cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time course of increases in retrograde labeling and increases in cell size of entorhinal cortex neurons sprouting in response to unilateral entorhinal lesions.

Unilateral lesions of the entorhinal cortex in adult rats induce sprouting of the projections from the surviving contralateral entorhinal area to the denervated fascia dentata. In animals with long-standing lesions, the cells in the surviving entorhinal area exhibit increased transport of HRP following injections into the reinnervated fascia dentata, and the labeled cells which participate in the reinnervation are larger than unlabeled cells which do not give rise to reinnervating fibers. In the present study, we examine whether these changes in retrograde labeling and cell size occur during the period in which sprouting is known to occur. HRP injections were placed in the fascia dentata in normal animals, and in animals which had received unilateral lesions of the ipsilateral entorhinal area 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, or 20 days, and over 1 year previously. For each post-lesion interval, animals survived for 2 days post-injection. Labeled cells in layer II of the surviving contralateral entorhinal area were counted at a standard dorso-ventral level from the best labeled cases at each survival interval. In addition, the size of the labeled cells was compared with the size of the nearest unlabeled cell in the same lamina from a larger sample of cases. When animals were killed 4 days following unilateral entorhinal lesions (2 days post-injection) no changes in the number of labeled cells in layer II were observed, in comparison to normal animals. Animals which had received HRP injections 4 days post-lesion and which were sacrificed on the 6th post-lesion day exhibited small increases in the number of labeled cells in layer II, and these increases became even more prominent in cases sacrificed on the 8th day post-lesion. No further increases i the number of labeled cells were observed in cases sacrificed from 10 days to over 1 year post-lesion. Measurements of cell size in the entorhinal cortex indicated that in normal animals and in animals sacrificed from 4–6 days post-lesion, the labeled cells in layer II were no larger than their unlabeled neighbors. However, the size of all cells in operated animals was less than in normal animals. In cases sacrificed 8 days post-lesion, however, the labeled cells were an average of 28% larger than their unlabeled neighbors, and in cases sacrificed at longer post-lesion intervals, this increase was maintained, although the percentage increase at later intervals was slightly smaller, ranging around 16% over control values. Because the timing of the increases in retrograde labeling and the relative increases in cell size correspond well with the time course of sprouting of this system measured autoradiographically, we conclude that these cellular changes are related to the proliferation of axon terminals within the denervated fascia dentata. The decrease in the size of all cells in layer II in the operated animals may be a result of the denervation of these cells through a loss of commissural projections from the contralateral entorhinal area.
Development of lead (Pb)-free interconnection materials for microelectronics

Although the amount of Pb or Pb-containing solders used in microelectronics counts only a small fraction of the total Pb usage, the demand for manufacturing “green” products has promoted active research and development for the Pb-free interconnection materials in the recent years. As a result, several candidate materials are now available in two categories: Pb-free solders and electrically conducting adhesives. In this paper, the new development activities of both materials are briefly reviewed in terms of their promising properties, applications, and concerns.
Zero-Energy Intercepts of the ρ and R Trajectories, the pn Charge-Exchange Scattering, and the Difference in pp and np Total Cross Sections

It is shown that the existing high-energy data for the $\mathrm{np}$ charge-exchange differential cross section in the forward direction and the difference between $\mathrm{np}$ and $\mathrm{pp}$ total cross sections can be simulataneously explained in terms of two Regge trajectories. The two trajectories are the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and the $R$ (using the notation of Pignotti in the preceding paper). The $R$ has parity and $G$ parity opposite to $\ensuremath{\rho}$ but the same isotopic spin. These two sets of quantum numbers in the crossed channel are the only possible ones with nonvanishing contribution to the processes in question. The conjecture of real analyticity of the generalized coupling constants, together with the existing data, requires the existence of an $R$ trajectory. In fitting the experimental data the intercepts are ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{\ensuremath{\rho}}(0)=0.57\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1$ and ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{R}(0)=0.31\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05$.
Economic implications of failure to reduce incident HIV infections by 50% by 2005 in the United States.

Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have set a national goal of reducing new HIV infections by 50% by 2005 in the United States. There are no available published estimates of the economic consequences of failure to meet this national goal, however. Objectives The purpose of this article is to calculate the potential net economic implications of a failure to meet the national HIV prevention goal of reducing new HIV infections by 50% by 2005. Methods Standard methods of cost-effectiveness analysis were used to determine 1) the excess number of HIV infections incurred if the goal is not met and 2) the excess net medical costs (without the cost of an expanded HIV prevention program in the United States) incurred if the goal is not achieved. Results Base case results indicate that if the goal is not met, 130,000 excess HIV infections will occur between the present and 2010 and that the excess net medical costs incurred will total over $18 billion during the same time frame. Sensitivity analyses indicate that although changes in some parameter values do alter the quantitative results, none alter the basic qualitative finding that even dramatically expanded HIV prevention efforts that reduce new HIV infections by 50% are actually cost saving to society. Conclusions The human and fiscal stakes of meeting the CDC's national HIV prevention goal of reducing new infections by 50% by 2005 are sufficiently large to make the achievement of this goal an urgent public health priority.
Effects of injury on the spinal motion segment mechanics in the axial compression mode

