cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parental punitive discipline and children’s depressive symptoms: Associations with striatal volume

Although parental harshness has been consistently linked with increased depressive symptoms in youth, its associations with children's brain structure are not well understood. The striatum has been strongly implicated in depression in adolescents and adults. In this study, we investigated the associations among parental harsh discipline, striatal volume, and depressive symptoms in children. Participants were parents and their 5- to 9-year-old children (63% female; 29% African American; 47% Hispanic/Latino). Parents completed questionnaires about their parenting behaviors and children's depressive symptoms. Children participated in a high-resolution, T1-weighted MRI scan, and volumetric data for the caudate, putamen, and nucleus accumbens were extracted (n = 20 with both parenting and MRI data; n = 48 with both MRI and depressive symptom data). Findings indicated that more frequent parental harsh discipline was significantly associated with smaller dorsal striatal volume (caudate plus putamen). In addition, smaller dorsal striatal volume was significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms in children. These associations remained significant after accounting for child age, sex, whole brain volume, and parental depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that parental harsh discipline may be associated with children's striatal volume, which may in turn be associated with their level of depressive symptoms.
Bromodomain and Extraterminal (BET) Protein Inhibition Restores Redox Balance and Inhibits Myofibroblast Activation

Background and Objective. Progressive pulmonary fibrosis is the main cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and in those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and NADPH oxidase- (NOX-) derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) are drivers of lung fibrosis. We aimed to determine the role of the epigenetic readers, bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins in the regulation of redox balance in activated myofibroblasts. Methods. In TGF-β-stimulated fibroblasts, we investigated the effect of the BET inhibitor JQ1 on the mRNA expression of the prooxidant gene NOX4 and the antioxidant gene superoxide dismutase (SOD2) by quantitative RT-PCR, the antioxidant transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity by a reporter assay, and intracellular ROS levels by dichlorofluorescein staining. Myofibroblast activation was determined by α-smooth muscle actin immunocytochemistry. The role of specific BET protein isoforms in NOX4 gene regulation was studied by siRNA silencing and chromatin-immunoprecipitation. Results and Conclusions. Affymetrix gene array analysis revealed increased NOX4 and reduced SOD2 expression in SSc and IPF fibroblasts. SOD2 silencing in non-ILD control fibroblasts induced a profibrotic phenotype. TGF-β increased NOX4 and inhibited SOD2 expression, while increasing ROS production and myofibroblast differentiation. JQ1 reversed the TGF-β-mediated NOX4/SOD2 imbalance and Nrf2 inactivation and attenuated ROS production and myofibroblast differentiation. The BET proteins Brd3 and Brd4 were shown to bind to the NOX4 promoter and drive TGF-β-induced NOX4 expression. Our data indicate a critical role of BET proteins in promoting redox imbalance and pulmonary myofibroblast activation and support BET bromodomain inhibitors as a potential therapy for fibrotic lung disease.
Development of an on-farm model to predict flow of fecal volatile solids to the liquid and solid handling systems of commercial California dairy farms

A source of methane (CH4) emissions from dairy farms arefecal volatile solids (VS) produced by cattle, which is impacted by herd size, cattle type, feed intake/composition and farm management practices. Where cattle deposit fecal VS in their pen is important in this regard since that deposited on concrete, which will be handled and stored in a liquid form, is a likely source of CH4 emissions, whereas fecal VS deposited on drylot surfaces will be handled and stored in a dry form and is a minor source of CH4 emissions. Our objective was to create a model to assist dairy farmers and regulators make informed evaluations of impacts of dairy farm management practices on potential CH4 emissions from fecal VS. Evaluation of initial model outputs led to on-farm data collection of the model inputs which influenced predicted fecal VS entering the liquid and solid manure handling systems. A key input limitation was lack of information on cattle fecal deposition locations within pens. Data collection used four dairy farms to measure time that cattle spent on concrete surfaces within day among season, as well as other model inputs. The final model, populated with collected data, showed that lactating cattle contribute the overwhelming proportion of fecal VS, 77% in the composite dairy farms, and that a composite freestall dairy farm had 65% of total fecal VS deposited on concrete annually with the remainder on drylot surfaces. In contrast, a composite drylot dairy farm had 37% of fecal VS deposited on concrete annually.
Developmental goals during the transition to young adulthood

Adolescents navigate the transition into young adulthood through their pursuit of developmental goals. While societal expectations and institutions provide normed paths to adulthood by shaping deci...
Editorial: Work and Brain Health Across the Lifespan

The unique aspects of this clinical trial include: (a) targeting physical activity at workplace (as opposed to interventions increasing exercise during leisure time), (b) unstructured and, therefore, more ecologically-valid workplace physical activity, encouraged by treadmill workstation availability and email reminders, and (c) involvement of overweight-to-obese, middle-aged participants (40–67 years) performing sedentary office work, namely, a population at potentially increased risk of cognitive and brain health decline, yet possibly decades before these declines manifest as cognitive impairment. [...]work-related physical activity and sedentariness have been added as a new dimension of the BOSS model. [...]longitudinal studies are urgently needed to test neural and physiological mechanisms or mediators of work-cognition relationships. [...]as this editorial is written in June 2021, I feel compelled to point out possible effects of the pandemic-related disruptions to our occupational lives on the adult brain health.
Need-Based Transfers Enhance Resilience to Shocks: An Agent-Based Model of a Maasai Risk-Pooling System

