cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PROLONGED “GESTATION” FOLLOWING FETECTOMY IN MONKEYS

A fetal influence over gestation time is recognized in several mammals; clarification of the mechanisms involved might suggest approaches to the prevention of prematurity. Fetal pituitary or adrenal defects lead to prolonged gestation, and ACTH or glucocorticoid administration can induce premature labor. We have attempted to distinguish fetal and placental mechanisms by performing fetectomy in macaques. Fetuses were removed from 10 monkeys at gestation ages from 65 to 143 days; placentas were left in situ. Of the 10 placentas, 7 were carried past normal term (155-176 days), and were delivered at 181 to 243 days. Four were delivered spontaneously and 2 after giving dexamethasone; 1 was removed surgically. At fetectomy, plasma progesterone values were highest in the umbilical vein, lower in fetal heart and uterine vein, and lowest in maternal peripheral vein. Following fetectomy, maternal progesterone values remained at or above normal pregnancy levels until placental expulsion or shortly before. Following expulsion, values fell promptly to non-pregnancy levels. Estradiol values (5 animals) fell within 7 to 19 days after fetectomy to 1/3 of pre-fetectomy levels and the rise normally seen before delivery did not occur prior to expulsion. These results indicate that in the absence of the fetus, delivery of the placenta is usually delayed, but that the ability of a glucocorticoid to precipitate expulsion remains. Maternal plasma progesterone levels are maintained, but estradiol levels fall.
Drinking as a risk factor for sustained smoking

Data from a nationally representative sample of US adults (n=42862) were used to explore the associations between drinking and smoking, on a lifetime and past-year basis, and between drinking and smoking cessation for a subsample of past-year smokers (n=12586). Smoking cessation was defined as current nonsmoking (as of the time of interview) that had lasted at least 3 months. The proportions of both lifetime and past-year smokers increased with volume of alcohol intake and frequency of heavy drinking and were greater for individuals with DSM-IV alcohol abuse or dependence than for individuals without these disorders. For example, the proportion of past-year smokers rose from 22.5% of lifetime abstainers to 53.0% of heavy drinkers, from 23.8% of those who never drank 5+ drinks on any drinking day to 61.8% of those who drank 5+ drinks weekly or more often and from 27.6% of individuals without past-year DSM-IV alcohol abuse or dependence to 55.5% of those with either of these disorders. The proportion of past-year smokers who had stopped smoking decreased from 7.8% of former drinkers to 4.6% of heavy drinkers, from 7.3% of those who never drank 5+ drinks to 3.4% of those who did so weekly or more often and from 6.7% among individuals without past-year abuse or dependence compared to 4.4% among those with either disorder. In a multivariate analysis that adjusted for background variables and smoking history, average daily ethanol intake was not significantly associated with the odds of smoking cessation, but drinking 5+ drinks at least once a month reduced the odds of cessation by 42%. Having an alcohol use disorder increased the odds of smoking cessation below the age of 30 (an effect that disappeared after adjusting for the interaction between age group and having children in the home), but had an increasingly negative effect on smoking cessation at older ages.
A Reappraisal and Reinterpretation of the Satisfaction-Causes-Performance Hypothesis

Little effort has been given to explaining the logic from which the satisfaction-causes-performance hypothesis came. Such logic may represent an embryonic version of contemporary theories of equity and reciprocity in social exchange. Findings relevant to the hypothesis offer support, if certain qualifying assumptions are made. The hypothesis is reinterpreted in the light of current conceptual approaches.
Corporate restructuring of the global energy industry: an overview of events and issues

Before 1980, outside of the world's few major integrated oil companies, only a handful of energy companies could be considered multinational. In 1999, in addition to the scores of petroleum companies that can be classified as multinational, the scope of many electricity companies and natural gas transmission companies has become increasingly global. Through mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances, many of the world's energy companies have also become more integrated – and most recently, much larger. Natural gas pipeline companies have become electricity companies; regional domestic electric utilities have become multinational electricity companies; electricity distribution and transmission companies have become generation companies; generation companies have become distribution and transmission companies; and big oil companies have become even bigger oil companies. What have been the driving forces behind these transformations? It is in part due to a number of policy and market related developments such as deregulation, rising environmental concerns, privatisation, technological advances, and an evolution in global finance.
U.S. Fishery Management Councils as Ecosystem-Based Management Policy Takers and Policymakers

The United States has a new national ocean policy that adopts ecosystem-based management (EBM) as its first principle for managing U.S. ocean spaces and marine resources. However, U.S. laws that govern the uses of ocean spaces present a challenging tangle of authorities and mandates that do not easily facilitate ecosystem-based policies. For over 30 years, U.S. marine fisheries management has been guided by eight Regional Fishery Management Councils. Working under the many laws that guide setting stewardship priorities for ocean ecosystems, councils provide the Federal Government with advice on fisheries harvest levels, fish habitat protections, and fishing community needs. Implementing EBM for any ocean ecosystem requires a careful examination of the laws and policy processes that affect human interaction with that ecosystem. This article explores the U.S. perspective on federal ecosystem-based fisheries management, its part in U.S. national ocean policy, and how fishery management councils might positio...
Purification of the erythrocytic stages of Babesia bigemina from cultures.

