cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental changes in neurotransmitter receptor binding in the human periaqueductal gray

The periaqueductal gray (PAG) plays a central role in the integration of defense responses to threatening or stressful stimuli. Little is known about the neurochemical development of the human PAG around the time of birth, when the fetus makes the transition to extrauterine life and independent defense responses are needed. We analyzed receptor binding to selected neurotransmitters implicated in PAG function in 7 fetuses (19 to 26 gestational weeks), 9 infants (38 to 74 postconceptional weeks), 1 child (4 years), and 3 adults (20 to 68 years). Tissue autoradiography was used with radioligands for opioid, nicotinic, muscarinic, kainate, and serotoninergic receptors. By midgestation, binding to nicotinic, muscarinic, serotoninergic, opioid, and kainate receptors is already localized to the human PAG. The subsequent developmental profiles are unique for each radioligand. Binding to nicotinic and serotoninergic receptors decreases significantly from the fetal to mature periods, but at different tempos. In contrast, there is no significant change from midgestation to infancy for muscarinic, kainate, and opioid binding: between infancy and the mature period there is a downward trend in binding for muscarinic and kainate receptors and an upward trend for opioid receptors. This study provides baseline information about the neurochemical development of the human PAG in early life. This information is of value in considering the neurochemical substrate of the maturation of defense responses in human infancy, and in evaluating potential neurochemical disorders of the developing human PAG.
Non-planar MHD model for solar flare-generated disturbances in the heliospheric equatorial plane

An analysis, with a representative (canonical) example of solar-flare-generated equatorial disturbances, is made for the temporal and spatial changes in the solar wind plasma and magnetic field environment between the sun and 1 AU. The goal is to search for first-order global consequences rather than to make a parametric study. The analysis treats all three plasma velocity and magnetic field components in any convenient heliospheric plane of symmetry. The representative disturbance is examined for the canonical case in which the temporal and spatial changes in a homogeneous solar wind caused by a solar-flare-generated shock wave are described. All plasma and field parameters at three radial locations are examined. These are the central meridian and 33 deg W and 90 deg W of the flare's central meridian. It is found that the incorporation of a small meridional magnetic field in the ambient magnetic spiral field has negligible effect on the results. The magnetic field exhibits strong kinking within the interplanetary shocked flow, even reversed polarity that, coupled with low temperature and low density, suggests a plausible explanation for magnetic clouds' with accompanying double-streaming of electrons observed at directions approximately 90 deg to the heliocentric radius.
Late-onset capsular bag distension syndrome following antihistamine administration

A 51-year-old woman presented with acute myopic shift 3 years after uneventful cataract extraction in both eyes; recent medical history was remarkable for administration of intravenous meclizine 2 weeks prior to presentation. Examination of each eye revealed anterior chamber crowding and a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) with distension of the capsular bag; clear fluid with a green hue was present between the IOL and the posterior capsule. We postulate a mechanism for the development of late-onset capsular bag distension syndrome. To our knowledge, no medication-induced incidences have been reported in the literature. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Biaxial and torsional response of inelastic structures under random excitation

Abstract Structures under strong motion earthquake excitation often go into the inelastic range, and the restoring force becomes nonlinear and hysteretic. Since only very rarely the excitation direction perfectly aligns with the structural orientation, the response is generally biaxial and torsional motion often becomes important for structures which have geometric of a random vibration method to predict the inelastic response including the biaxial interaction and torsional motion. A previously developed differential equation model for the restoring force and the equivalent linearization solution procedure are generalized for this purpose. The methods are tested using a single-story space-frame and a three-story space-frame with setbacks. Comparisons with Monte Carlo simulations are made and methods for improvement of the accuracy are suggested.
On the Relationship between Feminism and Use of “MS.”:

Spence and Helmreich's Attitudes Toward Women Scale was administered to 235 undergraduate women who were then asked to indicate, as part of a General Information Sheet, their names and which form of address they preferred from among Mrs., Miss, and Ms. While fewer than one-quarter of the women chose “Ms.”, it was found, as hypothesized, that these women had higher scores on the Attitudes toward Women Scale than those who chose “Miss” or “Mrs.” However, while significant, the difference was relatively small and possible interpretations of it are discussed.
Clinical and serologic effects of live attenuated serum inhibitor-resistant influenza B vaccine in seronegative adults.

