cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decline of the Burgess Shale fauna: ecologic or taphonomic restriction?

Aronson, R. B. 1992 07 15: Decline of the Burgess Shale fauna: ecologic or taphonomic restriction? An important alternative has not been tested in the debate over the origin, significance, and decline of Burgess Shale taxa: their observed stratigraphic distribution could be an artifact of increasing bioturbation. Based on information currently available, comparisons of the observed and expected stratigraphic distributions of Burgess Shale-type faunas falsify bioturbation as the exclusive cause. Ecological factors and/or taphonomic controls other than bioturbation were also responsible for the post-Cambrian decline of Burgess Shale-type faunas. Bioturbation, Burgess Shale fauna, soft-bodied animals, taphonomy.
Parental attributions for success in managing the behavior of children with ADHD.

Objective: The current study evaluated the effects of differing intensities of behavior modification and medication on parents’ self-reported success in managing their child’s misbehavior and the attributions parents gave for success or failure.Method: Children were randomized to receive in counterbalanced orders different levels of behavior modification, each for 3-week cycles. In addition, medication was manipulated using a medication assessment procedure. Parents reported daily how successful they were in managing their child’s misbehavior and the attributions for either their success or failure.Results: Parents of children with ADHD generally felt successful in managing their child’s behavior, regardless of treatment condition. In the high behavior modification condition, they were more likely to endorse items that attributed their success to their own effort. Conclusion: In conditions in which parents were given more intensive tools to manage misbehavior they were more likely to attribute their succe...
A Technique for Removing the Effect of Migrating Birds in 915-MHz Wind Profiler Data

Abstract A method is described and evaluated for decreasing artifacts in radar wind profiler data resulting from overflying, migrating birds. The method processes the prerecorded, averaged spectral data of a wind profiler to derive hourly wind profiles during conditions of frequent backscattering from birds. Comparison with in situ measurements revealed a significant improvement over the “traditional,” online processing routine. When both the traditional method and the proposed new method are applied to an extended dataset, a practical procedure can be implemented to detect periods with significant bird-caused artifacts.
Ambipolar, high performance, acene-based organic thin film transistors.

We present a high performance, ambipolar organic field-effect transistor composed of a single material. Ambipolar molecules are rare, and they can enable low-power complementary-like circuits. This low band gap, asymmetric linear acene contains electron-withdrawing fluorine atoms, which lower the molecular orbital energies, allowing the injection of electrons. While hole and electron mobilities of up to 0.071 and 0.37 cm2/V·s, respectively, are reported on devices measured in nitrogen, hole mobilities of up to 0.12 cm2/V·s were found in ambient, with electron transport quenched. These devices were fabricated on octadecyltrimethoxysilane-treated surfaces at a substrate temperature of 60 °C.
Mesenchymal stromal cell density is increased in higher grade myelodysplastic syndromes and independently predicts survival.

Objectives: We retrospectively tested the prognostic and diagnostic significance of CD271+ mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) density in cytopenic patients who underwent bone marrow biopsy to evaluate for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Methods: CD271+ MSC density was quantitated by automated image analysis of tissue microarray cores in 125 cytopenic patients: 40 lower grade MDS (<5% marrow blasts), 24 higher grade MDS, and 61 benign. Results: CD271+ MSC density was increased in higher grade MDS compared with benign ( P = .006) and lower grade MDS ( P = .02). CD271+ MSC density was predictive of survival among patients with MDS independent of Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R), history of transfusion, therapy-related MDS, and fibrosis (hazard ratio, 3.4; P < .001). Among low or intermediate IPSS-R patients, median survival was significantly shorter in the high CD271+ MSC density group (47 vs 18 months, P < .02). Conclusions: High CD271+ MSC density is characteristic of higher grade MDS and is associated with poor risk independent of known prognostic factors.
Androgenic regulation of 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine concentrations and methylthioadenosine phosphorylase activity in relation to polyamine metabolism of rat prostate.

Summary Application of a novel method for microestimation of 5′-deoxy-5′-methylthioadenosine disclosed that several rat tissues (including ventral prostate which accumulates and secretes large amounts of spermidine and spermine) contain this nucleoside in concentrations of less than 7 nmol per g wet weight. Orchiectomy results in significant decline in methylthioadenosine phosphorylase activity in the ventral (but not the anterior) prostate of adult rats which is reversed by testosterone treatment. Changes in methylthioadenosine concentrations in ventral prostate due to variations in androgenic status are only minor in comparison with alterations in polyamine metabolism.
A Microfabricated Enzyme-Free Glucose Fuel Cell for Implantable Devices

In the past decade the scientific community has showed considerable interest in the development of implantable medical devices. Such devices have low power requirements and can potentially be operated through fuel cells using reactants present in the body such as glucose and oxygen instead of non-rechargeable lithium batteries. In this paper we present a thin, enzyme-free fuel cell with high current density and good stability at a current density of 10μA cm−2 . The fuel cell uses a stacked electrode design in order to achieve glucose and oxygen separation. In addition, it uses a porous carbon paper support for the anodic catalyst layer which reduces the amount of platinum or other noble metal catalysts required for fabricating high surface area electrodes with good reactivity. The peak power output of the fuel cell is approximately 2μW cm−2 and has a sustainable power density of 1.5μW cm−2 at 10μA cm−2 . An analysis on the effects of electrode thickness and inter electrode gap on the maximum power output of the fuel cell is also performed.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Body and emotion: Body parts in Chinese expression of emotion