Maasai and other Maa-speaking pastoralists in Kenya and Tanzania have a risk-pooling system that they refer to by their word for the umbilical cord (osotua). Gifts from one osotua partner to another are contingent on the recipient’s need and do not create any debt. We refer to such gifts as need-based transfers. Maa-speakers also have a system of debt-based transfers (esile) in which gifts must be repaid. We designed an agent-based model to compare the impacts on herd survival of need-based and debt-based transfers on networks of varying topologies and sizes and with different degrees of temporal correlation of shocks felt by the agents. We found that the use of need-based rather than debt-based transfers, greater network modularity, greater network size, and decreased correlation among shocks were associated with increased rates of survival.
Thermal Analysis of Frozen Embankment Islands

A two-dimensional finite element analysis of the thermal state of man-made frozen islands is presented. The model includes an air-ground interface energy exchange simulator that incorporates available meteorological parameters for application to offshore areas in the Alaskan arctic. Comparison of simulations with analytical and available data indicates an accurate and efficient model. Two hypothetical island configurations are analyzed using actual meteorological data obtained at Barter Island, Alaska. Results suggest that islands constructed of dredged materials are feasible in shallow waters.
YTRF is the conserved internalization signal of the transferrin receptor, and a second YTRF signal at position 31-34 enhances endocytosis.

By functional analysis of mutant human transferrin receptors (TR) expressed in chicken embryo fibroblasts, we previously identified a tetrapeptide sequence, Y20TRF23, within the 61-residue cytoplasmic tail as the signal for high-efficiency endocytosis (Collawn, J. F., Stangel, M., Kuhn, L. A., Esekogwu, V., Jing, S., Trowbridge, I.S., and Tainer, J.A. (1990) Cell 63, 1061-1072). It has been inferred from other studies, however, that the TR internalization signal was localized to a much larger region, residues 7 through 26 (Girones, N., Alvarez, E., Seth, A., Lin, I-M., Latour, D.A., and Davis, R.J. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 19006-19012). Additionally, Tyr20 was reported to not be conserved in the Chinese hamster cytoplasmic tail sequence (Alvarez, E., Girones, N., and Davis, R.J. (1990) Biochem. J. 267, 31-35). In the studies reported here, we examined the effect of insertion of an extra copy of a YTRF sequence at three different locations within the human TR cytoplasmic domain and show that the insertion of another YTRF signal at position 31-34 in the wild-type TR, but not the other two locations, increases the rate of endocytosis 2-fold. Furthermore, introduction of YTRF at position 31-34 in an internalization-defective mutant receptor restores endocytosis to wild-type levels, indicating that YTRF signals at either positions 20-23 or 31-34 are necessary and sufficient to promote TR internalization and function in an independent and additive manner. We also report the complete primary structure of the Chinese hamster TR deduced from its cDNA sequence and show that the Tyr20 as well as the complete YTRF motif is conserved.
The Mechanism of the Enzymatic Oxidation of Aldehydes

Abstract By exploiting the relatively slow hydration of acetaldehyde in neutral solutions of low ionic strength and the general acid-base catalysis of this hydration reaction, it is shown that the hydration of acetaldehyde does not precede its oxidation by xanthine oxidase. It follows that the aldehyde, per se, rather than its hydrate is the true substrate.
Arms Control and Disarmament:: A Bibliographic Essay

The study of arms control and disarmament is a subject of renewed interest in the United States. The attention of academicians, politicians, and average citizens, focused by a fear of nuclear holocaust, has turned to questions of how best to seek peace and safety in the nuclear age. Courses and programs devoted to arms control and disarmament and methods of achieving peaceful resolution of conflicts in today's world are offered at all educational levels, and the general public, aware of the necessity of being well‐informed on such an important topic, is looking for ways to obtain factual and reliable information to help sort out the conflicting claims of political spokespeople. Such material does exist and should be available to researchers, professors, students, and citizens, so that they can form opinions and attempt to influence policy on the basis of a sound understanding.
Women with multiple implantation failures and recurrent pregnancy losses have increased peripheral blood T cell activation.