The clinical effects, nasal and serum antibody responses, and virus excretion of a live attenuated serum inhibitor-resistant influenza B virus vaccine, R75, was evaluated in 43 seronegative healthy adults by a random double-blind study. Symptom responses were minimal and were not significantly different between vaccine and placebo groups. No fevers, abnormalities in physical examination or laboratory testing developed during 4 weeks of observation. Among vaccinees, 10 (48%) developed serum hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibodies, 16 (76%) developed serum neutralization (N) antibodies and 4(19%) developed nasal N antibodies. The GMT responses from study day 0 to day 28 were 4.0 to 10.4 for serum HI, 1.8 to 9.8 for serum N, and 1.0 to 1.4 for nasal N. There were no significant titer changes in the placebo group. No virus excretion was detected. Although there are some questions concerning the relationship of antibody levels to protection, the low antibody responses in this study are an indication that R75 is not sufficiently immunogenic.
Surplus extraction, risk management and economic change among Peruvian Peasants

Analytical approaches to economic change among peasants are marked by a dichotomy between orthodox decision‐making and Marxian surplus appropriation. These approaches are combined in this paper in an examination of the response of Peruvian peasants to new economic opportunities. First, the mechanics of surplus appropriation and the economic logic of peasant households are addressed. The discussion then turns to the nature of risk and uncertainty and describes economic and social strategies for risk management. Two forms of social relationship, the broker and the dyadic contract, and their role in managing risk in the shift from subsistence to cash cropping and the reaction of peasants to the 1969 Agrarian Reform are analyzed.
Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography: reconstruction algorithm and diagnostic performance of resulting images

To date, 3D ultrasound imaging has been hampered by fractionated, job specific computer procedures, and the need for significant operator interaction. This paper presents our data processing algorithm for cardiac structure visualization from serial transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) images. Major steps in the algorithm are: 1) image registration, 2) histogram operations for contrast enhancement, 3) noise and speckle filtering, 4) segmentation of composite color Doppler flow images, and 5) coordinate system conversion and interpolation. Three-dimensional reconstructions of clinical TEE examinations were compared to the corresponding serial 2D scans using receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis. The results demonstrated significantly better trade-off between diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in the 3D method when compared to the original 2D tomograms. We conclude that 3D echocaridography based on our algorithm is clinically feasible. Moreover, the ROC analysis on a limited group of patients indicated that 3D imaging facilitated comprehension of complex anatomic relationships and diagnostic capabilities of conventional 2D TEE echocardiography.
Phosphorylation of c-Abl by protein kinase Pak2 regulates differential binding of ABI2 and CRK.

The tyrosine kinase c-Abl is implicated in a variety of cellular processes that are tightly regulated by c-Abl kinase activity and/or by interactions between c-Abl and other signaling molecules. The interaction of c-Abl with the Abl interactor protein Abi2 is shown to be negatively regulated by phosphorylation of serines 637 and 638. These serines are adjacent to the PxxP motif (PTPPKRS637S638SFR) that binds the SH3 domain of Abi. Phosphorylation of the Abl 593−730 fragment by Pak2 dramatically reduces Abi2 binding (∼90%). Mutation of serines 637−639 to alanine (3A) or aspartate (3D) results in an increased tyrosine kinase activity of c-Abl 3D, and a slight reduction of the activity of the 3A mutant, as compared to wild-type (WT) c-Abl. The interaction between Abi2 and c-Abl 3D is inhibited by 80%, as compared to WT c-Abl or c-Abl 3A. This is accompanied by a 2-fold increase in binding of Crk to c-Abl 3D. The data indicate a molecular mechanism whereby phosphorylation of c-Abl by Pak2 inhibits the interac...
GABAA receptor function and regional analysis of subunit mRNAs in long-sleep and short-sleep mouse brain.

Abstract The greater sensitivity of long-sleep (LS), as compared with short-sleep (SS), mice to ethanol is due in part to differences in GABAA receptor function in specific brain regions. To determine if differences in subunit composition of GABAA receptors contribute to this differential sensitivity, we measured α1 and γ2 subunit mRNAs with Northern analysis and in situ hybridization and γ2S, γ2L and α6 subunit mRNAs with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. No differences in mRNAs in whole brain were apparent by Northern analysis. In situ hybridization revealed that α1 and γ2 subunit mRNAs were co-localized in many brain regions but that they still had distinct patterns of hybridization. However, the few differences observed between LS and SS mice in the levels of hybridization for these subunits did not show a regional distribution consistent with ethanol sensitivity differences. Similar ratios of γ2L and γ2S subunit mRNAs were found in LS and SS mouse cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and both mouse lines expressed essentially only γ2L subunit mRNA in cerebellum, mRNA for the α6 subunit was detected only in cerebellum and also was qualitatively similar between LS and SS mice. Studies of muscimol-stimulated 36Cl− uptake by cortical membrane vesicles confirmed earlier findings that ethanol does not enhance function of GABAA receptors in SS mice when assayed at 30°C. However, at 34°C ethanol did increase this function in SS mice although the enhancement remained greater in LS mice. These functional results, together with the results showing similar levels of α1, γ2S, γ2L and α6 subunits in LS and SS mice, suggest that the ethanol-insensitivity of SS mouse GABAA receptors cannot be due solely to lack of subunits required for ethanol action and further suggest that differences in catalytic mechanisms affecting post-translational processing may account for some genetic differences in ethanol sensitivity of GABAA receptors.
Characterization and Quantitation of Peptide–MHC Complexes Produced from Hen Egg Lysozyme Using a Monoclonal Antibody

