cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of malnutrition and BCG vaccination on macrophage activation in guinea pigs

Abstract Host defense functions, particularly cell-mediated immunity, may be profoundly altered by malnutrition. Activated macrophages are required as effector cells in the final stages of a successful cell-mediated immune response against microbial pathogens. Macrophage activation was assessed by measuring the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in peritoneal macrophages obtained from BCG-vaccinated and non-vaccinated guinea pigs maintained on purified diets containing 8% or 25% casein. Protein deficiency, as measured by reduced hemoglobin and serum albumin concentrations, was accompanied by significant reductions in delayed hypersensitivity to purified protein derivative (PPD) and impaired lymphocyte blastogenic responses in vitro to PPD and phytohemagglutinin. In contrast, macrophage SOD activity was inversely correlated with protein nutritional status, irrespective of vaccination. These results suggest that the thymus-dependent (T) lymphocyte subsets responsible for delayed hypersensitivity, blastogenesis and macrophage activation may be affected differently by protein deprivation. Alternatively, enhanced macrophage activity may not be the result of T cell function in this model.
Gene Expression in a Swine Model of Right Ventricular Hypertrophy: Intercellular Adhesion Molecule, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Plasminogen Activators are Upregulated during Pressure Overload☆

We have investigated the molecular changes which occur during pressure overload hypertrophy of the RV in swine. Animals were banded on the pulmonary artery so that right ventricular pressure was increased two-fold. The heart was harvested at 3, 7, 24 and 72 h after surgery. Between 7 and 72 h there was evidence of muscle damage and inflammation. Northern blot experiments showed that pressure overload induced a transient increase in the expression of the immediate early genes and in the developmentally regulated atrial natriuretic factor and skeletal muscle alpha actin genes. Consistent with the histological observations of inflammation, increases in the expression of the gene for intercellular adhesion molecule, which encodes a protein involved in the binding of leukocytes by endothelial cells and myocytes, was observed between 3 and 24 h. In addition, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, a growth and permeability factor specific for endothelial cells was increased at 3 and 7 h of pressure overload. An increase in the expression of urokinase plasminogen activator and its inhibitors, plasminogen activator inhibitors I and II, was also observed between 3 and 24 h. This was associated with an increase in urokinase activity in the myocardial tissue. These results indicate that hypertrophy in a large mammal such as swine induces a program of gene expression similar to that previously described in rodents and suggests that up-regulation of a variety of other genes is an early response to pressure overload.
Maternal Height and Age: Risk Factors for Cephalopelvic Disproportion in Zimbabwe

In the Greater Harare area of Zimbabwe a researcher compared data on 203 women who suffered from cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) and underwent a cesarean section with data on 299 facility matched controls to determine the effects of maternal height and age and their significance for CPD. All the women delivered either at the municipal hospital or its clinics. When the researcher controlled for parity young age ( 35-year old mothers were at 2.1 times the risk for CPD than were 20.34 year olds after controlling for parity and at 2.7 times the risk after controlling for demographic and other obstetric factors. Women at a height of 160 cm. Potential biases in this study included the possibility that women with prior cesarean section were underrepresented especially if they were selected for cesarean section for their short stature and questionable quality of the data in the medical records. This study was the 1st to document advanced maternal age as a risk factor for CPD but did not verify maternal youth as a risk factor. These results suggested that even though short stature is a risk factor for CPD there is a need to determine local cutoff points for screening purposes. Screening for CPD risk factors can reduce the likelihood of mothers having to endure prolonged labor.
A new approach to rigid body minimization with application to molecular docking

Our work is motivated by energy minimization in the space of rigid affine transformations of macromolecules, an essential step in computational protein-protein docking. We introduce a novel representation of rigid body motion that leads to a natural formulation of the energy minimization problem as an optimization on the SO(3)×ℜ3 manifold, rather than the commonly used SE(3). The new representation avoids the complications associated with optimization on the SE(3) manifold and provides additional flexibilities for optimization not available in that formulation. The approach is applicable to general rigid body minimization problems. Our computational results for a local optimization algorithm developed based on the new approach show that it is about an order of magnitude faster than a state of art local minimization algorithms for computational protein-protein docking.
Smaller, weaker, and less stiff bones evolve from changes in subsistence strategy

