cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE SAT PREDICTION OF GRADES FOR MEXICAN-AMERICAN VERSUS ANGLO-AMERICAN STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

The regression equations for second quarter freshman grade point averages on SAT scores were calculated for Anglo-American and Mexican-American students at the University of California, Riverside. These regression equations differed significantly for the two groups. However, the use of the regression equation derived from the Anglo-American sample to predict grades of Mexican-American students resulted in overprediction. An examination of the standardized regression weights revealed a significant difference in the weight given to SATM. A replication on a much larger sample revealed a similar outcome. These results were considered as a possible heuristic to suggest a scholastic “'strategy” difference between the two ethnic groups.
LARGE SHIFTS OF TRANSITION TEMPERATURE WITH ELECTRIC CHARGING PREDICTED FOR ''SUPERCONDUCTING SEMICONDUCTORS''.

Abstract “Superconducting semiconductors” should exhibit much larger electric charging induced shifts ofTC than occur in ordinary metals. Data on these shifts would enable critical tests of superconductivity theory for such materials. The large anticipated shifts make electric switching devices feasible.
E-government and IT policy: choices for government outreach and policy making

Governments that want to connect with their citizens through online media can potentially implement their policies more effectively and increase their influence on citizens more directly. The delivery of public sector information and services to citizens through the Internet is considered to be e-government. While the benefits of e-government are compelling, it is worth noting that the countries that are taking advantage of this trend are those that have a high concentration of Internet hosts per thousand inhabitants. The benefits of e-government may indeed materialize in countries where a majority of the electorate uses the Internet frequently. At the same time, GSM-based mobile (wireless) phones are replacing land line connections in many developing countries because of the cost and unreliability of land connections—this has an impact on Internet viability for e-government. A study conducted by West (2003) on global e-government of 2,166 national government websites in 198 countries around the world paints an interesting picture. While most of the government Web sites offer primarily informational content, only 16% offer services that are fully executable online. While West’s definition of services included only those services that were fully executable online, he found that interactive features, such as information provision over e-mail, enabled public outreach. Such outreach is achieved when citizens register on the website and receive information on a particular subject, such as a newsletter highlighting a prime minister’s views, as it becomes available (West, 2003). West (2003) found that the country with the largest number of online services was Singapore, with an average of 7.8 services across its government agencies. This was followed by the United States (4.8 services), Turkey (3.2 services), Hong Kong (3.1 services), and Taiwan (2.4 services). It is interesting to note that many of the countries in which e-government is the most developed are those that were considered developing countries only a few decades ago. Have investments in e-government combined with concerted IT policy measures enabled these governments to inject momentum into their economies? The connection between national policies and development appears to be an illusive one. However, an understanding of what constitutes this link can provide governments with powerful tools to bring about economic growth (Easterly, King, Levine, & Rebelo, 1991). There appears to be a sense that Information Technology (IT) can bring about economic growth. Baliamoune-Lutz (2003) suggest that income and government trade policies influence
Preliminaly Evaluation of the SIR-B Response to Soil Moisture, Surface Roughness, and Crop Canopy Cover

stract-Two pre-dawn ascending data-akes (dt. 49.2 and 97.2) by the Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-B) are used to evaluate the effects of soil moisture, surface roughness, and crop canopy cover on radar backscattering. The two images are separated in acquisition date by three days and were obtained at the same local angle of incidence (?1 = 30°) but with opposite azimuth viewing directions (?? = 180°). The digitally recorded and processed SIR-B imagery is externallyi-calibrated with respect to the radar backscattering coefficient ?° via response to arrays of point and area-extended targets of known radar cross section. Extensive ancillary data pertaining to scene physical and biophysical al conditions were collected from approximately 400 agricultural fields within a 20 km × 20 km test site in west-central Illinois. The test site was largely agricultural and consisted primarily of corn and soybeans at harvest-ready conditions. For the agricultural portions of the scene, ?°SIR-B is found to vary over a 16-to 20-dB dynamic range for a given observation date. The magnitude of ?°SIR-B is found to be proportional to soil moisture, surface roughness, and canopy biomass. Although the SIR-B sensor parameters es ( L-band, HH polarization, ?nd 0 ° 300) were not expected to be optimum for estimation of near-surface soil moisture, significant linear correlations are observed between ?°SIR-B (in decibels) and 0-5-cm volumetric moisture m?. For a given target class as broadly defined by surface roughness and canopy cover, linear regression of ?°SIR-B (dB) to m? generally yields correlation coefficients of r2 0.8.
Analysis of Binding Affinities for Celecoxib Analogues with COX-1 and COX-2 from Combined Docking and Monte Carlo Simulations and Insight into the COX-2/COX-1 Selectivity

