cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dopamine-mediated gene regulation in the striatum.

Publisher Summary Dopamine receptor-mediated gene-regulation effects provide insight into the functional role of dopamine in the striatum. To study such regulatory processes as they are involved in the adaptive responses of striatal neurons to dopamine-receptor stimulation, the indirect dopamine agonist cocaine has been used. The results of these studies suggest a functional role for dynorphin in the striatum to modify the response of “direct” striatal projection neurons to excessive D1-receptor stimulation. Evidence in support of such a function comes first from the finding that the D1-mediated cocaine induction of immediate early genes in the striatum occurs in the dorsal striatal region in which dynorphin is normally at a relatively low level and does not occur in regions with constituatively high levels of dynorphin. It is also found that D1- and D2-receptor agonists selectively affect separate striatal neuron populations when administered alone or together, as expected if the receptors are segregated on different neurons. This leads to the further suggestion that the potentiated response of D1-containing striatal neurons to combined D1- and D2-agonist treatment results from interactions between neurons, rather than by interaction of receptors expressed on the same neurons. Thus, these functional data support the view that D1 and D2 dopamine receptors are segregated, respectively, to direct and indirect striatal output pathways.
A MECHANISTIC STUDY OF THE FORMATION OF [Ru6C(CO)16]2− FROM [Ru6(CO)18]2−

Abstract The kinetics of the transformation of [Ru6(CO)18]2− into [Ru6C(CO)16]2− in diglyme over the temperature range 130–160°C have been determined. The results are consistent with reversible loss of a carbonyl ligand from [Ru6(CO)18]2−, followed by formation of carbon dioxide and reassociation of carbon monoxide to give the observed product. Mass spectral analysis of the evolved carbon dioxide trapped as barium carbonate supports an intramolecular pathway for the disproportionation of carbon monoxide.
Diagnostic approach to the patient with diffuse lung disease.

Detecting diffuse lung infiltrates on chest radiography is a common clinical problem. Many diverse pathological processes can cause diffuse lung disease. The presentation of these diseases can vary from acute to chronic and includes a wide array of radiological patterns that are optimally evaluated on high-resolution computed tomography of the chest. In diagnosing diffuse lung disease, it is helpful to focus on a few pivotal parameters to narrow the broad differential diagnosis. We describe the diagnostic approach to a patient with diffuse lung disease using the following key parameters: tempo of the pathological process, characteristics of the radiological pattern, and clinical context.
Oxidation-reduction potential dependence of formate binding to Photosystem II in maize thylakoids

The affinity of Photosystem II for formate is less when thylakoid membranes are incubated with ferricyanide in complete darkness. A redox titration of this effect showed that the affinity for formate is not determined by the oxidation state of the non-heme iron (Q400) associated with the reaction center complex, nor does formate influence the mid-point potential, Em, of Q400. Rather, the formate affinity is determined by the oxidation state of a component with an Em of about +480 mV at pH 7.0. The Em of this single-electron redox mediator, here referred to as D480, has a pH-dependence of approx. 60 mV/pH. D480 is tentatively identified as an auxiliary electron donor (Em = + 475 mV at pH 7.6), first described by Bearden and Malkin (Bearden, A.J. and Malkin, R. (1973) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 325, 266–274). When D480 is oxidized in the dark by ferricyanide, the affinity of Photosystem II for other monovalent anions such as bicarbonate and chloride is low. A single saturating flash reverses the effect of ferricyanide, indicating that oxidized D480 can be reduced in the light. The binding of bicarbonate ions to formate-inhibited thylakoids shows a period-of-two oscillation with flash number. Oxidation of D480 by ferricyanide has a strong damping effect on these oscillations.
HIV infection, lymphoid fibrosis, and disease.

In this issue of Blood , Zeng and colleagues demonstrate in SIV-infected macaques and HIV-infected humans that CD4+ T cells actively maintain the fibroblastic reticular cell network in lymphoid tissues and that this network in turn is needed to maintain normal T-cell homeostasis and function.[1][1
Effect of Manganese Upon the Epiphyseal Growth Plate in the Young Chick

Abstract IT is well established that manganese is essential for normal bone development in the young chick. Early investigations, designed to study the mechanism of action of this nutrient, indicated that manganese deficiency did not greatly affect calcification. More recent evidence suggests that manganese is required for proper formation of the organic matrix of cartilage and bones. Wolbach and Hegsted (1953) reported that manganese deficiency retarded endochondral bone formation. These authors felt that the skeletal manifestations of perosis resulted from retardation or suppression of epiphyseal cartilage sequences, including matrix formation and cell proliferation, growth and maturation. Evidence that manganese is essential for proper matrix formation was provided by Leach and Muenster (1962) who reported that tissues from manganese-deficient chicks had a reduced chondroitin sulfate content. Of the tissues studied, the epiphyseal plate showed the greatest reduction in this matrix constituent. This report presents further evidence in support of the above observations.
Determination of Triplet Quantum Yields from Triplet−Triplet Annihilation Fluorescence