The changes in the biomechanical characteristics of a ligamentous motion segment as a result of two clinically relevant injuries are investigated using the finite element technique. A three-dimensional, finite element model of a one-half intact motion segment was developed from 1 mm thick transverse CT cross-sections of a lumbar spine specimen. A total denucleation with other structures left intact, and bilateral total discectomy injuries induced in the intact model, led to an approximately two-fold decrease in the disc height and a similar increase in flexion-rotation, in comparison to the intact model. The total removal of the nucleus simulated in both of the injury models increased the force per unit area of contact across the facets. The stresses in the region adjacent to the facets also increased as a consequence of this. Due to the presence of facets and an increase in load transmitted across them, the change in stresses in the vertebral body for the two injury models in comparison to the intact model was not severe. The disc bulge in the posterior region decreased following the two injuries.
Red Blood Cell Transfusion Increases the Risk of Thrombotic Events in Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose Red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) may increase the risk of thrombotic events (TE) in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) through changes induced by storage coupled with SAH-related hypercoagulability. We sought to investigate the association between RBCT and the risk of TE in patients with SAH.
Correlation of Beds Within Ferry Lake Anhydrite of Gulf Coastal Plain: ABSTRACT

The Lower Cretaceous Ferry Lake Anhydrite is one of the most distinctive, widespread sedimentary units within the Gulf coastal plain. The formation extends from east Texas across southern Arkansas, northern Louisiana, central Mississippi, and southern Alabama, all the way to south Florida where it has been correlated with anhydrite beds of the Punta Gorda formation. The formation consists of alternating carbonates, claystones, and sulfate beds (altered from original gypsum to anhydrite during burial) deposited in a predominantly subaqueous environment within a broad lagoon located shoreward of an extensive reef fringing the shelf edge. Highly resistive anhydrite beds within the Ferry Lake Anhydrite, and within formations above and below, may be correlated across east Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, using a network of closely spaced electrical logs. The geographic distribution of these anhydrite beds is variable. Some anhydrite beds may be traced across the entire area, whereas other beds are less widespread. The difference in geographic distribution of these beds reflects the variation in size and configuration of the extensive lagoonal sea in which they were deposited. Water depth, positive conditions around stable areas, subsidence, duration of each evaporitive pulse, and areal salinity variation are among the factors that controlled the thickness of individual beds accumulating within the lagoon. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1428------------
Antibodies introduced into living cells with liposomes localize specifically and inhibit specific intracellular processes

Abstract We have developed a system for efficiently packaging antibodies and other macromolecules into lipsomes and then delivering the encapsulated molecules into living cells through liposome-cell fusion. Fusion is very efficient, and all cells can be demonstrated to contain liposome-delivered antibodies by staining by staining with a fluorescent second antibody. Using lupus antibodies directed against small nuclear ribonucleoprotein components of the cell, we were able to demonstrate strong nuclear localization, while control antibodies showed a general diffuse distribution throughout the cell. Lupus antibodies directed against ribosomes, on the other hand, strongly localized in the nucleolus and the cytoplasm with very little nucleoplasmic localization. Antitubulin antibodies predominantly localized in the cytoplasm. These results show that antibodies can survive liposome packaging and can retain their ability to recognize and bind to their specific antigens in the living cell. It also indicates that the nuclear envelope does not present a barrier to the liposome-introduced antibodies in Drosophila tissue culture cells. To determine if the antibodies were capable of interfering with cellular processes in vivo, we measured the effects of liposome-introduced antiribosome antibodies on translation and antitubulin antibodies on mitosis. In both cases, there was a significant inhibition suggesting that the antibodies can be used to interfere with specific functions at specific times in vivo.
American college fight songs: History and historiography

(1995). American college fight songs: History and historiography. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 125-130.
Recognizing non-recognition: a reply to Lindemann

This is a reply to:Lindemann, Thomas. 2014. “Interest, passion, (non)recognition and wars: a conceptual essay.” Global Discourse. 4 (4): 483–496. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23269995.2014.926734.
On codes for structured bursts

We introduce a technique for constructing codes for bursts of errors that have some known structure; for example bursts of length at most b and Hamming weight at most t. This technique is based on modifying existing codes for generic bursts by replacing a portion of their check matrix with a more efficient one, in light of the additional constraints on the burst. We illustrate this procedure by modifying the Fire, Burton and Gilbert codes to address bursts with maximum Hamming weight, bursts with solid errors, or bursts with internal “mini-bursts”. We provide evidence that the redundancy of the codes we construct can be very good through examples, one of which is optimal within the class of cyclic codes.
Afferent sources of substance P in the C1 area of the rat rostral ventrolateral medulla

