cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of birth order on locus of control

Nine-year-old children were used in examination of the effects of birth order on locus of control. It was found that both the first born and the last born in families of three siblings or more had a more external locus of control than middle-born children. In addition, last-born children were more external in large families. It is probable that failure of previous studies to agree on similar effects was due to differences in the number of siblings for subjects used in the sample.
Amplification of four genes of influenza A viruses using a degenerate primer set in a one step RT-PCR method.

We designed a degenerate primer set that yielded full-length amplification of hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), matrix (M), and non-structural protein (NSP) genes of influenza A viruses in a single reaction mixture. These four genes were amplified from 15 HA (1–15) and 9 NA (1–9) subtypes of influenza A viruses of avian (n = 16) origin. In addition, 272 field isolates of avian origin were tested by this method. Full-length amplification of HA, NA, M, and NSP genes was obtained in 242 (88.9%), 254 (93.4%), 268 (98.5%), and 268 (98.5%) isolates, respectively. No gene was amplified in four isolates. Of these four isolates, two were subtyped as H4N6, one as H7N7, and one as H10N7. Amplification was successful for all 4 genes of H1N1, H2N3, and H3N2 isolates of swine influenza. Also, all four genes were amplified in one equine influenza (H3N8) isolate and seven isolates of human origin (H1N1 and H3N2). This appears to be the first study using degenerate primer set for full-length amplification of four genes of influenza A viruses in a single reaction. Further studies are needed to determine if this primer set can be used for subtyping of influenza virus isolates.
Oxidation behaviour of metallic glass foams

In this study, the effects of porosity on the oxidation behaviour of bulk-metallic glasses were investigated. Porous Pd- and Fe-based bulk-metallic glass (BMG) foams and Metglas ribbons were studied. Oxidizing experiments were conducted at 70°C, and around 80°C below glass-transition temperatures, (T_gS). Scanning-electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) studies revealed little evidence of oxidation at 70°C. Specimens exhibited greater oxidation at T_g - 80°C. Oxides were copper-based for Pd-based foams, Fe-, Cr-, and Mo-based for Fe-based foams, and Co-based with borosilicates likely for the Metglas. Pd-based foams demonstrated the best oxidation resistance, followed by Metglas ribbons, followed by Fe-based foams.
Of termites and men or the politics of Gobineau

Abstract It is well known that the nineteenth-century French writer, Arthur de Gobineau, had a quasi-biological view of history. Consequently, this essay takes as its work hypothesis specific parallels between Gobineau's definition of the laws that govern the destiny of nations and contemporary ethological findings on the relationship of aggression, bonding social hierarchy and survival in some animal societies. Gobineau's writings, focusing specificially on the theme of decentralization, demonstrate his belief that the most viable human societies are those in which individual aggression and social cohesion coexists in an organic balance. Short of this, nations in general and 1870 France in particular have fallen into a pattern of disintegration and despotism which arouses Gobineau's latent anarchism and his hatred of autocratic states and mass democracies. The metaphors used in these works show a descent into lower and lower animal orders, ending with vegetal and mineral images. This shift from organic to inorganic matter and from the biologist's world to the physicist's is representative of Gobineau's overall ‘nominalism,’ that is a resistance to abstraction, generalization and universalism which he has inherited from a largely Aristotelian natural history tradition and which continues to underlie modern ethology. Thus an ethological reading is justified as one that can account for various and, sometimes, seemingly contradictory aspects of his works.
The effect of diet and litter size on the elimination of 2,4,5,2',4',5'-[14C]hexachlorobiphenyl from lactating mice.

It was shown that 2,4,5,2′,4′,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (6-CB) administered to adult female mice accumulated in their nursing offspring more rapidly than a dose administered to weanling mice when treated animals were bred at equivalent ages. This suggested that the PCB was eliminated from the maternal animal relative to its time of sequestration into storage depots. Using a model which more closely approximates conditions during human lactation, the influence of a high-fat diet and decreased litter size on this phenomenon was examined. Female ICR mice were treated with 4 mg/kg [14C]-6-CB as 13-g weanlings (dW) at 3 weeks of age or as adults (dA) at 11 weeks of age. All animals were mated at 11 weeks of age. On Day 1 of pregnancy, mice were placed on a low-fat (11.5% of the total calories) or high-fat (43.8% of total calories) diet. At parturition, litters were adjusted to either two or eight within each diet group. Elimination of maternal 6-CB was determined by assessing radioactivity in offspring carcasses on Day 15 of gestation or Day 1, 3, 5, 10, or 15 postpartum. Consumption of a high-fat diet significantly extended the t12 of elimination of 6-CB from mothers nursing a litter of two in the dW group (low fat = 7.3 days; high fat = 12.4 days) and in both the dW and dA groups nursing litters of eight (dW: low fat = 4.6 days; high fat = 6.8 days; and dA: low fat = 1.8 days; high fat = 3.0 days). Within diet and group, reducing litter size to two also significantly decreased the rate of elimination of 6-CB from maternal animals. 6-CB was eliminated to offspring more rapidly from the dA group when compared to the dW group regardless of diet in animals nursing litters of eight. This relationship was not observed in maternal animals nursing litters of two. In general, exposure to a high-fat diet increased the t12 of elimination of 6-CB from maternal animals. Reducing litter size had a greater influence and also masked the ordered mobilization of 6-CB relative to its time of sequestration. Thus, under experimental conditions which more closely mimic the human situation, 6-CB was eliminated less rapidly in the rodent, and sequential 6-CB doses were equally available to nursing offspring.
Pacing accuracy in collegiate and recreational runners

