cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thrombin-stimulated uterine contractions in the pregnant and nonpregnant rat.

Thrombin generated during the active clotting of blood appears to be a potent uterotonic agonist; however, the mechanism underlying this effect on uterine smooth muscle is not well understood. We performed studies to confirm the uterotonic effects of thrombin and to determine whether prostaglandin production plays a role during the uterotonic effects of thrombin or clotting blood. Uterine contraction studies were performed using adult nonpregnant and near-term pregnant rats. The in vitro isometric contraction studies used uterine strips pretreatd with indomethacia or vehicle (ethanol), which were then stimulated with thrombin. Forthe in vivo contraction studies, rats were pretreated with intraperitoneal injections of indomethacia or vehicle (ethanol) then stimulated by intraluminal injection of fresh rat blood or thrombin into the uterus. The contraction data were acquired using isometric force traducers, were computer digized, normalized for spontaneous activity, and statistically analyzed. Prostaglandin (PG) F2α was measured using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. The in vitro contraction studies demonstrated that both thrombin and actively clotting blood produce a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions. Thrombin stimulation was associated with a 54% increase in PGF2α concentration in vitro; indomethacin (1 μM) pretreatment completely inhibited that increase in PGF2α production. Despite the suppression of PGF2α production, pretreatment with indomethacin had no inhibitory effect on thrombin-stimulated contractile activity. In vivo contraction studies further confirmed that indomethacin (2 mg/kg) pretreatment had no effect on blood- or thrombin-stimulated contractile activity. We confirmed that thrombin andthrombin produced by actively clotting blood had a robust uterotonic effect in the rat and that prostaglandin production did not play a significant role in thrombin-stimulated contractions.
Plume Identification and Tracking Using Satellite Imaging

The aim of this work is to combine visible, near infrared, and thermal optical infrared channels in order to produce a two-dimensional spectral map in which plumes can be identified and tracked in real time.
Psychological and Neurobiological Precursors of Alcohol Use Disorders in High-Risk Youth

It has long been known that Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) run in families with substantial heritability. Determining the specific genetic underpinnings of these disorders has been challenging because of the clinical heterogeneity and variable expression across the lifespan. The search for endophenotypic biological variation associated with the AUD and related substance use disorder (SUD) phenotypes is based on the belief that an endophenotype is more proximal to the causative gene. Identification of genes conferring increased susceptibility has important implications for treatment through the potential development of medications that target specific genetic pathways. High risk family designs that contrast offspring with and without a familial/genetic background have provided valuable insights into the psychological characteristics (executive control, affective regulation, decision making and social cognition) that differentiate such individuals. The current chapter will review these with a focus on brain morphology of specific regions, the coordinated activity of neural networks, and developmental trajectories of electrophysiological activity.
Nuclear variants of bone morphogenetic proteins

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) contribute to many different aspects of development including mesoderm formation, heart development, neurogenesis, skeletal development, and axis formation. They have previously been recognized only as secreted growth factors, but the present study detected Bmp2, Bmp4, and Gdf5/CDMP1 in the nuclei of cultured cells using immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting of nuclear extracts. In all three proteins, a bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) was found to overlap the site at which the proproteins are cleaved to release the mature growth factors from the propeptides. Mutational analyses indicated that the nuclear variants of these three proteins are produced by initiating translation from downstream alternative start codons. The resulting proteins lack N-terminal signal peptides and are therefore translated in the cytoplasm rather than the endoplasmic reticulum, thus avoiding proteolytic processing in the secretory pathway. Instead, the uncleaved proteins (designated nBmp2, nBmp4, and nGdf5) containing the intact NLSs are translocated to the nucleus. Immunostaining of endogenous nBmp2 in cultured cells demonstrated that the amount of nBmp2 as well as its nuclear/cytoplasmic distribution differs between cells that are in M-phase versus other phases of the cell cycle. The observation that nBmp2 localization varies throughout the cell cycle, as well as the conservation of a nuclear localization mechanism among three different BMP family members, suggests that these novel nuclear variants of BMP family proteins play an important functional role in the cell.
A review of empirical research in accounting education: 1985–1991

Abstract This paper updates the work of Rebele and Tiller (1986) by reviewing major lines of empirical research in accounting education over the period 1985–1991. Examined are empirical articles by over 325 authors that appeared in what are regarded as the major outlets for accounting education research: Journal of Accounting Education, Issues in Accounting Education, The Accounting Educators' Journal, The Accounting Review, and Advances in Accounting. The article summarizes existing lines of research and provides suggestions for future studies in accounting education.
Automatic program indentation

Proper indentation is important for program readability. Previously indentation has been provided manually or with various special purpose programs. Here a method is given that is suitable for inclusion as a part of an automatic parser generation system.
Estimating the relative stability of polymorphs and hydrates from heats of solution and solubility data