This study presents a semantic analysis of how emotions and emotional experiences are described in Chinese. It focuses on conventionalized expressions in Chinese, namely compounds and idioms, which contain body-part terms. The body-part terms are divided into two classes: those denoting external body parts and those denoting internal body parts or organs. It is found that, with a few exceptions, the expressions involving external body parts are originally metonymic, describing emotions in terms of their externally observable bodily events and processes. However, once conventionalized, these expressions are also used metaphorically regardless of emotional symptoms or gestures. The expressions involving internal organs evoke imaginary bodily images that are primarily metaphorical. It is found that the metaphors, though imaginary in nature, are not really all arbitrary. They seem to have a bodily or psychological basis, although they are inevitably influenced by cultural models.
Molecular Basis of [alpha]-Methyltryptophan Resistance in amt-1, a Mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana with Altered Tryptophan Metabolism

A mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, amt-1, was previously selected for resistance to growth inhibition by the tryptophan analog [alpha]-methyltryptophan. This mutant had elevated tryptophan levels and exhibited higher anthranilate synthase (AS) activity that showed increased resistance to feedback inhibition by tryptophan. In this study, extracts of the mutant callus exhibited higher AS activity than wild-type callus when assayed with either glutamine or ammonium sulfate as amino donor, thus suggesting that elevated AS activity in the mutant was due to an alteration in the [alpha] subunit of the enzyme. The mutant also showed cross-resistance to 5-methylanthranilate and 6-methylanthranilate and mapped to chromosome V at or close to ASA1 (a gene encoding the AS [alpha] subunit). ASA1 mRNA and protein levels were similar in mutant and wild-type leaf extracts. Levels of ASA1 mRNA and protein were also similar in callus cultures of mutant and wild type, although the levels in callus were higher than in leaf tissue. Sequencing of the ASA1 gene from amt-1 revealed a G to A transition relative to the wild-type gene that would result in the substitution of an asparagine residue in place of aspartic acid at position 341 in the predicted amino acid sequence of the ASA1 protein. The mutant allele in strain amt-1 has been renamed trp5–1.
Quantitative, 3-D Imaging to Co-Localize Bone and Vasculature Tissues During Bone Healing

Successful bone repair requires reestablishment of a blood supply at the injury site [1]. However, despite convincing evidence of the close relationship between angiogenesis and osteogenesis during bone healing, little is known about the spatial correspondence between these two processes. This paucity of information hampers understanding of the mechanisms regulating osteogenesis during bone healing and of how molecular communication between endothelial cells and osteoblasts mediates the restoration of mechanical function.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Excitation functions of reactions induced by H 1 and H 2 ions on natural Mg, Al, and Si

Cross sections for various reactions induced by beams of $^{1}\mathrm{H}$ and $^{2}\mathrm{H}$ ions on targets of natural Mg, Al, and Si were determined from observations of the radioactive product $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays. $^{1}\mathrm{H}$ energies between 14.5 and 27.0 MeV and $^{2}\mathrm{H}$ energies between 8.7 and 18.0 MeV from the University of Colorado cyclotron were used.
Socratic Method and Political Science

This article advances a novel theoretical account of what a “method” is and what makes one “rigorous,” and shows how it could advance contemporary debates in political theory and empirical methodology. Plato's Socrates invented the notion of method, and his characteristic practice of immanent refutation through questioning escapes key problems in more familiar views. Socratic method is (1) antifoundational, (2) non-algorithmic, and (3) indirect and relative to competing hypotheses, and it (4) develops its own standards of objectivity from the logic of asking questions. The article reconstructs Socrates’ method from the Platonic texts and shows how it provides reasonable criteria for judgment while remaining critical, sensitive to difference, and open to innovation. Socratic method avoids a forced choice between universalism and particularism in political theory, and it provides a common language for evaluating both quantitative and qualitative methods by drawing out a critical logic of empirical inquiry shared by both.
Rational Points Near Curves and Small Nonzero |x3-y2| via Lattice Reduction

We give a new algorithm using linear approximation and lattice reduction to efficiently calculate all rational points of small height near a given plane curve C. For instance, when C is the Fermat cubic, we find all integer solutions of | x 3 + y 3 −z 3| < M with 0 < x ≤y < z < N in heuristic time ≪ (log O(1) N ) M provided M ≫N, using only O(log N) space. Since the number of solutions should be asymptotically proportional to M log N (as long as M < N 3), the computational costs are essentially as low as possible. Moreover the algorithm readily parallelizes. It not only yields new numerical examples but leads to theoretical results, difficult open questions, and natural generalizations. We also adapt our algorithm to investigate Hall’s conjecture: we find all integer solutions of 0 < |x 3 − y 2| ≪x 1/2 with x < X in time O(X 1/2log O(1) X). By implementing this algorithm with X = 1018 we shattered the previous record for x 1/2/|x 3 − y 2|. The O(X 1/2log O(1) X) bound is rigorous; its proof also yields new estimates on the distribution mod 1 of (cx)3/2 for any positive rational c.
De "carne" y "naturaleza": (Des)conocimiento de la mujer en Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada

The contradictory and distorted portrayal of certain female attributes in Pablo Neruda's Veinte poemas de amor y una cancion desesperada is an attempt to understand and unveil, from an adolescent's point of view, the mystery of the "beloved." The lack of knowledge about the female explains the ambivalence and insecurity in the representation of the woman, which resolves itself through a strategy of metamorphosis and textual dissection. Nevertheless, to discover and possess these female attributes is an illusion, a mirage created by masculine desire that only succeeds in approaching the beloved through a series of metamorphoses and fragmentation that actually obscures her further. But the effort is not in vain. The desire to understand (and love) makes possible the pursuit of the female who always is the same, although somehow different: the unknown stranger.
Effects of centrifugal, axial, and pulsatile left ventricular assist device support on end-organ function in heart failure patients.

Purpose Newer continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have the advantage of smaller size and increased durability. Questions remain regarding the safety and effects of long-term nonpulsatile flow, despite some animal and human studies showing that end-organ function is well maintained with pulsatile or axial-flow devices. This study investigated whether centrifugal devices have similar effects on end-organ function. Methods All patients who underwent LVAD implantation as bridge-to-transplant (BTT) therapy from January 2004 through May 2007 were reviewed. Excluded were patients on biventricular support, destination therapy, temporary support, and patients who died within 30 days after LVAD implantation. The centrifugal device was the VentrAssist (Ventracor Ltd, Sydney, Australia); axial, the HeartMate II; and pulsatile, the HeartMate XVE (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, CA). Results During the study, 10 VentrAssist, 30 HeartMate II, and 18 HeartMate XVE devices were implanted. Among the 3 groups, age, gender, weight, duration of LVAD support, and cause of heart failure were comparable. No significant differences were found between groups with respect to baseline renal function, hepatic function, or hematologic function. At 1 and 3 months of follow-up, renal and hepatic function either improved or remained within normal limits in all groups. Conclusions Centrifugal, axial, and pulsatile LVADs all provide adequate circulatory support to maintain appropriate end-organ function in patients with end-stage heart failure. The advantages of the newer continuous-flow devices can be safely applied to an increasing number of patients. Long-term studies (>1 year) are needed to assess effects on end-organ function with continuous-flow devices, which may have important implications for use as destination therapy.
EFFECT OF α-LINOLENIC ACID INTAKE IN EARLY INFANCY ON NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME OF TERM INFANTS AT 12 TO 15 MONTHS OF AGE: ▴ 1914

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6ω3), present in human milk but not in most infant formulas, is an important component of the structural lipids of brain and retinal cell membranes. More optimal indices of visual and neurodevelopmental status have been reported in breast versus formula fed infants. To determine if intake of α-linolenic acid (ALA), the precursor of DHA, affects neurodevelopmental outcome, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition (PDI, MDI), the Clinical Linguistic and Auditory Milestones Scale (CLAMS), the Clinical Adaptive Test (CAT), and the Gross Motor section of the Revised Gesell Developmental Inventory (GM) were administered at 12 to 15 months of age to 44 normal term infants who were fed formulas differing only in ALA content (0.4, 0.95, 1.7, and 3.24% of fat) for the first 4 months of life.
Resistin and leptin in breast milk and infants in early life

