cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Porcine Adrenal Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Receptors: Characterization, Changes during Neonatal Development, and Response to a Stressor*

ACTH receptors were characterized in the porcine adrenal cortex using a biologically active [125I] Tyr23,Phe2,Nle4ACTH(1-38) analog, and a 149,000 X g(av) total particulate tissue preparation. Binding of this labeled ACTH analog to adrenocortical ACTH receptors was demonstrated to be time and temperature dependent, tissue and hormone specific, saturable, reversible, have a binding optimum at pH 7.5, and be dependent on the presence of Ca++. Scatchard analyses of saturation data using the computer program LIGAND indicated a single class of high affinity binding sites [association constant (Ka) = 2.00 +/- 0.25 10(9) M-1)]. Hill plots of saturation data had slopes (b = 0.83 +/- 0.09) that did not differ from 1, and hence also indicated a single class of binding sites. The rate constant of association (k1 = 3.72 +/- 1.19 X 10(8) min-1M-1) was compatible with the known rapidly occurring action of ACTH in pigs in vivo. Kinetic experiments also indicated the ACTH receptors to be of high affinity (4.18 +/- 0.54 X 10(10) M-1; n = 4). Receptor-associated degradation occurring to analog during incubations involved cleavage of the peptide into fragments rather than deiodination and could be partially prevented by use of 0.01% bacitracin. Subsequently, a study was conducted to determine changes in the ability of piglets to respond, in terms of plasma cortisol, to the physiological and psychological stressor of overnight maternal deprivation (MD) at various neonatal ages (days 3-31 of age); to measure age-related and stressor-associated changes in adrenal ACTH receptors; and to associate any changes in adrenal response with changes in ACTH receptors. Plasma cortisol obtained by venipuncture did not vary with age in either control or MD piglets but was elevated by MD (16.98 +/- 2.5 vs. 68.3 +/- 8.2 ng/ml). There was no effect of MD and associated hormonal perturbations on adrenal ACTH receptors. However, there were significant age-related differences in these receptors, with a 1.6-fold increase in concentrations (55.6 +/- 12.0 fmol/mg protein), and a 63% decrease (P less than 0.05) in affinity (4.19 +/- 0.86 x 10(8) M-1) evident at 17 days of age compared with 10 and 24 days of age. The significance of these age-related changes in ACTH receptors for adrenal function remains to be determined; however, it is evident that in neonatal pigs, there is no stress nonresponsive period.
Anabolic effect of dihydrotestosterone in testicular feminization syndrome

Abstract Patients with testicular feminization syndrome (TFS) are unresponsive to the masculinizing and anabolic effects of testosterone (T). Conversion of T to dihydrotesterone (DHT) and the binding of these steroids to nuclear chromatin appear to be related to end-organ responsiveness to T. Defective conversion of T to DHT has been observed in TFS. Three siblings with TFS were studied before and after gonadectomy to assess their responsiveness to the anabolic effects of DHT. Daily 24 hr urine nitrogen and phosphorus were measured under metabolic balance conditions before and during DHT administration. Two hypogonadal male patients served as controls. Significant reductions in urinary nitrogen and positive nitrogen balance during DHT were observed in both TFS patients studied prior to gonadectomy. This response was less than that of the controls. Two patients were unresponsive to DHT 3 mo postgonadectomy. Defective conversion of T to DHT would not explain this unresponsiveness of TFS patients to DHT. A more plausable explanation is a deficient affinity of nuclear receptor sites for androgenic steroids. The limited response to DHT in the intact state may be due to summation of endogenous and exogenous androgens or to participation of estrogen in the anabolic response.
Cooperative binding by mouse IgG3 antibodies: implications for functional affinity, effector function, and isotype restriction.