Exposure of erythrocytes infected withBabesia bigemina to glycerol-enhanced osmotic shock yielded preparations containing infected erythrocyte ghosts, free parasites, and some intact erythrocytes. The released parasites were purified and concentrated by centrifugation in Percoll gradient. Recovered free parasites were shown by the fluorescein acetate technique to be metabolically active, but their infectivity in vitro was low. It was demonstrated by electron microscopy that most of the released parasites had intact plasma membranes. There was only slight contamination of the free-parasite preparation with host erythrocyte debris.
Effect of soybean meal replacement by cottonseed meal and iron supplementation on growth, immune response and resistance of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus puctatus) to Edwardsiella ictaluri challenge

Abstract Three basal diets containing 0%, 27.5% and 55.0% solvent-extracted cottonseed meal (CSM) as replacements of 0%, 50% and 100% of solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM) on an equal nitrogen basis were each supplemented with three levels of iron (40, 336 and 671 mg/kg) from ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (3×3 factorial experiment). Each diet was fed to juvenile channel catfish in triplicate aquaria twice daily to apparent satiation for 10 weeks for subsequent determination of growth response, hematology, specific and non-specific immune response, and mortality following Edwardsiella ictaluri challenge. Fish fed diets containing 27.5% CSM as a replacement of 50% of SBM had improved weight gain (WG) and feed efficiency ratio (FER). Total replacement of SBM by 55.0% CSM decreased WG, feed intake (FI) and FER. Total cell count (TCC), red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) were not affected by dietary levels of CSM. Iron supplementation significantly affected TCC and RBC and maximum values of these parameters were obtained at 336 mg of iron/kg diet. However, Ht and Hb were not affected by increasing levels of supplemental iron. Values for TCC, RBC and Hb were significantly affected by the interaction between dietary levels of CSM and iron. For fish fed the diet containing 0% CSM (SBM-based diets), these parameters increased linearly with increasing dietary levels of iron. When CSM levels were increased to 27.5% or higher, 336 mg supplemental iron was sufficient for maximum hematological values. Macrophage chemotaxis in the presence of exoantigen was significantly higher for fish fed diets containing 55.0% CSM as compared to those fed the lower CSM diets. Agglutinating antibody titers were also significantly higher for fish fed diets containing CSM, but the values did not differ for those fed the 27.5% or 55.0% CSM diets. Dietary levels of iron, and interactions between dietary levels of iron and CSM had no effect on macrophage chemotaxis and antibody titers. Cumulative mortality at 15 days post-challenge was significantly higher for fish fed the SBM-based diet (0% CSM) at 54.4% as compared to 35.0% and 21.6% for those fed the 27.5% and 55.0% CSM diets, respectively. No differences were observed among mortality of fish fed the CSM-containing diets. Dietary levels of iron supplementation, and the interactions between dietary levels of iron and CSM had no effect on post-challenged mortality of fish.
THE REVERSAL OF HALL FIELDS IN ALUMINIUM AND INDIUM.

Fields at which the Hall resistivity vanishes in Al and In are shown to yield information on band relaxation times and their temperature dependences.
The many faces of accessibility : engineers' perception of information sources

Numerous studies of engineers' information seeking behavior have found that accessibility was the factor that influenced most their selection of information sources. The concept of accessibility, however, is ambiguous and was given various interpretations by both researchers and engineers. Detailed interviews with 32 engineers, in which they described incidents of personal information seeking in depth, uncovered some of the specific factors that are part of the concept. Engineers selected sources because they had the right format, the right level of detail, a lot of information in one place, as well as for other reasons. When looking for human information resources, the engineers most frequently selected sources with which they were familiar, while saving time was the most frequently mentioned reason for selecting documentary sources. Future research should continue to examine the concept of accessibility through detailed empirical investigations.
Mechanisms of new attachment formation

A goal of periodontal therapy is predictable regeneration of a periodontium at the site of a previous marginal periodontitis. Current clinical therapeutic techniques result in repair, and not regeneration with formation of a new connective-tissue attachment. Investigations have shown that surface demineralization of dentin predisposes toward a new connective-tissue attachment, and this attachment may take place in an environment lacking periodontal progenitor cell populations. The role of the root surface is considered regarding inhibition and facilitation of these connective tissue responses.
The Significance of Board Interlocks for Corporate Governance