Citation Yang KM, Ntrivalas E, Cho HJ, Kim NY, Beaman K, Gilman-Sachs A, Kwak-Kim J. Women with multiple implantation failures and recurrent pregnancy losses have increased peripheral blood T cell activation. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010 Problem We aim to determine whether peripheral blood T cell activation is associated with repeated implantation failures or recurrent pregnancy losses (RPLs). Method of study Women with a history of repeated implantation failure (n = 18) or RPLs (n = 17) comprise the study group. Normal fertile women (n = 11) are included as controls. Proportion of activated peripheral blood T cells (CD69+, CD154+) and Th1/Th2 cell ratios are measured by flow cytometric analysis. Results Proportions (%) of CD4+/154+ of CD4+ and CD8+/154+ of CD8+ cells were significantly higher in study group than those of controls. Proportions (%) of CD3+/69+ of CD3+ cells and CD8+/69+ of CD8+ cells were significantly increased in study group compared to controls. Proportion (%) of CD4+/69+ cells significantly correlated with % CD4+/154+ cells (P = 0.003). Activated cytotoxic T cells (CD8+/154+, CD8+/69+) inversely correlated with INF-γ/IL-10 producing CD3+/4+ T cell ratios. Proportion of activated CD3+/8+/69 and CD3+/8+/154+ cells was inversely correlated with IFN-γ/IL-10 expressing CD3+/4+ T cell ratios. Conclusion Women with MIFs or RPLs have increased T cell activation in peripheral blood lymphocytes, and T cell suppressor activation seems to be associated with decreased Th1 immunity. Further studies on T cell activation may elucidate molecular mechanisms controlling Th1 effectors.
Air Brazing: A New Method of Ceramic–Ceramic and Ceramic–Metal Joining

A new method of ceramic-ceramic and ceramic-metal joining has emerged over the past several years. Referred to as air brazing, the technique was originally designed and developed for use in fabricating high-temperature solid-state electrochemical devices such as planar SOFCs and oxygen and hydrogen concentrators. The primary advantage of air brazing is that a predominantly metallic joint can be formed directly in air without need of an inert cover gas or the use of surface reactive fluxes. The resulting bond is hermetic, offers excellent room temperature strength, and is inherently resistant to oxidation at high temperature. The key to developing a successful filler metal composition for air brazing is to identify a metal oxide wetting agent that is mutually soluble in a molten noble metal solvent. One particular oxide-metal combination that appears readily suited for this purpose is CuOx-Ag, a system originally of interest in the development of silver clad cuprate-based superconductors. Studies of the equilibrium phases studies in this system indicate that there are two invariant points in the pseudobinary CuOx-Ag phase diagram around which new braze compositions can be developed: 1) a monotectic reaction at 969±1°C, where CuO and a Ag-rich liquid L1 coexist with a second CuOx-rich liquidmore » phase L2 at a composition of xAg/(xAg + xCu) = 0.10±0.03 Ag and 2) a eutectic reaction at 942±1°C, where CuO and Ag coexist with L1 at a composition of xAg/(xAg + xCu) = 0.99±0.005. Specifically, near-eutectic Ag-CuO filler metal compositions have shown good promise in joining electrochemically active ceramics such as yttria-stabilized zirconia, lanthanum strontium manganite, and barium strontium cobalt ferrite, as well as alumina and magnesia. More recently it has been found that various ternary additions can further improve the wetting characteristics of these filler metals, increase their potential operating temperatures, and/or increase the resulting strength of the joint strength. Here we review the basic concept of air brazing and illustrate filler metal selection and design using the Ag-CuO system as an example.« less
A deletion analysis of lambda hybrid phage carrying the Us region of Herpes simplex virus type 1 (Patton). I. Isolation of deletion derivatives and identification of chi-likes sequences

Abstract The Eco RI-H fragment (15.4 kb) of Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been cloned in λgt WES in both orientations. This fragment contains the entire U S region and has about 900 bp of terminal redundant sequences derived from the internal and terminal repeats of the S region. 56 independent plaque-forming deletion derivatives of the λgt WES :: Eco RI-H hybrid phage were isolated using either EDTA resistance or ability to grow on Escherichia coli (P2) lysogens as selective methods. The endpoints of these deletions were located using nine restriction enzymes that cleave within the Eco RI-H fragment. All of the deletions have at least one endpoint within the cloned fragment. Several unusual features of the λgt hybrids, including heterogeneity of a particular region in the HSV-1 Eco RI-H fragment and the presence of chi -like sequences in the U S region of HSV-1, are discussed.
Pediatric liver transplant recipients with operational tolerance exhibit features of immune activation and exhaustion (TRAN3P.869)

Experimental models describe immune exhaustion in liver transplant tolerance. It is not known if immune exhaustion is also occurs in clinical operational tolerance. We tested this in a cross-sectional cohort of pediatric liver transplant recipients with stable allograft function in the absence of immunosuppression (Operationally Tolerant, OT) in comparison to those Weaned off Immunosuppression (WI), continued on Maintenance Immunosuppression (MI) and Healthy Controls (HC). Results: In OT recipients, B cell frequencies (p <0.05) were increased and were enriched in both unswitched (p<0.005) and switched memory B cells (CD19+ IgM+ CD27+ and CD19+ IgG+ CD27+) (p<0.05) compard to MI. CD8 T cells in OT showed an increase in effector memory compared to MI (p<0.05). CD4 Treg frequencies were increased in OT compared to MI (p<0.0005). Both CD4 and CD8 T cells in OT showed an increase in cells expressing CD57, indicative of replicative senescence and these were enriched within CD4 central memory and CD8 effector memory when compared to MI (p<0.05). CD57+ T cells upregulated PD1 and 2B4, markers of exhaustion in OT compared to MI (p<0.05). Upon stimulation, IFNγ expression in CD4 T cells and IL-2 expression in CD8 T cells in OT were decreased compared to MI consistent with exhaustion. Moreover, OT showed decreased CD8 frequencies (p<0.05) and high PDL1 expression on monocytes (p<0.0005) suggesting that this population might contribute to T cell exhaustion in these recipients.
Arginine methylation of DRBD18 differentially impacts its opposing effects on the trypanosome transcriptome