We propose a computational model with which to examine the evolution of bone. Our results indicate that changes in subsistence strategy have influenced the evolution of bone growth and mechanoregulation, and predict that bone size, stiffness, and structural strength may decrease in future generations, bringing increased risk of fracture and prevalence of osteoporosis. Archeological data suggest that bone size and strength have decreased over evolution. We hypothesize that changing evolutionary pressures and levels of physical activity, both arising from changes in subsistence strategy, have affected the evolution of bone. We propose a computational model with which to examine the evolution of bone growth and mechanoregulation due to the transitions from hunter–gatherer to agricultural to modern lifestyles. The evolution of genes governing growth and mechanoregulation in a population of bones is simulated, where each individual is represented by a 2-D bone cross-section. Genetic variability is assumed to modulate growth through mechanoregulatory factors that direct periosteal expansion, endosteal expansion/infilling, and ash content accretion in response to strains incurred during walking. The model predicts decreases in cortical area and section modulus (a measure of structural strength) and increases in maximum compressive strain over the course of the simulation, meaning evolution of smaller, less strong, and less stiff bones is predicted for the population average. The model predicts small but continued decreases in size, strength, and stiffness in modern populations, despite the absence of a strong evolutionary advantage to efficient bones during this phase. In conclusion, our results show that changing loading regimes and evolutionary pressures may have influenced the evolution of bone growth and mechanoregulation, and predict that bone size and strength may continue to decrease in future generations, bringing increased risk of fracture and prevalence of osteoporosis.
Hepatic mass in Budd-Chiari syndrome: CT and MRI findings

We describe a case of Budd-Chiari syndrome, secondary to a hypercoagulable state, which produced a mass lesion on computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. The mass simulated a tumor, but proved to be an area of hemorrhagic necrosis upon biopsy. The finding of a space occupying lesion may not always indicate a tumor in a patient with the Budd-Chiari syndrome. The causes, pathologic changes, and radiologic findings of Budd-Chiari syndrome are discussed.
Hearing loss and cochlear abnormalities in the congenital hypothyroid (hyt/hyt) mouse

Abstract The congenital hypothyroid (hyt/hyt) mouse has been described as having a homozygous recessive mutation of a single locus on chromosome 12 which results in significant endocrine hypofunction and retarded growth. Although a distinct correlation between inherited hypothyroidism and hearing loss in humans exists, there has been no previous evaluation of the auditory system in these mutant mice. We determined hearing threshold by auditory-evoked brainstem response testing and noted a 40–45 dB elevation in the hyt/hyt mouse compared to littermate heterozygote (hyt/+) animals and normal progenitor controls BALB/cByJ (+/+). Conventional light microscopy was used to examine the general anatomy of the cochlea in these animals, and the surface structure of the organ of Corti was further evaluated with scanning electron microscopy. Heterozygote and normal control mice had no significant abnormalities of the cochlea, however the hyt/hyt mice displayed consistent morphologic abnormalities of the stereocilia on both inner and outer hair cell systems. The surrounding and supporting cells were identified in the cochleas of the hypothyroid mouse and control animals and showed no significant histologic abnormalities. The auditory, histologic, and ultrastructural characterization of this model provides a foundation for evaluating the effects of true inherited hypothyroidism on auditory pathway development.
Bone mineral density in children with myelomeningocele

The aim of the present study was to document bone mineral density (BMD) in children with myelomeningocele and to identify variables that contribute to reduced BMD. The study included 24 children with myelomeningocele (nine males, 15 females; age range 4-18y), who had varied levels of neurological impairment (thoracic/high-lumbar, n=6; mid-lumbar, n=9; sacral, n=9) and ambulatory status (non-ambulators, n=12; part-time ambulators n=2; full-time ambulators, n=10). BMD measurements of the femoral neck and whole body using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry assessments of dietary calcium intake, and serum markers of bone metabolism were obtained. BMD is presented as standardized scores (z-scores) which are age- and sex-matched to normally developing children. The mean femoral-neck z-score was -2.41. Femoral-neck z-scores differed significantly according to ambulatory status, with lower z-scores in children who were wheelchair-dependent (p=0.03). The mean z-score at the femoral neck demonstrated a trend toward lower z-scores in children with higher levels of lesions. Almost all children met their recommended daily intake of calcium. Markers of bone metabolism were normal in all patients. This study demonstrates that reduced BMD is a major complication in children with myelomeningocele. There is a significant relationship with low BMD in children who are wheelchair-dependent, a trend in those with higher neurological levels, and no relationship between fractures and reduced BMD.
Testing Density Forecasts, With Applications to Risk Management

The forecast evaluation literature has traditionally focused on methods of assessing point forecasts. However, in the context of many models of financial risk, interest centers on more than just a single point of the forecast distribution. For example, value-at-risk models that are currently in extremely wide use form interval forecasts. Many other important financial calculations also involve estimates not summarized by a point forecast. Although some techniques are currently available for assessing interval and density forecasts, existing methods tend to display low power in sample sizes typically available. This article suggests a new approach to evaluating such forecasts. It requires evaluation of the entire forecast distribution, rather than a scalar or interval. The information content of forecast distributions combined with ex post realizations is enough to construct a powerful test even with sample sizes as small as 100.
Syntheses of K[Co(tren)(NH3)(SO4)](S4O6)·2(H2O) and of [cis-α-Co(trien)(NH3)Cl](S5O6) – Compounds Produced by Hydrolytic Cleavage of Sulfur–Sulfur Bonds of the Tetrathionate Anion