Boards of directors of large American corporations are marked by a surprising degree of overlap in their memberships. The median Fortune 500 firm interlocked (shared directors) with seven other large firms during the mid-1980s, although this prevalence dropped slightly by the mid-1990s. In contrast to Japan, interlocks among American firms are rarely linked to banking relationships or vertical (buyer-supplier) relationships; rather, they reflect the embeddedness of corporate governance in social structures (e.g., friendship or other ties). Recent empirical research has linked interlocks to almost every important aspect of corporate governance, from executive compensation to strategies for takeovers and defending against takeovers. These findings suggest that proposals for reforming boards of directors through changing incentive structures (e.g., paying directors in equity rather than cash) are likely to have little effect because they misconstrue the role of the board as a social institution.
Extracellular and Intracellular Correlates of Organ Initiation in the Embryonic Chick Thyroid

Apical and basal bundles of microfilaments have been suggested as intracellular structures which might cause cellular contractions leading to bending movements during organogenesis. Microfilament bundles may have a different role in some organ primordia. The embryonic chick thyroid develops as an evagination of the pharyngeal floor at the level of the anterior attachment of the heart. The developing thyroid is confined to a pocket surrounded by the developing aortic arches, ventral aorta, and truncus arteriosus. Initiation of thyroid evagination is accompanied by the formation of grooves as two concentric rings in the basal surface of the placode near its margins. The cells surrounding the grooves contain longitudinally oriented bundles of microfilaments and microtubules. Other microfilament bundles are present at the cell apices and bases. The primordium almost doubles in volume during the period of evagination, but the area of pharyngeal floor that it occupies undergoes virtually no increase. A model is presented which describes the role of microfilament bundles during thyroid evagination as stabilizing cellular dimensions. The bending movements are thought to result from cell elongation, increase in cell numbers, and confinement of the thyroid to a limited space by the developing truncus arteriosus and its branches.
Chemistry of Hydrogen Fluoride in the Interstellar Medium

A comprehensive account is given of the chemistry of HF in interstellar clouds. Calculations are presented of the rate coefficients for the quenching of F(2P1/2) and for the reaction of F(2P3/2) atoms in collisions with H2. They confirm the conclusions of Neufeld and coworkers that gaseous fluorine exists in interstellar clouds almost entirely in the form of the molecule HF.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Rural–Urban Connectivity: Distance Disparities in a Tri-National Frontier in the Amazon

New infrastructure reorganizes spaces by modifying connectivity among locations. We report findings pertaining to rural–urban connectivity in the southwestern Amazon, a tri-national frontier with varying levels of infrastructure due to recent highway paving. We compare distances to nearest markets and distances to primary markets reported by community leaders. The findings show many differences, so we model distance disparities featuring variables derived from location theory. The models show that communities without road paving are more often connected to more distant markets. During the process of infrastructure upgrades, regions experience adjustments in connectivity among locations that deviate from equilibrium expectations of location theory.
Early growth and survival of age-0 largemouth bass in relation to parental size and swim-up time

Abstract We investigated the effect of parental body length on the swim-up date and length of larval largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides in experimental ponds, and the effect of swim-up date on larval length, growth, and survival in three reservoirs. Swim-up date was estimated from counts of daily growth rings in otoliths. Larvae spawned by larger adults had significantly more daily rings on the same sampling date than larvae of smaller parents, indicating that larger adults spawned earlier. Length of larvae at swim-up was independent of parental length, indicating that larger adults did not produce larger larvae. Positive correlations between larval age and total length indicated that initial length advantages resulting from earlier swim-up dates persisted. Fish that swam up earlier in the year grew faster. Differential survival in relation to time of swim-up could not be detected by midsummer, but differential growth rates might lead to differential survival late in the year. Our results suggest that ...
Understanding the motivations, concerns, and desires of human immunodeficiency virus 1-serodiscordant couples wishing to have children through assisted reproduction.

Abstract Objective To survey the attitudes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–serodiscordant couples interested in assisted reproduction and better characterize their motivations for reproducing. Methods A prospectively designed questionnaire and open-ended interview of 50 consecutive HIV-serodiscordant couples interested in undergoing assisted reproduction to avoid transmission of virus were studied. Demographic characteristics and attitudes regarding beginning a family were obtained. By design, males were HIV seropositive (age, 38.0 ± 5.4 years, range 26–51 years) and healthy. Women were HIV seronegative (age, 34.5 ± 5.1 years, range 24–45 years). Most couples were married (44 of 50) and in long-term relationships (duration of relationship, 8.9 ± 4.9 years, range 1–20 years). Results Before presentation, nine of 50 couples had conceived and delivered a child (three of nine instances with knowledge of paternal HIV status). Previous timed intercourse occurred in 8% of couples (four of 50). Six individuals stated they would proceed with timed intercourse if no other alternatives existed. Forty-eight percent said they would prefer artificial insemination with donor sperm in lieu, if assisted reproduction failed or were unavailable. Forty-three percent of respondents would pursue “posthumous conception” if cryopreserved sperm or embryos were available in the event of the partner’s death. Most couples discussed the possibility of single parenting (45 of 50; 90%) or the possibility for adoptive parenting (29 of 50; 58%). Couples were aware of risk, and 92% (46 of 50) understood that their child might contract HIV. Conclusion Human immunodeficiency virus–serodiscordant couples are actively seeking reproductive assistance and often consider or practice unsafe measures to achieve pregnancy. Reproductive issues and concerns unique to these couples need to be addressed before treatment.
The Pennsylvania Barn: Its Origin, Evolution, and Distribution in North America