Arginine methylation is a posttranslational modification that impacts wide-ranging cellular functions, including transcription, mRNA splicing and translation. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) represent one of the largest classes of arginine methylated proteins in both mammals and the early diverging parasitic protozoan, Trypanosoma brucei. Here, we report the effects of arginine methylation on the functions of the essential and previously uncharacterized T. brucei RBP, DRBD18. RNAseq analysis shows that DRBD18 depletion causes extensive rearrangement of the T. brucei transcriptome, with increases and decreases in hundreds of mRNAs. DRBD18 contains three methylated arginines, and we used complementation of DRBD18 knockdown cells with methylmimic or hypomethylated DRBD18 to assess the functions of these methylmarks. Methylmimic and hypomethylated DRBD18 associate with different ribonucleoprotein complexes. These altered macromolecular interactions translate into differential impacts on the T. brucei transcriptome. Methylmimic DRBD18 preferentially stabilizes target RNAs, while hypomethylated DRBD18 is more efficient at destabilizing RNA. The protein arginine methyltransferase, TbPRMT1, interacts with DRBD18 and knockdown of TbPRMT1 recapitulates the effects of hypomethylated DRBD18 on mRNA levels. Together, these data support a model in which arginine methylation acts as a switch that regulates T. brucei gene expression.
Total-scattering descriptions of local and cooperative distortions in the oxide spinel Mg 1-x Cu x Cr 2 O 4 with dilute Jahn-Teller ions

The normal spinel oxide MgCr2O4 is cubic at room temperature while the normal spinel CuCr2O4 is tetragonal as a consequence of the Jahn-Teller nature of Cu2+ on the tetrahedral sites. Despite different end-member structures, complete solid solutions of Mg_{1-x}Cu_xCr2O4 can be prepared that display a first-order structural transition with composition x = 0.43 at room temperature. Reverse Monte Carlo analysis of total neutron scattering on data acquired between 300 K and 15 K on samples with x = 0.10, 0.20, and 0.43 provides unbiased local and average structure descriptions of the samples, including an understanding of the transition from local Jahn-Teller distortions in the cubic phase to cooperative distortions that result in a tetragonal structure. Distributions of continuous symmetry measures help to understand and distinguish distorted and undistorted coordination around the tetrahedral site in the solid solutions. Magnetic exchange bias is observed in field-cooled hysteresis loops of samples with dilute Cu2+ concentration and in samples with tetragonal--cubic phase coexistence around 300 K.
Resection of brain metastases from non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Results of therapy. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Thoracic Surgical Staff.

The treatment of patients with a solitary brain metastasis has been evolving, with most centers recommending resection in patients with good performance status. To evaluate the results of resection of brain metastases from non-small-cell lung cancer, we reviewed our 16-year experience with 185 consecutive patients undergoing resection of brain metastases from 1974 to 1989, inclusive. There were 89 men and 96 women; ages ranged from 34 to 75 years (median 54). Sixty-five (35 %) had synchronous and 120 (65%) metachronous brain metastases. Discounting the brain metastasis, 68 patients (37%) had stage I, 13 (7%) stage II, 62 (33%) stage IIIA, 30 (16%) stage IIIB, and 12 (6%) stage IV carcinoma. There was no significant difference in age, locoregional stage (TN), or histologic features in patients with synchronous versus metachronous lesions. The overall survival rates (n = 185) were as follows: 1 year, 55%; 2 years, 27%; 3 years, 18%; 5 years, 13%; and 10 years, 7% (median 14 months). There was no significant difference in survival between patients with synchronous and metachronous lesions. To evaluate the impact of locoregional stage and treatment of the primary site, we analyzed only those patients with synchronous brain metastases. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that locoregional stage had no significant effect on survival (p = 0.97), but complete resection of the primary disease significantly prolonged survival (p = 0.002). Therefore complete resection, and not stage, of the locoregional primary lesion is the primary determinant of survival in patients undergoing resection of brain metastases from non-small-cell lung cancer. (J T horac C ardiovasc S urg 1992;103: 399-411)
Substituent effects on the gas-phase fragmentation reactions of protonated peptides containing benzylamine-derivatized lysyl residues.