A new method for measuring triplet quantum yields is described and demonstrated. In this self-calibrated technique, one compares intensities of prompt fluorescence and delayed triplet−triplet annihilation fluorescence from the solution-phase sample of interest. This approach differs from other methods in that it requires no reference compounds, energy-transfer partners, or absolute measurements of triplet state energy, sample concentration, optical density, excitation energy, or emission intensity. Instead, the triplet quantum yield is determined from the emission time profile, using data from a single sample. Results from this method agree with published values to within ca. 0.02, even in the unfavorable case of a weakly fluorescent sample.
Spline and sinc signal interpolations in image geometrical transforms

Spline and sinc interpolation methods for image geometrical transforms and their efficient computational implementations are described. Experimental comparison of the methods in terms of the root mean squared error of the reconstructed image after rotation shows that they significantly outperform the conventional methods of nearest neighbor and bilinear interpolation.
The Structure of the School Social Behavior Scales: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

The School Social Behavior Scales (SSBS; Merrell 1993a) is a behavior rating instrument designed for use by teachers and other school personnel in evaluating social and antisocial behavior of children in grades K through 12. Published psychometric data for the SSBS have been promising to date. Although exploratory factor-analytic techniques were used to define its subscales, a confirmatory methodology has not been used with this measure. The present research sought to confirm the structure of the SSBS using the national data collected for the standardization and norming of the instrument. The standardization sample was split to allow for post-hoc model fitting, if necessary. The initial model tested for both the Social Competence and Antisocial Behavior scales was in line with the scoring recommendations of the author, and results suggested some model mis-specification. Alternative models were tested to identify a model that would provide a better fit to the data. After identification of an acceptable mod...
Off-resonance multiple-pulse dynamics in solid-state NMR spectroscopy: A revised coherent averaging theory analysis

Abstract The standard coherent averaging theory treatment of the resonance offset interaction is compared to exact calculations for multiple-pulse solid-state NMR experiments. Significant differences between coherent averaging approximations and exact results are revealed, even for idealized conditions. A revision of the standard analysis is proposed as a way of improving the description of the off-resonance dynamics in these experiments. We use the insights obtained from this investigation to derive a qualitatively new type of homonuclear decoupling sequence, and evaluate the performance and advantages of this sequence with both simulations and experimental tests.
Zirconium in rutile speedometry: New constraints on lower crustal cooling rates and residence temperatures

Abstract The incorporation of zirconium into the mineral rutile (TiO2) has been both empirically and experimentally calibrated as a measure of rutile crystallization temperatures (Watson et al., 2006). This temperature sensitive system has been employed as a geothermometer with applications to a number of different geologic settings and rock types. Experimentally measured kinetics for Zr diffusion in rutile (Cherniak et al., 2007) indicate that Zr can be lost to temperature dependent diffusion, warranting further investigation of the geologic significance of calculated temperatures. Coupling diffusion kinetics with numerical solutions to the diffusion equation provides a means to forward model the time and temperature dependency of the system. Modeled results indicate a strong dependency of Zr concentration in rutile on both: 1) initial cooling rate following high-temperature metamorphism/crystallization and 2) temperature and duration of long-term geologic residence. Zr concentrations measured in rutile from lower crustal xenoliths that resided at 25–45 km depths for 2000 My, reveal Zr concentrations in the approximate grain center that are consistent with temperatures measured by independent thermometers. Forward models for Zr diffusion show that preserving a Zr record of these initial temperatures in the center of a rutile crystal with a 50 μm radius requires rapid cooling (> 300 °C/Ma) from magmatic/metamorphic temperatures followed by a long-term residence (2000 My) at temperatures
Determination of sulfate in soils by reduction with tin and phosphoric acid

Abstract A rapid and precise method for determination of SO4 2‐‐S in soils is described. It involves the extraction of SO4 2‐ from soils and its reduction to H2S by a reagent containing Sn and H3PO4 and subsequent determination as methylene blue. The results agreed closely with those obtained by reduction with the a reagent containing HI, H3PO2, and HCOOH and by ion chromatrography. Tests indicated that, in addition to SO4 2‐, the Sn‐H3PO4 reagent reduces certain organic S and reduced inorganic S compounds, but these S compounds are not present in extracts of agricultural soils. By using a bank of 10 distillation units, a single operator can perform 60 analyses in a normal working day.
Intratumoral heterogeneity in primary breast carcinoma: study of concurrent parameters.