Abstract Background The role of adipokines in early life is considered an emerging topic issue in nutritional researches. Aims To evaluate serum resistin and leptin concentrations and their relations in infants and in breast milk. Study design We enrolled 41 term, AGA, healthy infants, of which 23 exclusively breast-fed (BF) and 18 formula-fed (FF), aged less than 6months. Breast milk (BM) samples were collected from 23 breastfeeding mothers of the infants enrolled. Resistin concentration in serum and BM was determined by ELISA test (Human-Resistin-ELISA, Mediagnost, Reutlingen, Germany). Leptin concentration was determined by Radioimmunoassay method (LEP-R40, Mediagnost, Reutlingen, Germany). Infants weight, length and body mass index were measured. We used Mann–Whitney test. Spearman correlation was applied. Statistical significance was set at p Results Infants serum resistin concentration was 9.30 (5.02) ng/ml. Breast milk resistin concentration ( n =23) was 0.18 (0.44) ng/ml. Leptin concentration was 3.04 (3.68) ng/ml in infants serum and in BM was 2.34 (5.73) ng/ml. Serum resistin concentrations in BF infants correlated positively with BM resistin ( r =0.636, p =0.035). We have shown a positive correlation between resistin and leptin in total group of infants ( r =0.44, p =0.05), confirmed in breastfed subjects ( r =0.65, p =0.02). No correlations were found between serum hormones and anthropometric parameters of infants. Conclusion Our findings show interestingly a positive correlation between resistin concentrations in BF infants serum and in BM and between resistin and leptin in infants.
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) plus soluble CNTF receptor alpha increases cyclooxygenase-2 expression, PGE2 release and interferon-gamma-induced CD40 in murine microglia.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been regarded as a potent trophic factor for motor neurons. However, recent studies have shown that CNTF exerts effects on glial cells as well as neurons. For instance, CNTF stimulates astrocytes to secrete FGF-2 and rat microglia to secrete glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), which suggest that CNTF exerts effects on astrocytes and microglia to promote motor neuron survival indirectly. As CNTF is structurally related to IL-6, which can stimulate immune functions of microglia, we hypothesized that CNTF might exert similar effects. We performed 2-D and 1-D proteomic experiments with western blotting and flow cytometry to examine effects of CNTF on primary microglia derived from neonatal mouse brains. We show that murine microglia express CNTF receptor α (CNTFRα), which can be induced by interferon-γ (IFNγ). Whereas IL-6 activated STAT-3 and ERK phosphorylation, CNTF did not activate these pathways, nor did CNTF increase p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation. Using 2-D western blot analysis, we demonstrate that CNTF induced the dephosphorylation of a set of proteins and phosphorylation of a different set. Two proteins that were phosphorylated upon CNTF treatment were the LYN substrate-1 and β-tubulin 5. CNTF weakly stimulated microglia, whereas a stronger response was obtained by adding exogenous soluble CNTFRα (sCNTFRα) as has been observed for IL-6. When used in combination, CNTF and sCNTFRα collaborated with IFNγ to increase microglial surface expression of CD40 and this effect was quite pronounced when the microglia were differentiated towards dendritic-like cells. CNTF/sCNTFRα complex, however, failed to increase MHC class II expression beyond that induced by IFNγ. The combination of CNTF and sCNTFRα, but not CNTF alone, enhanced microglial Cox-2 protein expression and PGE2 secretion (although CNTF was 30 times less potent than LPS). Surprisingly, Cox-2 production was enhanced 2-fold, rather than being inhibited, upon addition of a gp130 blocking antibody. Our studies indicate that CNTF can activate microglia and dendritic-like microglia similar to IL-6; however, unlike IL-6, CNTF does not stimulate the expected signaling pathways in microglia, nor does it appear to require gp130.
Two-photon holographic recording with continuous-wave lasers in the 750-1100-nm range.

Two-photon holographic recording with cw laser sources in the 750–1100-nm spectral range is accomplished using recording materials consisting of an α-diketone dissolved in a poly-α-cyanoacrylate host. Gating of the holographic sensitivity by irradiation with incoherent UV radiation is demonstrated. Hologram diffraction efficiencies as large as 10% are achieved.
Antiferromagnetic Ordering and Paramagnetic Behavior of Ferromagnetic Cu6 and Cu18 Clusters in BaCuO2+x

Magnetization and neutron diffraction measurements on polycrystalline BaCuO2+x revealed a combination of magnetic behaviors. The Cu6 ring clusters and Cu18 sphere clusters in this compound had ferromagnetic ground states with large spins 3 and 9, respectively. The Cu6 rings ordered antiferromagnetically below the Neel temperature TN = 15 ± 0.5 kelvin, whereas the Cu18 spheres remained paramagnetic down to 2 kelvin. The ordered moment below TN was 0.89(5) Bohr magnetons per Cu in the Cu6 rings, demonstrating that quantum fluctuation effects are small in these atomic clusters. The Cu18 clusters are predicted to exhibit ferromagnetic intercluster order below about 1 kelvin.
A note on the impact response of a cracked orthotropic material

An approach involving potential functions is used to simplify the equations of motion for an Orthotropic material to an elementary differential equation whose solution may be used for a wide variety of problems in elastodynamics of Orthotropic materials. Solutions for the dynamic mode I and II stress intensity factors for a Griffith crack in an Orthotropic material are obtained. The new approach allows the stress intensity factors to be determined with a minimal use of integral transforms. The solutions for the stress intensity factors are shown to be the same as those obtained by previous researchers.
Timekeeping in the honey bee colony : integration of circadian rhythms and division of labor

The daily patterns of task performance in honey bee colonies during behavioral development were studied to determine the role of circadian rhythmicity in age-related division of labor. Although it is well known that foragers exhibit robust circadian patterns of activity in both field and laboratory settings, we report that many in-hive tasks are not allocated according to a daily rhythm but rather are performed 24 h per day. Around-the-clock activity at the colony level is accomplished through the performance of some tasks by individual workers randomly with respect to time of day. Bees are initially arrhythmic with respect to task performance but develop diel rhythmicity, by increasing the occurrence of inactivity at night, prior to becoming foragers. There are genotypic differences for age at onset of rhythmicity and our results suggest that these differences are correlated with genotypic variation in rate of behavioral development: genotypes of bees that progressed through the age polyethism schedule faster also acquired behavioral rhythmicity at an earlier age. The ontogeny of circadian rhythmicity in honey bee workers ensures that essential in-hive behaviors are performed around the clock but also allows the circadian clock to be engaged before the onset of foraging.
Victorian Museums and Victorian Society