The studies we have reviewed on cooperative antibody binding by mouse IgG3 antibodies have expanded our conception of the functional consequences of structural diversity in immunoglobulin heavy chain C domains. We now know that, in the context of interactions between antibodies and multivalent antigens, CH domain differences can influence both the functional affinities characterizing those interactions and the abilities of the antibodies to discriminate among targets of varying epitope density [7, 8]. This relationship between CH domains and antibody binding illustrates the more general point, discussed in detail elsewhere [16, 18], that antibody-antigen interactions cannot be adequately characterized by focusing solely on the intermolecular (epitope-paratope) interface. Furthermore, CH domain differences can indirectly influence effector functions, such as the activation of the classical complement pathway, through effects on noncovalent Fc-Fc interactions. Given all that is currently known about the biology of IgG3 antibody responses, the occurrence of cooperative binding by IgG3 antibodies also supports the view that some of the differences among IgG subclasses reflect adaptations to particular types of immunological challenges. Future studies on cooperative antibody binding will be directed at: (1) elucidating the molecular basis of the cooperative binding of mouse IgG3 antibodies, and possibly related antibodies from other species, (2) exploring the physiological and pathophysiological consequences of the phenomenon, and (3) exploiting the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of mAb, or mAb-derived Fab or Fv fragments, endowed with the ability to self-associate through protein engineering [14, 17, 22, 30, 41, 44, 55].
Eine Methode zur Quantitativen Verfolgung von Festphasenreaktionen in der Peptidsynthese

A Method for the Quantitative Control of Solid Phase Reactions in the Peptide Synthesis A quantitative control-method of partial steps of a solid phase peptide synthesis is described, based on a hydrazinolytic cleavage of protected peptides from the solid support. A separation of the peptide hydrazides by gelchromatography on sephadex G 15 in dimethylformamide and a quantitative evaluation of the hydrazide-content in the elution fractions is reported, which permits the control of the Nα-deprotection step in the same way as the evaluation of the coupling yields of the desired sequence. The new method is discussed for the example of two solid phase syntheses of the pentapeptide N-tert.-butyl-oxycarbonyl-L-valyl-S-benzyl-L-cysteinyl-L-alanyl-L- leucyl-O-benzyl-L-tyrosine hydrazide.
Role of Caveolae in Cardiac Protection

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The molecular signaling pathways involved in cardiac protection from myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury are complex. An emerging idea in signal transduction suggests the existence of spatially organized complexes of signaling molecules in lipid-rich microdomains of the plasma membrane known as caveolae. Caveolins-proteins abundant in caveolae-provide a scaffold to organize, traffic, and regulate signaling molecules. Numerous signaling molecules involved in cardiac protection are known to exist within caveolae or interact directly with caveolins. Over the last 4 years, our laboratories have explored the hypothesis that caveolae are vitally important to cardiac protection from myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. We have provided evidence that (1) caveolae and the caveolin isoforms 1 and 3 are essential for cardiac protection from myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, (2) stimuli that produce preconditioning of cardiac myocytes, including brief periods of ischemia/reperfusion and exposure to volatile anesthetics, alter the number of membrane caveolae, and (3) cardiac myocyte-specific overexpression of caveolin-3 can produce innate cardiac protection from myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. The work demonstrates that caveolae and caveolins are critical elements of signaling pathways involved in cardiac protection and suggests that caveolins are unique targets for therapy in patients at risk of myocardial ischemia.
Morphologic evidence for three cell types in the human spiral ganglion

Although two types of spiral ganglion cells (large type I and smaller type II) have classically been described by anatomic studies in both animal and human spiral ganglion, there is physiologic and morphologic evidence for subtypes of the large type I ganglion cell. In addition, in the animal and human, a variety of morphologic differences based on cytoplasmic content, myelinization, immunostaining and morphometric analysis have suggested more than one variety of type I ganglion cell. Light and electron microscopic serial sections of the spiral ganglion in two human specimens in the basal, middle and upper middle turns were pooled for morphometric analysis of the cell area, nuclear area and axon diameter. Analysis of variance, bivariate scatter plots and multivariate cluster analysis provided evidence for 3 types of ganglion cells in the human spiral ganglion: large, intermediate and small, varying from each other significantly on the basis of cell area. It was suggested, based on the morphologic findings and prevalence of the cell types, that the large and intermediate cells were subtypes of the classic type I spiral ganglion cell, whereas the small ganglion cell was consistent with the classically described type II ganglion cell.
Optimal Design in Three-Level Block Randomized Designs With Two Levels of Nesting An ANOVA Framework With Random Effects

