 1940-1980 United States Microdata Extract File and the Current Population Survey's 1990 Annual Demographic File, this study examines three competing explanations of the disparity in black and white male earnings over the life course. The “legacy of discrimination” explanation suggests that current racial disparities in earnings reflect nothing more than past discrimination against older blacks, and that the earnings of younger black and white males should be similar over the life course. The “cumulative effects of discrimination” explanation suggests that the black-white earnings gap increases over the life course, and that this divergence in earnings exists for younger cohorts of males as well as older cohorts. The “vintage hypothesis” argues that the net black-white earnings gap reflects differences in self-investments in human capital and that the racial earnings gap should be virtually constant over time and over the life course for all cohorts (vintages) of black and white male workers. This study presents a synthetic cohort analysis of the effects of aging on the disparity in earnings for black and white males from 1940-1990. It shows that aging has a curvilinear effect on the black-white earnings gap. Younger black males in each year and cohort analyzed were closer to their white male counterparts than middle-aged blacks. However, there was a convergence in the earnings of elderly black and white males. While not completely consistent with any of the formulations, the findings most closely conform to the predictions of the cumulative effect of discrimination explanation.
Abstract A138: Vaccination with HPV 16 L2E6E7 with GPI-0100 adjuvant elicits protective humoral as well as cell-mediated immune responses

Abstracts: Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research 2008 A138 L1 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines provide effective protection against Human papillomavirus (HPV) type from which the L1 was derived via the induction of neutralizing antibodies. While partial protection can occur against very closely related types, it is generally type-restricted and necessitates highly multivalent L1 VLP vaccines to obtain broad coverage. The minor capsid protein, L2, is emerging as an attractive alternative cross-protective antigen. Unfortunately, neither L1 VLP nor L2-based vaccines are effective against pre-existing disease, suggesting the need to develop therapeutic vaccines. Unlike the capsid proteins, the E6 and E7 oncoproteins are both required to maintain and expressed throughout cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cancer. TA-CIN, a vaccine comprising the HPV16 L2, E6 and E7 in a single tandem fusion protein, attempts to combine the advantages of broad cross-protection against HPV transmission with therapeutic responses targeting HPV16 early proteins. Here we test TA-CIN formulated along with GPI-0100, a semi-synthetic quillaja saponin analog, that was developed to promote both humoral and cellular immune responses. TA-CIN administered subcutaneously to mice three times at monthly intervals (125μg of clinical-grade protein) with 50μg GMP-grade GPI-0100 was found to elicit high titer antibodies that effectively neutralized not only HPV16 but also other oncogenic HPV types including HPV18, HPV31, HPV45, HPV58. Similarly, vaccination of pigtail macaques ( Macaca nemestrina ) with TA-CIN (three doses of 125μg of TA-CIN with 1000μg GMP-grade GPI-0100 at monthly intervals) was well tolerated and induced serum antibodies that neutralized HPV16, HPV18, and HPV31 in vitro. Notably, vaccination of mice with TA-CIN protected them from cutaneous HPV16 challenge as effectively as HPV16 L1 VLP. Combination of TA-CIN along with adjuvant GPI-0100 enhanced production of E7-specific, interferon gamma producing CD8+ T cell precursors by 20-fold. Vaccination with TA-CIN in adjuvant GPI-0100 completely prevented tumor growth after challenge with 5 x 104 HPV16-transformed TC-1 tumor cells. Protection of the mice immunized with TA-CIN plus GPI-0100 against TC-1 in a prophylactic setting was significantly more effective than TA-CIN alone or GPI-0100 alone. Patients vaccinated with TA-CIN alone develop weak HPV neutralizing antibody and E6/E7-specific T cell responses. GPI-0100 has been used safely as an adjuvant in several human trials suggesting that the combination of TA-CIN and GPI-0100 warrants further study. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):A138.
VOF Model for Simulation of a Free Overfall in Trapezoidal Channels

In the past, solutions to open channel flow problems involving free surfaces were generally found on the basis of experimental data or through the development of theoretical expressions using simplified assumptions. The volume of fluid (VOF) turbulence model is applied to obtain characteristics of three-dimensional open channel flows involving free surfaces. In particular, the VOF model is used to determine the pressure head distributions, velocity distributions, and water surface profiles for the free overfall in a trapezoidal open channel. The predictions of the proposed model are validated using existing experimental data.
Influence of overburden on subsidence development over room and pillar coal mines

Abstract The magnitude and extent of the subsidence that occurs over coal mines may be estimated reasonably accurately by current empirical and numerical/physical prediction modelling. There are, however, few effective procedures for predicting the duration of time that elapses between the advent of mining and the initial surfacial expression of subsidence. This is particularly so with respect to subsidence over mines in which the coal was extracted by room and pillar (pillar and board) mining methods. This undefined time delay may be a critical concern in areas above old or abandoned room and pillar mines where the uncertainty of potential subsidence affects property values and urban development. The relationship between time and subsidence development was evaluated in this study by comparing data on mining systems, overburden and floor characteristics, physical properties of the coal seam, and the delay that occurred between coal extraction and initiation of surface deformation. The data was collected essentially from the Illinois Basin coal field with additional data from other coal-producing regions in the United States. Reasonably complete data sets from over 80 subsidence events were evaluated. Multiple-variable statistical analysis techniques, including regionalized variables theory and trend surface analysis were used to identify those parameters that most significantly influenced the time lapse between mining and the onset of surface deformation. The results of the study indicated that the behaviour of material in the lower half of the overburden is critical to the ultimate expression of subsidence at the surface. In addition, it was shown that an algorithm can be developed to predict the type of subsidence and also that there is a correlation between time lapse and, not only such anticipated factors as depth of mining and pillar size, but also between the relative position of competent strata in the overburden.
URIDINE PHOSPHORYLASE FROM RAT BRAIN: CHARACTERISTICS AND DEVELOPMENTAL COURSE

—Uridine phosphorylase (uridine: orthophosphate ribosyltransferase; EC 2.4.2.3) from rat brain was purified and its properties were studied. The enzyme resembled preparations made from other mammalian sources. Its pH optimum was between 7·6 and 8·0. An examination of its action on various substrates showed rates of reaction in the order: uridine > deoxyuridine > thymidine > cytidine. The enzyme showed a requirement for phosphate which could also be satisfied by arsenate. The activity of the enzyme was protected from heat inactivation by uridine and by phosphate. In brain and liver the activity of the enzyme increased five- to ten-fold between 10 and 20 days of life. Injections of cortisol or of uridine did not increase the enzymic activity.