K[Co(tren)(NH3)(SO4)](S4O6)·2(H2O) (1) and [cis-α-Co-(trien)(NH3)Cl](S5O6) (2) have been prepared unexpectedly while attempting to obtain crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction of [Co(tren)(NH3)Cl](S4O6) (3) and of [cis-Co(trien)(NH3)Cl](S4O6) (4), respectively. 1 is derived from 3 by hydrolysis of the tetrathionate anion resulting in a sulfato moiety which displaces the chloro ligand from the coordination sphere of the metal center. 2 is derived from 4 by hydrolysis of the tetrathionate anion followed by reformation into pentathionate anion and H2S, as described in previous chromatographic work by Steudel. Compounds 1 and 2 have been characterized by elemental analyses and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.
Tension Pneumothorax Secondary to a Gastropleural Fistula in a Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia

We report a case of tension pneumothorax due to a gastropleural fistula resulting from perforation of the stomach in a traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. Awareness of perforation of strangulated stomach or bowel in a diaphragmatic hernia as a cause of pneumothorax, with or without tension physiology, in a patient with a history of trauma is important so that surgical repair can be undertaken without delay. (Chest 1991; 99:247–49)
A noise reduction method for signals from nonlinear systems

Abstract A numerical algorithm is presented for the purpose of reducing noise from a discretely sampled input signal where the underlying signal of interest has a broadband spectrum. It is designed to be useful even if the clean signal is contaminated with 100% or more noise (signal to noise ratio less than or equal to zero). The method is based on time delay embedding using coordinates generated by local low-pass filtering, which we call a low-pass embedding . The singular value decomposition is then used locally in embedding space to distinguish between the dynamics and the noise. The algorithm is evaluated for chaotic signals generated by the Lorenz and Rossler systems, to which Gaussian white noise has been added.
Interaction of HCl with crystalline and amorphous ice: Implications for the mechanisms of ice‐catalyzed reactions

The interaction of HCl with ice under ultrahigh vacuum has been studied using temperature programmed desorption and single reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Both amorphous and crystalline ice were investigated. At 120 K, HCl is initially absorbed by ice to form a stoichiometric hydrate phase identified as HCl · 6H2O. Upon completion of the bulk phase, HCl is adsorbed to the surface. This initial HCl adsorption probability on crystalline ice is ≈60% of that on amorphous ice. Furthermore, the adsorption probability on crystalline ice decreases more rapidly with increasing HCl uptake. As a result, HCl · 6H2O is more rapidly formed in amorphous ice. The difference in adsorption probabilities is tentatively attributed to a lower coverage of dangling OH groups at the crystalline ice surface.
Evaporite-Carbonate Rocks of the Jurassic Lovelock Formation, West Humboldt Range, Nevada

The Lovelock Formation is an assembly of late Early Jurassic or Middle Jurassic carbonate rocks and gypsum that constitute the youngest preserved sediments and, probably, the last marine deposits in successions of Jurassic rocks in the Carson Sink region of western Nevada. The formation records a set of transitional environments between open marine basinal conditions and an emergent tectonically active terrain. The current extent of the formation is probably a small fraction of its original distribution in the Carson region and, perhaps, in areas of Nevada farther west. The Lovelock Formation occurs only in a pair of nappes in the nappe pile of the northern West Humboldt Range. Geometric relations between intranappe and internappe folds suggest that nappe emplacement and folding were coupled deformations in major Middle Jurassic tectonism. Sites of deposition of the Lovelock Formation were probably not more than a few kilometers east or west of current exposures of the formation. The formation is comprised of three members in a maximum thickness of about 200 m. The lowest is a micrite which underwent emergence and fresh-water diagenesis before deposition of fragmental limestones of the middle member. Conglomerate of the middle member consists exclusively of intraclastic micrite pebbles from the lower member. Finer grained sedimentary breccia above the conglomerate is an accumulation of intraclasts and allochthonous particles from a variety of subenvironments on a carbonate bank. The upper member comprises gypsum and calcarenite, deposited at least in part in standing water of a barred basin. The sequence of motions of the sediment surface relative to sea level recorded in the deposits of the Lovelock Formation is conceivably due to eustatic variations, but the general temporal proximity of deposition of the formation to major tectonism suggests that such motions were probably tectonic. Postdepositional hydrothermal recrystallization occurs sporadically in carbonate rocks of the Lovelock Formation. Such metamorphism was perhaps synchronous with local generation of solution breccias in the upper member and local calcitization of sulfate.
Alterations in light-evoked dopamine metabolism in dystrophic retinas of mutant rds mice

Abstract In dystrophic retinas of rds mice, which are devoid of photoreceptor outer segments, high steady state levels of dopamine were found in dark and light periods. These levels were similar to those observed in normal, BALB/c mouse retinas. Major differences were determined, however, between dopamine turnover in normal and dystrophic retinas. While substantial light-evoked elevation of dopamine synthesis and utilization was observed in normal retinas, dopamine synthesis and metabolism in rds retinas was very low and response to light was depressed. Retinal dopamine metabolism was already depressed in 2 week old rds mice, prior to the onset of photoreceptor cell death, relative to that in age-matched BALB/c mice. At 1 month of age, robust light/dark differences in retinal dopamine metabolism were observed in BALB/c mice, while no significant effect of light was seen in rds mice. The limited ability of the dopaminergic system in rds retinas to respond to light may be due to the absence of normal outer segments. Interestingly, in old rds retinas, although most photoreceptor cells had degenerated, a small but significant light-evoked increase in dopamine metabolism was measured. The presence of relatively high steady state levels of dopamine in rds retinas, despite the reduced dopamine synthetic activity, is maintained by a compensatory reduction in dopamine utilization. Thus, although a considerable amount of dopamine is present in the rds retina, it might not be available to exert its biological functions.
Glutathione in bovine blood: possible source of amino acids for milk protein synthesis.