Motivated by the need for chemical strategies designed to tune peptide fragmentation to selective cleavage reactions, benzyl ring substituent influence on the relative formation of carbocation elimination (CCE) products from peptides with benzylamine-derivatized lysyl residues has been examined using collision-induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectrometry. Unsubstituted benzylamine-derivatized peptides yield a mixture of products derived from amide backbone cleavage and CCE. The latter involves side-chain cleavage of the derivatized lysyl residue to form a benzylic carbocation [C(7)H(7)](+) and an intact peptide product ion [(MH(n))(n+) - (C(7)H(7))(+)]((n-1)+). The CCE pathway is contingent upon protonation of the secondary e-amino group (N(e)) of the derivatized lysyl residue. Using the Hammett methodology to evaluate the electronic contributions of benzyl ring substituents on chemical reactivity, a direct correlation was observed between changes in the CCE product ion intensity ratios (relative to backbone fragmentation) and the Hammett substituent constants, σ, of the corresponding substituents. There was no correlation between the substituent-influenced gas-phase proton affinity of N(e) and the relative ratios of CCE product ions. However, a strong correlation was observed between the π orbital interaction energies (ΔE(int)) of the eliminated benzylic carbocation and the logarithm of the relative ratios, indicating the predominant factor in the CCE pathway is the substituent effect on the level of hyperconjugation and resonance stability of the eliminated benzylic carbocation. This work effectively demonstrates the applicability of σ (and ΔE(int)) as substituent selection parameters for the design of benzyl-based peptide-reactive reagents which tune CCE product formation as desired for specific applications.
Taking a high-tech approach to standards [IETF]

The Internet Engineering Task Force-the primary organization for Internet standards-is experiencing phenomenal growth, which implies a vote of confidence in its approach to standards-making. IETF is similar to the IEEE in that both organizations focus on participation by individual engineers rather than by organizations. Moreover, both organizations strive to ensure that their standards are developed in an open, accessible forum with policies structured to minimize barriers to participation. The IETF compares itself to the IEEE and to other standards-making organizations such as ANSI and ISO while taking pride in the ways in which IETF is unique. One remarkable feature of the IETF standards process is its demand for actual implementations of a standard. In fact, the existence of two independently developed, interoperable implementations of a specification is a firm requirement for the specification to be given draft standard status.
TEM Studies of Ordering in MOCVD-Grown (GaIn)P on GaAs

GaxIn(1-x)P epilayers grown on GaAs substrates by MOVPE, for different growth temperatures and values of x-0.5, have been studied by electron microscopy. The results indicate that under certain conditions the ternary epilayer is ordered parallel to the (111) plane. Dark-field images obtained using the superlattice reflections reveal ordered domains of different orientations. High-resolution images have been obtained from the ordered domains. The structure of these domains is not perfect but contains many planar faults parallel to the growth surface.
Haar wavelet-quasilinearization technique for fractional nonlinear differential equations

In this article, numerical solutions of nonlinear ordinary differential equations of fractional order by the Haar wavelet and quasilinearization are discussed. Quasilinearization technique is used to linearize the nonlinear fractional ordinary differential equation and then the Haar wavelet method is applied to linearized fractional ordinary differential equations. In each iteration of quasilinearization technique, solution is updated by the Haar wavelet method. The results are compared with the results obtained by the other technique and with exact solution. Several initial and boundary value problems are solved to show the applicability of the Haar wavelet method with quasilinearization technique.
Regulated Delivery of Therapeutic Proteins After in Vivo Somatic Cell Gene Transfer

Stable delivery of a therapeutic protein under pharmacologic control was achieved through in vivo somatic gene transfer. This system was based on the expression of two chimeric, human-derived proteins that were reconstituted by rapamycin into a transcription factor complex. A mixture of two adeno-associated virus vectors, one expressing the transcription factor chimeras and one containing erythropoietin (Epo) under the control of a promoter responsive to the transcription factor, was injected into skeletal muscle of immune-competent mice. Administration of rapamycin resulted in 200-fold induction of plasma Epo. Stable engraftment of this humanized system in immune-competent mice was achieved for 6 months with similar results for at least 3 months in a rhesus monkey.
1669 ALTERATIONS IN PLASMA AMINO ACIDS IN CHILDHOOD ASTHMA

Abnormalities in plasma amino acids (AAs), particularly those related to catecholamine (CTA) or glucose synthesis, may have etiologic or pathogenetic significance in asthma. Plasma AAs and cortisol and urinary CTAs were measured at 8AM and 4PM in randomly selected children with status asthmaticus (n=9;group A), moderately-severe chronic asthma (n=9;group B), mild chronic asthma (n=9;group C) and controls without lung disease (n=7;group D). Group assignment was based on severity of wheezing and medication requirements. All had PaO2>65mmHg. Several conditions believed to alter plasma AAs such as infection and recent corticosteroid use were excluded. AAs were determined chromatographically using an autoanalyzer. Cortisol was measured by competitive protein-binding inhibition, and CTAs were analyzed by spectrophotofluorimetry. Of the 24 AAs analyzed, 11 including tyrosine, proline and alanine were decreased at 8AM or 4PM in group A compared with the other groups (P<0.05). Plasma cortisol was elevated in group A (P<0.05), and urinary CTAs remained unchanged. Normal diurnal variations of AAs and cortisol were preserved. Sequentialdaily determinations in 5 children in group A showed progressive increases in total AA levels as symptoms subsided. Thus certain AAs which are gluconeogenic (proline) or CTA precursors (tyrosine) are decreased in status asthmaticus. Tyrosine deficiency may lead to altered CTA synthesis and play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma. If these findings are confirmed, tyrosine administration may be helpful in therapy of asthma.
Prolamellar Body Development in Etioplasts of Pisum sativum L. var. ‘Alaska’