This article explores how the study of museums intersects with key aspects of Victorian historiography. A large scholarship on museums has developed as part of the larger, multidisciplinary effort to understand modernity in general, and Victorian society in particular, in terms of power, culture, and imperialism. Deeply influenced by the works of Michel Foucault and Pierre Bourdieu, Museum Studies has tended to emphasize the cultural and social power of ‘the museum’. However, more recent works have shown that when viewed in their particular historical contexts, museums seem far less powerful, and the class whose interests they apparently serve seems far less unified, than scholars originally imagined. Proliferating during a period of intense social transformation, Victorian museums ultimately both celebrated the new dogma of progress and hoped to mitigate the worst effects of urbanization, industrialization, and capitalism. A close study of the interconnections between Victorian museums and Victorian society thus illuminates two essential Victorian contradictions: the optimistic, imperial, industrial, capitalist society that contained its own critique, and the search for the transcendent in the material.
Bacterial treatment effectiveness of point-of-use ceramic water filters

Abstract Laboratory experiments were conducted on six point-of-use (POU) ceramic water filters that were manufactured in Nicaragua; two filters were used by families for ca. 4 years and the other filters had limited prior use in our lab. Water spiked with ca. 106 CFU/mL of Escherichia coli was dosed to the filters. Initial disinfection efficiencies ranged from 3 – 4.5 log, but the treatment efficiency decreased with subsequent batches of spiked water. Silver concentrations in the effluent water ranged from 0.04 – 1.75 ppb. Subsequent experiments that utilized feed water without a bacterial spike yielded 103–105 CFU/mL bacteria in the effluent. Immediately after recoating four of the filters with a colloidal silver solution, the effluent silver concentrations increased to 36 – 45 ppb and bacterial disinfection efficiencies were 3.8–4.5 log. The treatment effectiveness decreased to 0.2 – 2.5 log after loading multiple batches of highly contaminated water. In subsequent loading of clean water, the effluent water contained
Stabilized composite membranes and membrane electrode assemblies for elevated temperature/low relative humidity PEFC operation

Abstract An approach is presented to combine existing heteropolyacid (HPA) additive and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) stabilization techniques to yield a stabilized MEA for operation at 120 °C and 35% relative humidity (RH). MEAs were prepared using Nafion ® /phosphotungstic acid composite membranes with a phosphotungstic acid (PTA) particle size of 30–50 nm. The PTA additive was stabilized by substituting its protons with cesium counter ions. The Nafion ® in the membrane and electrodes was simultaneously converted to the Cs + form by an ion-exchange process. The melt processability of the Nafion ® in the Cs + form permitted the MEA to be heat treated at 200 °C and 30 atm, promoting the development of a durable membrane/electrode interface. The prior stabilization of the PTA permitted MEA re-protonation with minimal additive loss. FTIR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to present evidence of ion-exchange and protonation. In situ electrochemical impedance measurements (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements confirmed ion-exchange and protonation within the active portion of the stabilized MEA. The stabilization process did not affect the integrity of the MEA, with the hydrogen crossover currents through the membrane remaining unchanged at 2 mA cm −2 . The MEA was evaluated at 120 °C and 35% relative humidity in an operating fuel cell environment and yielded respectable performance under these conditions.
Mathematical formulation for modelling minor and major hysteresis loops of power ferrites

A mathematical formulation that would enable the Basso-Bertotti domain-wall-motion (DWM) model to describe those static hysteresis phenomena that are not necessarily governed by DWM is presented. The motivation for this work has been the need to characterise both the major loop and the minor loops of the power ferrites used in power electronic applications. The key contribution is the introduction of a model parameter mt that defines the transition between low field/minor loops and high field/major loop. The formulation is verified against experimental data of a commercial manganese-zinc (MnZn) ferrite.
Secondary reinforcement and information as determinants of observing behavior in monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Abstract Responses on a food lever were reinforced on alternating Variable Ratio and Extinction schedules, while concurrent responses on an observing lever produced positive and negative cues correlated with the two schedules. In Experiment I the Variable Ratio requirement was reduced, thereby increasing the density of reinforcement in the presence of the positive cue but reducing average uncertainty as to the effective schedule. The result was a reduction in observing response rates. In Experiment II uncertainty was reduced through presentations of an informative light rather than primary reinforcement, and again the result was a decrease in observing behavior. In Experiment III presentations of the negative cue associated with nonreinforcement were discontinued, and omission of this presumably aversive stimulus again significantly reduced observing behavior. These results were interpreted as generally supporting an information analysis of observing behavior.
Phosphorylated nitrate reductase and 14-3-3 proteins. Site of interaction, effects of ions, and evidence for an amp-binding site on 14-3-3 proteins.