The transition temperature, T(t), of polymorphs is estimated from both their heats of solution and solubilities (or intrinsic dissolution rates) determined at any one temperature (e.g., ambient). At a given temperature, T, the enthalpy difference, DeltaH, between polymorphs, I and II, is equal to the difference between their heats of solution, whereas the free energy difference, DeltaG, can be estimated by the equation, DeltaG = -RTln (c(I)/c(II)) or DeltaG = -RTln (J(I)/J(II)), where c is the solubility and J is the intrinsic dissolution rate. The entropy difference, DeltaS, is evaluated as (DeltaH - DeltaG)/T. Because the heat capacity difference,DeltaC(p) between polymorphs is small enough to be neglected, the transition temperature may be estimated by the equation, T(t) = DeltaH/DeltaS. The thermodynamic stability relationships of the polymorphs (i.e., whether they are enantiotropes or monotropes) are predicted from the value of T(t) and the melting temperature. The T(t) values for auranofin, carbamazepine, chloramphenicol palmitate, cyclopenthiazide, gepirone hydrochloride, lamivudine, MK571, premafloxacin, sulfamerazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfathiazole, and urapidil, were calculated from reported values of the heats of solution and solubilities (or dissolution rates). The stability relationships deduced from the calculated values of T(t) are in good agreement with those reported using other methods, such as differential scanning calorimetry and interpretation of melting data.
Refactoring on the Cheap

Refactoring with ad hoc methods increases the scope of possible refactorings, allows you to use the same approaches on various languages, and opens your mind to more refactoring possibilities. The basic tool for performing a refactoring within a file is the editor's substitution command used in conjunction with regular expressions. To apply substitution commands to all files in a directory or throughout your project use the stream editor sed. The Perl and Ruby scripting languages also offer in-place substitution functionality through command-line invocation options, and their expression evaluators allow you to perform more sophisticated processing. Finally, you can easily change file names or move files around by using find to locate the corresponding files and sed to craft the text of a command that will accomplish the action you want. You can increase your effectiveness in this approach by building expressions incrementally, by tolerating silence and noise, and by writing consistent code.
Humoral factors released during trauma of Aplysia body wall. I. Body wall contraction, cardiac modulation, and central reflex suppression.

1. Mechanical or electrical stimulation of isolated sections of body wall produced contractions that were graded with the intensity of the stimulus. Injury of body wall with shallow incisions produced extremely persistent contractions. 2. Long-lasting contraction of isolated body wall was also produced by brief application of “stimulated body wall wash” (SBW), sea water which was first washed through another section of body wall subjected to intense mechanical or electrical stimulation. Contractions were produced by SBW diluted to concentrations as low as 1% of the initial concentration. Contractions produced by prolonged application of SBW showed little fatigue, tachyphylaxis, or desensitization. 3. SBW caused contraction of isolated sections of body wall from all regions of the body, including tail, parapodia, siphon, purple gland, rhinophores, and anterior tentacles. SBW also caused contraction of isolated lateral columellar muscle and of the gill. 4. 30 mM CoCl2 blocked the release of contractile factors into electrically stimulated body wall and reduced but did not abolish contractile responses of unstimulated body wall to perfused SBW. SBW contractions were unchanged by disconnection of the perfused tissue to the CNS. 5. Hemolymph collected from the neck of an intact donor following strong electrical stimulation of the tail or excision of a parapodium (‘stimulated hemolymph’, SHL) caused long-lasting contractions which were larger than those produced by control hemolymph (CHL) collected prior to stimulation of the donor. 6. Similarities between body wall contractions produced by SHL and by SBW, including their occurrence in 30 mM CoCl2, suggest that some of the contractile activity in SHL may be directly released from traumatized body wall. 7. SHL caused significantly greater cardioacceleration of the isolated heart than did CHL. Similarities between the cardioacceleration produced by SHL and by SBW suggest that a source of cardiac activity in SHL may be traumatized body wall. 8. SBW suppressed the gill-withdrawal reflex when applied selectively to the sheathed or desheathed abdominal ganglion. SBW-induced suppression was associated with significant reduction of evoked spike activity in identified gill motor neurons. SHL collected 1–2 h after noxious stimulation caused weak but significant suppression of the gill-withdrawal reflex when applied to the fully sheathed abdominal ganglion.
Imatinib mesylate causes hypopigmentation in the skin