Large-scale experiments that involve nested structures may assign treatment conditions either to subgroups such as classrooms or to individuals such as students within subgroups. Key aspects of the...
Biocatalytic polyester synthesis: analysis of the evolution of molecular weight and end group functionality.

The enzymatic synthesis of polyesters from activated diesters and diols has been investigated. Differences between enzymatic synthesis and traditional chemical condensation processes are discussed. The disappearance of monomers during the initial phase of reaction indicates that enzyme has a higher specificity for transesterification of ester-terminated oligomers. During the intermediate phase, enzymatic polymerization involves a competition between diol and enzyme-bound water for the nucleophilic attack of the acyl enzyme intermediate. Competition between enzymatic transesterification and hydrolysis at different stages of polymerization in nonaqueous media is responsible for termination of polyesters with acid end-groups and also for limiting the polymer molecular weight. The resulting oligoester consists of chains that are either terminated with — OH groups and/or — COOH groups. We have used Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization — Time of Flight Mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF) along with colorimetric titration techniques to determine the acidity of enzyme-synthesized polyesters. This paper addresses how the enzymatic polymerization proceeds, and compares our results to the growing literature in this field. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 55: 227–239, 1997.
Cumulative second harmonics in weakly nonlinear plates and shells

The generation of cumulative second harmonic ultrasonic guided wave modes is analyzed with respect to their applications for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM). Due to the multimodal nature of guided waves, the selection of a primary wave mode that will generate a cumulative second harmonic is a critical first step for NDE and SHM applications. Thus, the nonlinear boundary value problem that must be solved by perturbation analysis is summarized and the results are tabulated for steel plates and circular cylindrical shells (pipes). The analysis includes shear-horizontal and Lamb waves in plates and axisymmetric torsional and longitudinal waves in pipes. Nonlinear finite element analyses that include kinematic and material nonlinearities are conducted for plate and pipe geometries. An excitation is applied to both plate and pipe samples by a simulated interdigitated transducer; SH1 for the plate and T(0,2) for the pipe. In each case a second harmonic mode having an orthogonal polarization is generated; S1 for the plate and L(0,4) for the pipe. In both cases the second harmonic grows linearly with propagation distance, and therefore is cumulative. A third example simulation is presented that demonstrates mode mixing in a pipe. T(0,3) and L(0,2) primary modes traveling in opposite directions intersect and generate significant harmonics at the sum and difference frequencies. Mode mixing provides a great opportunity to expand the potential of harmonic generation for NDE and SHM.
On creating animated presentations

Computers are used to display visuals for millions of live presentations each day, and yet only the tiniest fraction of these make any real use of the powerful graphics hardware available on virtually all of today's machines. In this paper, we describe our efforts toward harnessing this power to create better types of presentations: presentations that include meaningful animation as well as at least a limited degree of interactivity. Our approach has been iterative, alternating between creating animated talks using available tools, then improving the tools to better support the kinds of talk we wanted to make. Through this cyclic design process, we have identified a set of common authoring paradigms that we believe a system for building animated presentations should support. We describe these paradigms and present the latest version of our script-based system for creating animated presentations, called SLITHY. We show several examples of actual animated talks that were created and given with versions of SLITHY, including one talk presented at SIGGRAPH 2000 and four talks presented at SIGGRAPH 2002. Finally, we describe a set of design principles that we have found useful for making good use of animation in presentation.
The Frequency of Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Abstract Data from 1300 climatic summaries are used to construct a map for the conterminous United States showing the annual frequency of freeze-thaw cycles. Seasonal maps, as a percentage of the annual map, are based on a smaller number of stations. The highs of freeze-thaw activity, about 250 days per year, are in the mountainous regions of the West where the isopleths exhibit a complex frequency pattern. Since this study is based on observations taken at an elevation of about 5 ft, the results are conservative compared to those that would result from observations taken at a lower elevation.
Numerical approximation of one‐dimensional consolidation