Abstract Here we describe generation of Aw3.18, a monoclonal antibody that recognizes peptide residues 48–62 of hen egg lysozyme (HEL) bound to the MHC class II molecule I-A k . Epitope mapping revealed that Aw3.18 detects a change in the solvent-exposed surface of this peptide–MHC complex upon substitution of the peptide side chain at position P1. Furthermore, Aw3.18 blocked recognition by some, but not all, of the HEL 48-62–reactive T cell hybridomas tested, suggesting a heterogeneity in the T cell response toward this complex. Finally, using Aw3.18, it was possible to determine the fraction of I-A k molecules loaded with 48-62 peptide after culture of an antigen-presenting cell in medium containing HEL.
Fertilization-related sperm antigens and their immunocontraceptive potentials.

Vaccine(s) for contraception will provide an attractive alternative to contraception. There has been a renewed interest in defining fertilization-related sperm antigens that can be used for the development of a contraceptive vaccine. The sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) recognition and binding constitutes the most important event in the fertilization process, and the molecules involved at this site are attractive candidates for immunocontraception. Extensive research indicates that there are four sperm surface proteins that bind to oocyte ZP3 in humans and they belong to the four molecular regions of 95, 63, 51, and 14-18 kDa, respectively. Our laboratory is actively engaged in cloning and sequencing of cDNAs encoding for these sperm proteins and investigating the applications of recombinant (r) proteins in immunocontraception and infertility. Presently, the cDNAs encoding for the 14-18-kDa proteins, designated the NZ-1 and NZ-2, respectively, and the 51-kDa protein, designated fertilization antigen, have been cloned and sequenced. Active immunization with the rFA-1 antigen caused a reversible block/inhibition in fertility of female mice by raising a sperm/testis-specific immune response. FA-1 antigen is also involved in human immunoinfertility, and a recent clinical trial indicates that it will have a clinical application in the treatment of immunoinfertile men. The long-term goal is to employ various recombinant fertilization antigens and or their bioeffective peptide epitopes in a single formulation, to generate an anti-sperm vaccine that will be strongly immunogenic and highly efficacious for regulation of fertility.
Recent advances: paediatric surgery.

Paediatric surgery—the surgical care of children from the fetus to adolescent—is a comparatively new surgical specialty, which began shortly after the second world war.1,2 Pioneering work during the formative years of the specialty has enabled many lethal congenital malformations to be corrected. The surgical treatment of childhood disease has also progressed enormously. This review focuses on recent advances in paediatric surgery and its relation with scientific research, which is rapidly translating state of the art care from research to the patient. Summary points Exploring mechanisms to modulate abnormal fetal development pharmacologically may provide alternatives to fetal surgery and invasive fetal interventions Progress in neonatal surgery has resulted in the survival of children with many types of congenital lethal malformations Advances in paediatric gastroenterology include a greater understanding of biological mechanisms regulating normal and abnormal gut motility New treatments are needed to induce biological regression of tumours and tumour maturation Several laparoscopic techniques are now feasible, safe, and effective Future developments include tissue engineering, antiangiogenic agents, scarless healing, in utero gene replacement, and treatments with growth factors Methods This article is based on a personal awareness of developments in paediatric surgery and relevant contributions from major paediatric surgical journals, review articles, and the proceedings from meetings of various international associations.
Effect of oxidant on downstream microwave plasma enhanced CVD of hafnium oxynitride films

Hafnium oxynitride films were deposited using downstream microwave plasma-enhanced (DMPE) CVD in O 2 , N 2 O, O 2 /He, and N 2 O/N 2 with hafnium tetrakis-diethylamide (Hf(NCH 2 CH 3 ) 4 , TDEAH) as the precursor. The effects of plasma-activated oxidant on structures and properties of deposited hafnium oxynitride films were studied. Films deposited using DMPECVD have amorphous morphologies, while films deposited using metal-organic (MO) CVD are crystallized in the same deposition temperature range. Also, films from DMPECVD contain more interstitial oxygen atoms that degrade the electrical properties of films. Increasing the deposition temperature reduces the electrical degradation of deposited films. Oxygen radicals in plasma-activated oxidant are regarded as the reason for amorphous structures and incorporated interstitial oxygen atoms.
Error compensation in machine tools: a neural network approach