BACKGROUND Imatinib mesylate is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets the BCR-ABL protein in CML, c-kit (KIT) and platelet-derived growth factor receptors. In clinical trials with imatinib mesylate, common side effects of nausea, emesis, diarrhea, periorbital edema, fluid retention, and myelosuppression have been documented. METHODS In this case series, the authors describe unique clinical findings of skin hypopigmentation in six patients with CML who were treated with imatinib mesylate. RESULTS Most patients developed onset of skin hypopigmentation within the first month of treatment and all of the patients experienced additional drug toxicity. Despite patient susceptibility to toxicity, the presence of hypopigmentation did not appear to predict leukemic cell response or clinical outcome. All six patients established a hematologic response but only two patients had a complete cytogenetic response. Imatinib mesylate induced hypopigmentation also appeared to be reversible and potentially dose related. CONCLUSION Skin hypopigmentation is a benign side effect from imatinib mesylate treatment that appears to be reversible upon discontinuation or dose reduction. Several lines of evidence have previously reported that KIT and its ligand stem cell factor (SCF) have a regulatory role in melanocyte development and survival, suggesting a rational mechanism of action for imatinib mesylate in the pathogenesis of hypopigmentation. The signal transduction mechanism currently is believed to involve SCF ligand binding of KIT and downstream activation of MAP kinase (Erk-2). Microphthalmia (Mi), a basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLHZip) transcription factor, is phosphorylated by MAP kinase at a serine residue (S73). Once phosphorylated, Mi transactivates the tyrosine pigmentation gene promoter and affects pigment production. Cancer 2003. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Gabon: a Neo-Colonial Enclave of Enduring French Interest

French culture, economy, and polity have long dominated the small African country of Gabon. The French control of the colonial era, which reached its nadir in the 1898–1930 period of the brutal ‘concessionary companies’, has been replaced, since independence in 1960, by an insidious rapprochement with Paris, fashioned by Gabon's leadership. A French journalist long familiar with the continent has written, ‘Gabon is an extreme case, verging on caricature, of neocolonialism ’.
The use of endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EBUS-FNA) in the diagnosis of lymphatic cryptococcosis.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EBUS-FNA) is a minimally invasive technique that allows cytological and histological examination of the tissue sampled from mediastinal lymph nodes under real-time ultrasound guidance. EBUS-FNA has emerged as an important diagnostic modality with high diagnostic yield in malignant diseases. Recently, EBUS-FNA proved to be a useful diagnostic tool for non-malignant mediastinal lymphadenopathy such as in sarcoidosis. There are emerging reports of using EBUS-FNA in the diagnosis of infectious mediastinal lymphadenopathy such as in tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, …
Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on daily living skills in children with high-functioning autism and concurrent anxiety disorders.

CBT is a promising treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and focuses, in part, on children’s independence and self-help skills. In a trial of CBT for anxiety in ASD (Wood et al. in J Child Psychol Psychiatry 50:224–234, 2009), children’s daily living skills and related parental intrusiveness were assessed. Forty children with ASD (7–11 years) and their primary caregiver were randomly assigned to an immediate treatment (IT; n = 17) or 3-month waitlist (WL; n = 23) condition. In comparison to WL, IT parents reported increases in children’s total and personal daily living skills, and reduced involvement in their children’s private daily routines. Reductions correlated with reduced anxiety severity. These results provide preliminary evidence that CBT may yield increased independence and daily living skills among children with ASD.
Inferior capsular shift procedure for anterior-inferior shoulder instability in athletes

Sixty-eight shoulders in 63 athletic patients with anterior-inferior glenohumeral instability underwent an anterior-inferior capsular shift procedure. Shoulders with glenoid fractures, predominantly posterior instability, or routine, unidirectional anterior instability were not included in this study. There were 42 men and 21 women, with an average age of 23 years. Forty-two repairs were performed on the dominant arm. All 31 overhead throwing athletes had their dominant arms repaired. Forty-six shoulders had histories of recurrent anterior dislocations, while 22 shoulders had recurrent subluxation. All 68 shoulders had an anterior-inferior capsular shift, tailored to the degree of laxity found; in addition, 21 had repair of a Bankart lesion. Forty-two patients were rated excellent (67%), 17 good (27%), 2 fair (3%), and 1 poor (3%). Fifty-eight of 63 (92%) patients returned to their major sports, 47 (75%) at the same competitive levels. Only 5 of 10 elite throwing athletes returned to their prior competitive levels. Loss of external rotation averaged 7 degrees. Two patients (2.9%) re-dislocated postoperatively, after violent falls.
A random walk down the road to war: War cycles, prices and causality†

Many scholars believe that war and the economy move in a regular, connected cyclical pattern over time. Using data on war and prices for a 481 year period, spectral analysis produced no evidence for such cycles. Both series are stationary when differenced once: war is a random walk and prices are a simple moving average. Causality was examined with an error correction representation of the Granger test for causality. Though there are ambiguous indications that the two series might be cointegrated, the evidence for causality between them is weak. Since there is a permanent level of war in the great power system, the lack of strong causality from war to prices was to be expected.
The synthesis of the largest perfluoro macrocycles; perfluoro [60]-crown-20 and perfluoro [30]-crown-10

The largest perfluoro macrocycles, perfluoro [60]-crown-20 and perfluoro [30]-crown-10, have been synthesized using the new continuous addition solution phase direct fluorination technique and characterized using 19F NMR and mass spectrometry.
Biosynthesis of 5-hydroxytryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine from tryptophan by neoplastic mouse mast cells.