In 'The Pennsylvania Barn' Robert Ensminger provides the first comprehensive study of an important piece of American vernacular architecture--the forebay bank barn, better known as the Pennsylvania barn or the Pennsylvania German barn. He offers a detailed examination of the Swiss prototype and the evolution, distribution, and future of this agricultural structure in North America.
Cleavage of substituents upon oxidative polymerization of substituted thiophenes

Abstract A study of the oxidative electropolymerization of 3-trimethylsilylthiophene shows that significant cleavage of the 3-substituent occurs during the process, but no degradation of 3-methylthiophene, 3-bromothiophene, and 3-bromomethylthiophene occurs. Electropolymerization experiments indicate a significant effect of monomer concentration upon the potential for the onset of monomer oxidation for 3-trimethylsilylthiophene.
Hybrid systems with time scales and impulses

Abstract In this paper, we describe hybrid systems introducing special time scales and impulsive effects so as to provide a broader perspective for hybrid systems.
Major Depression and Conduct Disorder in Prepuberty

This paper reports a set of unexpected clinical observations made during the course of a study of the possible effectiveness of imipramine (IMI) in a prepubertal major depressive disorder. Stated briefly, it was found that one-third of the boys fitting RDS criteria for major depressive disorder also fit DSM-III criteria for conduct disorder. Clinical observations of this subsample during the 5-week IMI protocol, and during open IMI treatment and follow up thereafter, indicated that successful outcome of their mood disorder was followed by abatement of conduct disorder behaviors in the majority of the patients. The possible theoretical and practical implications of these findings will be reviewed and a set of hypotheses will be formulated with the aim to stimulate further research on this difficult area. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry , 21, 2:118–128, 1982.
Variable load size-ant size matching in leaf-cutting ants,Atta colombica (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Leaf-cutting ants (Atta spp. and Acromyrmex spp.; Attini, Formicidae) are highly polymorphic, and cut and carry leaf tissue fragments that vary widely in size. A positive correlation between worker size and fragment size typically occurs (Rudolph and Loudon 1986; Lighton et al., 1987; Roces, 1990; Wetterer, 1990, 1991a, 1994; Shutler and Mullie, 1991; Roces and Ndfiez, 1993; Roces and Hrlldobler, 1994), but it is uncertain whether ants can shift the correlation according to differing foraging circumstances, so that ants of a fixed size cut and carry fragments of greater or smaller area. The issue of variability in load matching also arises because of theoretical arguments concerning advantages to social foragers from appropriate facultative adjustment of the load size-ant size relation during leaf harvesting (Roces and Nfifiez, 1993; Kacelnik, 1993). Lutz (1929) and Weber (1972) suggested that load selection in attines is a passive consequence of worker body size and the cutting technique of the ants. Workers anchor themselves to the margin of a leaf with their metathoracic legs and cut arcs through the leaf with a radius that depends inflexibly on their body length, according to this "reach hypothesis." Evidence reflecting on the reach hypothesis has been contradictory. No effect of distance from the nest on load size-ant size matching for Atta cephalotes in Cost Rica was found in an exper-
Orthodontics and the population with special needs.

Abstract During the past 30 years, more than three quarters of individuals with mental retardation/developmental disabilities have been deinstitutionalized and now reside in our communities, relying on community physicians and dentists (even orthodontists) for needed services. A presentation is made to increase orthodontic practitioner awareness of the magnitude and dimension of the increasing numbers of youngsters and adults with special needs who now reside in their communities and require their services, and to provide some insight and response for the query, “Why orthodontics?” (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2000;118:14-7)
Retinal dialysis and detachment in a child after airbag deployment

A variety of airbag-associated ocular injuries have been reported in children sitting in the front passenger seat during automobile collisions. These injuries range from corneal abrasions to traumatic hyphema with secondary glaucoma and cataract. We report the case of a 5-year-old boy who experienced retinal dialysis and detachment associated with airbag deployment. The patient recovered 20/20 visual acuity after cryopexy and placement of a radial sponge.
Observation and Performance of Aggression Effects of Multiple Models and Frustration

Although the frustration-aggression hypothesis has focused typically on aggressive behavior, the primary purpose of the present experiment was to investigate the effect of frustration on observation of either aggressive or nonaggressive models when an individual can choose which model to observe. A total of 103 second- and third-grade males participated in a factorial experiment manipulating frustration and modeling cues. The results disclosed that an aggressive model elicited more imitative aggression than simultaneously presented aggressive and cooperative models (multiple models). Both of these conditions, in turn, produced more aggression than a cooperative-model condition or a no-model condition. Within the multiple-models condition, which is characteristic of many naturalistic settings, frustration produced greater observation of the aggressive model, greater recall of aggressive acts, and stronger attacks against another person. These data were interpreted in terms of an expanded frustration-aggres...
SPRAY: A CDC6600 FORTRAN IV program

When a person's response to a number of questions is summarized by a single score and whenever that score is given a content-referent name, it is assumed that all questions are tapping a single common trait, attitude, or factor. The ATSCALE program provides a means of checking this assumption by evaluating the single-factoredness or unidimensionality of a scale r . well as its internal consistency. This program combines the major features of two programs which have been previously reported (Morrison, Campbell, & Wolins, 1967; Werner, 1967), but uses less core storage and time than either of the original programs.
Immunofluorescence of mycoplasma colonies grown on coverslips.