Background and objective Intratumoral heterogeneity for prognostic factors (ploidy, proliferation, hormone receptor positivity) has been demonstrated in primary breast carcinoma by both flow cytometric and image analysis methods. Previously, heterogeneity in tumors had been demonstrated for only singular parameters. Our objective, using maps of tumors in which discrete regions can be analyzed simultaneously for DNA index (DI) and proliferative activity, was to demonstrate heterogeneity with respect to two parameters and to determine whether any interparametric relationships existed. Methods We analyzed 25 cases of archived, paraffin-embedded breast carcinoma (ductal) for Feulgen stain DNA analysis and MIB-1 immunohistochemistry using the CAS 200 Image Cytometer. For each tumor, four discrete regions were analyzed including tumor-host tissue interface sectors. Results Of 25 cases, 19 (76%) were homogeneously diploid or near-diploid aneuploid, and 6 (24%) were heterogeneous. Within the heterogeneous group, all cases had at least one diploid and one or more aneuploid populations from separate discrete regions. Five of six DI heterogeneous tumors displayed diploid values for the overall measurements of the respective tumors, based on analysis of 200 or more nuclei. Eight of 25 cases (32%) showed significant measurable variation for MIB-1 proliferative activity in various sectors of tumor. All the MIB-1 heterogeneous tumors, with one exception, were homogeneously diploid. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that (1) heterogeneity is present with respect to DI and proliferative activity in breast carcinoma and is relatively common, (2) tumors homogeneous for one parameter may be heterogeneous for another, and (3) heterogeneity for proliferative activity is more common in homogeneously diploid tumors than in heterogeneous/aneuploid tumors.
Regulation of platelet-activating factor receptor and PAF receptor-mediated arachidonic acid release by protein kinase C activation in rat Kupffer cells

Abstract Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a potent protein kinase C activator, caused down-regulation of receptors for platelet-activating factor (AGEPC) on the plasma membrane of rat Kupffer cells (40–50% reduction) but had a relatively minor effect on the binding affinity of the receptors for AGEPC ( K d = 0.30 nm vs 0.56 nm) when incubated with the cells for a short period of time (30–60 min). As a consequence, the AGEPC receptor-mediated arachidonic acid release was attenuated. The PMA-induced down-regulation of AGEPC receptors was concentration-dependent, specific, and transient (the maximal effect was observed at about 1 h and the level of specific [ 3 H]AGEPC binding gradually returned to the control level within 8.5 h and even higher than the control level at 24 h after addition of PMA). Upon removing PMA from the culture medium, more than half of the lost receptors were replaced within 1 h at 37 °C and the recovery process appeared to be independent of protein synthesis. The ability of PMA to down-regulate the AGEPC receptors was lost in cells “down-regulated” for protein kinase C, suggesting that the receptor-regulatory effect of PMA is protein kinase C-dependent. Protein kinase C appeared to be involved in the AGEPC-induced arachidonic acid release since 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methyl-piperazine dihydrochloride, a protein kinase C inhibitor, attenuated the stimulatory effect of AGEPC in this system. In addition, AGEPC-induced [ 3 H]arachidonic acid release was inhibited significantly in cells down-regulated for protein kinase C. The present study thus demonstrates that protein kinase C has dual actions in the regulation of AGEPC-mediated events i.e., a positive forward action, regulating AGEPC-stimulated arachidonic acid release, and a negative action, which inactivates or down-regulates AGEPC receptors.
Genome Engineering with TALENs and ZFNs: Repair pathways and donor design

Genome engineering with targetable nucleases depends on cellular pathways of DNA repair after target cleavage. Knowledge of how those pathways work, their requirements and their active factors, can guide experimental design and improve outcomes. While many aspects of both homologous recombination (HR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) are shared by a broad range of cells and organisms, some features are specific to individual situations. This article reviews the influence of repair mechanisms on the results of gene targeting experiments, with an emphasis on lessons learned from experiments with Drosophila.
The amidase domain of lipoamidase specifically inactivates lipoylated proteins in vivo.

Background In the 1950s, Reed and coworkers discovered an enzyme activity in Streptococcus faecalis (Enterococcus faecalis) extracts that inactivated the Escherichia. coli and E. faecalis pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes through cleavage of the lipoamide bond. The enzyme that caused this lipoamidase activity remained unidentified until Jiang and Cronan discovered the gene encoding lipoamidase (Lpa) through the screening of an expression library. Subsequent cloning and characterization of the recombinant enzyme revealed that lipoamidase is an 80 kDa protein composed of an amidase domain containing a classic Ser-Ser-Lys catalytic triad and a carboxy-terminal domain of unknown function. Here, we show that the amidase domain can be used as an in vivo probe which specifically inactivates lipoylated enzymes. Methodology/Principal Findings We evaluated whether Lpa could function as an inducible probe of α-ketoacid dehydrogenase inactivation using E. coli as a model system. Lpa expression resulted in cleavage of lipoic acid from the three lipoylated proteins expressed in E. coli, but did not result in cleavage of biotin from the sole biotinylated protein, the biotin carboxyl carrier protein. When expressed in lipoylation deficient E. coli, Lpa is not toxic, indicating that Lpa does not interfere with any other critical metabolic pathways. When truncated to the amidase domain, Lpa retained lipoamidase activity without acquiring biotinidase activity, indicating that the carboxy-terminal domain is not essential for substrate recognition or function. Substitution of any of the three catalytic triad amino acids with alanine produced inactive Lpa proteins. Conclusions/Significance The enzyme lipoamidase is active against a broad range of lipoylated proteins in vivo, but does not affect the growth of lipoylation deficient E. coli. Lpa can be truncated to 60% of its original size with only a partial loss of activity, resulting in a smaller probe that can be used to study the effects of α-ketoacid dehydrogenase inactivation in vivo.
Effects of dielectric thickness and contact area on current–voltage characteristics of thin film metal–insulator–metal diodes