A generalized finite difference scheme is developed to represent the one-dimensional consolidation process. The difference equations are derived from integral balance equations which represent the soil as a mixture of two constituents. No restrictions are placed on the soil constitutive properties or stratigraphy. An approach to stability analysis for the scheme is outlined, and an example problem is presented.
Moral hazard, adverse selection, and the optimal provision of social insurance

Abstract The single-period social insurance model of Diamond and Mirrlees is extended to allow for a diversity of types (in the probability of becoming disabled). When individual type is observable, the utilitarian optimum has both consumption when working and disability benefits increasing with the probability of disability. When type is not observable (adverse selection is present), the optimum is a single ‘pooling’ policy over a wide range of welfare weights which includes the utilitarian case. These results also provide insights into the potential distributional effects of moral hazard and the ways moral hazard and adverse selection problems may interact.
Fetal dose estimates for radiotherapy of brain tumors during pregnancy

Purpose : To determine clinically the fetal dose from irradiation of brain tumors during pregnancy and to quantitate the components of fetal dose using phantom measurements. Methods and Materials : Two patients received radiotherapy during pregnancy for malignant brain tumors. Case 1 was treated with opposed lateral blocked 10 x 15 cm fields and case 2 with 6 x 6 cm bicoronal wedged arcs, using 6 MV photons. Fetal dose was measured clinically and confirmed with phantom measurements using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). Further phantom measurements quantitated the components of scattered dose. Results : For case 1, both clinical and phantom measurements estimated fetal dose to be 0.09% of the tumor dose, corresponding to a total fetal dose of 0.06 Gy for a tumor dose of 68.0 Gy. Phantom measurements estimated that internal scatter contributed 20% of the fetal dose, leakage 20%, collimator scatter 33%, and block scatter 27%. For case 2, clinical and phantom measurements estimated fetal dose to be 0.04% of the tumor dose, corresponding to a total fetal dose of 0.03 Gy for a tumor dose of 78.0 Gy. Leakage contributed 74% of the fetal dose, internal scatter 13%, collimator scatter 9%, and wedge scatter 4%. Conclusions : When indicated, brain tumors may be irradiated to high dose during pregnancy resulting in fetal exposure < 0.10 Gy, conferring an increased but acceptable risk of leukemia in the child, but no other deleterious effects to the fetus after the fourth week of gestation. For our particular field arrangements and linear accelerators, internal scatter contributed a small component of fetal dose compared to leakage and scatter from the collimators and blocks, and 18 MV photons resulted in a higher estimated fetal dose than 6 MV photons due to increased leakage and collimator scatter. These findings are not universal, but clinical and phantom TLD measurements estimate fetal dose accurately for energies < 10 MV and should be taken for each pregnant patient considered for treatment to confirm and document acceptable dose.
How the scope of a demand conveys resolve

Author(s): Trager, RF | Abstract: How does the scope of costless threats convey information about resolve to adversaries? Analysis of a model similar to Fearon demonstrates that higher demands increase perceptions of a state's resolve to fight for more favorable outcomes when bargaining is such that both sides share in the benefits of avoiding conflict, in contrast to the ultimatum game, and making a credible high demand does not lead to a favorable outcome with certainty. Interestingly, compromise offers will be made even though they increase an adversary's perception that the compromising state would be willing to make an even greater concession. In contrast to many other signaling mechanisms described in the literature, signaling of this sort does not depend on risking war and often reduces the probability of conflict. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013Â.
Objective Evaluation of Fabric Softness