SummaryA technique is described for employing coverslip antigenic preparations of six species of mycoplasmas in immunofluorescent tests. When grown directly on coverslips in broth media, the colonies produced were small, uniform in size, evenly distributed over the coverslips, and fluoresced uniformly with a high degree of specificity. These factors reduced the size of antigen samples required for the unequivocal demonstration of serum dilution end-points with an attendant economy of time and reagents. Direct growth on cover-slips simplified the preparation of antigens and eliminated the introduction of media components or other contaminants into the preparations. The resultant purified antigens exhibited minimal cross-reactions between species, retained their reactivity after prolonged storage, and were adaptable to batch testing. Utilized in the direct fluorescent test, coverslip grown antigens provided a simple and relatively rapid means of identifying mycoplasmas. Their use in the indirect test appear...
Inferences during Reading: Converging Evidence from Discourse Analysis, Talk-Aloud Protocols, and Recognition Priming

Abstract The conditions under which inferences that connect goals to other goals and actions in narrative texts were investigated following a three-pronged approach. (1) Contrasting texts that allowed or prevented inferences were constructed according to the expectations of a causal network, discourse model. Inferences depended upon whether a subgoal or action directly fit the plan of a superordinate goal, and upon which goal was the most recent unsatisfied goal in a hierarchical plan. (2) The making of predicted goal inferences was evaluated and supported by subjects talking aloud as they read each sentence. (3) Convergent evidence for goal inferences during on-line processing was found by recognition priming of goal statement information at those locations predicted as likely by the discourse analysis and talk-aloud data. The convergent methods and data are discussed with respect to theoretical positions and problems in revealing inferences in on-line processing.
Passage-level evidence in document retrieval

The increasing lengths of documents in full-text collections encourages renewed interest in the ranking and retrieval of document passages. Past research showed that evidence from passages can improve retrieval results, but it also raised questions about how passages are defined, how they can be ranked efficiently, and what is their proper role in long, structured documents.
Management of Extrapulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections

Nontuberculous mycobacteria represent a vast group of environmental organisms that have the potential to cause disease in humans. Unlike tuberculosis, these organisms are not known to be transmitted from human to human. The most common clinical presentation is pulmonary disease. Approximately 10% of infections manifest as extrapulmonary disease. The portals of entry are the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, or direct inoculation via trauma or an invasive procedure. Like tuberculosis, the nontuberculous mycobacteria have the potential to infect any organ system given the opportunity in an immunocompromised host. The spectrum of disease is extensive ranging from self-limited furunculosis to life-threatening disseminated infection. Common extrapulmonary manifestations include lymphadenitis, disseminated disease, skin, soft tissue, and bone infection. Less common manifestations include keratitis, catheter-related bloodstream infections, septic arthritis, central nervous system infection, and peritonitis. The incidence of extrapulmonary infections is unknown. Outbreaks have been reported due to inadequate disinfection of surgical equipment or contamination of injected solutions or medications. A high index of suspicion is required when patients present with subacute or chronic complaints of extrapulmonary infection. This review addresses the management of the common extrapulmonary nontuberculous infections.
Serologic markers do not predict histologic severity or response to treatment in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

Background & Aims Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is characterized by the presence of circulating autoantibodies, hypergammaglobulinemia, necroinflammatory histology, and a response to immunosuppressive drugs. The goal of this retrospective study was to determine whether the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) or anti–smooth muscle antibodies (ASMAs) in patients with AIH correlated with clinical presentation, histologic findings, or response to immunosuppressive therapy. Methods Fifty-two patients diagnosed with AIH, on the basis of the revised scoring system of International Autoimmune Hepatitis group, were reviewed. Data on age, gender, aminotransferase levels, autoantibody titers, treatment regimens, and response to treatment were recorded. Seropositivity was defined as ANA >1:40 or ASMA >1:40. Percutaneous liver biopsies obtained at the initial presentation were reviewed. Results Forty-two patients with AIH (81%) were seropositive, and 10 (19%) were seronegative. Both groups were similar with respect to demographics, treatment regimens, and response to therapy. Histologic parameters were similar among the 2 groups, including portal and lobular inflammation, piecemeal necrosis, and centrilobular necrosis. There were no significant differences in aminotransferase levels at diagnosis or after treatment. Conclusions The prevalence of ANAs or ASMAs did not correlate with the clinical or histologic severity of AIH at diagnosis. Furthermore, there was no correlation between antibody status and response to immunosuppressive therapy. Therefore, patients who meet the diagnosis of AIH on the basis of the revised scoring system of International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group should be given immunosuppressive therapy, regardless of antibody status.
Spacelike surfaces in Lorentzian manifolds