Abstract Planar asymmetric Ni–NiO–Cr/Au thin film Metal–Insulator–Metal (MIM) tunnel diodes were fabricated for use in an ultra-sensitive infrared detector operating at room temperature. MIM diodes with contact areas of 100 μm2 and 1 μm2 were fabricated using standard Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems techniques. A linear relationship between the thickness of reactively sputtered Nickel Oxide (NiO) and the breakdown voltage was experimentally determined, and the diode performance was verified using a theoretical approach. Current–Voltage measurements of the MIM diode revealed an increase in the current from 1.5 nA to 0.8 mA, when the thickness of the dielectric and the contact area of the detector decreased. Also, the rectification ratios of the detectors were determined, exhibiting an asymmetry of 4.5 at 1 V and 6 at 0.2 V for detectors A and B, respectively. Further, the ratio was observed to be increasing with bias voltage suggesting a strong asymmetric behavior. The results are in agreement with the theoretical predictions confirming conduction via tunneling. The nonlinearity and asymmetry exhibited by these diodes suggests their viability in infrared applications.
Different varieties of massive Dirac neutrinos

Abstract The concept of Majorana and Dirac massive neutrinos is discussed for the case in which there are several types, or flavors, of leptons. Different varieties of Dirac neutrinos are possible, distinguised by their magnetic moments and anomalous interactions with probabilities proportional to (m/E)2.
The Functional Autism Connectome

This presentation provides an overview of a dissertation regarding functional brain networks in autism based on signal transduction and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research.Kelley, D.J. (2008). Functional connectivity of affective face processing networks in autism. Dissertation Abstract International, 69(5), 2816B, 458 pages. (UMI No. AAT 3314120; ISBN: 9780549628781). Retrieved December 22, 2008, from Dissertations and Theses database.[http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=1606794441&Fmt=7&clientId=79356&RQT=309&VName=PQD]
Sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus screening in a population of sexually abused girls

Abstract Study Objective: We wanted to determine the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity in pediatric and adolescent female victims of sexual abuse. Participants and Setting: Over a three and one-half year period, 288 girls (ages 3 months to 18 years) were referred to the Pediatric Sexual Abuse Clinic of a major medical center in Hartford, Connecticut. Design: Examination of these patients included genital and anal colposcopy, and triple site cultures for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). Anti-HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and syphilis (RPR) testing were offered in all cases and done each time informed consent was obtained. Main Outcome Measurements and Results: Medical findings were “consistent with sexual abuse” in 90 cases. The medical findings in the remaining cases were called “inconclusive of sexual abuse.” There were 5 positive GC cultures, 19 positive CT cultures, 1 positive genital herpes simplex culture, 11 cases of condyloma acuminatum and 3 cases of Trichomonas vaginalis. Spermatozoa were recovered from three patients and three pregnancies were diagnosed. There were 126 anti-HIV tests done. Of these patients tested, 80 alleged sexual abuse of at least 6 months duration. All results were nonreactive. Of 204 patients tested for syphilis, none was found to be positive. Conclusion: HIV infection and syphilis were not identified in our population of sexually abused pediatric and adolescent female patients for whom informed consent was granted.
Statistical theory of the phase change behavior of metal-hydrogen systems

Abstract In this paper we describe a theory of the phase change behavior of metal-hydrogen systems based on the solution of a simple lattice-gas model. The model contains repulsions between nearest-neighboring hydrogen atoms, attractions between next-nearest-neighboring hydrogen atoms that are separated by a metal atom and infinitely weak and long-range attractions between all hydrogen atoms. Even though the model is rather simple, we find that it reproduces qualitatively the phase diagrams found when low to moderate concentrations of hydrogen are absorbed in palladium, tantalum, vanadium and niobium. This indicates that the model is capturing those essential features of the interactions between hydrogen atoms in a metal which are responsible for the phase change behavior. We also discuss the physical mechanisms which give rise to these types of interactions.
Modeling past and future alpine permafrost distribution in the Colorado Front Range

Rock glaciers, a feature associated with at least discontinuous permafrost, provide important topoclimatic information. Active and inactive rock glaciers can be used to model current permafrost distribution. Relict rock glacier locations provide paleoclimatic information to infer past conditions. Future warmer climates could cause permafrost zones to shrink and initiate slope instability hazards such as debris flows or rockslides, thus modeling change remains imperative. This research examines potential past and future permafrost distribution in the Colorado Front Range by calibrating an existing permafrost model using a standard adiabatic rate for mountains (0·5 °C per 100 m) for a 4 °C range of cooler and warmer temperatures. According to the model, permafrost currently covers about 12 per cent (326·1 km2) of the entire study area (2721·5 km2). In a 4 °C cooler climate 73·7 per cent (2004·4 km2) of the study area could be covered by permafrost, whereas in a 4°C warmer climate almost no permafrost would be found. Permafrost would be reduced severely by 93·9 per cent (a loss of 306·2 km2) in a 2·0 °C warmer climate; however, permafrost will likely respond slowly to change. Relict rock glacier distribution indicates that mean annual air temperature (MAAT) was once at least some 3·0 to 4·0 °C cooler during the Pleistocene, with permafrost extending some 600–700 m lower than today. The model is effective at identifying temperature sensitive areas for future monitoring; however, other feedback mechanisms such as precipitation are neglected. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of clonidine and some α-adrenergic antagonists alone and in combination on schedule-controlled behavior in pigeons and mice