The development of the prolamellar body in young (2-8-day-old) apical leaf etioplasts of dark-grown pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L. var. ‘Alaska’) has been examined at the ultrastructural level. The early stages of prolamellar body biogenesis involves the formation of discrete stroma tubules. Subsequently (8 days), these tubules aggregate into tubular strands which move centrally, serving as orientation points for the later development of the lattice-tubuleframework that ultimately develops in the stroma. The developing crystalline portion slowly assumes a hexagonal arrangement and ultimately becomes the “crystalline core” of the prolamellar body. Thylakoid membranes emanate out from the crystalline portion of the prolamellar body into the peripheral areas of the etioplast stroma. The relationship of prolamellar body development in pea tissue is discussed with respect to similar organelles described at the fine structural level in etioplasts of other plant tissues.
Predicted secondary structure for 28S and 18S rRNA from Ichneumonoidea (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apocrita): impact on sequence alignment and phylogeny estimation.

We utilize the secondary structural properties of the 28S rRNA D2–D10 expansion segments to hypothesize a multiple sequence alignment for major lineages of the hymenopteran superfamily Ichneumonoidea (Braconidae, Ichneumonidae). The alignment consists of 290 sequences (originally analyzed in Belshaw and Quicke, Syst Biol 51:450–477, 2002) and provides the first global alignment template for this diverse group of insects. Predicted structures for these expansion segments as well as for over half of the 18S rRNA are given, with highly variable regions characterized and isolated within conserved structures. We demonstrate several pitfalls of optimization alignment and illustrate how these are potentially addressed with structure-based alignments. Our global alignment is presented online at (http://hymenoptera.tamu.edu/rna) with summary statistics, such as basepair frequency tables, along with novel tools for parsing structure-based alignments into input files for most commonly used phylogenetic software. These resources will be valuable for hymenopteran systematists, as well as researchers utilizing rRNA sequences for phylogeny estimation in any taxon. We explore the phylogenetic utility of our structure-based alignment by examining a subset of the data under a variety of optimality criteria using results from Belshaw and Quicke (2002) as a benchmark.
Elastic interactions of a moving crack with vacancies and solute atoms

Abstract Based on Yoffe's analysis of a two-dimensional moving crack, the elastic interaction of the crack tip and a solute atom (or a vacancy) was treated in detail. Two types of interactions were discussed: 1. (a) the dilatation interaction, and 2. (b) the inhomogeneity interaction. In both cases, the interaction energy increases slowly with increasing propagation velocity, and becomes intense and finally unbounded as the Rayleigh wave velocity is approached. For a given velocity, the inhomogeneity interaction exhibits a greater effect than the dilatation interaction in the region near the crack tip. Thus vacancies are attracted to and interstitials are repelled from this region. This trend is enhanced by increasing the stress intensity factor and the crack propagation velocity on the basis of Yoffe's model. If the problem is treated on the basis of a Broberg crack, both of the interaction energies would decrease with increasing velocity in the low velocity range. However, the domination of the inhomogeneity interaction near the tip region remains unchanged, although the general trend will be modified.
Deletion of Ribosomal Cofactor Rimp Disrupts Late Stage 30S Subunit Assembly

The bacterial 70S ribosome, consisting of the 30S and 50S subunits, facilitates protein synthesis and is a target for antibiotics. During 30S biogenesis, 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) is co-transcriptionally processed by ribonucleases, and bound by ribosomal proteins (RPs) and cofactors. However, the coordination between rRNA processing, and cofactor and RP binding is unclear. Here, we reveal that deletion of the ribosomal cofactor gene, rimP, disrupts binding of specific RPs (S2, S12, S21) during the late stages of 30S assembly in Escherichia coli. We use a stable isotope labeling/mass spectrometry approach to show that the rimP deletion strain accumulates 30S assembly intermediates lacking the late assembly binders, S2, S12 and S21, with a marked delay in 30S assembly relative to 50S assembly. Further studies will determine the extent of rRNA processing in 30S assembly intermediates in the rimP deletion strain, towards elucidating the coordination between rRNA processing, RP binding and cofactor function.
Glutamine Synthetase Induction in Embryonic Neural Retina Interactions of Receptor-Hydrocortisone Complexes with Cell Nuclei