For a non-idealized machine tool, each point in the workspace is associated with a tool point positioning error vector. If this error map can be determined, then it is possible to substantially improve the positioning performance of the machine by introducing suitable compensation into the control loop. This paper explores the possibility of using an artifical neural network (ANN) to compute this mapping. The training set for the ANN is obtained by mounting a physical artifact whose dimensions are precisely known in the machine's workspace. The machine, equipped with a touch trigger probe, ‘measures’ the positions of features on the artifact. The difference between the machine reading and the known dimension is the machine error at that point in the workspace. Using standard modeling techniques, the kinematic error model for a CNC turning center was developed. This model was parameterized by measurement of the parametric error functions using a laser interferometer, electronic levels and a precision square. The kinematic model was then used to simulate the artifact-measuring process and develop the ANN training set. The effect of changing artifact geometry was explored and a machining operation was simulated using the ANN output to provide compensation. The results show that the ANN is capable of learning the error map of a real machine, and that ANN-based compensation can significantly reduce part-dimensional errors.
Treatment of pulmonary metastatic tumors in mice using lentiviral vector-engineered stem cells

Active cancer immunotherapy relies on functional tumor-specific effector T lymphocytes for tumor elimination. Dendritic cells (DCs), as most potent antigen-presenting cells, have been popularly employed in clinical and experimental tumor treatments. We have previously demonstrated that lentiviral vector-mediated transgene delivery to DC progenitors, including bone marrow cells and hematopoietic stem cells, followed by transplantation supports systemic generation of great numbers of tumor antigen-presenting DCs. These DCs subsequently stimulate marked and systemic immune activation. Here, we examined whether this level of immune activation is sufficient to overcome tumor-induced tolerogenic environment for treating an established aggressive epithelial tumor. We showed that a combination treatment of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor and cytosine-phosphate-guanine-containing oligonucleotide stimulated large numbers of tumor antigen-presenting DCs in situ from transgene-modified stem cells. Moreover, these in situ generated and activated DCs markedly stimulated activation of antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells by augmenting their numbers, as well as function, even in a tumor-bearing tolerogenic environment. This leads to significant improvement in the therapeutic efficacy of established pulmonary metastases. This study suggests that lentiviral vector-modified stem cells as DC progenitors may be used as an effective therapeutic regimen for treating metastatic epithelial tumors.
Adipose Expression of the Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Promoter Requires Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ and 9-cis-Retinoic Acid Receptor Binding to an Adipocyte-specific Enhancer in Vivo

A putative adipocyte-specific enhancer has been mapped to approximately 1 kilobase pair upstream of the cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene. In the present study, we used transgenic mice to identify and characterize the 413-base pair (bp) region between −1242 and −828 bp as a bona fide adipocyte-specific enhancer in vivo. This enhancer functioned most efficiently in the context of the PEPCK promoter. The nuclear receptors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and 9-cis-retinoic acid receptor (RXR) are required for enhancer function in vivo because: 1) a 3-bp mutation in the PPARγ-/RXR-binding element centered at −992 bp, PCK2, completely abolished transgene expression in adipose tissue; and 2) electrophoretic mobility supershift experiments with specific antibodies indicated that PPARγ and RXR are the only factors in adipocyte nuclear extracts which bind PCK2. In contrast, a second PPARγ/RXR-binding element centered at −446 bp, PCK1, is not involved in adipocyte specificity because inactivation of this site did not affect transgene expression. Moreover, electrophoretic mobility shift experiments indicated that, unlike PCK2, PCK1 is not selective for PPARγ/RXR binding. To characterize the enhancer further, the rat and human PEPCK 5′-flanking DNA sequences were compared by computer and found to have significant similarities in the enhancer region. This high level of conservation suggests that additional transcription factors are probably involved in enhancer function. A putative human PCK2 element was identified by this sequence comparison. The human and rat PCK2 elements bound PPARγ/RXR with the same affinities. This work provides the first in vivo evidence that the binding of PPARγ to its target sequences is absolutely required for adipocyte-specific gene expression.
Peripheral tolerance to an islet cell-specific hemagglutinin transgene affects both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

To study the basis for immunological tolerance of peripheral tissue-specific antigens, a transgenic mouse line was established that expresses the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) on pancreatic islet beta cells (Ins-HA transgenic mice). When followed up to 14 months of age, Ins-HA transgenic mice did not develop spontaneous autoimmune disease. Upon immunization with HA-expressing viruses, high titers of HA-specific circulating antibody were detected; however, T cell responses by both the T helper and T cytolytic compartment were markedly reduced as compared with transgene-negative littermates, and no evidence could be found for islet infiltrates. Adoptive transfer of histocompatible lymphocytes from transgene-negative mice plus virus into irradiated Ins-HA hosts resulted in islet inflammation dominated by CD4+ T cells, indicating that the HA antigen was accessible to activated T cells. These results suggest that T cells can be rendered tolerant of antigens expressed outside the thymus.
Do attitudes toward disclosure in donor oocyte recipients predict the use of anonymous versus directed donation