To examine runners' ability to produce a prescribed pace, we compared prescribed versus actual 400 m splits for collegiate (COL, n = 12) and recreational runners (REC, n = 16). Participants completed a VO(2max) trial and on a 400 m track, three 3,200 m time trials. During three subsequent sessions, participants completed 800 m warm-up; then, based on their fastest 3,200 m steady pace, subjects completed six laps total at three prescribed paces: (a) 2x 400 m at 7% slower than steady pace (SLO), (b) 2x 400 m at steady pace (AT) and (c) 2x 400 m at 7% faster than steady pace (FAS). Instructions were to complete the sets of two laps in prescribed times (e.g., 75 s per 400 m) (no feedback). Deviation scores (absolute value of difference: prescribed vs. actual time) (s) for each 400 m lap were compared using a 2 (group) x 3 (trial) repeated measures ANOVA. Main effects for deviations among trials SLO (7.3 +/- 6.5), AT (6.6 +/- 6.9) and FAS (6.2 +/- 5.7) were not significantly different (p > 0.05). However, group main effect for deviation scores was significantly (p < 0.05) lower (greater accuracy) for COL (2.9 +/- 3.2 s) versus REC (9.5 +/- 6.6 s). Deviation scores were also significantly different (p < 0.05) for SLO (COL: 3.1 +/- 2.7 s, REC: 10.4 +/- 6.7 s) and AT (COL: 1.9 +/- 1.9 s, REC: 10.1 +/- 7.2 s), with a trend for FAS (p = 0.06) (COL: 3.8 +/- 4.3 s, REC: 7.9 +/- 6.1 s). Bland-Altman plots showed better agreement (prescribed vs. actual) for COL. Experience and fitness of collegiate runners resulted in improved pacing accuracy.
Analysis of triacylglycerols and whole oils by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry

Since the introduction of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry the majority of research has focused on developing analytical methods for the qualitative determination of water soluble biomolecules such as proteins, peptides, carbohydrates, and oligonucleotides. This paper, however, reports the use of MALDI for the analysis of triacylglycerols and develops a new sample preparation method for nonpolar analytes. MALDI enables the rapid analyses of triacylglycerol (TAG) standards and mixtures of whole oils. The new method provides excellent shot to shot reproducibility, making quantification possible. Detection limits were in the mid femtomole range and the resolution was around 2000 which easily separated TAGs differing by one double bond. Sensitivity decreased with increasing molecular weight, causing biased results when analyzing complex mixtures with a significant range of molecular weight. In all cases only sodiated molecules and prompt losses of a fatty acid sodium salt were observed in the spectra. From this information it was possible to identify the three fatty acids on the glycerol backbone. Collision-induced dissociation was carried out on a triacylglycerol which proved to be useful for additional structural information, including the corroboration of the fatty acid components. With MALDI the percent compositions of TAGs in a standard olive oil was accurately determined. Finally, MALDI was used to examine the differences in lipid components between aged and fresh onion seeds, showing the potential of the technique for observing changes in lipid components in seeds.
Education, Ability, and Civic Engagement in the Contemporary United States ☆

Abstract Participation in civic activities is widely recognized as the necessary foundation for any democratic government. Education has long been identified as a key determining factor of such civic engagement. Occasionally, this traditional finding has been called into question. Some scholars have hypothesized, while others firmly asserted, that cognitive ability fills the role usually attributed to education. This hypothesis implies that intelligence determines participation and, consequently, good citizenship. Thus, an inquiry into the relationships among education, cognitive ability, and civic participation raises important questions about citizenship in a democracy. By examining data from the 1976 American National Election Study (ANES), the 1974–1990 General Social Surveys (GSS), and the 1957–1975 Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS), I test the hypothesis that education is only a proxy for cognitive ability. I find that analysis using the ANES, which includes a very poor ability measure, produces inconclusive evidence. Yet analysis of data that include better measures of ability, the GSS and the WLS, rejects this hypothesis. In conclusion, the assertion of ability's dominance in determining civic participation is empirically untenable.
Molecular imaging of pulmonary gene expression with positron emission tomography.