The method of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation is used to solve the problem of grading fabric softness. Fabric mechanical properties that are regarded as determining fabric softness are measured with the KES-FB instruments. Statistical methods of ANOVA and factor analysis are suggested to determine the weighting-factor vector A, and the fuzzy conversion matrix U is formed on an assumption of linear membership function. Corre lation of fuzzy evaluation, subjective evaluation, and the Kawabata primary hand evalu ation is estimated statistically. The established fuzzy models focus particularly on for pure cotton and 50/50 cotton/polyester blended fabrics, and the results encourage further investigation for industrial implementation.
Observation of high-frequency high-field instability in GaAs/InGaAs/AlGaAs DH-MODFETs at K band

The authors report the observation of high-field instability at room temperature with oscillation frequency as high as 24 GHz in GaAs/InGaAs/AlGaAs double-heterojunction-MODFETs (DH-MODFETs) of 1.2 mu m gate length. Negative drain differential resistance was also observed in these devices under various forward gate biases. The nature of this instability is believed to be caused by the efficient removal of the real-space transferred hot two-dimensional electrons in the AlGaAs layer through the forward-biased Schottky gate. A tuned oscillator, with a fundamental oscillation frequency as high as 19.68 GHz, has also been demonstrated at a gate bias of 1.3 V. >
Characterization of the inflammatory and fibrotic response in a mouse model of cardiac pressure overload

Myocardial fibrosis is an integral component of most cardiac pathologic conditions and contributes to the development of both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Because of the availability of genetically manipulated animals, mouse models are essential for understanding the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis. Accordingly, we characterized the inflammatory and fibrotic response in a mouse model of cardiac pressure overload due to transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Following TAC, mouse hearts exhibited induction of chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines, associated with macrophage, but not neutrophil, infiltration. Induction of inflammatory cytokines was followed by a late upregulation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β isoforms, activation of the Smad2/3 and Smad1/5 pathways, induction of matricellular proteins, and deposition of collagen. Inflammatory activity decreased after 28 days of TAC; at this timepoint established fibrosis was noted, accompanied by ventricular dilation and systolic dysfunction. Late induction of inhibitory mediators, such as TGF-β, may play an essential role in the transition from inflammation to fibrosis by suppressing inflammatory gene synthesis while inducing matrix deposition. Our findings identify molecular mediators and pathways with a potential role in cardiac fibrosis laying the foundations for studies exploring the pathogenesis of fibrotic cardiac remodeling using genetically targeted mice.
Spatiotemporal Aquatic Field Reconstruction Using Cyber-Physical Robotic Sensor Systems

Monitoring important aquatic processes like harmful algal blooms is of increasing interest to public health, ecosystem sustainability, marine biology, and aquaculture industry. This article presents a novel approach to spatiotemporal aquatic field reconstruction using inexpensive, low-power mobile sensing platforms called robotic fish. Robotic fish networks are a typical example of cyber-physical systems where the design of cyber components (sensing, communication, and information processing) must account for inherent physical dynamics of the robots and the aquatic environment. Our approach features a rendezvous-based mobility control scheme where robotic fish collaborate in the form of a swarm to sense the aquatic environment in a series of carefully chosen rendezvous regions. We design a novel feedback control algorithm that maintains the desirable level of wireless connectivity for a sensor swarm in the presence of significant environment and system dynamics. Information-theoretic analysis is used to guide the selection of rendezvous regions so that the spatiotemporal field reconstruction accuracy is maximized subject to the limited sensor mobility. The effectiveness of our approach is validated via implementation on sensor hardware and extensive simulations based on real data traces of water surface temperature field and on-water ZigBee wireless communication.
Design of multioperand carry-save adders for arithmetic modulo (2/sup n/+1)

We present the design of a multioperand adder for arithmetic modulo (2n+1). Such an adder will be using the carry-saving approach and will mainly consist of a group of full adders operating in parallel.
Spiropyran Dimer Toward Photo-Switchable Molecular Machine