Abstract Glutathione (γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine) concentrations of plasma and whole blood were measured for lactating Holstein cows. Samples were taken from both the internal iliac artery and mammary vein to calculate arteriovenous differences across the mammary gland. Glutathione in plasma was extremely low, and there was no significant arteriovenous difference of this tripeptide across the mammary gland. In contrast, glutathione in whole blood was 200-fold greater than in plasma and showed a significant arteriovenous difference across the mammary gland. In vivo studies have shown that when arteriovenous differences of free amino acids in plasma are quantitated, there appears to be a shortage of cysteine for synthesis of milk protein. Using estimated blood flow and arteriovenous differences, we calculated that mammary gland uptake of glutathione from whole blood is more than enough to account for the amount of cysteine secreted in milk. Implications regarding availability to the mammary gland of glutathione from whole blood are discussed.
Control of Space Structures Using Cable Actuators

We explore the use of cable actuators for vibration suppression in space structures. The dynamics of the structure and cable-structure interaction are modeled using finite elements. It is found that the cable has two distinct effects on the structure. The first is a parametric effect, which changes the stiffness of the structure, and the second is a direct effect resulting from an external force on the structure. A general control scheme is designed using passivity analysis, where the input is the cable tension. The study is divided into two parts. In the first part, control by stiffness variation is investigated placing special emphasis on cable placement on the structure. In the second study, control by the direct force is examined and numerical and experimental results are presented.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Antibodies to IgM in Normal Human Sera

THE sera of some normal human subjects contain antibodies to human IgG1, and have proved useful in investigating the genetic markers of human IgG (the Gm and Inv factors). But the IgM proteins of different human sera have also been found to differ serologically2, and investigations by means of precipitin systems have led to the designation of possible subclasses3,4. We set out to determine whether normal human sera contain antibodies to human IgM, for such reagents might help the delineation of the structure of the immunoglobulin. We have screened more than two thousand normal human sera for antibodies to IgM; forty-two were found to have such activity.
Substances affecting the activity of proline dehydrogenase in the sarcosomes of the tsetse fly (Glossina) and a comparison with some other insects

The proline dehydrogenase of tsetse flight muscle mitochondria is activated by ADP and ATP and to a lesser extent by calcium and phosphate. ADP also increased the activity of the blowfly (Sarcophaga nodosa) and housefly (Musca domestica) enzymes but had no effect on that of the locust (Schistocerca gregaria). Proline dehydrogenase from all four insects was strongly inhibited by glutamate but inhibition of the tsetse enzyme in the presence of either nucleotide was much reduced. The significance of the results is discussed in view of the importance of proline in the provision of energy for flight.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pathways and reproductive control in elasmobranchs

Immunoreactive (ir) gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is localized in many neurons of the terminal nerve (TN) and midbrain tegmentum, while few ir-cells are observed in the preoptic area and ventral hypothalamus. The paucity of preoptic ir-cells may relate to an unusual feature of the elasmobranch pituitary, i.e. a lack of portal control of gonadotropin-producing cells. TN and midbrain GnRH-ir neurons may be major sources of GnRH used to modulate or otherwise control both pituitary and brain cells via delivery through the systemic circulation. These ir-nuclei also appear to directly innervate CNS regions (the preoptic area, habenula and clasper control area of the spinal cord) involved in sexual functions. Important regulatory mechanisms, represented by interactions between GnRH pathways and sex-steroid concentrating neurons, are likely to occur in the preoptic area, habenula and midbrain tegmentum.
Thermodynamic optimization alternatives : Minimization of physical size subject to fixed power

This paper explores alternatives to the usual thermodynamic optimization formulation, where the thermodynamic performance of a system is improved subject to physical size constraints (e.g., entropy generation minimization). The alternative is to minimize the physical size subject to specified thermodynamic performance. It is shown that the alternate optimization leads to the same physical design-the same configuration-as the usual optimization. This is demonstrated by means of three examples: power plant model with two heat exchangers, power plant model driven by a hot stream of single-phase fluid, and refrigerator model with irreversibility due to imperfect insulation.
High mechanical-Q Lorentz force sensor for DC magnetic field measurement