Abstract Biosynthesis by mast cells of 5-hdyroxytryptamine (5-HT) from tryptophan by hydroxylation of the latter and decarboxylation of the 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) intermediate, was studied particularly with regard to mechanisms controlling the hydroxylation step. Confirmation of the failure to observe hydroxylation of tryptophan by normal rat mast cells has been obtained, even though these cells contain the 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.28) and a high level of 5-HT. On the other hand, neoplastic mouse mast cells were found to contain small, but definite, amounts of 5-HTP and 5-HT, and they exhibited strong hydroxylation and weak decarboxylation. Disruption of the neoplatics cells enhanced consumption of both 5-HTP and 5-HT. Conservation of tryptophan to 5-HTP and 5-HT by the neoplastic cells was studied under various conditions and in the presence of substances that effect function of the respiratory chain and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. From these studies and investigations of cells respiration, lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) and monoamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.4) activities, regulatory mechanims of the tryptophan hydroxylation were considered from the point of view of competition for reduced pyridine nucleotides. Oxidation of tryptophan to kynurenine could not be demonstrated with the normal or neoplastics cells.
Radiocarbon-Dated Pollen and Sediment Records From Near the Boylston Street Fishweir Site in Boston, Massachusetts

A radiocarbon-dated pollen record near the Boylston Street Fishweir site in Boston; Massachusetts, provides a regional and local record of vegetation changes from the middle Holocene to present. The stratigraphy begins about 5630 ± 90 yr B.P. with a marine transgression and is continuous up to the historic backfilling of the Back Bay area about 100 yr B.P. When pollen began accumulating at the site, the immediate area resembled the swamp forests growing today in southern New England. Fresh- and brackish-water vegetation was present before the area near the site was submerged. While these vegetation changes occurred locally, oak forest grew in the region. Correlation of this stratigraphy with archaeological data collected from 500 Boylston Street indicates that between 4700 and 3700 yr B.P., a number of fence-like alignments ("weirs"), were probably placed within existing channels and/or along shorelines to capture fish and other marine animals as they moved with the tidal flow.
On the boundedness character of rational systems in the plane

We study first-order systems of two rational difference equations, In particular, we assume non-negative parameters and non-negative initial conditions. We develop several approaches which allow us to resolve some conjectures regarding the boundedness of first-order systems of two rational difference equations.
Catalytic oxidation of mixed wastes containing high organic content--emission reduction and the effect of steam.

To resolve mixed organic and radioactive waste disposal problems, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) initiated a treatability study using the catalytic chemical oxidation (CCO) system to oxidize a mixed-waste stream and to confine tritium as part of LBNL's pollution prevention program. LBNL has also adopted a legal approach by seeking an equivalent waste-treatment determination for the CCO process, and by petitioning the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to delist F-coded treatment residues. The results of this study demonstrate that (1) the CCO process can treat aqueous wastes containing a broad range of organic chemicals and achieve more than 99.999% destruction efficiency; (2) greater than 99.9% trapping efficiency for tritiated water can be achieved using an emission-reduction system that also confines the vapor of hydrochloric acid or nitric acid to the liquid residue; and (3) neutralized treatment residues can be disposed of as low-level radioactive waste at a permitted f...
Raman spectral evidence for tyrosine coordination of iron in protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase.

Abstract The Raman spectrum of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase [EC 1.13.11.3] shows four principal resonance-enhanced peaks at 1602, 1503, 1263 and 1171 cm −1 with 514.5 nm laser excitation. These frequencies are associated with ringmode vibrations of one or more tyrosinate residues coordinated with the Fe(III) at the active site. These data provide the first direct evidence for the identity of a permanent iron ligand in this enzyme. The great similarity in the resonance Raman spectrum of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase with those of iron-transferrins suggests the existence of a class of proteins characterized by Fe(III)-tyrosinate coordination.
A New Class of Models to Explain the Role of Promoters in Hydrodesulfurization Catalysts.

Two models have been developed that qualitatively explain the reactivity curves for hydrodesulfurization catalysts promoted by various amounts of transition metals (e.g., MoO3CoO). Both models, the surface complex model and the boundary model, make use of the concept of surface segregation. The ideas presented are applicable to other systems as well in that the models also explain the oxidation and isomerization activity of the MoO3P2O5 catalyst, the dehydrogenation activity of the MoO3-Bi2O3-P2O5 catalyst, and the hydrogenation activity of the Ni-W-S catalyst as a function of bulk composition.
Epidermoid cysts of testis

Six cases of epidermoid cyst of the testis are presented. Conservative surgical treatment of this condition is discussed.
The determination of manganese by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace at constant temperature

Abstract Many of the interferences reported earlier for the determination of manganese in a graphite furnace were not found when a modern graphite furnace was used. At high levels of chloride matrix, an interference which was observed in the modern furnace was reduced when manganese was determined under constant temperature conditions. In this work, the sample was introduced on a tungsten wire after the graphite furnace had reached a constant, preset temperature. Drying and ashing were accomplished outside the atomization furnace, reducing contamination from matrix materials.
Porphyrin Loading of Lipofuscin Granules in Inflamed Striated Muscle