The origins of binding affinity and COX-2/COX-1 selectivity for analogues of celecoxib have been explored using an approach that combines docking with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. These inhibitors are COX-2-selective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are of current interest because the gastrointestinal irritation they cause is reduced compared to that caused by traditional NSAIDs. We report a novel docking method, based on a combined Tabu and Monte Carlo protocol, that determines starting conformations for MC simulations. Using the docking-predicted starting conformations, relative changes in binding free energies were computed for methyl, ethyl, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyl, thiomethyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, chloro, fluoro, and unsubstituted derivatives with the MC free energy perturbation (FEP) method. The computed free energies are in good accord with IC50 values, and the structural information from the simulations can be used to explain the experimentally observed binding trends. In ad...
Ambient Awareness and Knowledge Transfer: Using Social Media to Improve Meta-Knowledge

This study explores whether individuals can develop accurate meta-knowledge – knowledge about “who knows what” and “who knows whom” within the organization – through awareness of ambient communicat...
Trapped gravity waves and the five-minute oscillations of the solar atmosphere

The various modes of hydrodynamic waves are considered for a model of the solar atmosphere which is based on the Bilderberg model and includes the effects of ionization. The atmosphere forms a ‘potential well’ for internal gravity waves, since the stability is low at the base (near the convection) and low again in the region of partial ionization in the chromosphere. Calculations show that there are two resonant (trapped) modes of internal gravity waves for horizontal wavelengths based on the scale of the granulation. The properties of these modes are in close agreement with the two modes of oscillation observed by Frazier (1968). Trapped acoustic modes are found to have periods too short to account for the observations.
A New Compression Intermediate Strain Rate Testing Apparatus

A new apparatus for testing in compression at intermediate strain rates is introduced. The apparatus consists of a loading hydraulic actuator and a very long (40 m) transmitter bar. The specimen is placed with one end touching the end surface of the long bar and the other end free. The specimen is loaded by the actuator that impacts the specimen’s free end directly. Once loaded, the specimen deforms between the actuator and the transmitter bar. As the specimen is loaded and deformed, a compression wave propagates into the transmitter bar. The amplitude of this wave is measured with strain gages that are placed on the transmitter bar at a distance of about five diameters from the specimen. The wave in the transmitter bar propagates all the way to the end of the bar and then reflects back toward the specimen. The experiment can continue until the reflected wave reaches the strain gages (milliseconds). The strain in the specimen (full field) is measured directly on the specimen using Digital Image Correlation with high speed cameras.
Rat cystathionine β-synthase: Expression of four alternatively spliced isoforms in transfected cultured cells

The gene for rat cystathionine beta-synthase consists of 17 exons. Its transcripts are alternatively spliced, forming four distinct mRNA species. Type III consists of exons 1 through 12, 14, 15, and 17; type I also contains exon 16. The open reading frame of type IV spans exons 1-->13; type II, 3-->13. We cloned the corresponding cDNAs into appropriate expression vectors and inserted the constructs into Escherichia coli (I, III, and IV) and Chinese hamster (CH) cells (I through IV); all sequences were transcribed and translated. Catalytic activity was observed only for types I and III in lysates of transfected CH cells and transformed E. coli. The catalytic and kinetic properties of I and III were identical despite their structural difference (exon 16). Both isoforms exhibited 6 mM Km constants for homocysteine which were reduced approximately eightfold by AdoMet; this elucidates the mechanism by which AdoMet regulates synthase activity. The four isoforms were differentially degraded by transfected cultured cells. Type III (t1/2 = 18 h) was degraded at 1/3 the rate of type I (t1/2 = 6 h); thus the 14 amino acid residues encoded by exon 16 appear to enhance degradation of CBS. The half-lives of both types II and IV were markedly shorter (ca. 1 h). Western blots comparing rat liver to lysates from transfected CH cells revealed that hepatocytes express both isoforms. Type III was predominant, as predicted by its longer half-life and more abundant mRNA. PCR analysis of cDNA from various tissues revealed that type III mRNA was preferred in liver, kidney, and heart; equal amounts of I and III were found in brain.
An alternative mechanism for carbon emission permit price volatility mitigation

In this paper, we propose a stylized model to investigate the impact of financial options on mitigating carbon permit price volatility under a cap and trade system. We show that both the spot price level and the price volatility of carbon permits can be reduced via financial options, while ensuring market efficiency and achieving the emission target. The existence of an option market also provides a way to hedge the uncertainty of future spot prices and is a stimulus for investment in carbon emission abatement technologies. A comparison of the policy implications of this mechanism, a safety valve and banking/borrowing is also described.
Biochemical And Pathological Predictors Of The Recurrence Of Prostatic Adenocarcinoma With Seminal Vesicle Invasion

ABSTRACTPurpose: We assessed biochemical and pathological factors as predictors of recurrence in men with seminal vesicle invasion.Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of 812 men who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy between 1992 and 2000 included 106 (13%) with seminal vesicle invasion. Disease recurrence was defined as prostate specific antigen (PSA) 0.4 ng./ml. or greater. Patients with less than 12 months of followup, salvage radical retropubic prostatectomy, lymph node metastases and adjuvant therapy were excluded from study. Data on the remaining 66 cases were analyzed using the chi-square test, bivariate logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional regression. Variables included demographics, recurrence, time from surgery to recurrence, positive margins, capsular invasion, extracapsular extension, Gleason score (2 to 6, 7 and 8 to 10), and dichotomized values of preoperative PSA (10 or less versus 10 ng./ml.) and tumor volume (20% or less versus greater than 20%)....
Cloning and characterization of cDNAs encoding two forms of avian stem cell factor.