Gene expression imaging is one form of molecular imaging used to visualize, characterize, and quantify, spatially and temporally, normal as well as pathologic processes at cellular and subcellular levels within intact living organisms. Most studies to date have employed positron emission tomography as the imaging platform to detect, monitor, and quantify gene expression in the lungs. These studies have shown that imaging can be used to determine the onset and duration of transgene expression, the effectiveness of different gene delivery systems, and the linearity of vector dose–response relationships. This rapidly developing field can be expected to provide useful new tools with which to study gene expression in transgenic animals and in humans during gene therapy.
Defective T cell receptor signaling in mice lacking the thymic isoform of p59fyn

Considerable evidence supports the hypothesis that the nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase p59fyn participates in signal transduction from the T cell receptor (TCR). To examine this hypothesis in detail, we have produced mice that lack the thymic isoform of p59fyn but retain expression of the brain isoform of the protein. fynTnull mice exhibit a remarkably specific lymphoid defect: thymocytes are refractile to stimulation through the TCR with mitogen or antigen, while peripheral T cells, following what appears to be a normal maturation sequence, reacquire significant signaling capabilities. These data confirm that p59fynT plays a pivotal role in TCR signal transduction and demonstrate that additional developmentally regulated signaling components also contribute to TCR-induced lymphocyte activation.
Altering First Impressions After Facial Plastic Surgery

Background: First impressions are greatly influenced by facial appearance. Clinical data from psychiatric medicine overwhelming indicate that attractive individuals receive better judgment, treatment and behavior [1,2,10]. This study aimed to determine whether cosmetic alteration of facial features projects a better first impression. Methods: Random reviewers were asked independently to grade standardized preoperative and postoperative photographs of patients who underwent facial plastic surgery. The reviewers were blinded to the pre- or postoperative status of the photograph. The questions posed to the reviewers were based on first-impression studies used in the past. Results: The findings indicate that postoperative cosmetic surgery patients were graded as 31% more attractive, 27% better in social skills, 22% more successful in dating, 19% better in athletic skills, 15% better in relationship skills, and 13% more financially successful. Conclusions: Facial cosmetic surgery can improve the first impression an individual creates.
An efficient method to compute microlensed light curves for point sources

We present a method to compute microlensed light curves for point sources. This method has the general advantage that all microimages contributing to the light curve are found. While a source moves along a straight line, all micro images are located either on the primary image track or on the secondary image tracks (loops). The primary image track extends from - infinity to + infinity and is made of many sequents which are continuously connected. All the secondary image tracks (loops) begin and end on the lensing point masses. The method can be applied to any microlensing situation with point masses in the deflector plane, even for the overcritical case and surface densities close to the critical. Furthermore, we present general rules to evaluate the light curve for a straight track arbitrary placed in the caustic network of a sample of many point masses.
B Cells Turn Off Virgin But Not Memory T Cells

There are three possible outcomes when a T cell recognizes a cell bearing a self or foreign antigen. (i) The T cell is not sufficiently signaled and is unaffected. (ii) The T cell is activated. (iii) The T cell is turned off. The differentiation state of the T cell is critical to the outcome. Although both virgin and memory T cells can be activated by antigens presented by "professional" antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells, they differ in their responses to B cells. Experienced T cells respond to antigen presented by B cells, whereas virgin T cells are rendered tolerant. These findings may relate to the phenomena of low- and high-zone tolerance, neonatal tolerance, and the beneficial effect of blood transfusions on allograft survival.
Referential Doyle-Ericksen formulae for the Eshelby tensor in non-linear elasticity

This article introduces referential Doyle-Ericksen formulae for the various Eshelby tensors in the context of the covariant theory of non-linear elasticity. In light of these formulae, reciprocal equilibrium equations involving stress and energy-momentum are discussed for material bodies embedded in smooth manifolds.
Postrecession Drivers of Preferences for Homeownership

The analysis presented in this article finds little evidence to suggest that individuals' preferences for owning versus renting a home have been affected by their exposure to recent house price declines and loan delinquency rates, or by knowing others in their neighborhood who have defaulted on their mortgages. Instead, this analysis finds individual characteristics, particularly current housing tenure, to be the strongest predictors of postrecession demand for homeownership.
Sonographic Evaluation and Detection of Pediatric Hematometrocolpos

Hematometrocolpos is the presence of blood in the uterus and vagina and is a rare gynecologic pathology in pediatric patients. Often, symptoms of hematometrocolpos are mild and not diagnosed until ...
Abstract 2435: Novel regulators of renal cancer metabolism