The inactivation of phosphorylated nitrate reductase (NR) by the binding of 14-3-3 proteins is one of a very few unambiguous biological functions for 14-3-3 proteins. We report here that serine and threonine residues at the +6 to +8 positions, relative to the known regulatory binding site involving serine-543, are important in the interaction with GF14ω, a recombinant plant 14-3-3. Also shown is that an increase in ionic strength with KCl or inorganic phosphate, known physical effectors of NR activity, directly disrupts the binding of protein and peptide ligands to 14-3-3 proteins. Increased ionic strength attributable to KCl caused a change in conformation of GF14ω, resulting in reduced surface hydrophobicity, as visualized with a fluorescent probe. Similarly, it is shown that the 5′ isomer of AMP was specifically able to disrupt the inactive phosphorylated NR:14-3-3 complex. Using the 5′-AMP fluorescent analog trinitrophenyl-AMP, we show that there is a probable AMP-binding site on GF14ω.
Cytosine β-D-arabinofuranoside used as a Paradigm Modifier to Increase Production of Tau Aggregates in a Cellular Model of Tauopathy

Intraneuronal deposition of filamentous tau is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related tauopathies. We developed previously a cellular model recapitulating such tau anomaly and demonstrated therein consistent production of 70-kD tau. Importantly, the 70-kD species appears to derive from tau fragments with carboxy-terminal truncation and is larger than intact tau in size, suggesting the oligomeric nature in its assembly from tau. To generate the 70-kD tau in sufficient quantity for its characterization at the molecular level, we explored and demonstrated herein that cytosine beta-D-arabinofuranoside is a useful paradigm modifier to increase production of the 70-kD tau. Such oligomeric tau was enriched thereafter by immunoprecipitation to remove tau species with intact carboxy-terminus. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that the 70-kD tau has an isoelectric point of 5.8-6.0. Future elucidation of key aggregates will provide valuable insights into the natural history of neurofibrillary degeneration and identify novel targets to develop therapeutic interventions.
Effect of IL-2 on immunoglobulin production by anti-CD40-activated human B cells: synergistic effect with IL-10 and antagonistic effect with IL-4.

Abstract Activation of B cells by anti-CD40 provides an excellent model to investigate the direct effect of various cytokines on Ig production. Using this culture system, we examined the effect of IL-2 alone or in combination with other cytokines. IL-2 alone had only a moderate effect on Ig production by anti-CD40-activated B cells if compared with the effect of IL-10. However, IL-2 significantly augmented the synthesis of IgM, IgA, and IgG, including all IgG subclasses by anti-CD40-activated B cells cultured in the presence of IL-10. Both IgD- and IgD+ B cells showed an increase of IL-10induced Ig production if IL-2 was added to the culture. The addition of IL-2 also increased immunoglobulin synthesis by anti-CD40/IL-10-activated B cells from patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) and defective IL-2 production, suggesting that in a subgroup of CVI patients the IL-2 deficiency may contribute to the observed hypogammaglobulinemia. In contrast, the addition of IL-2 had a suppressive effect on IgE and IgG4 production by B cells cultured in the presence of anti-CD40 and IL-4. These data demonstrate that IL-2 plays an active role in the regulation of Ig production via CD40 by anti-CD40-activated B cells.
Unified Model for the Corneal Permeability of Related and Diverse Compounds with Respect to Their Physicochemical Properties

Corneal permeability data taken from the literature were analyzed for possible quantitative relationships with physicochemical properties. Although a parabolic relationship was obtained with good correlation between lipophilicity, as expressed by the 1-octanol–water partition coefficients, log Poctanol (or the distribution coefficients, log D for ionizable compounds), and the permeability in individual analyses of compound classes such as β-adrenoceptor blockers and steroids, the correlation was reduced when taken together. However, Δ log P (i.e., log Poctanol − log Palkane) correlated inversely with the combined permeability data for β-blockers and steroids and played a key role as a unifying variable. To a lesser extent, lipophilicity itself also contributes positively to corneal permeation. Even with the addition of miscellaneous compounds such as methanol and ibuprofen, the Δ log P and lipophilicity terms were still significant. However, small molecules were likely to be underestimated, which is consistent with penetration via another pathway besides that governed by Δ log P and lipophilicity.
A new trajectory approximation technique for transient stability studies

In many studies involving dynamic models of power systems, fast simulation is needed such as in using direct methods of stability analysis where a number of contingencies have to be simulated in a very short time. In this paper we propose a method which uses piecewise linearization of the nonlinearities combined with trapezoidal integration of the differential equation to approximate the trajectory of a multimachine system with classical model representation. The technique is illustrated for faults on a 3- and 10-machine system and the computational savings are discussed with respect to a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method.
Hyperacusis and Otitis Media in Individuals with Williams Syndrome

Williams syndrome is characterized by cardiac defects, varying degrees of physical and developmental delay, stellate eye pattern, possible elevated serum calcium level, and elfin/pixie facial featu...
Homodyne detection using photorefractive materials as beamsplitters