Abstract To examine the potential extrinsic sources of substance P (SP)-containing terminals in the Cl area of the RVL, immunoperoxidase localization of SP was combined with retrograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP). In all cases examined, several neurons containing SP and WGA-HRP were found in the nucleus raphe pallidus and a few dual labeled neurons were found in the nucleus of the solitary tract and the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. In some cases, one or two double labeled neurons were detected in the lateral hypothalamic area and nucleus raphe obscures. The results demonstrate that although several brain structures contribute SP afferents to the RVL, the nucleus raphe pallidus is the major extrinsic source.
Silylene additions to cyclopentadiene and 1,3-cyclohexadiene. Evidence for the addition mechanism

Abstract Additions of SiH2, SiCl2 and Si(CH3)2 to cyclopentadiene and of Si(CH3)2 to 1,3-cyclohexadiene were carried out by copyrolysis of an appropriate disilane and the diene. All observed products are believed due to 1,2-addition of silylenes forming bicyclic vinylsilacyclopropane derivatives which undergo non-concerted rearrangements.
Discrete Berth-Scheduling Problem: Toward a Unified Mathematical Formulation

The problem of discrete space berth scheduling arises in seaside operations at marine container terminals. This complex problem receives ongoing attention from the research community because operators of marine container terminals deal with it on a daily basis. Despite this interest, most published research does not adequately capture the objectives and restrictions facing terminal operators in the berth-scheduling process. A new mathematical formulation is presented for the discrete space berth-scheduling problem that attempts to capture most of the terminal operators' objectives and move closer to a unified mathematical formulation for the problem. The proposed formulation subsumes the majority of the published berth-scheduling model formulations with a significant reduction in the feasible solution space while retaining linearity of both the objective function and the constraints.
The exact critical field for ring exchange Hamiltonians in 3He

Abstract Mean Field Theory gives the exact critical field (Hc) at zero temperature for the transition from the spin-flop to the completely polarized (ferromagnetic) state for the nearest neighbor antiferromagnetic Hamiltonian. This result is extended to Hamiltonians of interest in the theory of magnetism in solid 3He. The lower bound for Hc from Mean Field Theory and the upper bound for Hc from the Anderson cluster method are equal for many axially symmetric Hamiltonians. This equality is proved for: i) the Heisenberg spin 1 2 antiferromagnet on sq and bcc lattices with first and second neighbor interaction; ii) the bcc spin 1 2 Hamiltonian with cyclic exchange of 2, 3 and 4 spins. This observation allows measurement of a different linear combination of the exchange constants than the Curie Weiss constant, θw.
Romancing the Body Politic: Du Bois's Propaganda of the Dark World:

Although best known for his work as a sociologist, historian, and editor, W.E.B. Du Bois also authored numerous works of fiction and poetry. Despite their dismissal by critics as not much more than failed experiments that test the boundary separating poetry and prose, this article suggests that Du Bois's acts of creative composition are driven by his desire to exert critical force as part of his contribution to the effort of studying "Negro problems." Du Bois's creative writing can be understood as recapitulations of his enterprise as a social scientist and as an attempt to dramatize the workings of the American body politic. As social scientist, Du Bois manifests a vision of what his training allowed him to assert through organized, scientific study. However, as creative writer, Du Bois mediates this project by positing the need for heroic action in issues of gender and sexuality and presents a way to think about African American representations of masculinity in the twentieth century.
Endogenous TRPC1, TRPC3, and TRPC7 Proteins Combine to Form Native Store-operated Channels in HEK-293 Cells

Endogenously expressed canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) homologs were investigated for their role in forming store-operated, 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol-stimulated, or carbachol (CCh)-stimulated calcium entry pathways in HEK-293 cells. Measurement of thapsigargin-stimulated Ba2+ entry indicated that the individual suppression of TRPC1, TRPC3, or TRPC7 protein levels, by small interfering RNA (siRNA) techniques, dramatically inhibited (52–68%) store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), whereas suppression of TRPC4 or TRPC6 had no effect. Combined suppression of TRPC1-TRPC3, TRPC1-TRPC7, TRPC3-TRPC7, or TRPC1-TRPC3-TRPC7 gave only slightly more inhibition of SOCE (74–78%) than seen with suppression of TRPC1 alone (68%), suggesting that these three TRPC homologs work in tandem to mediate a large component of SOCE. Evidence from co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicates that a TRPC1-TRPC3-TRPC7 complex, predicted from siRNA results, does exist. The suppression of either TRPC3 or TRPC7, but not TRPC1, induced a high Ba2+ leak flux that was inhibited by 2-APB and SKF96365, suggesting that the influx is via leaky store-operated channels. The high Ba2+ leak flux is eliminated by co-suppression of TRPC1-TRPC3 or TRPC1-TRPC7. For 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol-stimulated cells, siRNA data indicate that TRPC1 plays no role in mediating Ba2+ entry, which appears to be mediated by the participation of TRPC3, TRPC4, TRPC6, and TRPC7. CCh-stimulated Ba2+ entry, on the other hand, could be inhibited by suppression of any of the five endogenously expressed TRPC homologs, with the degree of inhibition being consistent with CCh stimulation of both store-operated and receptor-operated channels. In summary, endogenous TRPC1, TRPC3, and TRPC7 participate in forming heteromeric store-operated channels, whereas TRPC3 and TRPC7 can also participate in forming heteromeric receptor-operated channels.
Preparation of Bi Nanowires from the Reaction between Ammonia and Bi1.7V8O16