Abstract In this work we first study spacelike surfaces in the Minkowski space which are minimal or have parallel mean curvature vector and which are isotropic. Minimal isotropic surfaces in Euclidean space are essentially holomorphic curves. In Minkowski space there is no complex structure, but even so we are able to characterize minimal isotropic surfaces explicitly. We study the Gauss map of isotropic surfaces into the Grassmannian of spacelike 2-planes in the Minkowski space, and give a generalization of a theorem of Chern. For the study of spacelike surfaces in general Lorentzian manifolds, we consider the Grassmann bundle of oriented spacelike tangent planes. We extend a general construction in the Riemannian case to the construction of a pseudo-Riemannian metric on this Grassman bundle. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the Gauss map to be harmonic. We also investigate isotropic Codazzi surfaces with parallel mean curvature.
Brain and Spinal Cord Interaction: Protective Effects of Exercise Prior to Spinal Cord Injury

We have investigated the effects of a spinal cord injury on the brain and spinal cord, and whether exercise provided before the injury could organize a protective reaction across the neuroaxis. Animals were exposed to 21 days of voluntary exercise, followed by a full spinal transection (T7-T9) and sacrificed two days later. Here we show that the effects of spinal cord injury go beyond the spinal cord itself and influence the molecular substrates of synaptic plasticity and learning in the brain. The injury reduced BDNF levels in the hippocampus in conjunction with the activated forms of p-synapsin I, p-CREB and p-CaMK II, while exercise prior to injury prevented these reductions. Similar effects of the injury were observed in the lumbar enlargement region of the spinal cord, where exercise prevented the reductions in BDNF, and p-CREB. Furthermore, the response of the hippocampus to the spinal lesion appeared to be coordinated to that of the spinal cord, as evidenced by corresponding injury-related changes in BDNF levels in the brain and spinal cord. These results provide an indication for the increased vulnerability of brain centers after spinal cord injury. These findings also imply that the level of chronic activity prior to a spinal cord injury could determine the level of sensory-motor and cognitive recovery following the injury. In particular, exercise prior to the injury onset appears to foster protective mechanisms in the brain and spinal cord.
Observation via scanning tunneling microscopy of hexagonal etch pits in graphite flakes

Abstract Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) studies of graphite flakes synthesized from a benzene precursor reveal the presence of highly symmetric hexagonal pit formation on the surface. Angles measured at the vertices of the pits are 121° ± 2°. The hexagonal structures vary in size from 50–200 nm in breadth and 3–10 nm in depth. The high degree of pit symmetry is attributed to the symmetric surface and bulk structure of the flakes.
Inheritances and Wealth Inequality, 1989-1998

Survey evidence on the importance of bequests is fairly consistent. Dorothy Projector and Gertrude Weiss (1966), using the 1963 Survey of Financial Characteristics of Consumers, reported that only 17 percent of families had received any inheritance. Paul Menchik and Martin David (1983), using probate records of men who died in Wisconsin between 1947 and 1978, estimated that the average intergenerational bequest amounted to less than one-fifth of average household wealth in 1967 and about 10 percent of the average household wealth of families 65 or over in age. Michael Hurd and Gabriella Mundaca (1989) found from the 1984 Survey on the Economic Behavior of the Affluent data that only 12 percent of households in the top 10 percent of the income distribution reported that more than half their wealth came from gifts or inheritances, and only 9 percent in the 1983 Survey of Consumer Finances. However, William Gale and J. K. Scholz (1994), using the 1983 Survey of Consumer Finances, estimated that at least 51 percent of household wealth is accounted for by inheritances and other "intentional" wealth transfers. II. Data Sources and Methods
Performance Enhancement of Data Classification using Selectively Cloned Genetic Algorithm for Neural Network

The paper demonstrates performance enhancement using selective cloning on evolutionary neural network over the conventional genetic algorithm and neural back propagation algorithm for data classification. Introduction of selective cloning improves the convergence rate of the genetic algorithm without compromising on the classification errors. The selective cloning is tested on five data sets. The Iris data problem is used as a bench-mark to compare the selective cloning technique with the conventional GA and the back-propagation algorithm. For comparative analysis, same neural network architecture is used for both the back propagation and the genetic algorithms. The selective cloning approach is based on the schema theorem. By using selective cloning, it has been shown that GA is 27.78% more efficient than the conventional GA and 83.33% more efficient than the back propagation approach. The results of selective cloning on other data sets are also discussed.
Information requirements of cancer center researchers focusing on human biological samples and associated data