The use of two-wave mixing in photorefractive (PR) materials in a homodyne detection receiver structure is studied. The interaction between a strong local oscillator optical field and a weak signal optical field in the PR material results in the formation of a volume index of refraction phase grating. The grating automatically aligns such that it coherently couples the signal and local oscillator fields just like a fixed beamsplitter in a conventional homodyne receiver structure. The slow response of the PR material automatically compensates for slow changes in the angle of arrival of the signal beam but acts as a fixed grating with respect to rapid phase modulation of the signal beam. The performance of a homodyne receiver that uses a PR material as a beamsplitter, is shown to be up to 3 dB superior to the performance of a conventional homodyne receiver that uses a fixed 50-50 beamsplitter. Furthermore, a PR receiver can adjust and retain its optimal performance when changes in the received signal power occur, whereas a conventional receiver cannot.
Bureaucrats, voters, and public investment

Abstract This paper explores the provision of a durable public good in Romer and Rosenthal's agenda setter model. It identifies a type of equilibrium, called a Romer–Rosenthal equilibrium, in which in every period the bureaucrat proposes the maximum level of public investment the voter will support. The paper establishes that such an equilibrium exists for a variety of public good benefit functions. Equilibrium public good levels converge or almost converge to a steady state. These steady states can involve a unique public good level being provided each period or may exhibit a two period cycle. Steady state public good levels exceed the voter's optimal level. More surprisingly, steady state equilibrium reversion levels can exceed the voter's optimal steady state level, meaning that reversion levels cannot be used to bound the optimal level. Reflecting the inability of the agents to commit to their future proposing and voting behavior, equilibrium paths are Pareto inefficient.
Ephedrine-adrenergic amine interaction of heart phosphorylase, adenyl cyclase and amine uptake

Abstract Ephedrine is known to interact with other adrenergic amines by enhancing the effect of direct acting amines in low doses and by blocking the effect in high doses. In the present study ephedrine in low doses enhanced the effect of norepinephrine on rat cardiac phosphorylase a . Higher doses of ephedrine blocked the norepinephrine response. Ephedrine was found to cause a parallel shift in the dose-response curve obtained with isoproterenol on cardiac phosphorylase a . Ephedrine also shifted the dose-response curve obtained with tyramine to the right and depressed the maximal response obtained with tyramine. Ephedrine was found to decrease amine uptake as measured by the formation of labelled octopamine from labelled tyramine. Ephedrine also blocked the stimulatory effects of epinephrine on rat adenyl cyclase. It is concluded that the effects of ephedrine can be explained on the basis that ephedrine blocks amine uptake and also can occupy and block β-adrenergic receptors.
Cytolytic differences among lepidopteran cell lines exposed to toxins ofBacillus thuringiensis subst.Kurstaki. (HD-263) andAizawai (HD-112): Effect of aminosugars and N-glycosylation

Comparison of lytic-dose response behavior of seven lepidopteran cell lines to the activated delta-endotoxin polypeptides ofBacillus thuringiensis subspecieskurstaki (HD-263) andaizawai (HD-112) indicated distinct differences among the lines. The lines derived fromSpodoptera speciesS. exigua (URC-SE-1A) andS. littoralis (UIV-SL-575) were more susceptible to lysis byaizawai towin (Bta) thankurstaki toxin (Btk) as were cells from theLymantria dispar line (IPLB-LD652Y). However, the concentrations of Bta required for lysis of 50% of URC-SE-1A and IPLB-LD652Y cells (LC50) were 0.2 to 0.8 µg/ml compared to 5 to 9 µg/ml for UIV-SL-575 cells. In comparison, Btk LC50 concentrations for the three lines were similar (14 to 19 µg/ml). Cells fromS. frugiperda (IPLB-SF-21AE) andTrichoplusia ni (TN368) were similar in their response to Bta (LC50=2.5 to 3.7 µg/ml) and Btk (LC50=1.0 to 2.8 µg/ml) whereas the lines derived fromHeliothis spp. were the least susceptible to both toxins. The LC50 concentrations for Bta with theH. zea line (IPLB-HA-1075) andH. virescens line (BCIRL-HV-AM1) were >50 µg/ml and for Btk were >50 µg/ml and 42 to 50 µg/ml, respectively, yet for both lines Btk was the more cytolytic.
Does the health belief model predict risky sexual practices in injection drug users

The current research assessed Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs, sexual behaviour, and drug use practices in 123 heterosexual IDUs (62 men and 61 women) who were seronegative for HIV. Results indicated that HBM variables significantly explained 25% of the variance in condom usage in IDU men. Higher reports of condom usage were associated with negative attitudes related to condom discomfort, inconvenience, and acceptance; positive attitudes related to perceptions of condoms as adding excitement to sex; positive attitudes regarding condom efficacy and lower perceived susceptibility for AIDS. Alcohol, marijuana, and methadone usage explained an additional 21% of the variance in condom usage with alcohol use contributing positively to condom use while the other substances had negative contributions. HBM constructs did not significantly explain the variance in other risk behaviours in this group, however, control variables contributed to significant proportions of the variance in risky practices. HBM components did not significantly explain any of the variance in the sexual behaviours of IDU women, but demographic variables and substance use behaviours contributed to the variance in a number of sexual practices in this group. Based upon these findings, implications for clinical intervention are discussed.
Singly and doubly contingent after-effects involving color, orientation and spatial frequency