Schedule-controlled responding was maintained under multiple fixed-interval, fixed-ratio schedules in pigeons and single fixed-ratio schedules in mice. In pigeons, clonidine, an alpha 2-receptor agonist, produced dose-related decreases in responding under both fixed-interval and fixed-ratio schedules; fixed-interval responding was decreased at a lower dose than fixed-ratio responding. Low to intermediate doses of yohimbine, and alpha 2-receptor antagonist, increased responding under the fixed-interval schedule without appreciably affecting responding under the fixed-ratio schedule; higher doses decreased responding under both schedules. In mice, both clonidine and yohimbine produced dose-related decreases in responding under fixed-ratio schedules. Decreases in response rates produced by clonidine were antagonized by low to intermediate doses of yohimbine. Decreases in response rates under fixed-ratio schedules produced by yohimbine were antagonized only slightly, if at all, by clonidine. Under the fixed-interval schedule, clonidine potentiated the response-rate increasing effects of intermediate doses of yohimbine and slightly antagonized the rate-decreasing effects. Although some effects of clonidine were antagonized by yohimbine, at no dose combination did performances completely resemble control performances. Prazosin, an alpha 1-receptor antagonist, was ineffective both when administered alone and as an antagonist of the effects of clonidine. The behavioral effects of clonidine appeared to be mediated by alpha 2 rather than alpha 1 receptors. Additionally, yohimbine appears to have significant behavioral effects other than alpha 2-antagonist actions.
Facilitating corruption and human rights violations: the role of international financial institutions

The connection between corruption and the suppression of human rights has been recognized by scholars of human rights, state and state-corporate crime, non-governmental organizations, the United Nations as well as various governments. Scrutiny of governmental and/or regime corruption has been a primary focus, in relation to barriers and/or violations of human rights. Additionally, multinational companies’ complicity in corruptive policies and practices has raised concerns, in particular in the arms and natural resources sector. Glaringly absent, however, within the criminological literature are discussions of, and research on, the role of international financial institutions (IFIs) in relation to high levels of state corruption, save for the relatively little criminological research that has explored how cooperative endeavors between international financial institutions, transnational corporations, and states often result in demonstrably harmful activities as a result of structural adjustment policies. As such, it seems appropriate to consider how certain components and/or policies of IFIs facilitate rather than constrain corruptive practices by regimes, militias, paramilitaries, and transnational corporations. Such an exercise is not only important for its etiological contributions, but also to draw criminological attention to this phenomenon and because these organizations have stated a commitment to reducing state level corruption. I hope to extend the focus and insights of criminological analysis of crimes of globalization herein.
Genotypic influences on ether-induced retrograde amnesia in rats.

Three inbred strains of rats and their three F1 hybrid intercross progeny received ether 15 min after training in a one-trial passive avoidance task. The ether impaired retention 24 hr after training in the six genotypes. There were significant differences between genotypes in the amount of retention at 24 hr after training. The results indicated that ether was effective in inducing amnesia when given 15 min after training; therefore, the consolidation interval was at least 15 min. Furthermore, the genotype of the subject is a parameter involved in determining the length of the consolidation interval.
The oxidation of copper studied by electron scattering techniques

The oxidation of thin single-crystal (100) and (111) films of copper at pressures of around 10−5 Torr and temperatures of 400 to 700°C has been observed by medium-energy electron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, scanning and conventional microscopy using diffracted electron beams in the reflection mode, transmission electron microscopy, and transmission electron diffraction. Epitaxed nuclei of oxide are observed to grow into very thin single-crystal plates, using oxygen previously trapped in the copper film. There is considerable diffusion of the copper film. There is considerable diffusion of the copper away from the oxide. Between the oxide crystallites the copper surfaces appear to be unoxidized. A mottled contrast of the diffracted beam images of the copper surface is shown to result from many-beam dynamical diffraction effects.
Interfacial adhesion between ionic copolymers and high-modulus surface-treated carbon fibers

High-modulus carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites typically fail at the interface due to poor adhesion between fiber and matrix. To increase interfacial strength, the research described herein focuses on modifying the fiber surface (via high-temperature acid treatment or zinc electrolysis) to facilitate chemical functional groups on the fiber that might increase fiber-matrix inter-actions. The thermoplastic matrix materials used in this study were random copolymers of ethylene and methacrylic acid in which the carboxyl groups in the methacrylic acid segments were neutralized with either sodium or zinc counterions. Mechanical tests were performed to determine the macroscopic effects of fiber pretreatment on the ultimate mechanical properties of the composites. Fabrication was designed such that fiber-matrix separation provides the dominant contribution to mechanical gracture. Composites containing fibers treated with nitric acid, or a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids exhibit a 20 to 25 percent increase in transverse (tensile) fracture stress relative to composites fabricated with as-received fibers. Scanning electron microscopy of the fiber-matrix interface at fracture allows one to “zoom-in” and obtain qualitative details related to adhesion. Fracture surface micrographs of the above-mentioned acid-treated fiber-reinforced composites reveal an increase in the amount of matrix material that adhered to the fiber surface relative to the appearance of the fracture surface of composites fabricated with as-received fibers. The presence of acid functionality in the matrix, rather than the divalent nature of the zinc counterions, produces the largest relative enhancement of transverse (tensile) fracture stress in the above-mentioned composites containing surface-treated carbon fibers.
Second-hand and third-hand drug exposures in the operating room: a factor in anesthesiologists' dependency on fentanyl.