This study was undertaken to characterize the information requirements of cancer researchers who were specifically interested in human biological specimens at a comprehensive cancer center, and to determine if existing information systems could meet those needs. Information required by the cancer center researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI, Pittsburgh, PA) was identified through interviews, query analysis, and analysis of publications. For topical matters, the study found that the most frequent types of questions were the following: clinical (50.18%), prognosis (17.87%), diagnosis/disorder-based (50.72%), and research-oriented (51.9%) queries. In terms of the required data elements, pathology data (17.32%) was the most frequently required, followed by clinical history and outcomes (15.18%). In addition, the study identified the 10 main questions, concerning human biological samples, and the majority of the questions were represented in a fairly discrete set of information spaces that could be well mapped into the conceptual data model created through the study. The results found in this study can be used for an initial data modeling, when creating a biomedical research data warehouse that would support the majority of the transitional research requirements of the UPCI.
The amino-terminal sequence of lobster fibrinogen reveals common ancestry with vitellogenins.

Abstract The amino-terminal sequence of lobster “fibrinogen” was determined. A computer search of the sequence revealed that the lobster protein is homologous to vitellogenins (precursors of egg-yolk proteins).
Metal slab waveguide reflector design for high reflection mirrors on very compact waveguides

Very high reflectance and small size metal slab waveguide reflectors that can be integrated with very compact waveguides are designed and simulated. Reflectance approaching 100% is possible for 1 mum long metal slab waveguide reflector.
Microarray analysis of tomato plants exposed to the nonviruliferous or viruliferous whitefly vector harboring Pepper golden mosaic virus.

Plants are routinely exposed to biotic and abiotic stresses to which they have evolved by synthesizing constitutive and induced defense compounds. Induced defense compounds are usually made, initially, at low levels; however, following further stimulation by specific kinds of biotic and abiotic stresses, they can be synthesized in relatively large amounts to abate the particular stress. cDNA microarray hybridization was used to identify an array of genes that were differentially expressed in tomato plants 15 d after they were exposed to feeding by nonviruliferous whiteflies or by viruliferous whiteflies carrying Pepper golden mosaic virus (PepGMV) ( Begomovirus, Geminiviridae ). Tomato plants inoculated by viruliferous whiteflies developed symptoms characteristic of PepGMV, whereas plants exposed to nonviruliferous whitefly feeding or nonwounded (negative) control plants exhibited no disease symptoms. The microarray analysis yielded over 290 spotted probes, with significantly altered expression of 161 putative annotated gene targets, and 129 spotted probes of unknown identities. The majority of the differentially regulated “known” genes were associated with the plants exposed to viruliferous compared with nonviruliferous whitefly feeding. Overall, significant differences in gene expression were represented by major physiological functions including defense-, pathogen-, photosynthesis-, and signaling-related responses and were similar to genes identified for other insect–plant systems. Viruliferous whitefly-stimulated gene expression was validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction of selected, representative candidate genes (messenger RNA): arginase, dehydrin, pathogenesis-related proteins 1 and -4, polyphenol oxidase, and several protease inhibitors. This is the first comparative profiling of the expression of tomato plants portraying different responses to biotic stress induced by viruliferous whitefly feeding (with resultant virus infection) compared with whitefly feeding only and negative control nonwounded plants exposed to neither. These results may be applicable to many other plant–insect–pathogen system interactions.
Effects of cirrus near the tropopause on anvil cirrus dynamics

[1] Recent space and airborne observations have noted tenuous cirrus near the tropopause and above deep convective anvil outflow. We use a cloud-resolving model, initialized with aircraft observations taken during the CRYSTAL-FACE experiment, to explore the effects of such cirrus layers on anvil evolution. Numerical simulations demonstrate that anvil cirrus spreads because strong absorption of thermal radiation and emission at cloud base and top creates horizontal heating gradients between the cloud and its environment. The presence of a second layer of cirrus near the tropopause forces the upper part of the anvil to equilibrate to warmer radiative temperatures than would normally be associated with a clear upper atmosphere. Compared to a case without thin cirrus, the associated reduction to heating gradients at anvil cloud top corresponds to reduced anvil spreading and turbulent kinetic energy, by as much as 19% and 40%, respectively. These results suggest that tropopause cirrus can affect climate indirectly, by altering anvil cirrus dynamics.
RUSSET BURBANK POTATO PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZATION WITH DICARBOXYLIC ACID COPOLYMER ADDITIVE (AVAIL

Improving P use efficiency (PUE) is desirable but difficult due to poor phosphorus (P) solubility in soils. A dicarboxylic acid copolymer (AVAIL®) fertilizer additive may enhance PUE. Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) at 67 kg P2O5 ha−1 was applied with or without AVAIL addition compared to an untreated check applied to potato on five field sites. MAP + AVAIL resulted in significant US No. 1 and total yield increases at two and three sites, respectively. Generally, the other sites showed similar trends. However, MAP + AVAIL resulted in a significant decrease in yields at one site possibly due to a P-induced micronutrient deficiency. Petiole P concentration of MAP + AVAIL-treated plants was significantly greater than the other treatments at mid and late season sampling dates at all sites. Addition of AVAIL with MAP applied to potato was generally effective, but concurrent fertilization with micronutrients is likely warranted due to possible antagonism with P.
Undergraduate Participation as Behavior Assessors in a Day-Care Consultation