Abstract Two singly contingent after-effects were observed: an orientation effect contingent on spatial frequency and a spatial frequency effect contingent on orientation. These effects may be interpreted in terms of channels specific for orientation and spatial frequency. Two doubly contingent after-effects were also observed: a color effect contingent jointly on orientation and frequency, and a color effect contingent on apparent frequency contingent on orientation. These effects may be interpreted in terms of channels specific for color, orientation and spatial frequency.
Neoclassical and Structural Analysis of Poverty: Winning the 'Economic Kingdom' for the Poor in Southern Africa

In situations characterised by historical injustice in the distribution of economic resources, such as in many southern African ‘settler’ countries, there is a powerful intuitive case that ameliorative and palliative public policy is insufficient to significantly affect poverty reduction. This is because of the dulling effects on growth caused by significant structural inequality in the distribution of resources. However, the proposition that inequality is a problem for poverty reduction is contentious. This article reviews the neoclassical and structuralist literatures on the relationship between growth, inequality and poverty. It argues that the first is inconclusive and, furthermore, can only be so, while the second requires to be made more relevant to the discussions of how redistribution and inequality relate in legitimate policy and practice. The concept of property regimes can help here, within a more contextual understanding of development in practice as not necessarily involving growth and econom...
Oral Health Screening Guidelines for Nondental Health Care Providers

Clues identified in oral health screening can be associated with medical conditions, medical treatments, and overall health status. Thorough oral health screening involves not only talking with the patient, but touching and exploring the mouth. Oral health screening expands the role of dietitians in improving the nutritional and dietary practices of clients.
Induction of graft-versus-host disease and in vivo T cell monitoring using an MHC-matched murine model.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the limiting barrier to the broad use of bone marrow transplant as a curative therapy for a variety of hematological deficiencies. GVHD is caused by mature alloreactive T cells present in the bone marrow graft that are infused into the recipient and cause damage to host organs. However, in mice, T cells must be added to the bone marrow inoculum to cause GVHD. Although extensive work has been done to characterize T cell responses post transplant, bioluminescent imaging technology is a non-invasive method to monitor T cell trafficking patterns in vivo. Following lethal irradiation, recipient mice are transplanted with bone marrow cells and splenocytes from donor mice. T cell subsets from L2G85.B6 (transgenic mice that constitutively express luciferase) are included in the transplant. By only transplanting certain T cell subsets, one is able to track specific T cell subsets in vivo, and based on their location, develop hypotheses regarding the role of specific T cell subsets in promoting GVHD at various time points. At predetermined intervals post transplant, recipient mice are imaged using a Xenogen IVIS CCD camera. Light intensity can be quantified using Living Image software to generate a pseudo-color image based on photon intensity (red = high intensity, violet = low intensity). Between 4-7 days post transplant, recipient mice begin to show clinical signs of GVHD. Cooke et al.1 developed a scoring system to quantitate disease progression based on the recipient mice fur texture, skin integrity, activity, weight loss, and posture. Mice are scored daily, and euthanized when they become moribund. Recipient mice generally become moribund 20-30 days post transplant. Murine models are valuable tools for studying the immunology of GVHD. Selectively transplanting particular T cell subsets allows for careful identification of the roles each subset plays. Non-invasively tracking T cell responses in vivo adds another layer of value to murine GVHD models.
Neural responses to emotional and neutral facial expressions in chronically violent men.

Background: Abnormal neural responses to others' emotions, particularly cues of threat and distress, have been implicated in the development of chronic violence. We examined neural responses to several emotional cues within a prospectively identified group of chronically violent men. We also explored the association between neural responses to social emotions and psychopathic features. Methods: We compared neural responses to happy, sad, angry, fearful and neutral faces between chronically violent (n = 22) and nonviolent (n = 20) men using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants were prospectively identified from a longitudinal study based on information collected from age 7 to 27 years. We assessed psychopathic features using a self-report measure administered in adulthood. Results: The chronically violent men exhibited significantly reduced neural responses in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex to all faces, regardless of the emotional content, compared with nonviolent men. We also observed a hyperactive amygdala response to neutral faces in chronically violent men, but only within the context of viewing happy faces. Moreover, they exhibited a greater dorsomedial prefrontal cortex response to mildly fearful faces than nonviolent men. These abnormalities were not associated with psychopathic features in chronically violent men. Limitations: It remains unclear whether the observed neural abnormalities preceded or are a consequence of persistent violence, and these results may not generalize to chronically violent women. Conclusion: Chronically violent men exhibit a reduced neural response to facial cues regardless of emotional content. It appears that chronically violent men may view emotionally ambiguous facial cues as potentially threatening and implicitly reinterpret subtle cues of fear in others so they no longer elicit a negative response. Language: en