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is among the 10 most common malignancies in the U.S. Clear cell RCC (ccRCC) is the most common histology. Recent analysis of ccRCC by the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) demonstrates the reduced mRNA expression of several enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Moreover, reduced TCA enzymes expression is associated with worse prognosis. These data indicate a transcriptional program that promotes a bioenergetic shift. These studies prompted us to examine transcription factors that are known regulators of mitochondrial metabolism including the estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) coactivators 1 (PGC-1s). Interestingly, mRNA analysis of RCC tissues and cell lines demonstrates the reduced expression of ERRγ and PGC-1α. Notably, prior analysis demonstrates putative ERR binding sites in the promoters of FH and MDH2, two genes encoding TCA enzymes with reduced expression in ccRCC. Promoter analysis of these genes with a luciferase reporter assay demonstrates that ERRγ and PGC-1α cooperate to regulate the expression of TCA enzymes indicating that reduced expression of these factors promotes reduced TCA enzyme expression in RCC. Citation Format: EunYoung Kho, Richard Kirkman, Eun-Hee Shim, Arindam Goash, Sunil Sudarshan. Novel regulators of renal cancer metabolism. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2435. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2435
Observations on the structural degradation of silver during simultaneous exposure to oxidizing and reducing environments

The structural stability of silver (Ag) in dual atmosphere exposure conditions, which are representative of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) current collector and gas seals, has been examined in the 600–800 °C temperature range. Experiments conducted on Ag tubular sections exposed to flowing H2-3% H2O (inside the tube) and air (outside the tube) showed extensive porosity formation along the grain boundaries in the bulk metal. Similar tubular sections, when exposed to air only (both inside and outside the tube), showed no bulk porosity or structural changes. It is postulated that the porosity formation in the bulk metal is related to the formation of gaseous H2O bubbles due to simultaneous diffusion of hydrogen and oxygen followed by subsequent interaction resulting in the formation of steam. Thermochemical processes that are responsible for structural degradation are presented and discussed. Based on experimental observations, it is concluded that Ag metal may not provide adequate long-term structural stability under a dual-environment condition that is typical of interconnects or gas seals in intermediate temperature SOFCs.
Expression of p75NTR in fetal brain and medulloblastomas: evidence of a precursor cell marker and its persistence in neoplasia

p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, and plays a significant role in nervous system development. p75NTR has a dual (proliferative/apoptotic) role in neurogenesis and binds pro-neurotrophins with high affinity. Recent work suggests p75NTR is overexpressed in the developing cerebellum and in nodular/desmoplastic medulloblastomas. We analyzed p75NTR expression in various parts of the fetal and adult human central nervous system, and in 75 patients with medulloblastomas. The expression of p75NTR in the fetal brain was seen solely within the external granular layer with weaker expression in the Purkinje layer, which most likely represents Purkinje cell staining. The staining was present in gestational weeks 20–40, while no staining was identified elsewhere in the fetal brain or within the adult cerebellum. p75NTR positive cells were also positive with the proliferation marker ki-67, but were negative for ret, reelin, CD133, CD34, and cleaved caspase 3. Nine of 75 medulloblastomas (12%) were also showed positive immunostaining for p75NTR. The staining was seen in four classic, two desmoplastic, and three anaplastic medulloblastomas. The persistence of p75NTR in a small group of medulloblastomas raises the possibility that in such tumors, the receptor could be a potential therapeutic target.
Nanosecond‐scale time‐resolved electron imaging during laser crystallization of GeTe

Laser crystallization of amorphous phase change materials (PCMs) occurs on the nanosecond scale, during which it is challenging to probe the details of microstructural development experimentally. In this study, in situ laser-induced crystallization of amorphous GeTe thin films was imaged with transmission electron microscopy with 15-ns time resolution. These data provide insight into the crystallization process of PCMs during laser crystallization. The initial results allow us to begin to develop a detailed picture of the crystallization process when high spatial and temporal temperature gradients exist. Differences in the nucleation rate may be distinguished within the laser-affected area and changes in the microstructure before crystallization suggest the occurrence of melting of the amorphous phase at the laser energy used. The amorphous melting temperature is estimated based on the thermodynamic data available.
Abstract B70: Participation of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) in acquired resistance to EGFR-specific TKIs in NSCLC.