Fentanyl is frequently identified as a drug of choice in opioid-dependent anesthesiologists. We commend Law et al. for their efforts to document secondhand exposure to fentanyl in their operating r...
Mechanism of captopril toxicity to a human mammary ductal carcinoma cell line in the presence of copper

Captopril (D-3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl-L-proline) is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, used widely in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. Captopril also inhibits proliferation of a variety of cell types, including several lacking ACE and renin acitvity. We have previously demonstrated that human mammary ductal carcinoma cells are among the cell types whose mitotic activity is inhibited by captopril. In those cells, captopril also reduces estrogen receptor (ER) and increases progesterone receptor (PR) concentrations. The present study evaluated the mechanism of captopril's antiproliferative action in an ER/PR-negative human mammary ductal carcinoma cell line, Hs578T. Cells grown in a 10% serum medium showed negligible changes in the presence of captopril alone. However, in the presence of subphysiologic concentrations of copper salts or copper-loaded ceruloplasmin, captopril caused a dose-dependent reduction in cell number, thymidine incorporation and mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity. In contrast, iron salts and iron-saturated transferrin had no effect on captopril activity. Catalase and horseradish peroxidase nullified the cytotoxic effects of captopril/Cu++, whereas H2O2 mimicked those effects. These data are consistent with the notion of a copper-catalyzed oxidation of captopril, leading to the generation of H2O2 as the cytotoxin to this clinically important cell type.
Highly specific optical molecular probes for imaging tumors and monitoring tumor therapy

Molecular probes are indispensable to fully realize the great potential of molecular imaging. Because of the high sensitivity of optical methods, probes that respond to pathophysiological processes at the cellular and molecular levels will enhance the early detection of diseased tissues. Development and use of these probes will be presented.
Universal Donsker Classes and Metric Entropy

When \(\mathfrak{F}\) is a universal Donsker class, then for independent, indetically distributed (i.i.d) observation \(\mathbf{X}_1,\ldots,\mathbf{X}_n\) with an unknown law P, for any \(\mathfrak{f}_i\)in \(\mathfrak{F},\) \(i=1,\ldots,m,\quad n^{-1/2}\left\{ \mathfrak{f}_1\left(\mathbf{X}_1\right)+\ldots+\mathfrak{f}_i\left(\mathbf{X}_n\right)\right\}_{1\leq i\leq m}\) is asymptotically normal with mean Vector \(n^{1/2}\left\{\int\mathfrak{f}_i\left(\mathbf{X}_n\right)d\mathbf{P}\left(x\right)\right\}_{1_\leq i\leq m}\) and covariance matrix \(\int\mathfrak{f}_i\mathfrak{f}_j d\mathbf{P}-\int\mathfrak{f}_id\mathbf{P}\int\mathfrak{f}_jd\mathbf{P},\) uniformly for \({\mathfrak{f}_i}\in \mathfrak{F}.\) Then, for certain Statistics formed frome the \(\mathfrak{f}_i\left(\mathbf{X}_k\right),\) even where \(\mathfrak{f}_i\) may be chosen depending on the \(\mathbf{X}_k\) there will be asymptotic distribution as \(n \rightarrow \infty.\) For example, for \(\mathbf{X}^2\) statistics, where \(f_i\) are indicators of disjoint intervals, depending suitably on \(\mathbf{X}_1,\ldots,\mathbf{X}_n\), whose union is the real line, \(\mathbf{X}^2\) quadratic forms have limiting distributions [Roy (1956) and Watson (1958)] which may, however, not be \(\mathbf{X}^2\) distributions and may depend on P [Chernoff and Lehmann (1954)]. Universal Donsker classes of sets are, up to mild measurability conditions, just classes satisfying the Vapnik–Cervonenkis comdinatorial conditions defined later in this section Donsker the Vapnik-Cervonenkis combinatorial conditions defined later in this section [Durst and Dudley (1981) and Dudley (1984) Chapter 11]. The use of such classes allows a variety of extensions of the Roy–Watson results to general (multidimensional) sample spaces [Pollard (1979) and Moore and Subblebine (1981)]. Vapnik and Cervonenkis (1974) indicated application of their families of sets to classification (pattern recognition) problems. More recently, the classes have been applied to tree-structured classifiacation [Breiman, Friedman, Olshen and Stone (1984), Chapter 12].
Characterization of the oligomycins and related antibiotics