Stem cell factor (SCF), also known as Steel factor, is a transmembrane cytokine involved in several developmental processes and the ligand for the receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit. In several mammalian species, two isoforms of stem cell factor have been reported, a long form in which soluble SCF is released after proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular domain and a short membrane-anchored form in which a region containing a cleavage site is deleted. Currently, only the longer, soluble form has been identified in birds. Therefore, the cDNAs encoding two forms of quail stem cell factor (qSCF) were obtained using RT-PCR with nested primers. The deduced amino acid sequence of the long form of qSCF showed a high degree of homology with chicken (98%) and relatively low homology (∼ 53%) with various mammalian SCFs. Northern blot analysis with the qSCF cDNA revealed the expression of a 5.9 and a 2.7 kb transcript in several quail tissues.
Ionizing Radiation Effects on SBP9900 Microprocessor

The radiation resistance of a 16-bit microprocessor based on integrated injection logic technology has been investigated. Cumulative fluences of 10 to the 12th power to 10 to the 14th power e/sq cm were used in the radiation-resistance study. Complete failure of the microprocessor was noted at a fluence level of 1.2 times 10 to the 14th power e/sq cm. Though the radiation resistance of the microprocessor makes it suited for space applications, reductions in the power dissipation of the device are needed.
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Is a Regulator of Vascular Smooth Muscle Contraction

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway and a major source of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduced (NADPH), which regulates numerous enzymatic (including glutathione reductase and NADPH oxidase that, respectively, generates reduced glutathione and reactive oxygen species) reactions involved in various cellular actions, yet its physiological function is seldom investigated. We, however, recently showed that inhibiting G6PD causes precontracted coronary artery (CA) to relax in an endothelium-derived relaxing factor- and second messenger-independent manner. Here we assessed the role of G6PD in regulating CA contractility. Treating bovine CAs for 20 min with potassium chloride (KCl; 30 mM), amphotericin B (50 μM), or U46619 (100 nM) significantly (p < 0.05) increased both G6PD activity and glucose flux through the pentose phosphate pathway. The effect was Ca(2+) independent, and there was a corresponding increase in protein kinase C (PKC) activity. Activation of G6PD by KCl was blocked by the PKCδ inhibitor rottlerin (10 μM) or by knocking down PKCδ expression using siRNA. Phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (10 μM), a PKC activator, significantly increased G6PD phosphorylation and activity, whereas single (S210A, T266A) and double (S210A/T266A) mutations at sites flanking the G6PD active site significantly inhibited phosphorylation, shifted the isoelectric point, and reduced enzyme activity. Knocking down G6PD decreased NADPH and reactive oxygen species generation, and reduced KCl-evoked increases in [Ca(2+)](i) and myosin light chain phosphorylation, thereby reducing CA contractility. Similarly, aortas from G6PD-deficient mice developed less KCl/phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate-evoked force than those from their wild-type littermates. Conversely, overexpression of G6PD augmented KCl-evoked increases in [Ca(2+)](i), thereby augmenting CA contraction. Our findings demonstrate that G6PD activity and NADPH is increased in activated CA in a PKCδ-dependent manner and that G6PD modulates Ca(2+) entry and CA contractions evoked by membrane depolarization.
Effects of sodium gradient manipulation upon cellular calcium 45Ca fluxes and cellular sodium in the guinea-pig taenia coli

1. Sucrose and choline were utilized as NaCl substitutes in order to investigate Na—Ca interactions in the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig taenia coli. 2. Progressive substitution of NaCl by sucrose caused a progressive increase in cellular exchangeable Ca. This uptake, which amounted to about 300 μmole Ca/kg tissue upon total Na replacement, reached a plateau within 20 min. Complete substitution of NaCl by choline chloride caused cellular Ca to increase rapidly to an initial peak, and then decrease to a stable plateau which was also about 300 μmole/kg above control. 3. Replacement of NaCl by either sucrose or choline chloride caused a transient increase in the Ca influx rate, which was measured using a 3 min pulse labelling with 45Ca. This increase was more pronounced in choline chloride. 4. NaCl substitution by either sucrose or choline chloride caused a decrease in the 45Ca efflux rate. Two exponential components of transmembrane 45Ca efflux were found in control and Na-free media. 5. Treatment of tissues with 3 × 10−5 m-ouabain did not significantly affect the cellular Ca content after 80 min, at which time the Na and K gradients were largely dissipated. 6. Removal of medium K caused a slower dissipation of the Na and K gradients. This treatment decreased cellular Ca, did not affect the Ca influx rate, and increased the 45Ca efflux rate. 7. Tissues were incubated in depolarizing media containing 10−4 m-ouabain in order to remove the Na gradient. Subsequent measurement of cellular Na indicated the absence of a significant fraction of bound Na. 8. The ratio [Na]o/[Na]i had a value of 6.3 in control medium, and decreased as [Na]o was progressively lowered by sucrose substitution, reaching a value of < 1 in a medium containing 5 m m-Na. 9. These experiments provide evidence that a Na—Ca exchange carrier does not play an important role in regulation of tension in this muscle, and also indicate that the Ca gradient is not solely dependent on the Na gradient in guinea-pig taenia coli.
Ancestral Insertions and Expansions of rRNA do not Support an Origin of the Ribosome in Its Peptidyl Transferase Center.