In the neural retina of the chick embryo, hydrocortisone (HC) elicits differential gene expression resulting in the induction of glutamine synthetase (GS), which is an enzyme marker of differentiation in the retina. The relationship between nuclear binding of receptor-hydrocortisone (R-HC) complexes and GS induction was investigated in cultures of retina tissue from 12-day chick embryos. The number of HC binding sites in the cytoplasm was estimated as 1650 ± 200 per retina cell; there are approximately 1500 ± 100 acceptor sites for R-HC per retina nucleus. GS induction in the retina became detectable only after R-HC bound to more than 40% of the nuclear acceptors sites; increased binding coincided with higher induction levels, until complete site saturation was attained. Proflavine, which blocks preferentially and completely GS induction in the retina by interfering in the nucleus with the enzyme-inducing action of the hormone, reduced nuclear binding of R-HC by only 20%; thus, only part of the R-HC that binds in the nucleus appears to be directly involved in eliciting the induction of GS. Within one hour after exposure of the retina to an inducing dose of HC, there was translocation of HC and HC-receptors (as R-HC complexes) from the cytoplasm into the nucleus and saturation of nuclear acceptor sites. Soon thereafter, the amount of nuclear-bound HC began to decline; in 12 h, it was reduced to 50% of the initial saturation level. Since, during this time, the enzyme activity continued to increase, persistence of the induced state depends on association of the hormone with only a portion of the sites in the nucleus to which it can bind. The decrease in the amount of bound HC in the nuclei of induced cells was accompanied by an increase in the level of HC receptors in the cytoplasm. About 50% of this increase could be prevented by cycloheximide; this suggests that the reappearance of HC receptors in the cell cytoplasm may be due, at least in part, to de novo synthesis of HC receptors.
Child and parent psychological problems influence child weight control.

This study used path analytic methods to assess the influence of child psychopathology measured using the Child Behavior Checklist and parent psychiatric symptoms measured using the Cornell Medical Index on changes in child percent overweight in obese 8- to 11-year-old children over 2 years (6 months of treatment, 18 months of follow-up) provided family-based behavioral intervention. Path analysis for the 0–6 month change showed the influence of mother and father psychiatric symptoms and child age on child anxiety/depression scores that in turn influenced child percent overweight change during treatment, accounting for 41 % of the shared variance. The path analysis for follow-up change showed mother and father psychiatric symptoms influenced child social problems at the first stage, and child social problems influenced child percent overweight change, accounting for 68.5% of the shared variance. These results provide the first demonstration that both parent and child problems may influence the short- and long-term success of obese children who participate in family-based behavioral treatment programs.
Effect of rosiglitazone on restenosis after coronary stenting in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract Background Thiazolidinediones have been shown to have an antiproliferative vascular effect in experimental models. We sought to study the effect of rosiglitazone on in-stent restenosis in patients with established type 2 diabetes. Methods Patients with treated type 2 diabetes (mean duration 5.5 ± 7.5 years) referred for coronary stenting were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive oral rosiglitazone or placebo for 6 months. Quantitative coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound data were obtained at baseline and follow-up. Plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels were prospectively measured. Results Sixteen patients were enrolled. There were no significant differences in follow-up in-stent luminal diameter stenosis measured by quantitative coronary angiography or in-stent luminal area stenosis and neointimal volume index obtained by intravascular ultrasound, nor were there any differences in plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels after long-term use despite improvement in diabetes control and insulin sensitivity. Conclusions Rosiglitazone, given at the time of stent implantation in treated diabetics, did not reduce in-stent restenosis in this small series. The vascular biological effects of this agent await further clarification in humans and evaluation in larger clinical trials.
Electronic Resource Management: A Multi-Period Capital Budgeting Approach

Electronic resource management in academic libraries involves determining which subscriptions to continue, which to end, and which to start each period. This can be modeled as a typical capital budgeting problem, as resources are limited, with the complication that returns are non-financial. This article examines two such models with different objective functions used to “value” subscriptions given the data available on their usage. The models are tested on data collected from 52 different journals subscribed to by Lehigh University over the past two years. It is believed that models of this type will become more useful as electronic usage data becomes more readily available and standardized.
A Wide-Band Directional Coupler for Wave Guide

The frequency range over which most types of directional couplers will operate is rather limited. This is especially true of wave-guide couplers, since the impedance of the guide changes with frequency. A new type of coupler is described which uses a small loop that responds to both the electric and the magnetic fields. When used in conjunction with a special section of ridge wave guide, it is possible to obtain excellent directional characteristics over a two-to-one frequency range.
Dibromoacetic acid does not adversely affect early pregnancy in rats

Dibromoacetic acid (DBA), a byproduct of water disinfection, has been shown to have adverse reproductive effects in male rodents. In light of the lack of data on potential effects on female reproduction, studies were initiated to evaluate the potential effect of the chemical on early pregnancy. Groups of mature Holtzman rats were used, and cycles were monitored in all animals by vaginal smears. The administration of DBA at 0, 62.5, 125, or 250 mg/kg/d to rats during the first 8 d of pregnancy had no effect on the number of implantation sites found on Day 9 nor any other progestational parameter, except for serum estradiol, which was elevated. When groups of pregnant rats treated with the same range of dosages of DBA during Days 1 through 8 of pregnancy were killed on Day 20, there was no effect of treatment on the number of pups/litter, number of resorptions, or mean pup weight. These data demonstrate that while DBA has serious adverse effects on reproduction in male rodents, the chemical does not affect early pregnancy in rats. Effects on ovarian function and latent fertility are not ruled out.
Intensity modulated therapy and inhomogeneous dose to the tumor: A note of caution