This paper details the synthesis of bismuth wires from the reaction of Bi1.7V8O16 and ammonia gas at 450 °C. The Bi wires are extruded from polycrystalline pellets of Bi1.7V8O16 and can grow to be almost a centimeter in length with diameters between 10 nm and 20 μm. X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and differential thermal analysis measurements confirm that the extruded wires are metallic bismuth.
Back stresses in single-phase, low stacking fault energy alloys

Rajan (1983) has pointed out that stacking fault intersections in fcc alloys with a very low stacking fault energy (SFE) can act as major impediments to dislocation motion. The employed arguments were based on modeling the stacking fault intersections as stair rod dipoles. In the present investigation these concepts are applied to conduct an examination of the nature of back stresses in work hardening. An experimental estimate of the back stress is obtained on the basis of a measurement of the Bauschinger effect in a Co-Cr-Mo alloy. Based on earlier transmission electron microscopy observations, dislocation pileups at stacking fault intersections are identified as major sources of the back stresses producing the measured Bauschinger effect in this single phase alloy. 14 references.
Entrance of mRNA into HeLa cell cytoplasm in puromycin-treated cells

It has been shown that mRNA continues to enter the HeLa cell cytoplasm in puromycin-treated cells, although newly formed ribosomes do not. It has also been shown that mRNA in normal and puromycin-treated cells either enters the cytoplasm attached to ribosomal particles or immediately becomes attached.
Effect of Communication Medium on Virtual Design Teams' Workload

The movement toward distributed collaborative work groups or virtual teams by organizations has initiated a myriad of questions specific to human factors research. Distributed team members, linked through technological interfaces, may vary in location, discipline, company loyalties, and culture. While virtual teams are necessary in this environment of time compression, distributed resources, increasing dependence on knowledge-based input, and the integration of information and telecommunication technologies, there is an increasing need to understand factors influencing distributed work group performance. Communication research has demonstrated that as communication signals are narrowed by medium restraints, the communication process changes and group members adopt new communication strategies. This study hypothesized that a group's mental workload would increase as the communication bandwidth was constrained. Results show that audio and video groups did not perceive significantly different overall workloa...
Emotionality and conditioned avoidance responding in the squirrel monkey following septal injury

There were no observable postoperative increases in emotional reactivity of squirrel monkeys sustaining bilateral lesions of the septal area. Septal lesions, however, signicantly enhanced the acquisition of two-way conditioned shock-avoidance responding (CAR) to a performance criterion of eight avoidances in a block of 10 consecutive trials.
Leptin expression affects metabolic rate in zebrafish embryos (D. rerio).

We used antisense morpholino oligonucleotide technology to knockdown leptin-(A) gene expression in developing zebrafish embryos and measured its effects on metabolic rate and cardiovascular function. Using two indicators of metabolic rate, oxygen consumption was significantly lower in leptin morphants early in development ( 48 hpf). Oxygen utilization rates in <48 hpf embryos and acid production in 72 hpf embryos could be rescued to that of wildtype embryos by recombinant leptin coinjected with antisense morpholino. Leptin is established to influence metabolic rate in mammals, and these data suggest leptin signaling also influences metabolic rate in fishes.
The role of transcortin in glucocorticoid mediated enzyme induction: Tyrosine aminotransferase induction in hepatoma tissue culture cells

Abstract Transcortin from rats selectively binds cortisol but not the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Both steroids are potent inducers of the enzyme tyrosine aminotransferase in hepatoma tissue culture cells in vitro under serum free conditions. Transcortin is shown to block selectively enzyme induction by cortisol but not dexamethasone. The inhibitory effect of added transcortin can be abolished by adding sufficient cortisol to overwhelm the transcortin binding capacity. It is also shown that transcortin can inhibit the entry of radiolabelled cortisol, but not dexamethasone, into hepatoma cells in vitro . This probably is the mechanism which inhibits enzyme induction by cortisol. In addition a rapid and reproducible technique for estimating transcortin binding capacity is described.
Dry period plane of energy: Effects on feed intake, energy balance, milk production, and composition in transition dairy cows