Despite initial and often dramatic responses of specific NSCLC tumors to EGFR TKIs such as gefitinib and erlotinib, nearly all develop resistance and eventually relapse. We have investigated both rapid and chronic mechanisms of resistance to EGFR-specific TKIs in lung cancer cell lines. Following 3 to 4 day treatments with gefitinib, FGFR2 and FGFR3 mRNA and protein are selectively and rapidly (24 to 48 hrs) increased in NSCLC cell lines in which EGFR is the dominant oncogenic driver via mutation or amplification. This induction is mediated, in part, by transcriptional mechanisms and indicates that EGFR signaling functions to repress expression of FGFR2 and FGFR3. Moreover, EGFR TKI-induced FGFR2 and FGFR3 are capable of mediating FGF-stimulated ERK activation and transformed growth in the continued presence of EGFR TKIs. These studies highlight FGFR2 and FGFR3 induction as a rapid molecular response that may modulate initial sensitivity of EGFR-driven lung tumors to EGFR-specific TKIs. We have also employed NSCLC cell lines bearing activating mutations in EGFR and rendered them resistant to EGFR-specific TKIs, gefitinib (reversible) and BIBW2992 (irreversible), through chronic (2–3 months) adaptation in tissue culture. To date, three (HCC4006, H1650, HCC2279) of the eight chronically-adapted NSCLC cell lines exhibit a marked induction of FGF2 and FGFR1 upon acquisition of gefitinib resistance (Table 1). Additionally, two of eight undergo marked loss of epithelial differentiation as measured by decreased E-cadherin. The induction of FGFR1 was not mediated by gene amplification as assessed by FISH analysis. Importantly, these chronically-adapted cell lines were highly sensitive to both FGFR-specific TKIs and an FGF ligand trap, FP-1039, as measured by ERK signaling and growth assays. Thus, induction of FGF2 and FGFR1 following chronic adaptation to EGFR-specific TKIs may provide a novel autocrine receptor tyrosine kinase-driven growth pathway in a subset of lung tumors that were initially sensitive to EGFR-specific TKIs. We are presently exploring the in vivo relevance of this mechanism using primary tumor specimens obtained pretreatment and following tumor progression on EGFR-specific TKIs. Combined, these studies indicate that FGFR-specific TKIs may be valuable additions to existing targeted therapeutic strategies with EGFR-specific TKIs to reduce acquired resistance. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B70.
Physicians, Thou Shalt Ration: The Necessary Role of Bedside Rationing in Controlling Healthcare Costs

Physicians are often asked to be "gatekeepers," determining their patients' access to medical therapies and technologies. At the same time, most physicians have been taught that they should act as patient advocates, pursuing patients' best interests regardless of cost. This paper reviews moral arguments ethicists have made for and against "bedside rationing." It argues that healthcare rationing is appropriate in order to help control healthcare costs, and that rationing decisions made at the bedside by physicians must be part of the rationing system. A system that attempts to control costs by mandating an elaborate set of rules would be burdensome, and many physicians would find ways
Lost in Space: A Response to “The Spherical Representation of Vocational Interests” by Tracey and Rounds

Abstract Tracey and Rounds’ paper (this issue) on the spherical representation of vocational interests adds prestige to the dimensions usually considered in representing vocational interests. It suggests an important new conception of the structure of vocational interests and introduces a well-constructed measure of interests. The adequacy of their formulation is discussed in terms of the number of dimensions proposed, the shape of the structure actually found as related to the truncation of the prestige dimension, and the number of interest categories used. These have important theoretical and practical implications. Additional research is suggested.
Detection of clonal T-cell receptor gene rearrangements in the peripheral blood of patients with mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome.

Involvement of the peripheral blood in mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome (MF/SS) has a significant impact upon prognosis, but it is often difficult to distinguish circulating cells of MF/SS from atypical reactive lymphocytes. We compared the standard morphologic method of identifying leukemic cells, the Sezary preparation, to a genotypic method using Southern blot analysis of T-cell receptor gene rearangements in concurrent blood samples. We studied 26 MF/SS patients, five of them in remission, together with five controls from cases of various non-MF/SS skin disease. Six 26 MF/SS patients had morphologically atypical circulating leukocytes (3%, 4%, 5%m 14%, 16%, 19%). Seven of 26 MF/SS patients had clonal T-cell receptor gene rearrangements, including the four patients with the greatest percentages of atypical cells and three patients lacking atypical cells. Six of seven patients had skin disease at the time of sampling, including three with erythroderma, two with generalized thick plaques, and one with generalized patches, while one patient was in clinical remission. All five controls lacked morphologic and genotypic evidence of atypical or clonal T-Cells. Relative to genotyping, in our series the Sezary preparation was less sensitive and less specific. There were three apparent false negative results in the Sezary preparations, and two potential false positive (patients with 3% and 4% atypical leukocytes); however, there was agreement between the two techniques in most cases. We conclude that gene rearrangement studies may provide an effective rest with which to assess the peripheral blood of MF/SS patients.
A new algorithm for converting arithmetic expressions

In the early 1950s, the Polish logician Jan Lukasiewicz found that the parentheses in an arithmetic expression are not necessary if the expression is written in a prefix form (later called Polish form). The reverse Polish notation, is known as Postfix expression, can be converted directly from the Polish form. The reverse Polish notation of a arithmetic expression can be executed by a computer which uses it run-time stack. To-day, most compilers for high-level languages provide a set of procedures that translate arithmetic expressions in a program to their postfix form for internal execution of the program the algorithm looks like:
12‐Methoxy‐15‐(1‐pyrrolidino)podocarpa‐8,11,13‐triene‐15‐one

At 93 K, the five-membered pyrrolidine ring of the title compound [systematic name: 6-meth­oxy-1,4a-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,9,10,10a-octahydrophenanthren-1-yl)(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methanone], C22H31NO2, has an envelope geometry with one of the β C atoms at the flap position, displaced by 0.610 (3) A from the plane defined by the other four atoms. There is a weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond involving the carbonyl O atom
Portable Service Management Deployment over Cloud Platforms to Support Production Workloads