To further the understanding of oxidative effects on inflammation injury to muscle fiber structure, fluorescent imaging analysis of human striated muscle tissues from a variety of inflammatory or postinflammatory etiologies was undertaken in a search for accumulated coproporphyrin, a red autofluorescent byproduct of heme biosynthesis that would theoretically be formed under oxidative insult. Using a differential excitation method of in situ analysis, porphyrin autofluorescence was detected in intact fibers within the context of the yellow autofluorescent subsarcolemmal lipofuscin granules. Relative measurements of porphyrin concentration in the granules from different patients indicated that the acute/subacute inflammatory specimens grouped significantly higher than the more chronic inflammatory and nonpathological specimens. Myoglobin was also found to be associated with the granules. Myoglobin heme iron could potentially serve as a Fenton reagent for the intracellular generation of hydroxyl radicals, which are responsible for the oxidation of the porphyrinogens. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of extracted dense particles revealed coproporphyrin as the sole porphyrin present. The observation of coproporphyrin within lipofuscin granules, previously unreported, suggests that lipofuscin accumulation in striated muscle may begin under conditions of acute oxidative stress, as marked by the oxidation of extramitochondrial porphyrinogens that are immediately incorporated into the granules.
Palliative Care Consultations: How Do They Impact the Care of Hospitalized Patients?

To provide a detailed description of the recommendations of a Palliative Care Service (PCS) and to describe the impact of these recommendations on the care of terminally ill patients in an academic medical center, we describe data from all consecutive patients referred by their attending physicians to the PCS of an academic teaching hospital over a 15-month period. All patients were seen within 24 hours of consultation request. Data were collected prospectively on the day of discharge or death. Attention was focused on six recommendations and their implementation: 1) discussion about prognosis and goals of care; 2) pursuing documentation of advance directives; 3) discussion about foregoing specific treatments and/or diagnostic interventions; 4) family and patient support; 5) discharge planning; and 6) symptom management. Over a 15-month period, we collected data on 325 patients. The most frequent diagnoses were cancer, dementia, and HIV disease. The patients were followed for a mean of 7.6 days. The average number of recommendations was 4.2 per patient and 91% of the recommendations were implemented (3.8 per patient). Recommendations increased to 5.3 per patient and the implementation rate increased to 97% (5.1 per patient) for the 44 patients transferred to the Palliative Care Unit (PCU). PCS consultations result in multiple recommendations with a very high implementation rate. The number of recommendations and the high implementation rate suggest a strong need for palliative care services within acute care hospitals.
Role of Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) in an Introductory Computer Concepts Course

The primary objective of this article is to discuss the role of Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) at the undergraduate level via a survey of related literature and specific applications. CAI shares many features with other instructional modes, such as traditional classrooms and programmed instruction (PI). Many characteristics of learners affect their ability to learn and acquire new knowledge. An individual's subject-specific knowledge and general knowledge both affect comprehension. With regard to instructional design, system approaches are sometimes referred to as instructional development systems (IDS). An IDS embraces several major categories. These include a statement of goals, analysis, development of instruction, and evaluation and revision. General statements on CAI can be divided into the following areas: requirements, potential benefits, state of the art, problems, CAI as a factor in society, the roles of industry, education, and government, including the role of teacher. At least two educati...
Throughput Analysis of Secondary Networks in Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks

In this paper, we consider the throughput performance of secondary networks in Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) networks. We present analytical models to quantify the impact of both primary network settings and secondary network settings on the performance of a secondary network. The correlation between primary and secondary networks is captured by the incorporation of spectrum sensing and interference avoidance mechanism in the mathematical model. The resulting models are of both theoretical and practical interest. Numerical evaluation of the proposed models validates the ideology of DSA networks and reveals fundamental insights on the design of secondary networks.
Bank Bailouts and Aggregate Liquidity

Governments sometimes bail out banks by recapitalizing them, or by offering to insure their liabilities. The government’s goal may be to rescue borrowers, bankers, or depositors, and economists have developed rationales why each of these constituencies may merit protection (e.g., Diamond, 2001). These potential benefits have to be weighed against the costs of a bailout, which are typically thought to be the damage to long-run incentives that such intervention engenders. In this paper, we present a different effect of bank bailouts: Bank bailouts alter the availability of aggregate liquidity in the economy. While a well-targeted bailout can help rescue an otherwise collapsing banking system (see Diamond and Rajan, 2001a), a poorly targeted bailout can even tip a banking system into a systemic crisis. This (ex post crisis) cost of bank bailouts, to the best of our knowledge, has not been examined elsewhere and is the focus of this paper.
Endocrine regulation of oviduct secretions in the rabbit.