Abstract Data have been obtained by mass spectrometry which demonstrate that the molecular weights of the oligomycins and rutamycin are in the vicinity of 800. The mass spectra of oligomycin B and peliomycin are qualitatively the same. A degradation product from rutamycin has been characterized as an unsaturated, polyhydroxy aldehyde with a tentative molecular formula of C 27 H 46 O 5 . An analogous product was obtained from oligomycin B.
Institutions, Veto Points, and Policy Results: A Comparative Analysis of Health Care

The medical profession is reputed to control decision-making in medical care to such an extent that one can speak of professional dominance. Yet West European health policies have radically changed the working conditions and incomes of doctors in many countries. Why have some governments been able to ‘socialize’ medicine? This article seeks to refute the view that the medical profession exercises a universal veto power. In contrast to scholars who explain medical influence in terms of singular characteristics of the medical profession or through the historical process of professionalization, this essay focuses on the properties of distinct political systems that make them vulnerable to medical influence. It argues that we have veto points within political systems and not veto groups within societies. By comparing the lobbying efforts of medical associations in Switzerland, France, and Sweden, the article analyses the role of political institutions in accounting for different patterns of medical association influence on health policy.
Effects of early experience upon drinking-tube preference in the chicken.

Hess' hypothesis that chicks form attachments to substances ingested shortly after hatching was tested in two experiments, with water presented in distinctively colored tubes as the relevant stimuli. No evidence in support of Hess' imprinting hypothesis could be gathered and strong preferences for visually familiar water were found only when relatively unfamiliar alternatives were available simultaneously. It is suggested that some of the evidence allegedly demonstrating food-attachments in chicks might be more parsimoniously interpreted as failures to ingest relatively novel substances.
Localization and characterization of the repetitive DNA of the Algerian hedgehog, Erinaceus (aethecinus) algirus. I☆

The chromosomal and molecular organization of the mammalian genome of the Algerian hedgehog has been investigated by reassociation kinetics, in vitro transcription of tritium labelled complementary RNA (cRNA), in situ hybridization, and cRNA-DNA hybridization to mildly sheared total DNA in CsCl density gradients. The hedgehog nuclear DNA was divided into three repetitive fractions: I, C0t < 103; II, C0t 103 −1; and III, C0t 1–100, amounting to 55 % of the genome. Two slowly reassociating fractions: IV, C0t 100–1 000; and V, C0t 1000–8000, were also isolated, amounting to an additional 30 % of the genome. cRNA was transcribed to each of these fractions. In situ hybridization localized fraction I cRNA to centromeric, telomeric and intercalary heterochromatin. Fraction II showed heavy labelling in the centromeric and telomeric regions, in intercalary heterochromatin and in the Q-positive bands. Label of fractions III and IV is largely limited to the Q-positive bands. cRNA-DNA density gradient hybridization of fractions I–IV show major components all shifted from the main peak density of 1.701 g/cm3 to: fI, 1.702 and 1.699; fII, 1.708; fIII and fIV, 1.705. Hybridization of fV shows a peak of acidinsoluble label just heavier than main peak DNA. The localization of the repetitive DNA in centromeric and intercalary heterochromatin, in telomeres and in Q-positive bands suggests a basic similarity in the organization of these regions. Furthermore, the distinct CsCl components found in fractions I–IV suggest that the bulk of the genome of this mammalian species is possibly made up of simple DNA.
Mapping Partially Observable Features from Multiple Uncertain Vantage Points

In this paper we present a technique for mapping partially observable features from multiple uncertain vantage points. The problem of concurrent mapping and localization CML is stated as follows. Starting from an initial known position, a mobile robot travels through a sequence of positions, obtaining a set of sensor measurements at each position. The goal is to process the sensor data to produce an estimate of the trajectory of the robot while concurrently building a map of the environment. In this paper, we describe a generalized framework for CML that incorporates temporal as well as spatial correlations. The representation is expanded to incorporate past vehicle positions in the state vector. Estimates of the correlations between current and previous vehicle states are explicitly maintained. This enables the consistent initialization of map features using data from multiple time steps. Updates to the map and the vehicle trajectory can also be performed in batches of data acquired from multiple vantage points. The method is illustrated with sonar data from a testing tank and via experiments with a B21 land mobile robot, demonstrating the ability to perform CML with sparse and ambiguous data.
Effect of Bond Rigidity and Molecular Structure on the Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Molecules Using Second-Order Classical Density Functional Theory

Second-order classical density functional theory is applied to assess the effect of surfactant properties on the interfacial structure and interfacial tension of a planar oil/water interface. Specifically the affect of the relative locations of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions, rigidity vs flexibility, and bond angle of the surfactant are investigated. It is found that bond angle and branching significantly affect the tendency of a surfactant to adsorb on the interface and the degree to which the interfacial tension is lowered.
Synthesis and solid state structures of increasingly sterically crowded 1,4-diiodo-2,3,5,6-tetraarylbenzenes: a new series of bulky benzenes and aryls