Phylogenetic reconstruction of ribosomal history suggests that the ribonucleoprotein complex originated in structures supporting RNA decoding and ribosomal mechanics. A recent study of accretion of ancestral expansion segments of rRNA, however, contends that the large subunit of the ribosome originated in its peptidyl transferase center (PTC). Here I re-analyze the rRNA insertion data that supports this claim. Analysis of a crucial three-way junction connecting the long-helical coaxial branch that supports the PTC to the L1 stalk and its translocation functions reveals an incorrect branch-to-trunk insertion assignment that is in conflict with the PTC-centered accretion model. Instead, the insertion supports the ancestral origin of translocation. Similarly, an insertion linking a terminal coaxial trunk that holds the L7–12 stalk and its GTPase center to a seven-way junction of the molecule again questions the early origin of the PTC. Unwarranted assumptions, dismissals of conflicting data, structural insertion ambiguities, and lack of phylogenetic information compromise the construction of an unequivocal insertion-based model of macromolecular accretion. Results prompt integration of phylogenetic and structure-based models to address RNA junction growth and evolutionary constraints acting on ribosomal structure.
Scanning tunneling microscopic images of adsorbed serum albumin on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

Abstract Human serum albumin molecules, adsorbed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), have been observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in air. The images show the details of submolecular domains as well as individual molecules with a resolution better than 20 A. The observed domain arrangement agrees with the expected size and structures of albumin, suggesting that little denaturation has occurred on HOPG. This work further demonstrates that the direct observation of biomolecules by STM is probable.
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide during Mineralocorticoid Escape in the Human

The relationship between plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and mineralocorticoid escape was examined in six normal men (age, 20–32 yr) treated with 0.4 mg/day fludrocortisone acetate for 9–14 days. Urinary sodium excretion decreased from 162 ± 15 (sem) meq/24 h before to 97 ± 10 meq/24 h during fludrocortisone acetate administration (P < 0.05). Despite continued fludrocortisone acetate administration, sodium excretion subsequently returned to baseline (escape). Plasma ANP increased from 33 ± 6 pg/ml (control) to 55 ± 14 pg/ml on the first day of escape (P < 0.05). Escape was associated with a decrease in PRA from 0.90 ± 0.22 (control) to 0.26 ± 0.08 ng/ml·h (escape, P < 0.05). The escape phenomenon was not associated with a significant change in mean arterial pressure or glomerular filtration rate. This study demonstrates that mineralocorticoid escape is temporally related to a significant increase in circulating ANP.
1970–1972: Years of transition

Abstract This paper describes events and interactions among scholars from the Geography and Psychology Departments at Clark University during the late 1960s. These events and interactions led to the establishment of a vigorous, informal program of training and research on the environment and behavior. The paper also describes an on-going, long-term organismic-developmental, systems-oriented research program which is an outgrowth of that activity. Paradigmatic research on critical person-in-environment transitions and open problems and issues are discussed.
The Yarrowia lipolytica LEU2 gene.

A 2810 by DNA fragment containing the beta-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase gene of the dimorphic yeast Yarrowia lipolytica has been sequenced. The sequence contains an open reading frame of 405 codons, predicting a protein of 43,366 molecular weight. Protein sequence homology with the polypeptide encoded by the LEU2 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is 64%, whereas DNA sequence homology is 61%. The 5′- and 3′-flanking regions of the Y. lipolytica LEU2 gene share only some general structural features common to genes of S. cereviside such as the presence and location of TATA boxes, CAAT boxes, CACACA repeats, the lack of G residues in the 5′-untranslated region and 3′-transcription terminators. Transcription of a 1.4 kb mRNA begins at a small cluster of sites approximately 40 base pairs before the initial ATG.
Shared stress and interpersonal attraction