A system for prolonged volumetric collection of oviduct secretions was applied to adult New Zealand White rabbits. The effect on oviduct secretion rate of castration, progesterone, and postcastration estrogen and/or progesterone treatment was evaluated. After castration, the rate of oviduct secretion fell reaching a plateau at about one-third the precastration level within 24-124 hours (mean 67 hours). The secretion rate of the castrate increased following estrogen administration. This effect was obtained with doses as low as 0.5 μg. By continuous daily administration of estrogen, the oviduct secretion rate could be increased to precastration levels. Control injections of sesame oil failed to produce a change. In the intact animal, a single injection of 3 mg. of crystalline progesterone in 0.1 ml. of sesame oil was followed by a decrease in secretion rate which was most pronounced on the second posttreatment day. The oviduct secretion rate was uniformly depressed in the estrogen primed castrate (2 μg. of ...
Effect of Silica on the Nonoxidative Thermal Degradation of an Acrylic Binder

The nonoxidative thermal decomposition of a polymer binder containing methacrylate and acrylate functionalities is studied by using pyrolysis-GC/MS, pyrolysis-GC/FT-IR, TGA-MS, and variable-temperature diffuse reflectance FT-IR coupled with mass spectrometry (VT-DRIFT-MS). At temperatures ranging from 200° to 300°C, polymer pendant groups react with each other, releasing alcohols and water. At higher temperatures (ca. 350°C), the polymer decomposes, yielding ethylene glycol methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as major products. The presence of silica does not significantly alter the polymer degradation product distribution or the temperatures at which pendant group elimination reactions and thermolysis occur. However, silica that was previously heated to 1000°C catalyzes pendant group reactions. KBr exhibits an even greater catalytic effect on these reactions and also affects the temperature at which the major decomposition step occurs.
Unusual subcutaneous infections

This article reviews various unusual subcutaneous infections, including rhinosporidiosis, lobomycosis, and protothecosis. Clinical findings, pathology, mycology, and treatment are discussed for each disease.
Herbivore-Induced Volatiles in the Perennial Shrub, Vaccinium corymbosum, and Their Role in Inter-branch Signaling

Herbivore feeding activates plant defenses at the site of damage as well as systemically. Systemic defenses can be induced internally by signals transported via phloem or xylem, or externally transmitted by volatiles emitted from the damaged tissues. We investigated the role of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) in activating a defense response between branches in blueberry plants. Blueberries are perennial shrubs that grow by initiating adventitious shoots from a basal crown, which produce new lateral branches. This type of growth constrains vascular connections between shoots and branches within plants. While we found that leaves within a branch were highly connected, vascular connectivity was limited between branches within shoots and absent between branches from different shoots. Larval feeding by gypsy moth, exogenous methyl jasmonate, and mechanical damage differentially induced volatile emissions in blueberry plants, and there was a positive correlation between amount of insect damage and volatile emission rates. Herbivore damage did not affect systemic defense induction when we isolated systemic branches from external exposure to HIPVs. Thus, internal signals were not capable of triggering systemic defenses among branches. However, exposure of branches to HIPVs from an adjacent branch decreased larval consumption by 70% compared to those exposed to volatiles from undamaged branches. This reduction in leaf consumption did not result in decreased volatile emissions, indicating that leaves became more responsive to herbivory (or “primed”) after being exposed to HIPVs. Chemical profiles of leaves damaged by gypsy moth caterpillars, exposed to HIPVs, or non-damaged controls revealed that HIPV-exposed leaves had greater chemical similarities to damaged leaves than to control leaves. Insect-damaged leaves and young HIPV-exposed leaves had higher amounts of endogenous cis-jasmonic acid compared to undamaged and non-exposed leaves, respectively. Our results show that exposure to HIPVs triggered systemic induction of direct defenses against gypsy moth and primed volatile emissions, which can be an indirect defense. Blueberry plants appear to rely on HIPVs as external signals for inter-branch communication.
Microbicidal Activity of Vascular Peroxidase 1 in Human Plasma via Generation of Hypochlorous Acid

Members of the heme peroxidase family play an important role in host defense. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is expressed in phagocytes and is the only animal heme peroxidase previously reported to be capable of using chloride ion as a substrate to form the highly microbicidal species hypochlorous acid (HOCl) at neutral pH. Despite the potent bacterial killing activity of HOCl, individuals who fail to express MPO typically show only a modest increase in some fungal infections. This may point to the existence of redundant host defense mechanisms. Vascular peroxidase 1 (VPO1) is newly discovered member of the heme peroxidase family. VPO1 is expressed in cells of the cardiovascular system and is secreted into the bloodstream. In the present study, we investigate whether VPO1 is capable of generating HOCl and its role in host defense. Like MPO, VPO1 in the presence of H₂O₂ and chloride generates HOCl. VPO1-dependent HOCl generation was demonstrated by chlorination of taurine and tyrosine using mass spectrometry. In addition, the VPO1/H₂O₂/Cl⁻ system can cause the chlorination of monochlorodimedone and the oxidation of 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoic acid. Purified VPO1 and VPO1 in plasma mediate bacterial killing that is dependent on chloride and H₂O₂; killing is inhibited by peroxidase inhibitors and by the H₂O₂ scavenger catalase. In the presence of erythrocytes, bacterial killing by VPO1 is slightly reduced. Thus, VPO1, in addition to MPO, is the second member of the heme peroxidase family capable of generating HOCl under physiological conditions. VPO1 is likely to participate in host defense, with bactericidal activity mediated through the generation of HOCl.
An efficient decomposition method for the approximate evaluation of production lines with finite storage space - Summary