The objective was to investigate the effect of different dry cow feeding strategies on the degree of ketonemia postpartum. Epidemiologic studies provide evidence of an association between elevated β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations in postpartum dairy cows and a decreased risk for reproductive success as well as increased risk for several diseases in early lactation, such as displacement of the abomasum and metritis. The plane of energy fed to cows in the prepartum period has been shown to influence ketogenesis and the degree of negative energy balance postpartum. Our hypothesis was that a high-fiber, controlled-energy diet (C) fed during the dry period would lead to a lower degree of hyperketonemia in the first weeks postpartum compared with either a high-energy diet (H), or a diet where an intermediate level of energy would only be fed in the close-up period (starting at 28d before expected parturition), following the same controlled-energy diet in the far-off period. Hyperketonemia in this study was defined as a blood BHBA concentration of ≥1.2mmol/L. Holstein cows (n=84) entering parity 2 or greater were enrolled using a randomized block design and housed in individual tiestalls. All treatment diets were fed for ad libitum intake and contained monensin. Cows received the same fresh cow ration after calving. Blood samples were obtained 3 times weekly before and after calving and analyzed for BHBA and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). Milk components, production, and dry matter intake were recorded and energy balance was calculated. Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted for the outcomes dry matter intake, energy balance, BHBA and NEFA concentrations, milk and energy-corrected milk yield, as well as milk composition. Predicted energy balance tended to be less negative postpartum in group C and cows in this group had fewer episodes of hyperketonemia compared with both the intermediate group and group H in the first 3 wk after calving. Postpartum BHBA and NEFA concentrations over time were highest in group H and lowest in group C, whereas milk production was not affected by prepartum plane of energy. Analysis of milk fatty acid composition showed a higher yield of preformed fatty acids in group H compared with group C, suggesting higher lipid mobilization for cows fed H. In this study, a 1-group, controlled-energy dry period approach decreased the degree of negative energy balance as well as the number of episodes and degree of hyperketonemia postpartum.
Forest Expansion in Northwest Costa Rica: Conjuncture of the Global Market, Land-Use Intensification, and Forest Protection

Though widely documented in developed countries, understanding of how and whether forest transitions occur in the developing world is limited. This research entails a spatially explicit, remote sensing based analysis of land cover conversion trends in northwest Costa Rica to explore the mechanisms driving the observed forest expansion. I assess the physical and socioeconomic landscape setting for dominant conversion patterns in light of broader conservation and development initiatives, along with relevant economic trends, in order to propose a conceptual model accounting for forest expansion. Results demonstrate that conversion processes are interrelated and characterized by unique landscape niches. Agricultural intensification occurred in lowland areas, facilitating reforestation of marginal grasslands in upland areas. Protected area establishment facilitated forest recovery. Yet forest conservation and regeneration were significant on private property as well due to the conjuncture of declining beef prices, agricultural intensification and revised forestry policies. Elements of this study provide support for aspects of the classic explanations for forest transitions while highlighting the limitations of forest transition theory to account for observed reforestation trends.
Spontaneous Assembly of Magnetic Microspheres

The ability to assemble materials organized over different length scales is an important goal in the development of new functional materials. In particular, actualizing the potential of emerging nanomaterials often requires their arrangement into larger assemblies, while preserving the constituents’ functionalities. Such systems in the form of microspheres have conventionally been fabricated using sacrificial templates and surfactants for their assembly, or else by the use of organic solvents. [1–7] Complex coacervation is a natural phenomenon that presents new opportunities for single-step syntheses of hybrid materials that are composed from predefined nanoscale objects, and can be defined as a spontaneous aqueous phase separation, in which liquidlike microspheres are produced from oppositely charged chemical entities. [8] In this study, a novel approach to prepare magnetically loaded hybrid coacervates, without a preformed template or surfactant, is reported. However, not much is known about the molecular mechanisms that control the interaction between the polycations and functionalized nanoparticles for the assembly and growth of hybrid coacervates. In this study, we disentangle these interactions by identifying the factors that affect the formation of self-assembled hybrid coacervates. Our findings enable us to design bioinspired biocompatible hybrid composites that may contribute significantly to the future design and fabrication of bioinspired advanced functional materials. Several encapsulating microsphere systems have been discovered, including micelles, liposomes, and hollow capsules made using layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition over a sacrificial core. [2,9,10] Uniform inorganic and hybrid inorganic–organic hollow microspheres have been produced by coating colloidal core templates with alternating layers of oppositely charged nanoparticles and polymer. Core removal is typically brought about by heat or chemical treatment. The stable multilayers are formed by successive deposition of nanoparticles and polymer onto the colloidal templates and based on the electrostatic attraction between the particles and polymer for LBL build-up. [11]
Drosophila fragile X mental retardation protein developmentally regulates activity-dependent axon pruning.