Abstract To investigate the effects of shared stress on liking, female subjects were asked to work in pairs under one of the following conditions: shared shock (both girls received moderately painful electric shocks while they worked), unshared shock (one subject received shock, her partner did not) and shared no-shock (neither girl received shock). It was found that (1) shocked pairs make more personal statements and ask more questions than nonshocked pairs; (2) first-borns like their partners more if shocked together than if not; (3) this effect holds only for subjects who shared shock and not for mixed pairs; (4) subjects who shared shock are very accurate in judging partner's disturbance, unshared subjects are significantly less accurate than chance; (5) subjects who share shock find it more disturbing, unpleasant and awful than unshared shock subjects. These results were given a social comparison interpretation, namely, that a first-born subject's need to evaluate his reactions to shock is satisfied by the presence of another shocked subject and that this need satisfaction leads to an increase in liking. An alternative explanation can be built out of the fact that shocked subjects liked the task and found the experiment more interesting than nonshocked subjects.
Height accuracy and synthetic aperture radar image layover

Radar images are created by converting time delay and doppler measurements of scatterers into range and cross-range values. An imaging radar does not provide direct height measurements of scatterers. We investigate the problem of computing height information from a pair of radar images. Elevated scatterers will appear closer in range; this phenomenon is called radar image layover. This paper investigates how the height of a scatterer can be computed from the difference in its layover between two images. First, it is shown that for any image pair taken from a constant- altitude straight-line flight path, the difference in layover is zero and therefore images are spatially coherent. Next, an expression is derived for accuracy of height estimate as a function of range resolution and the angular difference between slant planes (image planes). As the angle between the slant planes increases, the accuracy of the height estimate improves, however, bright scatterers in one image tend to fade in the other image. This tradeoff between the accuracy of height estimate and limited angular persistence of radar scatterers is discussed. Finally, results are shown, based on Lincoln Laboratory high-resolution (0.3 meters) polarimetric SAR imagery.
Harvesting a renewable resource under uncertainty

Abstract This paper presents a theory of harvesting that allows for partial harvests and accounts for the risk of extinction, for biological assets with size-dependent stochastic growth. The harvesting decision is formulated as a disinvestment problem in continuous time and generalized Faustmann formulas are derived. The probability of extinction is then analyzed for a wide class of growth functions. An illustration based on the logistic Brownian motion shows that both optimal biomass at harvest and harvest size do not vary monotonically with uncertainty. More generally, this paper illustrates the importance of properly accounting for barriers in stochastic investment problems.
Temporal profiles of response enhancement in multisensory integration.

Animals have evolved multiple senses that transduce different forms of energy as a way of increasing their sensitivity to environmental events. Each sense provides a unique and independent perspective on the world, and very often a single event stimulates several of them. In order to make best use of the available information, the brain has also evolved the capacity to integrate information across the senses (“multisensory integration”). This facilitates the detection, localization, and identification of a given event, and has obvious survival value for the individual and the species. Multisensory responses in the superior colliculus (SC) evidence shorter latencies and are more robust at their onset. This is the phenomenon of initial response enhancement in multisensory integration, which is believed to a real time fusion of information across the senses. The present paper reviews two recent reports describing how the timing and robustness of sensory responses changes as a consequence of multisensory integration in the model system of the SC.
The etiology of cerebral palsy in pre-term infants.

SUMMARY In a group of 856 babies who weighed 2.0kg or less at birth, 44 were found to have spastic diplegia when examined at one year of age. Of the 856 babies, 199 had gestations of 36 weeks or more and none of these were spastic. This suggests that short gestation rather than low birthweight is a determinant of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Of the 44 affected infants, seven had been delivered before term by caesarean section, compared with two in the control group. Of the many variables studied, the only statistically significant finding was low hematocrit in babies with spastic diplegia, which supports the theory that spastic diplegia may be associated with intracranial hemorrhage. RESUME Sur un groupe de 856 nourrissons pesant 2kg ou moins a la naissance 44 ont presente lors de l'examen a l'âge d'un an une forme diplegique spastique d'infirmite motrice cerebrale (sdcp). Sur les 856 nourrissons, 199 ont eu une duree de gestation de 36 semaines ou plus, et aucun d'entre eux n'etaient spastiques. Ceci suggere qu'une grossesse courte est beaucoup plus determinante qu'un poids de naissance faible dans la survenue de la sdcp. Sur les 44 enfants attaints, 7 sont nes prematurement par cesarienne, compares aux 2 cas du groupe controle. Parmi les tres nombreuses variables etudiees, la seule decouverte statistiquement significative a ete le taux bas d'hematocrite chez les nourrissons avec sdcp, ce qui favorise la theorie que la sdcp peut etre associee a une hemorragie intra-cranienne. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG 44 Kinder einer Gruppe von 856 Babies mit einem Gebursgewicht von 2kg oder weniger zeigten eine Cerebralparese in Form einer spastischen Diplegie (sdcp) bei der Untersuchung im Alter von einem Jahr. Von den 856 Babies hatten 199 ein Gestationsalter von 36 Wochen oder mehr, und keines dieser Kinder war spastisch. Dies weist darauf hin, das eine kurze Gestation mehr als ein niedriges Geburtsgewicht ein bestimmender Faktor fur die sdcp ist. Sieben der 44 betroffenen Kinder waren vorzeitig durch Sectio geboren worden, im Vergleich zur nur zwei in der Kontrollgruppe. Von den vielen untersuchten Parametern war der einzig statistisch signifikante Befund der niedrige Hamatokrit der Babies mit sdcp, der die Theorie unterstutzt, das die sdcp mit intracraniellen Hamorrhagien verbunden sein kann. RESUMEN En un grupo de 856 ninos con un peso de 2kg o menos al nacer, se hallo que 44 tenian una paralisis cerebral diplejica espastica (pcde) cuando fueron examinados al ano de edad. De los 856 ninos, 199 tenian gestaciones de 36 semanas o mas y ninguno de ellos era espastico. Esto sugiere que una gestacion corta, mas que un bajo peso al nacer, constituye el determinante de la pcde. De los 44 ninos afectos 7 habian nacido prematuramente por cesarea en comparacion con dos del grupo control. De las muchas variables estudiadas el unico hallazgo estadisticamente significativo era un hematocrito bajo en los ninos con pcde, lo que habla en favor de la teoria de que la pcde puede estar asociada con hemorragia intracraneana.
Self-Powered Monitoring of Repeated Head Impacts Using Time-Dilation Energy Measurement Circuit