This paper presents an approximate decomposition method for the evaluation of performance measures for production systems with finite buffers in which blocking and starvation are important. These systems are difficult to evaluate because of their large state spaces and because they may not be decomposed exactly. This approach is based on such system characteristics as conservation of flow. Comparison with exact and simulation results indicate that it is very fast and accurate.
Increases in the density of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in anterior cingulate cortex of amphetamine-withdrawn rats: Evidence for corticotropin-releasing factor in sustained elevation

We previously reported synchronization of pyramidal neurons within prefrontal cortex of rats repeatedly exposed to amphetamine (AMPH). To test the hypothesis that cortical synchronization may be related to changes in local GABA signaling, we used antibodies specific for parvalbumin (PV), calbindin D28k (CB) and calretinin (CR) as selective labels for three distinct GABA interneuron classes in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of similarly treated rats. We observed a selective increase in the density of PV-immunoreactive (ir), but not CB-ir or CR-ir, neurons in the ACC of AMPH-treated rats at both 1 day and 7 day withdrawal. Increased density of PV-ir GABA interneurons in the ACC at 1 day withdrawal was reproduced in rats repeatedly injected with apomorphine or with SKF-38393. Thus, the critical role of DA receptors during AMPH exposure is evident. However, DA receptor activation did not appear to account for the PV up-regulation in AMPH-treated rats at 7 day withdrawal. Significantly higher numbers of pericellular basket-like puncta immunoreactive for corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) were observed in the ACC of AMPH rats at 7 day withdrawal. Combined dual immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy further revealed that CRF-ir puncta made possible pericellular contacts on PV-ir (not CB-, CR- or glutamate-ir) cell bodies. A potential cellular mechanism seems to emerge that CRF-ir terminals, that may be underdetected under normal conditions due to low activity levels, may be functionally activated during psychostimulant withdrawal, thereby altering local GABAergic signaling.
Mitigating agrichemicals from an artificial runoff event using a managed riverine wetland.

article i nfo Article history: We examined the mitigation efficiency of a managed riverine wetland amended with a mixture of suspended sediment, two nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), and three pesticides (atrazine, metolachlor, and permethrin) during a simulated agricultural runoff event. Hydrologic management of the 500 m-long, 25 m- wide riverine wetland was done by adding weirs at both ends. The agrichemical mixture was amended to the wetland at the upstream weir simulating a four-hour, ~1 cm rainfall event from a 16 ha agricultural field. Water samples (1 L) were collected every 30 min within the first 4 h, then every 4 h until 48 h, and again on days 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 post-amendment at distances of 0 m, 10 m, 40 m, 300 m and 500 m from the amendment point within the wetland for suspended solids, nutrient, and pesticide analyses. Peak sediment, nutrient, and pesticide concentrations occurred within 3 h of amendment at 0 m, 10 m, 40 m, and 300 m downstream and showed rapid attenuation of agrichemicals from the water column with 79-98%, 42-98%, and 63-98% decrease in concentrations of sediments, nutrients, and pesticides, respectively, within 48 h. By day 28, all amendments were near or below pre-amendment concentrations. Water samples at 500 m showed no changes in sediment or nutrient concentrations; pesticide concentrations peaked within 48 h but at ≤11% of upstream peak concentrations and had dissipated by day 28. Managed riverine wetlands ≥ 1h a and with hydraulic residence times of days to weeks can efficiently trap agricultural runoff during moderate (1 cm) late-spring and early-summer rainfall events, mitigating impacts to receiving rivers. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Romantic Relationship Satisfaction Moderates the Etiology of Adult Personality

The heritability of major normative domains of personality is well-established, with approximately half the proportion of variance attributed to genetic differences. In the current study, we examine the possibility of gene × environment interaction (G×E) for adult personality using the environmental context of intimate romantic relationship functioning. Personality and relationship satisfaction are significantly correlated phenotypically, but to date no research has examined how the genetic and environmental components of variance for personality differ as a function of romantic relationship satisfaction. Given the importance of personality for myriad outcomes from work productivity to psychopathology, it is vital to identify variables present in adulthood that may affect the etiology of personality. In the current study, quantitative models of G×E were used to determine whether the genetic and environmental influences on personality differ as a function of relationship satisfaction. We drew from a sample of now-adult twins followed longitudinally from adolescence through age 29. All participants completed the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) and an abbreviated version of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Biometric moderation was found for eight of the eleven MPQ scales examined: well-being, social potency, negative emotionality, alienation, aggression, constraint, traditionalism, and absorption. The pattern of findings differed, suggesting that the ways in which relationship quality moderates the etiology of personality may depend on the personality trait.
Mineralogical Notes: An Infrared Absorption Analysis of Magnetite