This manuscript presents a fully engineered fiber-optic magnetic field sensor based on the Lorentz force. The sensor comprises a gold coated optical fiber that is soldered to a current carrying aluminum ribbon. The ribbon vibrates in the presence of a magnetic field which is detected with fiber optic interferometry. The mechanical-Q of the mechanism is measured to be 200±10% which is greater than previous prototype designs by a factor between 2.7 and 11.3. This yields a higher resonant responsivity and lower thermo-mechanical noise.
2,3-Dichloro-5,8-dimeth-oxy-1,4-naphtho-quinone.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C12H8Cl2O4, mol­ecules crystallize in planes parallel to (-204) with an inter­planar distance of 3.288 (2) A [centroid–centroid distance = 3.819 (2) and slippage = 1.932 (2) A]. The structure features C—H⋯O inter­actions involving meth­oxy and aromatic H atoms and the carbonyl O atoms as well as a C—H⋯Cl inter­action involving an aromatic H atom. In addition there are short inter­halogen contacts between adjoining mol­ecules [Cl⋯Cl = 3.3709 (5) A].
An improved analysis of the potential drop method for measuring crack lengths in compact tension specimens

A single-parameter logarithmic equation is suggested for the calibration of the potential drop method for measuring crack length in compact tension specimens. This equation follows the correct asymptotic solution for long crack lengths and is shown to hold for even very short crack lengths for specimens with a small notch. Use of this equation provides a first step towards evaluation of calibration fata for anomalies such as those associated with variation of electrical conductivity due to plasticity of the crack tip and with uneven crack growth. In addition, use of this equation as a two-parameter model allows determination of the electrical resistivity of the specimen from the calibration data. Data are presented for specimens with large notches which support the results obtained in a previous paper by a numerical method coupled with conformal mapping.
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Carbon Mineralization in Response to Nutrient and Lime Additions in Peatlands

This objective of this study was to determine if mineralization of C, N, and P was pH stressed and/or nutrient limited in a bog and fen in northeastern Minnesota. Although soil activity in northern peatlands can be limited by low pH, low temperatures, high C:N and C:P ratios of soil organic matter,
The phospholipase B content of the intestines of rats infected with varied larvae doses of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.

Abstract Phospholipase B activity, bone marrow eosinophilia and worm burden were measured in separate groups of rats that received initial infections of 100, 400, 800, 1200, 2400, and 4800 Nippostrongylus brasiliensis larvae. The results indicated that as the numbers of larvae in the inocula were increased, the resulting higher worm burdens caused the development of earlier and more intense bone marrow eosinophilias and earlier and greater phospholipase B activities. The expulsion of the adult worms from the host was followed by equally rapid decreases in bone marrow eosinophilia and enzyme activity. It was found that as the number of intestinal adult worms was increased from low to large numbers, the degree of the inflammatory response changed from mild to severe. This suggests that the inflammatory response was responsible for the elevated phospholipase B levels.
Equal-mobility bed load transport in a small, step-pool channel in the Ouachita Mountains

Equal-mobility transport (EMT) of bed load is more evident than size-selective transport during near-bankfull flow events in a small, step-pool channel in the Ouachita Mountains of central Arkansas. Bed load transport modes were studied by simulating five separate runoff events with peak discharges between 0.25 and 1.34 m3/s (1.0- to 1.6-year recurrence intervals) in a natural channel using controlled releases from a storage tank. EMT occurrence was investigated using four different bed load relationships suggested by previous research. With each of these approaches, the relationship of a given bed load characteristic (Dmax, distribution percentile, displacement distance and skewness) to some independent factor (τc*, τ and grain size) was assessed to determine which transport mode was evident. Regression models derived using combinations of these four relationships with different datasets provide seven separate tests. Five of the seven tests indicate that EMT occurred or was predominant. Several reasons may explain the apparent contradictory results, but the confounding effects of changes in the structural arrangements of bed material prior to or during the events seem particularly important.
A probabilistic model of the diffusional mixing of particulate solids

Abstract Three probability distributions governing particle movement within a horizontal drum mixer have been defined. For a mixer which has been conceptually divided into sections of equal width, by passing planes through the mixer perpendicular to its axis, a relationship for the diffusion coefficient based on these probability distributions has been derived from Fick's First Law. Observations of the movement of an individual particle were used as a direct means of evaluating the Fick's First Law diffusion coefficients for various combinations of mixer load and speed. A second set of diffusion coefficients was obtained from observations of actual mixing. A linear regression between the two sets of diffusion coefficients showed that they are highly correlated. It was found that the frequency of collisions resulting in particle movement is affected by an interaction between the mixer speed and load and that the average distance which a particle travels is affected by the mixer load, but not by the mixer speed.
Viscosity behavior of non-fibrous desoxyribonucleohistone in media of different ionic strengths.