With the emergence of public cloud platforms from all the major vendors, adapting cloud platforms to deploy and manage production workloads will become a key requirement for enterprises looking to leverage cloud for optimizing IT budgets. Production workloads require support for critical service management processes. Managed services cloud environments support associated service management practices with relevant tools and processes. Majority of the cloud platforms do not provide these services as part of the offering and the customers are expected to overlay necessary processes and tools required for managing these environments. In this paper, we discuss an approach based on TOSCA to model service management layer deployment and orchestration that is portable across cloud platforms that support TOSCA standards. We also present a sample modeling for deploying monitoring process for provisioned servers leveraging IBM Tivoli technology components.
Structure and function of membrane IL-1.

Abstract Both interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and IL-lβ are initially translated as approximately Mr 30,000 polypeptides, lacking hydrophobic or signal sequence that could facilitate transmembrane translocation and release of mature IL-1 (Mr 17,500). The current study utilizes an antiserum specific for murine IL-1α in order to investigate membrane associated IL-1α polypeptides and possible postsynthetic modifications of the IL-1α precursor, that might account for its intracellular transport. Cell surface iodination of endotoxin stimulated murine macrophages allowed the detection of IL-1 molecules in size similar to the IL-1α precursor (Mr 33,000). Membrane bound IL-1α was sensitive to degradation by serine esterase activity to yield IL-1 peptides of Mr 16,000 to 18,000. Endotoxin stimulated macrophages, but not unstimulated cells, incorporated 32PO4 into the IL-1α precursor. The phosphate label of the IL-1α precursor is resistant to hydroxylamine and alkaline phosphatase treatment. Released IL-1 is not phosphorylated. Approximately 10% of the phosphorylated IL-1α precursor is membrane bound and associated with fractions enriched in lysosomal vesicles. These data are consistent with a model for mIL-1 expression, in which pro IL-1α is post-synthetically modified to achieve intracellular transport and further suggest that mIL-1 may be a prerequisite for the release of IL-1.
Monte Carlo modeling of angiographic optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides both structural and angiographic imaging modes. Because of its unique capabilities, OCT-based angiography has been increasingly adopted into small animal and human subject imaging. To support the development of the signal and image processing algorithms on which OCT-based angiography depends, we describe here a Monte Carlo-based model of the imaging approach. The model supports arbitrary three-dimensional vascular network geometries and incorporates methods to simulate OCT signal temporal decorrelation. With this model, it will be easier to compare the performance of existing and new angiographic signal processing algorithms, and to quantify the accuracy of vascular segmentation algorithms. The quantitative analysis of key algorithms within OCT-based angiography may, in turn, simplify the selection of algorithms in instrument design and accelerate the pace of new algorithm development.
Infinite digraphs isomorphic with their line digraphs

In this paper we give a structural characterization of the digraphs that are isomorphic with their line digraphs.
Imaging the effects of prostaglandin analogues on cultured trabecular meshwork cells by coherent anti-stokes Raman scattering.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to nondestructively monitor morphological changes to the lipid membranes of primary cultures of living human trabecular meshwork cells (hTMC) without the application of exogenous label. METHODS Live hTMC were imaged using two nonlinear optical techniques: coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and two-photon autofluorescence (TPAF). The hTMC were treated with a commercial formulation of latanoprost (0.5 μg/mL) for 24 hours before imaging. Untreated cells and cells treated with vehicle containing the preservative benzalkonium chloride (BAK; 2 μg/mL) were imaged as controls. After CARS/TPAF imaging, hTMC were fixed, stained with the fluorescent lipid dye Nile Red, and imaged by conventional confocal microscopy to verify lipid membrane structures. RESULTS Analysis of CARS/TPAF images of hTMC treated with latanoprost revealed multiple intracellular lipid membranes absent from untreated or BAK-treated hTMC. Treatment of hTMC with sodium fluoride or ouabain, agents shown to cause morphological changes to hTMC, also did not induce formation of intracellular lipid membranes. CONCLUSIONS CARS microscopy detected changes in living hTMC morphology that were validated by subsequent histological stain. Prostaglandin-induced changes to hTMC involved rearrangement of lipid membranes within these cells. These in vitro results identify a novel biological response to a class of antiglaucoma drugs, and further experiments are needed to establish how this effect is involved in the hypotensive action of prostaglandin analogues in vivo.
Segmentation and feature extraction of cervical spine x-ray images

As part of an R&D project in mixed text/image database design, the National Library of Medicine has archived a collection of 17,000 digitized x-ray images of the cervical and lumbar spine which were collected as part of the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II). To make this image data available and usable to a wide audience, we are investigating techniques for indexing the image content by automated or semi-automated means. Indexing of the images by features of interest to researchers in spine disease and structure requires effective segmentation of the vertebral anatomy. This paper describes work in progress toward this segmentation of the cervical spine images into anatomical components of interest, including anatomical landmarks for vertebral location, and segmentation and identification of individual vertebrae. Our work includes developing a reliable method for automatically fixing an anatomy-based coordinate system in the images, and work to adaptively threshold the images, using methods previously applied by researchers in cardioangiography. We describe the motivation for our work and present our current results in both areas.
Central myelin gene expression during postnatal development in rats exposed to nicotine gestationally.