Due to the current epidemic levels of sport-related concussions (SRC) in the U.S., there is a pressing need for technologies that can facilitate long-term and continuous monitoring of head impacts. Existing helmet-sensor technology is inconsistent, inaccurate, and is not economically or logistically practical for large-scale human studies. In this paper, we present the design of a miniature, battery-less, self-powered sensor that can be embedded inside sport helmets and can continuously monitor and store different spatial and temporal statistics of the helmet impacts. At the core of the proposed sensor is a novel time-dilation circuit that allows measurement of a wide-range of impact energies. In this paper an array of linear piezo-floating-gate (PFG) injectors has been used for self-powered sensing and storage of linear and rotational head-impact statistics. The stored statistics are then retrieved using a plug-and-play reader and has been used for offline data analysis. We report simulation and measurement results validating the functionality of the time-dilation circuit for different levels of impact energies. Also, using prototypes of linear PFG integrated circuits fabricated in a 0.5 $\mu{\rm m}$ CMOS process, we demonstrate the functionality of the proposed helmet-sensors using controlled drop tests.
Pulsatile growth hormone secretion in older persons is enhanced by fasting without relationship to sleep stages.

Spontaneous secretion of GH decreases with aging. To investigate whether fasting increases pulsatile GH secretion in older as it does in younger subjects, we studied six subjects (four postmenopausal women and two men, aged 55-81 yr; body mass indexes, 22-24 kg/ m2). Blood was obtained every 5 min for 24 h on a control (fed) day and on the second day of a fast. Serum GH concentrations, measured by an immunoradiometric assay, were analyzed with a multiple parameter deconvolution method to stimultaneously resolve endogenous GH secretory and clearance rates. Two days of fasting induced a 4-fold increase in the 24-h GH production rate (38 +/- 25 vs. 166 +/- 42 micrograms/L distribution volume; P = 0.003) and a 2-fold increase in the amount of GH secreted per pulse (2.4 +/- 1.4 vs. 5.5 +/- 1.2 micrograms/L distribution volume; P = 0.02). The latter was a result of increased secretory burst amplitudes with unchanged secretory burst durations. The number of detectable GH secretory bursts per 24 h was also increa...
On an Asymmetrical Metric in the Four-Space of General Relativity

Physical space-time allows of a metric of asymmetrical properties because of the unidirection of time. The simplest possible asymmetrical generalization of Riemannian metric is considered. The study of this metric is here mainly confined to the mathematical aspects. However, the physical consequences by application to space-time are obvious, and may be of interest by leading directly to a description of the electromagnetic field. A close formal connection with five-dimensional Riemannian geometry is shown, which might carry interest for the physical interpretation of five-dimensional relativity.
Lipase-Catalyzed Esterification of Conjugated Linoleic Acid with Sorbitol: A Kinetic Study

The kinetics of esterification of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) with sorbitol in acetone was investigated. An immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica (Chirazyme L-2) was used as the biocatalyst. A 2(2) x 3 factorial design was employed to find an experimental region in which one obtains a high rate of formation of the diester product. Best results were obtained at 10 degrees C using a CLA to sorbitol molar ratio of 5 and a biocatalyst loading of 150 mg/mL of acetone. Under these conditions, in 72 h one obtains a nearly quantitative yield (ca. 98%) of the diester of sorbitol with CLA. To minimize formation of products with degrees of esterification greater than two, the reaction should be carried out at 10 degrees C. A kinetic model developed using the King-Altman method was employed to fit the data. Use of the steady-state approximation for the monoester and an assumption that the concentration of sorbitol was constant and equal to its solubility limit permit one to minimize the number of parameters necessary to model the reaction network. Nonlinear regression analysis based on either two or three parameters provides very good fits of the multiresponse data in the presence or absence of triesters, respectively.
Dexamethasone induces increased catecholamine biosynthesis in cultured neuroblastoma.