In recent years there has been an impressive amount of activity in two areas of radiation therapy: in mathematical and computer-based methods of treatment plan optimization and delivery, and in the development of biological models attempting to characterize the dose-volume effect in the response of organized tissues to radiation. These activities are not, in fact, unrelated. A strong impetus for the development of biological models has been to provide clinically relevant quantitative goals (objective functions) for the optimization process. An unanticipated byproduct of both these developments has been a challenge to the conventional wisdom concerning the need for, and desirability of, delivering a homogeneous dose to the target volume. This has long been, and still remains, an explicit goal of routine treatment planning. ICRU-50, for example, states that “the . . . delivered dose should be as homogeneous as possible” and that “heterogeneity . . . should be kept within +7% and -5% of prescribed dose” (8). (It is a not widely recognized fact that the laws of physics-Maxwell’s equations in this case-make it impossible to deliver a pqfectly uniform dose distribution, even over a small region, using external beams. However, this interdiction does not carry clinically important consequences.) The reasons for questioning the need for dose homogeneity are, however, very different in the two cases. In the case of biological modeling, theoretical developments have led to models for tumor control probability (TCP), which give three surprising conclusions:
Dual specificity phosphatase 4 gene expression in association with triple-negative breast cancer outcome

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options. Dual specificity phosphatase 4 (DUSP4) has recently been suggested as a potential marker of chemotherapy resistance for TNBC. DUSP4 gene expression levels were measured in breast cancer tissue from 469 TNBC patients aged 20-75 years who participated in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study, and their association with recurrence/breast cancer mortality and total mortality was evaluated. Information on breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and disease progression was collected via medical chart review and multiple in-person follow-up surveys. A Cox regression model was applied in the data analyses. Over a median follow-up of 5.3 years (range: 0.7-8.9 years), 100 deaths and 92 recurrences/breast cancer deaths were documented. Expression levels of transcript variant 1 (NM_001394) and transcript variant 2 (NM_057158) of the DUSP4 gene were studied and were highly correlated (r = 0.76). Low DUSP4 expression levels, particularly of variant 1, were associated with both increased recurrence/breast cancer mortality and increased overall mortality. Hazard ratios with adjustment for age at diagnosis and TNM stage associated with below versus above the median expression level were 1.97 (95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.27-3.05) for recurrence/breast cancer mortality and 2.09 (95 % CI: 1.38-3.17) for overall mortality. Additional adjustment for expression levels of MKI67 and TP53, common treatment types, breast cancer subtype, and grade did not materially alter the observed associations. Low DUSP4 expression levels predict recurrence and mortality in TNBC patients independently from known clinical and molecular predictors.
One dimensional elasto-plastic wave interaction and boundary reflections

Abstract Elasto-plastic wave propagation in a one dimensional rod is treated by utilizing finite element analysis. The time dependence is handled by means of a variable time step numerical integration method. Elasto-plastic reflections from a fixed boundary and interaction of plastic waves are discussed. Theoretical expressions are presented for determining the stress response for a material exhibiting bilinear hardening behavior during elasto-plastic wave interaction and boundary reflection. These expressions are employed to evaluate predictions made by the numerical procedure. In the computations, steep wave fronts are approximated by ramps. The steepness of these ramps may be increased by refining the finite element grid. Excellent agreement is obtained between numerical and theoretical elastic and inelastic stress response levels.
Automatic implementation of finite strain anisotropic hyperelastic models using hyper-dual numbers

The main aim of this paper is to automate the implementation of finite strain anisotropic hyperelastic models into a general finite element framework. The automation presented in this paper enables the end-user to implement a hyperelastic model by programming its Helmholtz free energy function alone. The automation is achieved by employing hyper-dual number system to evaluate analytical quality derivatives. New perturbation techniques are introduced and are employed to extend the hyper-dual numbers system to evaluate tensor derivatives. The capability of the proposed automation scheme is demonstrated by implementing five finite strain anisotropic hyperelastic models. The merits and demerits of the proposed automation scheme are compared to an automation scheme based on the central difference method.
Reinforcing Gender Roles at the Male Strip Show: A Qualitative Analysis of Men who Dance for Women (MDW)

While stripping has been an attractive topic among sociologists for several decades, much of the existing research concentrates on women who dance for men (WDM) and men who dance for men (MDM). In this study, I use qualitative methods to understand the experiences of men who dance for women (MDW). I spent 18 months at a strip club that I call “Dandelion's,” and conducted 22 in-depth interviews with male strippers. Specifically, I explore how the male strip show reproduces traditional, stereotypical gender roles in two main ways: dancers’ physical interactions with customers, and their hypermasculine presentations of self.