Abstract Abnormal myelin gene expression in the central nervous system (CNS) is associated with many mental illnesses, including psychiatric disorders and drug addiction. We have previously shown that prenatal exposure to nicotine, the major psychoactive component in cigarette smoke, alters myelin gene expression in the CNS of adolescent rats. To examine whether this effect is specific for adolescents, we examined myelin gene expression in the CNS of juveniles and adults. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with nicotine (3 mg/kg/day; GN) or saline (GS) via osmotic mini pumps from gestational days 4–18. Both male and female offspring were sacrificed at postnatal day P20–21 (juveniles), P35–36 (adolescents), or P59–60 (adults). Three limbic brain regions, the prefrontal cortex (PFC), caudate putamen (CPu), and nucleus accumbens (NAc), were dissected. The expression of genes encoding major myelin components was evaluated using quantitative RT-PCR. We found that GN altered myelin gene expression in juveniles with brain region and sex differences. The pattern of alteration was different from that observed in adolescents. Although these genes were expressed normally in male adults, we observed decreased expression in GN-treated female adults, especially in the CPu. Thus, GN altered myelin gene expression throughout postnatal development and adulthood. The effect on adolescents was quite different from that at other ages, which correlated with the unique symptoms of many psychiatric disorders during adolescence.
First-order centrifugal distortion in planar asymmetric molecules

Abstract Specific experssions for the first-order centrifugal distortion energy in planar asymmetric top molecules are given in terms of the four constants τ aaaa , τ bbbb , τ aabb , and τ abab .
Modeling and Characterization of Induction Motor Internal Faults Using Finite-Element and Discrete Wavelet Transforms

This paper examines the behavior of a three-phase induction motors with internal fault conditions under sinusoidal and nonsinusoidal supply voltages. This includes two types of faults, rotor broken bar and stator faults. Early detection and diagnosis of these faults are desirable for condition assessment, maintenance schedule, and improved operational efficiency of induction motors. The terminal behavior of the induction motor was investigated by coupling the induction motor transient finite-element (FE) model and external electric circuit. Such a model would allow the efficient representation of the induction machine with internal faults. A discrete wavelet transform (DWT) was then used to extract the different harmonic components of the stator currents. The key advantages of the DWT are its ability to provide a local representation (in both time and frequency) of the current signal for normal and faulty modes, and its applicability to nonstationary signals
Brain N-acetyl-l-aspartic acid in Alzheimer's disease: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

This study was performed in order to measure changes in brain N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid (NAA) in post-mortem brain tissue in Alzheimer's disease (AD) in comparison to normal control subjects using the technique of magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Brain tissue was obtained at autopsy and frozen until use, from seven patients diagnosed according to current research criteria for AD and 7 control subjects. Detailed clinical evaluations were available for all the dementia cases. Representative brain samples were obtained from three neocortical regions and a limbic region (parahippocampal gyrus) in white and grey matter. NAA was quantified on perchloric acid extracts using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Regional NAA did not vary significantly with age. In AD, reductions were present in the grey matter of the neocortex but not in the white matter. Within the parahippocampal gyrus there were reductions in both tissue types; only cortical levels correlated with clinical scales of dementia severity. A pattern of increasing correlation was observed between dementia severity as measured by the mini mental state examination during life and NAA levels from brain areas of increasing pathological predilection in AD. These post-mortem studies show reductions in brain NAA in AD which correlate with dementia severity during life and which support the use of future in vivo NAA spectroscopic images in the evaluation of AD patients.
The numerical calculation of two-dimensional rough surface scattering by the conjugate gradient method

Abstract Numerical simulation studies have been carried out by the conjugate gradient method to compute the solutions of the field integral equation for two-dimensional, perfectly conducting, Gaussian (normal), randomly rough surfaces. The rate of convergence of the conjugate gradient method is fundamentally controlled by the root mean square (r.m.s.) surface slope (gradient). Solutions computed using this method result in a significant reduction in CPU running time compared to those by direct methods, for example Gaussian Elimination method. The backscattering coefficients were calculated and compared with the small perturbation method results and Kirchhoff method results, and a good approximation resulted.
Na:K:2Cl Cotransporter (NKCC) of Intestinal Epithelial Cells SURFACE EXPRESSION IN RESPONSE TO cAMP