Abstract 1. 1. Complete viscosity-concentration determinations were carried out at three velocity gradients for non-fibrous desoxyribonucleohistone (DNH) in 0.005 M Nacl and 1 M Nacl. The variation of specific viscosity with velocity gradient at a given concentration was found to be the reverse of that expected, i.e. viscosity decreased with decreasing gradient, for DNH in 0.005 M NaCl and in 1 M NaCl in the concentration range above 0.16%. 2. 2. An additional anomaly was observed for the behavior of DNH in 1 M NaCl: the viscosity curves rose steeply on decreasing the protein concentration below 0.16%, indicating the formation, on dilution, of a more asymmetric component. The values of intrinsic viscosity obtained were found to increase with decreasing velocity gradient, as expected by the result of particle orientation, according to the principle of structural viscosity. 3. 3. In addition, the intrinsic viscosities were determined at one velocity gradient for DNH in water and in 2 M NaCl. Values of axial ratio for DNH thus obtained were as follows: 25 in water and 0.005 M NaCl, 50 for the principle component and 77 for the asymmetric component in 1 M NaCl, 79 in 2 M NaCl. 4. 4. The values of S 20, w 0 determined by extrapolating ν r · S 20, w to zero were found to be higher than those resulting from extrapolation of S 20, w vs , c , for molar and 2 M salt only, as expected for particles of high asymmetry. 5. 5. To gain a more complete understanding of the manner in which the particles break down in 1 M NaCl, some mixtures were fractionated by centrifugation, and the supernate and residue fractions studied separately. It was found that as a result of dilution of DNH and increasing the length of time of standing, increasing amounts of material and especially of DNA were found in the supernate, and the average asymmetry of the supernate fraction also increased. In addition, dilution and longer time of standing caused a decrease in the sedimentation constant of the main component in the pellet fraction. If the total concentration is 0.16%, the initial viscosity is much below the stable level and increases slowly with time as aggregation occurs, and the sedimentation constant of the principle component is at a minimum.
Discrimination of phenylketonurics from persistent hyperphenylalaninemia patients using a simple phenylalanine loading test

A simple, oral phenylalanine loading test was developed in order to discriminate between controls, phenylketonuria and persistent hyperphenylalaninemia patients. Only three capillary blood specimens for quantitation of phenylalanine and tyrosine over a short duration (90 min) were required. Using stepwise multivariate discriminant analysis, accurate classification was achieved for 27 controls, 12 patients with phenylketonuria and 6 with persistent hyperphenylalaninemia. This loading test and analysis is both simpler and less expensive than those previously described.
Theory of charged impurities in correlated electron materials: Application to muon spectroscopy of high- T c superconductors

Single-site and cluster dynamical mean-field methods are used to estimate the response of a doped Mott insulator to a charged impurity. The effect of correlations on the Thomas-Fermi screening properties is determined. The charge density, the on-site and near-neighbor spin-spin correlations in the vicinity of the impurity are compared to those far from it. The theory is used to address the question of the effect of the density perturbation induced by the muon charge on the local response functions of a high-temperature superconductor. For reasonable values of the background dielectric constant and basic correlation strength, a muon is shown to lead to an observable perturbation of the local spin dynamics, raising questions about the interpretation of muon-spin-rotation experiments in metallic high-temperature superconductors.
Domestic Institutions, Democracy, and Peace

The Democratic Peace and Territorial Conflict in the Twentieth Century. By Paul K. Huth, Todd L. Allee. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003. 512 pp., $70.00 cloth (ISBN: 0-521-80115-X), $25.00 paper (ISBN: 0-521-80508-2). The first chapter of Paul Huth and Todd Allee's The Democratic Peace and Territorial Conflict in the Twentieth Century asks a question that will be on the minds of many international relations scholars: “Another study of democracy and international conflict?” Although some readers might be tempted to dismiss this volume as yet another minor tweaking of the debate over regime type and conflict, Huth and Allee answer their question with a work that looks at the link between domestic institutions and territorial conflict with impressive breadth and depth. Huth and Allee begin the book with a concise review of the literature relevant to the democratic peace theorem. They are careful to include many literatures concerning domestic institutions and foreign policy that may not generally be considered part of the democratic peace canon (for example, research on elections and conflict, and on enduring rivalries). They note that despite numerous empirical studies of democracies and their foreign policy tendencies, many puzzles still remain under- or unexplored (on the democratic peace generally, see Russett 1993; Ray 1995; Chan 1997; and, for a critical view, see Gowa 1999). In particular, Huth and Allee suggest that more attention should be paid to intraregime variation—that is, to examining why differences in behavior exists within categories of regime type. By exploring variations among democracies and nondemocracies themselves, they contend, one can gain significant leverage on the …
RATE OF ACCUMULATION OF REPRODUCTIVE ISOLATION BY CHROMOSOME REARRANGEMENTS

In populations with small or moderate effective population size, in the absence of strong homozygote advantage or drive, chromosomally induced isolation can occur only by the fixation of many weakly underdominant rearrangements. For these populations the minimal speciation time is an increasing function of Ne/u, the ratio of the effective population size and the spontaneous rearrangement rate. With moderate Ne and either strong rearrangement homozygote selective advantage or drive, isolation can occur by fixation of a few strongly underdominant rearrangements. Under these circumstances, speciation occurs at a more rapid rate, provided that such rearrangements occur with sufficient frequency. Finally, for large Ne, only rearrangements which are meiotically driven can become fixed, so that isolation times reflect the average strength of drive. A somewhat counterintuitive result for meiotic drive is that in certain cases the minimal speciation times decrease as the effective population size increases. The im...
Metatickles and the dynamics of deliberation