Abstract Objective: To compare the demographic and psychological characteristics of oocyte recipients and to determine whether the issue of disclosure about the use of a donor is a correlate of the decision to use an anonymous or directed donor. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University teaching hospital. Patient(s): Ninety consecutive recipients of donated oocytes (64 of whom used anonymous donors and 26 of whom used directed donors). Intervention(s): Pretreatment psychosocial evaluation. Main Outcome Measure(s): Recipient opinions and attitudes regarding the choice of donor type and disclosure to others as determined through a semistructured interview. Result(s): There were no statistically significant differences with regard to demographic characteristics between recipients who used anonymous and directed donors. There were statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to the issue of disclosure. Recipients who used directed donors were more likely to have told others about using an oocyte donor and were more likely to indicate that they intended to inform the child about the nature of his or her conception. Conclusion(s): Oocyte recipients who use known donors differ significantly from those who use anonymous donors with regard to the issue of disclosure to others. Further studies are needed to determine the causal direction of this relation.
Excited-State Distortions of Cyclometalated Ir(III) Complexes Determined from the Vibronic Structure in Luminescence Spectra

The luminescence spectra of [(tpy)2Ir(CN-t-Bu)2](CF3SO3) in methylcyclohexane glass and frozen n-nonane at 15 K reveal well-resolved vibronic fine structure. The vibronic peaks are assigned by comparison with the vibrational frequencies obtained from Raman and IR spectra and those obtained using DFT electronic structure calculations. The magnitudes of the distortions along the normal coordinates are calculated by fitting the emission spectra using the time-dependent theory of spectroscopy. Broadening effects and the MIME frequency observed at room temperature are interpreted. The most highly distorted normal modes involve atomic motions on the tpy ligand, consistent with the metal to ligand/ligand centered assignment of the electronic transition.
Safe, High Quality Care Around the Clock: What will it Take to Get us There?

In Crossing the Quality Chasm1 the Institute of Medicine called for improvements in six dimensions of health care quality: safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness, timeliness, efficiency and equity. The report suggests that these improvements cannot be achieved within the constraints of the existing system of care. In this issue of the Journal, Wong et al., make a similar argument, proposing that our current “office hours” system of hospital care is incapable of providing high quality health care on nights and weekends.2 The authors concerns over temporal care disparities are warranted. The evidence provided for mortality differences in weekend admission for acute myocardial infarction(AMI), upper gastrointestinal bleed(UGIB), acute pulmonary embolus(PE) and pneumonia make a compelling case for reforming the way care is provided.3–6 Reports of less aggressive care during off hours, higher rates of surgical complications and medical errors as well as higher mortality from cardiac arrest only serve to strengthen their assertion.7,8 It is unacceptable for a patient’s experience or outcome to differ by time of day or day of week. The challenge lies in identifying the most effective and efficient means to eliminate these disparities.
Quantum phase space theory for the calculation of v-j vector correlations

The quantum state-counting phase space theory commonly used to describe 'barrierless' dissociation is recast in a helicity basis to calculate photofragment v(DOT)j correlations. Counting pairs of fragment states with specific angular momentum projection numbers on the relative velocity provides a simple connection between angular momentum conservation and the v(DOT)j correlation, which is not so evident in the conventional basis for phase space state counts. The upper bound on the orbital angular momentum, l, imposed by the centrifugal barrier cannot be included simply in the helicity basis, where l is not a good quantum number. Two approaches for a quantum calculation of the v(DOT)j correlation are described to address this point. An application to the photodissociation of NCCN is consistent with recent classical phase space calculations of Klippenstein and Cline. The observed vector correlation exceeds the phase space theory prediction. We take this as evidence of incomplete mixing of the K states of the linear parent molecule at the transition state, corresponding to an evolution of the body-fixed projection number K into the total helicity of the fragment pair state. The average over a thermal distribution of parent angular momentum in the special case of a linear molecule does not significantly reduce the v(DOT)j correlation below that computed for total J equals 0.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Determining the Population Threshold of Minor Trade Centers: A Benchmark Study of Non-Metropolitan Cities in Kansas

This article addresses the question: What is the threshold population size of non-metropolitan communities that consistently provides a wide enough variety of merchandise and services to create a net inflow of retail trade? Every rural town is overshadowed by some metropolitan area with modem shopping centers, auto malls, discount stores, and upscale shopping areas. Thus, leakage of retail trade is likely. Nevertheless, many communities have a goal of maintaining and enhancing their cluster of retail and service businesses. Community leaders desire to have a "critical mass" of businesses to
Using Keynote to Present Radiology Images