Students achieved skill in observation and assessment techniques, but did not fully develop the objectivity hoped for.
The Harvard Living Wage Campaign: Origins and Strategy

A member of the Harvard living wage campaign explains its internal development. Begun in 1998, the campaign drew inspiration from the global justice movement, organized labor’s reawakening, and the flowering of college anti-sweatshop groups. Locally, it responded to a decade of attacks on Harvard workers’ livelihoods and unions, as well as the enactment of a living wage ordinance by the city of Cambridge. The article recounts the campaign’s organizing strategy and tactics, its oppositional relationship to the Harvard administration, and the university’s response. Finally, it discusses the campaign’s limited victory on wages and contracting policies, as well as its significance for campus unions, students who participated, and student-labor mobilization beyond Harvard.
A note on principal component analysis for multi-dimensional data

We consider the application of principal component analysis (PCA) to the analysis of high-dimension data with the analysis goal being calibration. Two commonly used versions of PCA are compared and it is showed that contrast to the expected, the simplified version could underestimate prediction error and give misleading results.
Metabolism of the Lipid Peroxidation Product, 4-Hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal, in Isolated Perfused Rat Heart

The metabolism of 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE), an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde generated during lipid peroxidation, was studied in isolated perfused rat hearts. High performance liquid chromatography separation of radioactive metabolites recovered from [3H]HNE-treated hearts revealed four major peaks. Based on the retention times of synthesized standards, peak I, which accounted for 20% radioactivity administered to the heart, was identified to be due to glutathione conjugates of HNE. Peaks II and III, containing 2 and 37% radioactivity, were assigned to 1,4-dihydroxy-2-nonene (DHN) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenoic acid, respectively. Peak IV was due to unmetabolized HNE. The electrospray ionization mass spectrum of peak I revealed two prominent metabolites with m/z values corresponding to [M + H]+ of HNE and DHN conjugates with glutathione. The presence of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenoic acid in peak III was substantiated using gas chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectroscopy. When exposed to sorbinil, an inhibitor of aldose reductase, no GS-DHN was recovered in the coronary effluent, and treatment with cyanamide, an inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase, attenuated 4-hydroxy-2-nonenoic acid formation. These results show that the major metabolic transformations of HNE in rat heart involve conjugation with glutathione and oxidation to 4-hydroxy-2-nonenoic acid. Further metabolism of the GS-HNE conjugate involves aldose reductase-mediated reduction, a reaction catalyzed in vitro by homogenous cardiac aldose reductase.
Effects of Cardiac TnC Variants on cTnC-cTnI Interaction;Solution and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies

To better understand the complex protein interactions involved in cardiac muscle contractile activation we have developed a series of troponin C (cTnC) variants with increased or decreased Ca2+ binding affinity (in solution) that alter Ca2+ regulation of force development. We have previously reported that increasing or decreasing Ca2+ binding affinity by substitution of glutamine for leucine at residue 48 (L48Q cTnC) or isoleucine at residue 61 (I61Q) increased or decreased (respectively) Ca2+ sensitivity of steady state force in rat skinned trabeculae. To assess cTnC-cTnI interactions that may underlie this functional effect, we have used both solution and modeling approaches. In solution, cTnC affinity for cTnI was assessed by spectrofluorimetry via labeling cTnC (C35S) with IANBD at Cys84. In both the absence and presence of Ca2+, C35S, L48Q cTnC had increased affinity for cTnI while C35S, I61Q cTnC (and other variants) had reduced affinity. To examine this in more detail we studied the molecular interactions between the (+/-Ca2+)-cTnC1-89-cTnI147-163 complex using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Multiple MD simulations (∼ 100ns) of wild-type (WT) and the cTnC variants were performed to predict specific structural effects of each residue substitution. Results showed the 48 position of WT and the variant positions of cTnC had the most intermolecular contact pairs with cTnI(147-163). L48Q greatly increased time of contact with cTnI hydrophobic residues Ile148, Met153 and Leu157 compared with WT complex. At ∼45ns simulation the B-helix of L48Q cTnC1-89 “lifted", suggesting a move favorable “opening up” of the N-lobe hydrophobic patch compared with WT cTnC1-89. This could lead to stronger binding with the regulatory region of cTnI. Thus, our computational results provide novel details about specific structural alterations throughout L48Q cTnC and other cTnC variants. NIH-HL65497 (MR), AHA-09PRE2090056 (DW)
A Novel Polystyrene Dish for the Production of Anaerobiosis

Summary: The design and construction of a polystyrene dish to be used with alkaline pyrogallol for the production of anaerobic conditions is described. Paper mats are used to carry the reducing system, and the use of cellulose adhesive tape to effect an airtight seal is recommended.