During intestinal chloride secretion, epithelial uptake of salts is accomplished largely by a bumetanide-sensitive Na:K:2Cl cotransporter designated here as NKCC. Using monoclonal antibodies directed against NKCC from the human crypt epithelial cell line, T84, we define its surface localization as a function of cotransporter activation. Immunoelectron microscopy, confocal localization, and selective surface biotinylation studies revealed that the 195-kDa NKCC protein is polarized to the basolateral domain. Following immunoprecipitation, several polypeptides coprecipitated with the 195-kDa cotransporter including two prominent proteins of molecular mass 160 and 130 kDa. Immunoblotting with three distinct anti-NKCC monoclonal antibodies in conjunction with deglycosylation experiments suggested that the 160- and 130-kDa bands represented novel proteins unrelated to the cotransporter. Stimulation of T84 monolayers with cAMP agonists, a condition which elicits chloride secretion and leads to microfilament-dependent NKCC activation, did not significantly increase the number of bumetanide-binding sites and only marginally increased surface expression of the 195-kDa cotransporter available for surface biotinylation. In contrast, cAMP agonist stimulation increased the surface expression of the coprecipitating 160- and 130-kDa proteins ∼6-fold. The increase in surface 160- and 130-kDa proteins was attenuated by phalloidin preloading the cells, a condition which also prevents activation of NKCC without influencing the activity of other membrane transporters participating in chloride secretion. These studies define the polarized distribution of the NKCC protein on intestinal epithelia, indicate that NKCC may be associated with two other previously unidentified membrane proteins and such association is influenced by the F-actin cytoskeleton.
Entropy analysis of an aging, evolving corporate system

From Shannon's informational entropy concepts, equations for entropy, excess entropy, excess entropy production and efficiency were used to analyze the performance of a hypothetical corporation.
“Who Cares for the Children?” Lessons from a Global Perspective of Child Care Policy

We present the argument that the meaning of child care and the policies that address it are explicitly linked with national ideologies, work force participation, economic success, and child outcomes. The relationship between family and child care policies is cyclical in nature, with a nation’s ideology and vision of family often driving child care policies, while child care policies in turn drive and support a nation’s ideology. We examine the interrelatedness of child care policy and national ideologies of family in selected industrialized countries. Specifically, this paper first defines child care policy and discusses the national ideological frameworks that provide the impetus for child care policy formation and implementation. Second, the paper explores current child care policies and their connection to the historical and political context of several countries within, including France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Belgium, the Nordic countries, and the United States. Lastly, recommendations are offered for the future of child care policy development with specific recommendations for child care policy development in the United States.
New animal drug approvals and the United States aquaculture industry: a partnership for growth

Aquaculture, for better or worse, depends in part on drugs for the prevention, control and eradication of a variety of diseases. The US Food and Drug Administration's Centre for Veterinary Medicine, through the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, strictly controls the approval and use of drugs in animals, including aquatic animals. Laws and regulations exist that regulate the investigational use and approval of new animal drugs for all animals. However, in reality, these mandates must be uniquely interpreted for aquatic species. Very few drugs are approved for use in aquatic species. There is a growing effort by non-traditional sponsors (aquaculturists as opposed to pharmaceutical firms) to gain approvals for several new animal drugs. Simultaneously, the federal government, including the Centre for Veterinary Medicine, is working aggressively with the private and public aquaculture sectors to facilitate submission and subsequent approval of new animal drug applications. The drug approval procedures and requirements for aquatic animals are discussed. Special attention is given to their similarities and differences, relative to traditional terrestrial animals.
Effects of continuous glucocorticoid infusion on bone metabolism in the rat

The effects of continuous administration of supraphysiologic doses of dexamethasone (DEX) on bone metabolism were examined in rats. Adult, male, Sprague Dawley rats were infused with DEX at a constant rate of 16.25 μg/day for 19 days. Despite soft tissue catabolism, DEX treatment led to a significant increase in bone volume in all experiments. This was accompanied by a significant gain in femoral weight and calcium content. These findings were also observed in DEX-treated parathyroidectomized animals indicating that intact parathyroid function was not required for this effect. DEX treatment did not affect mean levels of serum calcium or phosphorus but led to significant declines in circulating levels of PTH and 1,25(OH)2D and in the urinary calcium/creatinine ratio. This latter finding was also observed in PTX animals in which 1,25(OH)2D levels did not change. Serum concentrations of osteocalcin and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase both declined in a time-dependent manner with DEX treatment suggesting a slowing of bone turnover with the net effect favoring formation. However, histomorphometric findings were variable. Two of three experiments demonstrated a decrease in cellular parameters of formation and resorption and in one experiment, these indices increased. Mineralized surface increased with DEX treatment. We conclude that, in marked contrast to the findings in man and certain other species, DEX treatment increases bone mass in rats. This may in part relate to a relatively greater suppression of resorption vis a vis formation.
Stimulation by aldosterone of the sodium efflux in barnacle muscle fibres

Es wurde gezeigt, dass die Natrium-Ausscheidung in der Muskelfaser von Entenmuskeln auf aldosteron reagiert.