Fragile X Syndrome (FraX) is a broad-spectrum neurological disorder with symptoms ranging from hyperexcitability to mental retardation and autism. Loss of the fragile X mental retardation 1 ( fmr1 ) gene product, the mRNA-binding translational regulator FMRP, causes structural over-elaboration of dendritic and axonal processes, as well as functional alterations in synaptic plasticity at maturity. It is unclear, however, whether FraX is primarily a disease of development, a disease of plasticity or both: a distinction that is vital for engineering intervention strategies. To address this crucial issue, we have used the Drosophila FraX model to investigate the developmental function of Drosophila FMRP (dFMRP). dFMRP expression and regulation of chickadee / profilin coincides with a transient window of late brain development. During this time, dFMRP is positively regulated by sensory input activity, and is required to limit axon growth and for efficient activity-dependent pruning of axon branches in the Mushroom Body learning/memory center. These results demonstrate that dFMRP has a primary role in activity-dependent neural circuit refinement during late brain development.
A tractable Walsh analysis of SAT and its implications for genetic algorithms

Walsh Transforms measure all sources of nonlinear interactions for functions that have a bit representation. There can be exponentially many nonlinear interactions and exactly computing all Walsh coefficients is usually intractable for non-trivial functions. In this paper we will show that SAT problems evaluated as MAXSAT functions have a highly restricted set of nonzero Walsh coefficients and those coefficients can be computed in linear time with respect to the number of clauses. This analysis suggests why standard simple genetic algorithms should perform poorly on MAXSAT problems.
Product yields and kinetics from the vapor phase cracking of wood pyrolysis tars

The homogeneous vapor phase cracking of newly formed wood pyrolysis tar was studied at low molar concentrations as a function of temperature (773 - 1.073 K), at residence times of 0.9 - 2.2 s. Tar conversions ranged from about 5 to 88%. The tars were generated by low heating rate (0.2 K/s) pyrolysis of --2 cm deep beds of sweet gum hardwood, and then rapidly conveyed to an adjacent reactor for controlled thermal treatment. Quantitative yields and kinetics were obtained for tar cracking and resulting product formation. The major tar conversion product was carbon monoxide, which accounted for over two-thirds of the tar lost at high severities. Corresponding ethylene and methane yields were each about 10% of the converted tar. Coke formation was negligible and weight-average tar molecular weight declined with increasing tar conversion.
RECONCILING PROCESSING DYNAMICS AND PERSONALITY DISPOSITIONS

▪ Abstract Developments in personality-social psychology, in social cognition, and in cognitive neuroscience have led to an emerging conception of personality dynamics and dispositions that builds on diverse contributions from the past three decades. Recent findings demonstrating a previously neglected but basic type of personality stability allow a reconceptualization of classic issues in personality and social psychology. It reconstrues the nature and role of situations and links contextually sensitive processing dynamics to stable dispositions. It thus facilitates the reconciliation within a unitary framework of dispositional (trait) and processing (social cognitive–affective–dynamic) approaches that have long been separated. Given their history, however, the realization of this promise remains to be seen.
Molecular differentiation of the Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) species complex (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) associated with olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in Africa

The genus Psyttalia (Braconidae: Opiinae) contains several species being used or considered for use in the biological control of various fruit-infesting tephritid pests, most notably olive fly, Bactrocera oleae and Medfly, Ceratitis capitata. There is continued interest in obtaining more effective tephritid parasitoids, and much attention has focused on one particular group of closely related species from subsaharan Africa, the P. concolor species complex. However, considerable confusion surrounds the identity of members of this complex because they are difficult to differentiate morphologically. We provide information on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers that may be used for separation of various populations. Phylogenetic analyses using sequence data from 28sD2 and COI gene regions illustrate relationships among 10 identifiable groups of Psyttalia populations, and we subsequently discuss (and assign) available species names for these populations. The name Psyttalia humilis (Silvestri) is available for subsaharan populations that are morphologically similar to Psyttalia concolor, the name applicable to populations from the Mediterranean region. Our findings are further discussed in relation to the potential use of several populations in biological control efforts against olive fly in California.
Comparing State- Versus Facility-Level Effects on Crowding in U.S. Correctional Facilities

The literature on prison crowding underscores the potential importance of both state- and facility-level effects on crowding, although empirical research has not assessed these relative effects because of the sole focus on states as units of analysis. This article describes findings from bi-level analyses of crowding across 459 state-operated facilities in 45 states. Findings from cross-sectional models of prison crowding in 1995 and 2000, measured as a ratio of a facility's inmate population to its design capacity, revealed significant differences in levels of crowding based on costs, types of inmates held, and court orders (at the facility level), as well as sentencing policies and the annual number of drug arrests (at the state level). A longitudinal analysis also revealed that differences in crowding levels between 1995 and 2000 coincided with changes in whether facilities increased their design capacity and with rising costs of incarceration. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Reexamining Spatial Ability within a Piagetian Framework.