The uniquely shaped spiropyran dimer, BIPSD, has been synthesized. BIPSD showed reversible transformation between spiro (Sp) and merocyanine (MC) forms under UV/visible light and change in temperature. Over-irradiation of UV produced stacking aggregates of MC forms, which were insoluble in most solvents and slowly returned to the original Sp form under the visible light. The BIPSD−polymer conjugates exhibited a similar photochromism.
Acute effects of hydrogen peroxide on skeletal muscle microvascular oxygenation from rest to contractions

Reactive oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), exert a critical regulatory role on skeletal muscle function. Whether acute increases in H2O2 modulate muscle microvascular O2 delivery-ut...
A work station for laboratory data acquisition: flourescence lifetime apparatus

Abstract Operation of a single photon counting time-correlated flourescence lifetime apparatus using an LSI based system (Terak 8510) for control, data gathering and on-line graphics is described. While such systems normally employ a separate multichannel analyzer and a midlevel computer (usually a minicomputer or a mainframe), the present system has replaced the multichannel analyzer by a relatively inexpensive analog to digital converter (ADC) and a Terak microcomputer. Coupling of this system to the laboratory′s house minicomputer (PDP 11/55) for mass storage, rapid high-level calculations and hard copy graphics are also described.
Professionalism as Bar Politics: The Making of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct

Based on extensive archival research, this article offers a political account of the six-year process in which the ABA developed its latest ethics code for lawyers, the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. The article casts doubt on the validity of several functionalist and critical theories about the provenance and significance of professional ethics codes generally and the ABA's codes in particular. It evaluates the Model Rules process as an instance of de facto law making by a private group. And it identifies a lawyer's “professionalism-in-fact”–a set of common themes in the way lawyers currently think about the field of legal ethics. At the same time, however, the article stresses the ethical pluralism and structural differentiation of today's legal profession and roots the ethical preoccupations of various types of lawyers in the circumstances of their particular practices.
A New Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Prognostic Score

This report determines if the classic Romhilt-Estes score would predict better if points for its components were determined using a Cox hazard model and if the Cornell voltage criteria should replace the original criteria. Of the 20,903 subjects, the mean age was 43 ± 10 years and 90.6% were men. The mean follow-up for the population was 17 years, with 881 cardiovascular deaths; they were tested from 1987 to 1999 and followed until 2013. The new score was created with multipliers based on the Cox hazards of its elements with age bracket and gender included. The Cornell criteria were analyzed individually using Cox hazards with and without adjustments for age, gender, and African-American ethnicity and subsequently incorporated into the new score for analysis. For the new score, all 7 components were significant predictors of cardiovascular mortality with gender producing the greatest hazard ratio (HR) and left axis deviation and QRS duration >110 ms producing the lowest. For the original Romhilt-Estes score, 367 patients (1.8%) met the "definite" cutoff and had an HR of 5.6 (95% confidence interval 4.3 to 7.1). For the new score, 208 patients (1.0%) met the "definite" left ventricular hypertrophy cutoff and had an HR of 13.6 (95% confidence interval 10.8 to 17.3). The Romhilt-Estes had an area under the curve of 0.63, whereas the new score and new score with Cornell voltage both had an area under the curve of 0.7. In conclusion, our modified Romhilt-Estes score with new multipliers and without voltage criteria outperformed the original score.
Improvement in asthma quality of life in patients enrolled in a prospective study to increase lifestyle physical activity.

Objective. Asthma patients know the benefits of exercise but often avoid physical activity because they are concerned that it will exacerbate asthma. The objective of this analysis was to assess longitudinal asthma status in 256 primary care patients in New York City enrolled in a trial to increase lifestyle physical activity. Methods. Patients were randomized to two protocols to increase physical activity during a period of 12 months. At enrollment, patients completed the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) and received asthma self-management instruction through an evaluative test and workbook. Exercise and self-management were reinforced every 2 months. The AQLQ was repeated every 4 months and the ACQ was repeated at 12 months. Results. The mean age was 43 years and 75% were women. At 12 months there were clinically important increases in physical activity with no differences between groups; thus, data were pooled for asthma analyses. The enrollment AQL...
ALTERATIONS IN PROTEIN-BOUND CARBOHYDRATE LEVELS OF RAT SERUM DURING FOOD RESTRICTION AND REFEEDING.