The traditional or “orthodox” decision rule of maximizing conditional expected utility has recently come under attack by critics who advance alternative “causal” decision theories. The traditional theory has, however, been defended. And these defenses have in turn been criticized. Here, I examine two objections to such defenses and advance a theory about the dynamics of deliberation (a diachronic theory about the process of deliberation) within the framework of which both objections to the defenses of the traditional theory fail.
HYPOMETRIA WITH HEMISPATIAL AND LIMB MOTOR NEGLECT

A patient with a haemorrhage in the right mesial frontal lobe exhibited hypokinesia, bradykinesia and a hypometric movement disorder of his contralateral limbs. This movement disorder was characterized by reduced amplitude of otherwise normally formed movements (hypometria). In addition, the left limb hypokinesia improved with placement of the left forelimb into right hemispace (hemispatial motor neglect). We postulate that the hypokinesia, bradykinesia and hypometria were induced by reduction in activation of forebrain dopaminergic and basal ganglion motor systems, which in conjunction with the supplementary motor area are critical for setting the activational level for motor output.
Kinetic energy analysis in time of flight mass spectrometry: application of time of flight methods to clusters and pyrolysis studies in supersonic expansions

Abstract A new experimental technique, based on high resolution time of flight analysis of ions in a molecular beam, is described with the use of several examples. Although the approach used here is based on threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence (TPEPICO), the technique can also be used with pulsed laser photoionization, albeit without the benefit of ion energy selection. The approach is based on the fact that the TOF distribution of parent ions formed from cold neutral molecules are narrow, while product ion TOF distributions are broad due to kinetic energy release. This distinction permits differentiating cluster ions formed by “simple” ionization of the corresponding neutral clusters from similar mass cluster ions formed by dissociative ionization. Results so far obtained indicate that most clusters ionize, even at threshold, via dissociative ionization. The technique is also suitable for obtaining the threshold photoelectron spectra (TPES) of mass selected cold species in the presence of a mixture of warm and cold species as might be encountered in a pyrolysis experiment.
Effect of ovarian transplantation to the uterus (“Estes operation”) on reproduction in the rabbit

Abstract The effectiveness of the “Estes operation,” which was developed to correct fertility problems in humans suffering from tubal incompetence, was studied using rabbits. The ovaries of mature does were surgically transplanted into their uteri and the effects of this altered state on reproduction, host tissue and graft tissue were appraised. Animals with transplanted ovaries showed normal breeding behavior, but the only pregnancies resulted when does that had received heterotransplanted ovaries also retained their own ovaries in situ . Young produced in those pregnancies were shown to have originated from ova ovulated from the host's normal ovaries. Transplanted ovaries disappeared from the uterus, either by resorption or expulsion, within eight weeks if they were separated from their pedicles but were retained if left attached to their pedicles. Presumably the difference reflects the state of vascularization. Scar tissue developed at the junction of ovary and uterus, and the endometrial epithelium became continuous with the germinal epithelium of the ovary. The uteri receiving pedicled ovaries retained their normal size. Those of ovariectomized does were about half the weight of normal uteri and those of ovariectomized does receiving unpedicled ovaries atrophied to a size about half those of the ovariectomized does. When intact does received heterotransplanted ovaries in their uteri, those uteri hypertrophied to approximately twice the size of normal uteri. The effects of transplanting ovaries to the uterine lumen, as reported here, could explain the poor pregnancy success rate in humans and the complete failure to achieve pregnancies in any other mammalian species by use of the “Estes operation.”
Effect of sulfonylurea dose escalation on hemoglobin A1c in Veterans Affairs patients with type 2 diabetes

Sulfonylureas are often titrated to maximum doses despite evidence that their efficacy plateaus above half-maximum doses. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of doubling the dose of glyburide and glipizide to high doses on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in Veterans Affairs patients with type 2 diabetes. A retrospective review of 131 patient cases with prescriptions for high-dose glyburide or glipizide from July 1 through December 18, 2008, was conducted. Three dosage groups were examined: glyburide 5 mg twice daily increased to 10 mg twice daily (GLYB), glipizide 5 mg twice daily increased to 10 mg twice daily (GLIPA), and glipizide 10 mg twice daily increased to 20 mg twice daily (GLIPB). Each patient served as his or her own control; HbA1c after at least 75 days on each dose was compared. There was a statistically significant decrease in HbA1c in GLIPA only (mean ± SD 8.0 ± 1.0 vs. 7.6 ± 1.0%, P = 0.03). No significant change in HbA1c was detected in GLYB (8.1 ± 1.1 vs. 8.1 ± 1.3%, P = 0.80) and the evaluation of GLIPB (8.6 ± 1.7 vs. 8.2 ± 1.1%, P = 0.41) was not adequately powered due to the small sample size. In this small retrospective study, increasing glipizide, but not glyburide, from 5 mg to 10 mg twice daily significantly decreased HbA1c in patients with diabetes.
The Chitty effect: a consequence of dynamic energy allocation in a fluctuating environment.