The goal of this study was to identify and examine results of Piagetian spatial research studies. For inclusion in this review, the studies had to (a) entail individual clinical interviews, (b) involve the manipulation of objects and explanation of answers by subjects, (c) offer written protocols and scoring criteria, and (d) provide documentation of male and female results. Involving over 7,600 individualized clinical interviews, the primary problem focused on whether gender differences existed in Piagetian spatial assessments and, if so, discussion of the significance and implications of the differences. Twenty-three studies assessing for 22 topologic, Euclidean, and projective spatial structures were reviewed and total male and female results compiled. A chi-square test for two independent samples showed that the majority of performance assessments did not demonstrate a significant difference between males and females. Males significantly outperformed females on 8 of the 22 spatial structure tasks. However, as with other gender studies, similarities between male and female performances far outweighed any differences. The clinical interview results provide evidence to support the overall poor spatial ability of both males and females. Educational practices designated to improve spatial abilities should not be a female-only endeavor. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Engineering cell-material interfaces for long-term expansion of human pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract Cost-effective and scalable synthetic matrices that support long-term expansion of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have many applications, ranging from drug screening platforms to regenerative medicine. Here, we report the development of a hydrogel-based matrix containing synthetic heparin-mimicking moieties that supports the long-term expansion of hPSCs (≥20 passages) in a chemically defined medium. HPSCs expanded on this synthetic matrix maintained their characteristic morphology, colony forming ability, karyotypic stability, and differentiation potential. We also used the synthetic matrix as a platform to investigate the effects of various physicochemical properties of the extracellular environment on the adhesion, growth, and self-renewal of hPSCs. The observed cellular responses can be explained in terms of matrix interface-mediated binding of extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, and other cell-secreted factors, which create an instructive microenvironment to support self-renewal of hPSCs. These synthetic matrices, which comprise of “off-the-shelf” components and are easy to synthesize, provide an ideal tool to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that control stem cell fate.
Are California's Large Employers Moving To Catastrophic Health Insurance Coverage?

ABSTRACT: Large employers in California are experimenting with new health benefit and insurance options as premium rates continue to escalate. This study examines the offer and penetration rates of...
SELECTIVE DNA SYNTHESIS BY CELLS SPECIFICALLY LOCALIZING IN RESPONSE TO XENOGENEIC ERYTHROCYTES

The present studies have shown that cells capable of specific localization in response to challenge with CRBC or SRBC synthesize DNA very rapidly during the period from 2–5 days (peak 3 days) post primary immunization. This has been done by incubating the antigenically stimulated lymphoid cells with [3H] or [14C]thymidine in vitro for 45 min before adoptive transfer to syngeneic recipients. Specifically localizing cells (SLC) labeled in this way may ultimately account for up to 50% of the 3H or 14C present in a set of specifically challenged lymph nodes 3 days later. The data presented are consistent with the hypothesis that SLC numerically constitute only a very small fraction of the total number of recirculating lymphocytes trapped in antigenically stimulated lymph nodes, and that the demonstration of specific localization therefore depends upon selectively labeling these SLC relative to other recirculating cells. Attempts to selectively label the RNA of SLC with the precursor uridine have to date met with only very limited success.
Active Living in the Trucking Sector: Environmental Barriers and Health Promotion Strategies.

Background: As one of the most underserved segments of the U.S. labor force, truck drivers have been associated with a series of morbid conditions intimately linked to their occupational milieux, their mostly unhealthful nutritional intake and sedentary lifestyles, and their resulting excess weight-gain. Methods: This paper reports data from a baseline assessment of 25 trucking work settings located around interstate highways I-40 and I-85 in North Carolina. It examines how the environmental attributes of these work settings influence the physical and recreational activity behaviors of truckers, compares findings with those from other occupational environments, and brings to the fore a new health promotion paradigm for trucking worksites. Results: Findings support growing empirical and anecdotal evidence that trucking work settings remain not only active-living deserts, but overall unhealthful places. A scan of physical, social, and information environments within trucking worksites as well as physical environments of surrounding communities reveal only meager opportunities for physical and recreational activity for truckers. Conclusion: This paper places the highly underserved population of truckers firmly within the discourse of worksite health promotion, and calls for comprehensive multistakeholder wellness strategies that address a multitude of risk factors linked to the occupational context.
Analysis of Effective Molecular Diffusion Rates for Verteporfin in Subcutaneous Versus Orthotopic Dunning Prostate Tumors