Abstract The effect of dexamethasone on morphological and biochemical parameters of catecholamine biosynthesis in cultured murine neuroblastoma cells was determined. Treatment for 7 days with 25 μM dexamethasone produced a more intense and uniform catecholamine fluorescence as determined by fluorescence histochemistry using the glyoxylic acid technique. Treatment with dexamethasone also produced a two-fold increase in dopamine content and a threefold increase in tyrosine hydroxylase activity compared with controls. These results suggest that this potent glucocorticoid induces differentiation in cultured murine neuroblastoma, as measured by both biochemical and morphological techniques.
Ionizing radiation alters beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity in brain but not blood

Previous behavioral and pharmacological studies have implicated endorphins in radiation-induced locomotor hyperactivity of the C57BL/6J mouse. However, the endogenous opiate(s) responsible for this behavioral change have not been identified. The present study measured beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta-END-LI) in brain, blood, and combined brain and pituitary samples from irradiated and sham-irradiated C57BL/6J mice. After radiation exposure, levels of beta-END-LI decreased significantly in the brain. A similar, but not statistically significant, decline was measured in combined brain and pituitary samples. Concentrations of blood beta-END-LI were not changed by irradiation. These radiogenic changes in beta-END-LI are in some ways similar to those observed after other stresses. However, radiation-induced locomotor hyperactivity may be mediated more by alterations of beta-END-LI in the brain than in the periphery. Other endogenous opiate systems may also contribute to this behavioral change in the C57BL/6J mouse.
Watery Passion: The Struggle between Hegemony and Sexual Liberation in Erotic Fiction for Women

Erotic texts have historically been written for male consumption and women's erotic preferences were either marginalized or assumed to coincide with men's. Following Lakoff (1987), this paper exami...
Neuronal reaction to injury during development: severance of the facial nerve in utero.

Abstract The facial nerve of hamster fetuses was severed in utero by electrocautery during the last few days of gestation. Animals were obtained by hysterectomy, or after birth, and killed by perfusion-fixation; brain tissue was double-embedded for sectioning. The cytology of both normal and injured cells was observed by the buffered thionine and Feulgen techniques. The rate of neuronal degeneration is extremely rapid and is inversely proportional to the age at operation. An initial effect of injury is nucleolar regression accompanied by a slight but generalized paling of the affected cell group as a whole. The significance of this paling is not clear, because it is not always seen in those cells undergoing nucleolar regression, yet is found in cells which otherwise appear intact. These observations, coupled with those of our previous studies on postnatal hamsters, indicate that the cytological pattern of reaction to injury changes with successive levels of maturity in the developing neuron. The best cytological indicator of these levels appears to be the developing nucleolar apparatus. Nuclear size alone is not a good indicator of cell maturity, because near-terminal values for nuclear diameter are already reached in the intrauterine period.
Evolution of web services in EOSDIS — Search and order metadata registry (ECHO)

During 2005 through 2008, NASA defined and implemented a major evolutionary change in the Earth Observing system Data and Information System (EOSDIS) to modernize its capabilities. This implementation was based on a vision for 2015 developed during 2005. The “EOSDIS 2015 Vision” emphasizes increased end-to-end data system efficiency and operability; increased data usability; improved support for end users; and decreased operations costs. One key feature of the Evolution plan was achieving higher operational maturity (ingest, reconciliation, search and order, performance, error handling) for the NASA's Earth Observing System Clearinghouse (ECHO). The ECHO system is an operational metadata registry through which the scientific community can easily discover and exchange NASA's Earth science data and services. ECHO contains metadata for 2, 726 data collections comprising over 87 million individual data granules and 34 million browse images, consisting of NASA's EOSDIS Data Centers' and the United States Geological Survey's Landsat Project holdings. ECHO stores metadata from a variety of science disciplines and domains, including Climate Variability and Change, Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems, Earth Surface and Interior, Atmospheric Composition, Weather, and Water and Energy Cycle. ECHO provides a platform for the publication, discovery, understanding and access to NASA's Earth Observation resources (data, service and clients). In their native state, these data, service and client resources are not necessarily targeted for use beyond their original mission. However, with the proper interoperability mechanisms, users of these resources can expand their value, by accessing, combining and applying them in unforeseen ways. ECHO provides access to its capabilities through a set of services. These ECHO Applications Program Interfaces (APIs) are based on industry standards for performing web-based computing, specifically web services profile.
The early history of the neuroscience of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Research on the neurobiology and pharmacotherapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown exponentially since 1980. A reasonable question is whether this research has improved our understanding and treatment of ADHD. This article describes relevant developments that took place roughly between 1900 and 1970. During this time, the efficacy of stimulant therapy for the disorder was established and the symptoms of ADHD were linked to many possible nervous system disorders including in the brain-stem, reticular formation, diencephalon, basal ganglia, frontal lobes, and cortex. In 1970, the catecholamine hypothesis of ADHD was proposed. It is concluded that early theories about the neurobiologic basis of ADHD anticipated core ideas of modern theory.
Antagonism of ketamine-induced anesthesia and hypothermia by thyrotropin releasing hormone and cyclo(His-Pro).