An important biological feature of cyclic populations of voles and lemmings is phase-related changes in average body mass, with adults in high-density phases being 2030 0 heavier than those in low-density phases of a cycle. This observation, called the ‘‘Chitty effect,’’ is considered to be a ubiquitous feature of cyclic populations. It has been argued that understanding the Chitty effect is fundamental to unraveling the enigma of population cycles. However, there exists no agreement among biologists regarding the causes of the Chitty effect. Here, I propose a simple hypothesis to explain the Chitty effect, based on phase-related, dynamic allocation of energy between reproductive and somatic effort. The essence of the hypothesis is that: (1) reproduction is suppressed in animals born or raised in the later part of the increase phase by environmental factors, including social influences; (2) suppression of reproduction limits the amount of energy that is diverted for reproductive effort, and forces a disproportionately greater amount of surplus power (the energy left after the energetic costs of standard and active metabolism are met) to be allocated for somatic effort; (3) the surplus energy, above and beyond what is required for routine biological activities, will allow continuous growth and deposition of additional body mass, which causes an increase in body mass; and (4) animals grow to a larger size as a population enters the peak density phase, causing an increase in the average body mass. The Chitty effect is predicted to be most pronounced at the late increase or peak phase of a population cycle. Possible causes of reproductive suppression include direct or indirect influences of the environmental factors. The Chitty effect may be a consequence, not a cause, of population cycles in small mammals. ] 1999 Academic Press
T cell subsets defined by expression of Lyt-1,2,3 and Thy-1 antigens. Two-parameter immunofluorescence and cytotoxicity analysis with monoclonal antibodies modifies current views

Using monoclonal antibodies and multiparameter fluorescence analyses, we show that the expression of Lyt-1, Lyt-2, and Lyt-3 on T cell subpopulations is more complex than was originally recognized by the cytotoxic depletion studies with conventional reagents that defined the Lyt-1+2+3+, Lyt-1+2-3-, and Lyt-1-2+3+ populations. We detect at least some Lyt-1 on all T (Thy-1-bearing) lymphocytes; however, in agreement with previous studies, we find that Lyt-2+3+ cells are more difficult to depelete with anti-Lyt-1 than Lyt-1+2-3- cells. Surprisingly, we found a small subpopulation of cells carrying relatively large amounts of Lyt-1 and no Thy-1 detectable by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. We also detect cells with this phenotype histologically in B cell zones (primary follicles) and germinal centers in spleen and lymph nodes. In general, the Lyt-1 only population represents approximately 2% of spleen cells. The relative quantitative expression of Thy-1, Lyt-1, Lyt-2, and Lyt-3 changes systematically during T cell maturation. Among Lyt-1+2+3+ cells in the thymus, Thy-1 and Lyt-2 are high, whereas Lyt-1 is low. Among splenic T cells, in contrast, Thy-1 is low, Lyt-1 is high, and Lyt-2 and Lyt-3 are a little higher than in thymus. In general, Thy-1 expression is negatively correlated with Lyt-1. Thus, even among splenic and lymph node T cells subpopulations exist that tend to be either high Thy-1 and low Lyt-1 or vice versa. Lyt-2+3+ cells represent approximately 85% of thymocytes but only approximately 35% of splenic or lymph node T cells. The Lyt-2+3+ cells are found predominantly in the low Lyt-1, high Thy-1 subpopulation.
Hyperhomocysteinemia in Patients With Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy With Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)

Objective To determine whether patients with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) had evidence of increased homocysteine levels compared with non-CADASIL patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Patients and Methods We compared fasting plasma homocysteine levels and levels 6 hours after oral loading with methionine, 100 mg/kg, in non-CADASIL patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack and in patients with CADASIL. Prechallenge, postchallenge, and change in homocysteine levels between the 2 groups were compared with use of the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results CADASIL and non-CADASIL groups were similar in age (mean, 48.8 vs 46.5 years, respectively; 2-tailed t test, P =.56) and sex (men, 86% vs 59%; Fisher exact test, P =.12). The 59 patients in the CADASIL group had higher median plasma homocysteine levels compared with the 14 patients in the non-CADASIL group, both in the fasting state (12.0 vs 9.0 μmol/L; P =.03) and after methionine challenge (51.0 vs 34.0 μmol/L; P =.007). Median difference between homocysteine levels before and after methionine challenge was greater in the CADASIL group than in the non-CADASIL group (34.5 vs 24.0 μmol/L; P =.02). Conclusion Our findings raise the possibility that increased homocysteine levels or abnormalities of ho-mocysteine metabolism may have a role in the pathogenesis of CADASIL.