Numerous articles have offered instructions for working with advanced radiology images in Microsoft PowerPoint (Redmond, WA); however, no articles have detailed instructions to do the same on alternative presentation software. Apple Macintosh (Cupertino, CA) computers are gaining popularity with many radiologists, due in part to the availability of a powerful, free, open-source Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) viewing and manipulating software OsiriX (http://www.osirix-viewer.com). Apple’s own presentation software, Keynote, is particularly effective in dealing with medical images and cine clips. This article demonstrates how to use Apple’s Keynote software to present radiology images and scrollable image stacks, without third-party add-on software. The article also illustrates how to compress media files and protect patient information in Keynote presentations. Lastly, it addresses the steps to converting between PowerPoint and Keynote file formats. Apple’s Keynote software enables quick and efficient addition of multiple static images or scrollable image stacks, compression of media files, and removal of patient information. These functions can be accomplished by inexperienced users with no software modifications.
Socially Assistive Robots and Autism

Socially Assistive Robotics is a newly emerging area of robotics where robots are used to help a human through social interaction. This paper describes an ongoing project on the use of robotics as therapeutically or educationally useful tools for treating individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The robotic Lego NXT platform was used to develop an economical, practical and efficient means of helping teach social behavior to individuals with ASD in school/home environments. In addition, our approach to treatment is described as an educational intervention which is a combination of Socially Assistive Robotics, the DIR/Floortime intervention model and social script/stories.
Viewing Diversity Through Different Lenses: Avoiding a Few Blind Spots

The article is a response to the article “Making the Difference: Applying a Logic of Diversity,” by Scott Page in this issue of the journal. The author surveys relevant academic literature concerning the logic of diversity, including a study published by Cox and Blake in 1991. The author also critiques several of the “lessons” Page offers in his article, including relevant diversity, the conflation of identity and stereotypes, and the willingness to consult dissenters in business planning. The author concludes that Page's logic would be more helpful if it factored in different types of diversity.
Polycondensation of butenediol: synthesis of telechelic 2-butene-1,4-diol oligomers.

The catalytic condensation of cis-2-butene-1,4-diol with CpRu(MQA)(C3H5) (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, MQA = 4-methoxyquinoline-2-carboxylate) generates poly(2-butenediol), an unsaturated telechelic poly...
Phosphoaminoglycosides inhibit SWI2/SNF2 family DNA-dependent molecular motor domains.

Members of the SWI2/SNF2 family of proteins participate in an array of nucleic acid metabolic functions, including chromatin remodeling and transcription. The present studies identify a novel strategy to specifically inhibit the functional DNA-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) motor domain common to SWI2/SNF2 family members. We have identified preparations of phosphoaminoglycosides, which are natural products of aminoglycoside-resistant bacteria, as inhibitors of the in vitro activities of three SWI2/SNF2 family members. These compounds inhibit the ATPase activity of the active DNA-dependent ATPase A domain (ADAAD) by competing with respect to DNA and thus have no effect on DNA-independent ATPases or on RNA-dependent ATPases. Within the superfamily of DNA-dependent ATPases, these compounds are most potent toward SWI2/SNF2 family members and less potent toward other DNA-dependent ATPases. We demonstrate that it is feasible to target DNA-dependent ATPases of a particular type without affecting the ...
Contributions by MutL Homologues Mlh3 and Pms2 to DNA Mismatch Repair and Tumor Suppression in the Mouse

Germ line DNA mismatch repair mutations in MLH1 and MSH2 underlie the vast majority of hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer. Four mammalian homologues of Escherichia coli MutL heterodimerize to form three distinct complexes: MLH1/PMS2, MLH1/MLH3, and MLH1/PMS1. Although MLH1/PMS2 is generally thought to have the major MutL activity, the precise contributions of each MutL heterodimer to mismatch repair functions are poorly understood. Here, we show that Mlh3 contributes to mechanisms of tumor suppression in the mouse. Mlh3 deficiency alone causes microsatellite instability, impaired DNA-damage response, and increased gastrointestinal tumor susceptibility. Furthermore, Mlh3;Pms2 double-deficient mice have tumor susceptibility, shorter life span, microsatellite instability, and DNA-damage response phenotypes that are indistinguishable from Mlh1 -deficient mice. Our data support previous results from budding yeast that show partial functional redundancy between MLH3 and PMS2 orthologues for mutation avoidance and show a role for Mlh3 in gastrointestinal and extragastrointestinal tumor suppression. The data also suggest a mechanistic basis for the more severe mismatch repair–related phenotypes and cancer susceptibility in Mlh1 - versus Mlh3 - or Pms2 -deficient mice. Contributions by both MLH1/MLH3 and MLH1/PMS2 complexes to mechanisms of mismatch repair–mediated tumor suppression, therefore, provide an explanation why, among MutL homologues, only germ line mutations in MLH1 are common in hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer.
Efficient OFDM-HARQ system evaluation using a recursive EESM link error prediction