Abstract The effects of the thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and its postulated metabolite, cyclo-(His-Pro) on ketamine-induced responses were investigated in male Swiss-Webster mice. Intraperitoneal and intracerebral administration of TRH 10 min prior to the injection of ketamine (150 mg/kg, i.p.) antagonized the anesthetic and hypothermic effects of the latter. The pharmacological effects of ketamine were also antagonized by cyclo(His-Pro) when administered intracerebrally but not when injected intraperitoneally. These studies indicate that TRH can antagonize ketamine-induced effects and that this antagonism may be mediated by the conversion of TRH to cyclo(His-Pro) in the central nervous system.
Prolonged high fat/alcohol exposure increases TRPV4 and its functional responses in pancreatic stellate cells

The present study investigated transient receptor potential vanilloid type 4 (TRPV4) ion channels in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) isolated from rats with high-fat and alcohol diet (HFA)-induced chronic pancreatitis. TRPV4 is a calcium-permeable nonselective ion channel responsive to osmotic changes, alcohol metabolites arachidonic acid, anandamide, their derivatives, and injury-related lipid mediators. Male Lewis rats were fed HFA for 6–8 wk before isolation and primary culture of PSCs. Control PSCs were harvested from rats fed standard chow. Immunoreactivity for cytoskeletal protein activation product α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β subunit (PDGFR-β) characterized the cells as PSCs. TRPV4 expression increased in PSCs of HFA-fed rats and control cultures after alcohol treatment (50 mM). Cell responses to activation of inducible TRPV4 were assessed with live cell calcium imaging. Threefold increased and sustained intracellular calcium mobilization responses occurred in 70% of pancreatic stellate cells from HFA-fed rats in response to TRPV4 activators arachidonic acid, lipid second messenger, phorbol ester 4 α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4αPDD), and 50% hypoosmotic media compared with relatively unresponsive PSCs from control rats. Activation responses were attenuated by nonselective TRPV channel blocker ruthenium red. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, 1 ng/ml, 16 h) increased responses to 4αPDD in control PSCs. These findings implicate TRPV4-mediated calcium responses inducible after HFA exposure and inflammation in reactive responses of activated PSCs that impair pancreatic function, such as responsiveness to cytokines and the deposition of collagen fibrosis that precipitates ductal blockage and pain.
6,8-Di­nitro-2,4-dioxa-6,8-diazabi­cyclo­[3.3.0]­octan-3-one

The title compound, C4H4N4O7, is a bicyclic carbonate ester of 1,3-di­nitro­imidazolidine-4,5-diol. It contains only C, H, N, and O, and has a remarkably high density of 1.953 Mg m−3, one of the top 12 densities in the CHNO realm. Such high densities are usually only observed in strained polycyclic ring compounds such as the nitro­cubanes and hexanitro­hexa­aza­isowurtzitane.
Engineering of silica monoliths and the effect of clay doping on their properties

Covalent cross-linking of colloidal silica particles under controlled conditions by the α,ω-bridging organosiloxane (CH3O)3Si(CH2)2Si(OCH3)3 leads to highly transparent silica monoliths. Addition of a small amount of clay nanoparticles to the sol enables fine-tuning of the optical properties of the monoliths based on the size of the clay particles. In a second approach, use of electrostatic assembly between negatively charged colloidal silica particles and a positively charged silicone surfactant, leads to silicone coated/linked silica particles in which the inorganic building units can be assembled into shaped porous networks, thus affording lightweight silica monoliths after calcination. Addition of a small amount of clay nanoparticles to the silica produces lightweight clay–ceramic composites with improved mechanical properties without any appreciable changes in density.
New Approaches for Studying Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is major cause of chronic liver injury which results in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. According to the surveillance report published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, liver cirrhosis is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States with 48 % of these deaths being attributed to excessive alcohol consumption. ALD includes a spectrum of disorders from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Several mechanisms play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ALD. These include ethanol-induced oxidative stress and depletion of glutathione, pathological methionine metabolism, increased gut permeability and release of endotoxins into the portal blood, recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells including bone marrow-derived and liver resident macrophages (Kupffer cells). Chronic alcohol consumption results in liver damage and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and myofibroblasts, leading to liver fibrosis. Here we discuss the current view on factors that are specific for different stages of ALD and those that regulate its progression, including cytokines and chemokines, alcohol-responsive intracellular signaling pathways, and transcriptional factors. We also review recent studies demonstrating that alcohol-mediated changes can be regulated on an epigenetic level, including microRNAs. Finally, we discuss the reversibility of liver fibrosis and inactivation of HSCs as a potential strategy for treating alcohol-induced liver damage.