Photosensitizer biodistribution change inside tissue is one of the dominant factors in photodynamic therapy efficacy. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of a benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD), delivered in verteporfin for injection formulation, have been quantified in the rat Dunning prostate tumor MAT-LyLu model, using both subcutaneous and orthotopic sites. Blood plasma sampling indicated that BPD had a bi-exponential metabolic lifetime in vivo, with the two lifetimes being 9.6 min and 8.3 h. The spatial distributions in the tumor were quantified as a function of distance from the perfused blood vessels, using fluorescence histologic images of the tumor. A fluorescent vascular marker was used to obtain locations and shapes of perfused capillaries at a wavelength of emission different from that of BPD and to allow colocalized images to be acquired of vessel and BPD locations. Using the BPD fluorescence images obtained 15 min after intravenous administration, a forward finite-element solution to the diffusion equation was used to predict the drug distribution by matching the fluorescence intensity images observed microscopically. An inverse solver was used to minimize the root mean square error between the image of simulated diffusion and the experimental image, resulting in estimation of the diffusion coefficient of BPD in the tumor models. Effective diffusion coefficients were 0.88 and 1.59 μm2/s for the subcutaneous and orthotopically grown tumors, respectively, indicating that orthotopic tumors have significantly higher vascular extravasation rates as compared with subcutaneous tumors. This analysis supports the hypothesis that leakage rates of the photosensitizer vary considerably. Thus, although varying the time between injection and optical irradiation may be used to vary the targeting between vascular and less vascular areas, the precise time of treatment will depend on the nature of the permeability of the vasculature in the tissue being treated.
Comparison of Multiple-Dose Regimens of Netilmicin in Patients with Urinary Tract Infections

A clinical trial involving forty hospitalized patients with urinary tract infections was conducted to compare the effectiveness and tolerance of four dosage regimens of netilmicin: 1, 2, 3, and 4 mg/kg administered twice daily for 7 or 8 days. Each of the dosages was effective and the first three were equally well tolerated. At 4 mg/kg there was one case of renal dysfunction possibly related to netilmicin therapy. Serum concentrations of the drug measured 1 hour after injection were dose-related, as were those measured 1 hour before administration; no appreciable accumulation occurred with any of the regimens.
The voice of cancer.

Helping patients "find their voices" may also be referred to as advocacy or empowerment. While the word itself has become overused, the concept of empowerment is central to social work practice and is poignantly relevant to oncology work. In serving people with cancer in ways that best respect their unique voices, this author notes that social workers and nurses can work together for the greater good.
Abstract PD06-09: Sentinel Node Biopsy Versus Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Lymphatic mapping with sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has become a widely used technology for reducing morbidity associated with breast cancer staging despite limited data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A previous review of cohort studies conducted for ASCO guidelines prior to results from RCTs found considerable variation in SNB staging accuracy. (Kim et al, Cancer 2005; Lyman GH et al J Clin Oncol 2005). Early results from several RCTs of SNB have now been reported. Methods: A systematic review of RCTs of SNB for breast cancer staging was conducted utilizing electronic databases. Study eligibility was limited to RCTs comparing SNB alone in SNB negative patients versus axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with or without prior SNB. SNB staging accuracy was assessed in study arms where patients were randomized to immediate ALND. Data abstraction was conducted by two independent reviewers. Rates of axillary, locoregional and all recurrence were evaluated along with all-cause and breast cancer-specific mortality. Heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran9s Q-statistic and the Inconsistency Index (I2). Weighted summary measures of relative risk (RR) and absolute risk difference (ARD) with 95% CIs were estimated using the method of Mantel-Haenszel. Results: Seven eligible RCTs were identified of which six, involving 9,389 patients, reported either SNB performance and/or rates of recurrence and mortality. Eligibility in these studies was restricted to patients with clinically negative nodes with four limiting accrual to tumors Conclusions: The overall false negative rate with SNB greater than 10% and limited follow-up continue to raise concerns. While no increase in risk of recurrence or mortality in low risk patients managed primarily with SNB is evident to date, continued observation in these studies will be important in addition to more specific data on the accuracy and safety of SNB in higher risk patients. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD06-09.
Note on Individual Differences in Human Blood.

1. Previously an agglutinable property of human blood designated as P was described, which could be demonstrated by the use of immune agglutinins from rabbits,1 and it was mentioned2 that reactions of a more or less similar specificity occur with a certain type of irregular human isoagglutinins. Inasmuch as these 2 reagents are not always easily available it seems worth mentioning that similar results can readily be obtained with various absorbed normal animal sera, e. g., those of horses, pigs and rabbits. In horse serum the agglutinins were found rather frequently.2. An anti-dysentery immune serum from a goat was shown by Eisler3 to contain agglutinins for human blood which can be absorbed by dysentery bacilli (Shiga). Using this serum, kindly supplied to us by Eisler, we were able to confirm fully these interesting observations. Furthermore we found that after absorbing the serum with cells of the sub-group A1 the supernatant fluid agglutinated most cells of sub-group A2, O, and probably B, distinctly ...
Crimes occurring at places of worship An analysis of 2012 newspaper reports

Although the subject has received very little systematic research, media reports of crimes occurring on the property of places of worship appear regularly. While the national media often focus on v...