OFDM system-level simulations require a performance estimate for each link, but it is typically infeasible to conduct simultaneous link-level simulations for multiple users within a reasonable amount of time. Therefore, it is critical to have a simple link error probability predictor that accurately models coded OFDM performance. The exponential ESM (EESM) method was shown to be a very good link error prediction method for multi-carrier systems in the case of single transmission. Here, the EESM method is extended to cover hybrid ARQ (HARQ) techniques: Chase combining, incremental redundancy (IR) or an arbitrary combination of both. Further simplifications are introduced to greatly reduce the amount of memory necessary to utilize EESM for modeling OFDM-HARQ transmissions
Involvement of Mitochondria in Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Death in Mouse Zygotes

Accumulation of reactive oxygen species during aging leads to programmed cell death (PCD) in many cell types but has not been explored in mammalian fertilized eggs, in which mitochondria are "immature," in contrast to "mature" mitochondria in somatic cells. We characterized PCD in mouse zygotes induced by either intensive (1 mM for 1.5 h) or mild (200 microM for 15 min) hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) treatment. Shortly after intensive treatment, zygotes displayed PCD, typified by cell shrinkage, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and caspase activation, then terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining in condensed pronuclei. On the other hand, after mild treatment, zygotes arrested developmentally and showed neither cytochrome c release nor caspase activation over 48 h; until 72 h, 46% zygotes exhibited TUNEL staining, and 88% of zygotes lost plasma membrane integrity. Interestingly, mild oxidative treatment induced a decline in mitochondrial membrane potential and disruption of the mitochondrial matrix. Taken together, these results suggest that oxidative stress caused by H(2)O(2) induces PCD in mouse zygotes and that mitochondria are involved in the early phase of oxidative stress-induced PCD. Furthermore, mitochondrial malfunction also may contribute to cell cycle arrest, followed by cell death, triggered by mild oxidative stress.
A Chaperone-Activated Nonenveloped Virus Perforates the Physiologically Relevant Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane

The nonenveloped polyomavirus (Py) traffics from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it penetrates the ER membrane, allowing the viral genome to reach the nucleus to cause infection. The mechanism of membrane penetration for Py, and for other nonenveloped viruses, remains poorly characterized. We showed previously that the ER chaperone ERp29 alters the conformation of Py coat protein VP1, enabling the virus to interact with membranes. Here, we developed a membrane perforation assay and showed that the ERp29-activated Py perforates the physiologically relevant ER membrane, an event that likely initiates viral penetration. Biochemical analysis revealed that the internal protein VP2 is exposed in the activated viral particle. Accordingly, we demonstrate that VP2 binds to, integrates into, and perforates the ER membrane; the other internal protein, VP3, binds to and integrates into the ER membrane but is not sufficient for perforation. Our data thus link the activity of a cellular factor on a nonenveloped virus to the membrane perforation event and identify a viral component that mediates this process.
Evaluation of lane-assist systems for urban transit operations

This paper describes the operational benefits that can be achieved by the use of two forms of lane-assist systems on urban transit buses, and compares them with the costs of implementing lane assistance. Evaluations were done for precision docking and for automatic steering control under the real-world conditions of downtown Chicago, and these systems were found to have large benefit/cost ratios in both near-term and long-term applications.
Comments On "Something That Works in Juvenile Justice"

The article discusses reasons for praising the Intensive Protective Supervision Project as evaluated by Land, McCall, and Williams. These reasons include (a) the random assignment of probationers to a target and comparison group, (b) maintenance of good records about the process of intervention and relevant characteristics of the clients, (c) and tentative results suggesting that the prevention effort has been successful. The article suggests using dose- response evaluations that include measures of the amount of individuation, of the degree of supervision, and of the quality of behavior evaluation. It also suggests considering differential effects of treatment for different types of families as well as for different types of juveniles. Although judgment about the success of the treatment approach ispremature, short-term results are promising. The full records will enable a more complete evaluation.
On architectural styles for multimedia signal processors

After presenting several possible multimedia signal processor (MSP) architecture styles, we propose an architecture style which could provide high performance and high flexibilities, and require less external memory accesses and I/O operations. It is a hierarchical and scalable architecture style which facilitates the hardware-software co-design of MSP circuits and systems.
Calcium efflux from internally dialyzed squid axons: the influence of external and internal cations.