A series of very bulky 1,4-diiodo-2,3,5,6-tetraarylbenzenes I2Ar4C6 (Ar = 4-tBuC6H4, 1; Ar = 3,5-tBu2C6H3, 2; Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2, 3) have been prepared by a rapid, convenient procedure involving sequential reaction of hexabromobenzene with the appropriate Grignard reagent in excess, followed by addition of excess elemental iodine. The new materials 2 and 3 were isolated in 18 and 28% yields, respectively. The solid state structures of 1–3 have been investigated by single crystal X-ray techniques. Interesting distortions in the structures of these hexasubstituted benzenes are observed upon the increasing steric pressures in 1–3. For example, while the structures of 1 and 2 contain central planar benzene rings, steric interactions in 3 produce a non-planar central benzene ring. Regardless of these factors, the carbon–iodine bond lengths in 1–3 are essentially constant (2.108–2.118 A).
Injectable cartilage using polyethylene oxide polymer substrates

This study demonstrates that polyethylene oxide gels, which are biocompatible and biodegradable synthetic polymers, can be utilized for the encapsulation of isolated chondrocytes and maintenance of three-dimensional spatial support for new tissue development. Chondrocytes isolated from the glenohumeral and humeroradioulnar joints of a calf were added to a 20% polyethylene oxide solution in Ham's F-12 medium to generate a final cellular density of 10 x 10(6)/mL. The polymer-chondrocyte constructs were injected through a 22-gauge needle in 500-microliters aliquots subcutaneously in 12 nude mice and incubated for 6 and 12 weeks in vivo. Histologic and biochemical analyses including deoxyribonucleic acid and glycosaminoglycan quantitative analyses confirmed the presence of actively proliferating chondrocytes with production of a well-formed cartilaginous matrix in the transplanted samples. Control specimens from eight implantation sites consisting of chondrocytes alone or polyethylene oxide substrates did not demonstrate any gross or histologic evidence of neocartilage formation. These findings demonstrate the potential use of an injectable and moldable polymer substrate that can support cell proliferation and matrix synthesis after subcutaneous transplantation for neocartilage generation. The use of functional biologic tissue substitutes may serve as an alternative solution to current methods of augmentation or reconstruction of structural craniofacial contour deformities.
First Report of Premature Boll Rot Associated with Cotton in Louisiana.

A premature boll rot has been observed with increasing frequency in association with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) in the Delta region of Louisiana-Mississippi. The initial developing cotton boll, sepals, and peduncle rapidly become necrotic and mummified. A dark brown to black lesion approximately 1 cm in length develops at the base of the peduncle, extending down the petiole below the diseased cotton boll. The diseased boll and peduncle remain attached to the petiole, hanging by a small portion of peduncle tissue. In an initial survey, the symptomatic boll rot was observed in 95% of the cotton fields in the Delta in 1996. A Phomopsis sp. was isolated from 58% of the diseased bolls, 42% of the cotton boll peduncles, and 52% of the leaf petioles collected from three cotton varieties. Fusarium spp. and Alternaria alternata were isolated from the diseased bolls with a frequency of 18 and 11%, respectively. Phomopsis sp. mycelium is dense, immersed, septate, and hyaline to pale brown in color. Stromata are pul...
Thermal structure of the ionosphere of Mars: Simulations with one- and two-dimensional models

Heat flux saturation effects are included in the present one- and two-dimensional models of the Martian upper ionosphere's thermal structure. The inclusion of small upper boundary and volume heat sources is found to yield satisfactory simulations of the dayside ion temperature observation results obtained by Viking 1's retarding potential analyzers. It is noted that the plasma flow-transport of heat from the dayside to the nightside makes no contribution to the ion and electron temperatures that have been calculated for the nightside.
Drug abuse style, drug use type, and neuropsychological deficit in polydrug users

Abstract Seventy-nine polydrug users were classified into one of two behavioral categories (“streetwise” vs. “straight”) and into two motivational groupings (“recreational use” vs. “self-medicating”). Detailed medical and drug use histories were obtained, and all subjects received neuropsychological examination with the Halstead-Reitan Battery 3 weeks after entry into treatment. Neuropsychological impairment was related to different variables in the two groupings. “Streetwise” users who were impaired reported very heavy alcohol and opiate consumption. “Straight” users who were impaired used fewer drugs of all kinds except depressants, but had frequent positive medical histories.
Gamma-ray spectroscopy of 64Zn and 65Zn and the role of the g92 orbital

Abstract Measurements of γ-ray excitation functions, γ-γ coincidence spectra and γ-ray angular distributions have been made. following the reactions 61 Ni(α, n) 64 Zn, 62 Ni(α, n) 65 Zn, 56 Fe( 14 N, αnp) 64 Zn, 56 Fe( 12 C, 2pn) 65 Zn, and 54 Fe( 12 C, 2p) 64 Zn. Among the new levels observed in 64 Zn are those at 5624 keV, 6765 keV, 6940 keV, and 6124 keV, the last one with a suggested assignment of (9 − ). In 65 Zn. ten new levels probably in the positive-parity chain, with spin up to ( 21 2 ), and a few others, have been found. Comparison of the 65 Zn positive-parity levels with the 64 Zn ground-state band supports the concept of a single neutron in the g 9 2 orbital weakly coupled to a core essentially identical to 64 Zn. Many high-spin states in 64 Zn itself can be aggregated into bands whose band heads are suggestive of two-quasiparticle states involving one g 9 2 excitation.