Introduction. In recent years, magnetite has been the subject of an increasing number of investigations, especially with respect to the evaluation of environmental factors in igneous and metamorphic petrogenesis. The principal techniques employed in the determination of compositional, structural, and textural characteristics in these studies have included analytical chemistry, emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and ore micropscopy. The purpose of this study was to test the utility of infrared absorption spectrophotometry for the examination of magnetite (and certain commonly associated minerals).
Getting In (and Staying In) When Everyone Else Wants to Get Out: 10 Lessons Learned from Conducting Research with Inmates

The current study aims to provide researchers interested in conducting research using inmates with information and recommendations based on our experiences studying jail inmates. While prior research has begun to identify lessons learned about obtaining access to criminal justice agencies and lessons about establishing positive researcher–practitioner relationships during the process, little is known about the specific challenges associated with data collection efforts after obtaining access to facilities. Therefore, this article aims to provide researchers with information and recommendations primarily on the issues and challenges of studying inmates after gaining entry to correctional facilities. Ten lessons are offered that highlight a variety of challenges that arise from conducting research with inmate populations.
Influences of Aging on Taste Bud Distribution and Taste Perception in Humans and Rodents

Many people experience subjective changes in their orosensory perception as they get older. Total loss of taste perception is rare [1–3], but both chemosensory [1] and electrogustometry thresholds [4] seem higher in older people than in younger ones. Figure 1, from Bartoshuk et al. [1], shows taste thresholds for NaCl and sucrose as a function of age. While thresholds for NaCl and sucrose appear to be higher for older people, their ability to detect salt and sugar seems to be preserved.
Multidimensional Child Deprivation and Poverty Measurement: Case Study of Bosnia and Herzegovina

This study applies UNICEF’s rights-based multiple overlapping deprivation analysis framework to a single country case study—Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Using data from the Extended Living Standards Measurement Survey 2011 for children aged 5–15, the paper analyses the incidence and intensity of multidimensional child deprivation and examines its relationship to household-based monetary poverty, drawing on differences between rural and urban areas. Seven dimensions of deprivation have been identified using the child rights framework: Nutrition, Clothing, Educational Resources, Leisure, Social Participation, Information and Housing. We find that the majority of school-age children in BiH are deprived in one or more dimensions and one in four are deprived in three or more dimensions out of seven. Children in consumption poor households are more likely to be deprived in every dimension analysed separately and in a greater number of dimensions at once. Nevertheless, the degree of overlap between poverty and multidimensional deprivation is moderate, suggesting that child deprivation cannot be eradicated solely by increasing households’ consumption capacity. Finally, the study finds no significant differences by type of area in multidimensional deprivation rates for consumption-poor children aged 5–15. In contrast, non-poor children in rural areas are substantially more likely to be deprived in three or more dimensions at once than their counterparts in urban areas. Overall, these results call for a multifaceted policy approach targeting both the demand for and supply of children’s goods and services.
Estimation of thyroid hormone secretion rate of intact rat.

SummaryA procedure is described for determination of the thyroid secretion rate in the intact rat. Based on inhibition of thyroidal I131 output by progressively increasing doses of thyroxine, it is applicable to individuals or small groups of animals. Values obtained by progressively increasing thyroxine dosage within individuals compare closely with those obtained by varying dosages between groups. They are also similar to reported values obtained by the goitrogen technic. Thyroid secretion values, expressed as μg L-thyroxine/100 g body weight were 2.21-2.56 for adult female and 2.15 for adult male rats. Rats given thiouracil to prevent further thyroidal combination of I131 during treatment yield values about 10% higher than those not receiving thiouracil.
On acoustic and electric Faraday cages

Two-dimensional problems involving many identical small circles are considered; the circles are the cross sections of parallel wires, modelling a cage or a grating. Both electrostatic and acoustic fields are considered. The main emphasis is on periodic configurations of N circles distributed evenly around a large circle (a ring). Foldy's theory is used for acoustic problems and then adapted for electrostatic problems. In both cases, circulant matrices are encountered: the fields can be calculated explicitly. Then, the limit N → ∞ is studied. A connection between the N -circle problem and the limiting problem (fields exterior to the ring) is established, using known results on the convergence of a defective form of the trapezoidal rule, defective in that endpoint contributions are ignored, because the integrand has logarithmic singularities at those points. This shows that the solution of the limiting problem is approached very slowly, as N − 1 log N as N → ∞ .