Internal dialysis techniques have been used to examine the influence of external and internal cations on Ca efflux from ATP-depleted squid axons. The main observation is that Ca efflux is promoted by external Na and inhibited by internal Na. The Na0 -dependent Ca efflux appears to be a function of [Na], and is also affected by the membrane potential; a 25 mV depolarization may cause as much as an e-fold decrease in Ca efflux. These data are consistent with a counter-transport exchange of 3Na+–for–1Ca2+. A Ca0-dependent Ca efflux has also been observed; it is prominent in Na sea water or Le sea water, and is markedly diminished in choline sea water. This flux is consistent with the idea of a Ca-Ca exchange diffusion process. Taken together, the Na0 - and the Ca0 -dependent Ca effluxes fit a two-site model for carrier-mediated Ca transport; one site binds two Na+ or one Ca2+, while the second site can bind either one Na+ or one Li+. The data reported here suggest that both sites must be filled on the inward journey, but that only the Ca-binding site need be occupied on the outward journey of the carrier. A mechanism of this type could derive sufficient energy from the Na and voltage gradients to maintain a [Ca2+]0/[Ca2+]i concentration ratio of about 104 in the absence of ATP. The present experiments do not, however, rule out the possible participation of a metabolically driven Ca transport mechanism in vivo.
The Function of Male Dominance in the Eusocial Wasp, Mischocyttarus mastigophorus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Males of a Neotropical eusocial wasp, Mischocyttarus mastigophorus, are dominant over their female nest mates. Mischocyttarus mastigophorus males behave aggressively toward females, while females rarely bite or chase males. Aggressive interactions between the sexes are behaviorally indistinguishable from dominance interactions among females. Males are long-lived as adults, and can reside on nests for periods of at least one month. Furthermore, males comprise a large proportion of post-emergence colony populations throughout much of the colony cycle. Males on the nest perform maintenance tasks at low rates, but contribute little other labor to their colonies. Males do not forage, but consume a disproportionate amount of the food (nectar and insect prey) collected by workers. Males in some colonies direct disproportionate amounts of aggression toward their queens, which may further contribute to males' food procurement. These data suggest that adult males represent a considerable energetic and labor cost to their colonies. I hypothesize that the dominance structure of M. mastigophorus directs food resources to adult males, with the function of increasing their longevity. Increased male longevity may be selectively advantageous in tropical species such as M. mastigophorus that found new colonies throughout much or all of the year. When females initiate new nests over much of the year, individual males' mating opportunities may be temporally distributed, favoring longer adult lifespans. Male dominance is predicted to occur in other populations of independent-founding Neotropical Polistinae with asynchronous colony foundation.
Transference focused psychotherapy: Overview and update.

This paper describes a specific psychoanalytic psychotherapy for patients with severe personality disorders, its technical approach and specific research projects establishing empirical evidence supporting its efficacy. This treatment derives from the findings of the Menninger Foundation Psychotherapy Research project, and applies a model of contemporary psychoanalytic object relations theory as its theoretical foundation. The paper differentiates this treatment from alternative psychoanalytic approaches, including other types of psychoanalytic psychotherapy as well as standard psychoanalysis, and from three alternative non-analytical treatments prevalent in the treatment of borderline patients, namely, dialectic behavior therapy, supportive psychotherapy based on psychoanalytic theory, and schema focused therapy. It concludes with indications and contraindications to this particular therapeutic approach derived from the clinical experience that evolved in the course of the sequence of research projects leading to the empirical establishment of its efficacy.
Climate-controlled variations in scree production, Southern Alps, New Zealand

The interaction of fluvial, glacial, and hillslope processes controls the development of mountain belts and their response to tectonic and climatic forcing. Studies on the contribution of hillslope processes to mountain erosion have focused on bedrock landslides, as they have a profound and readily observed impact on sediment yield and slope morphology. Despite the ubiquity of scree (or talus) mantled slopes in mountainous terrain, the role of frequent, low-magnitude (,100 m 3 ) rockfall events is seldom addressed in the context of landscape evolution. Here we quantify the contribution of rockfall erosion across an 80 by 40 km transect in the Southern Alps, New Zealand, by analyzing the spatial extent of scree slopes mapped from aerial photographs and estimating long-term (10‐15 k.y.) rockfall erosion rates from the accumulation of slope deposits below bedrock headwalls and in debris and alluvial fans. Along the rapidly uplifting, high-rainfall western margin, where high rates of bedrock landsliding have been previously documented, scree-mantled slopes are sparse. Rainfall decreases exponentially east of the Main Divide, and the proportion of slopes mantled by scree increases monotonically, attaining a maximum value of 70%. The systematic distribution of scree deposits cannot be attributed to lithologic variation, seismicity, or the legacy of glaciation. Instead, climate may serve as a primary control on scree production, as nearly 70% of the mapped scree deposits in our transect are confined to a narrow elevation range of 1200‐1600 m above sea level (masl). Our analysis of altitudinal controls on annual temperature variations indicates that scree production via frost-cracking processes may be maximized between elevations of 1600 and 2300 masl, as higher elevations are subject to persistent permafrost which obviates the frost-cracking process. Rates of rockfall erosion near the rapidly uplifting Main Divide are low (,0.1 mm/yr), whereas rates in the scree-dominated eastern areas average 0.6 mm/yr and may approximately balance rock uplift.
Marijuana use in Pregnancy: Anaesthetic Implications

No Abstract. Key words : Marijuana, Cannabis, Cannabinoids, Drug abuse, Chemical dependency, Drug addiction, Pregnancy