SummaryThe effects of food restriction and refeeding on total protein-bound hexose (HE), hexosamine (HA), sialic acid (SA), and the carbohydrate-rich seromucoid fraction (SM) were investigated. Gro...
Non-vanishing of the Bergman kernel function at boundary points of certain domains in ℂ n

Let f2 be a smooth bounded domain in (t TM whose associated Bergman kernel function K(w, z) extends continuously to O as a function ofw for each z ~ f~. We shall prove that for any fixed we bf2, K(w, z) cannot vanish identically in z for a wide class of domains O. Our theorem applies to any domain for which the L2(O) orthogonal projection P onto holomorphic functions is bounded in Sobolev norms ; in particular, if f2 is 1) smooth bounded strictly pseudoconvex, or 2) bounded pseudoconvex with smooth real analytic boundary (Kohn [7], Diederich and Fornaess [,2]), or 3) any smooth bounded domain for which subelliptic estimates hold for the ~-Neumann opcrator (Kohn [7]). Webster [8] has pointed out that the non-vanishing of K(w, z) for strongly pseudoconvex points of domains for which the c~-Neumann operator is pseudo-local follows easily from the asymptotic expansion for K(w, z) given by Fefferman [-3]. Our proof has no recourse to the asymptotic expansion, is elementary in spirit, and extends Webster's result to include certain weakly pseudoconvex domains. The non-vanishing question arises in connection with the problem of boundary behavior of biholomorphic mappings (see Webster [-8]). As a corollary to the non-vanishing theorem, we prove that if (2 is strictly pseudoconvex and Dis a set of determinacy for holomorphic functions in fL then the linear span of {K(., z) :ze ID} is dense in the subspace of holomorphic functions in w+(Q).
Influence of horizontal resistance at plate bottom on vibration of plates on elastic foundation under moving loads

Abstract The dynamic displacement response of a thin plate, which has horizontal resistance at its bottom, resting on an elastic foundation has been investigated when the system is subjected to a moving load with either constant or harmonic amplitude variations. A distributed load with a constant advance velocity and damping of a linear hysteretic nature for the foundation were considered. Formulations were developed in the transformed field domains of time, space, and moving space, and a double Fourier transform was used to obtain the steady-state response to a moving harmonic load and the response to a moving load of constant amplitude. Analyses were performed: (1) to investigate the effects of various parameters, such as the load velocity, load frequency, and damping, on the deflected shapes, maximum displacements, and critical velocities and frequencies and (2) to examine how the horizontal resistance at the plate bottom affects the vibration. Expressions to predict the critical velocities and frequencies considering the effect of the horizontal resistance were proposed.
Film condensation heat transfer measurements on horizontal tubes: Problems and progress

Abstract This paper reviews the problems that are likely to be encountered in measuring the film condensation heat transfer coefficient on horizontal tubes and the progress that has been made in obtaining accurate experimental values. Direct methods using wall temperature measurements and indirect methods such as the Wilson plot technique are compared. The particular difficulties and uncertainties associated with measurements on integral-fin tubes are described, including recent efforts to deduce the local heat transfer coefficient distribution around the tube circumference.
Immigrants Contributed An Estimated $115.2 Billion More To The Medicare Trust Fund Than They Took Out In 2002–09

Many immigrants in the United States are working-age taxpayers; few are elderly beneficiaries of Medicare. This demographic profile suggests that immigrants may be disproportionately subsidizing the Medicare Trust Fund, which supports payments to hospitals and institutions under Medicare Part A. For immigrants and others, we tabulated Trust Fund contributions and withdrawals (that is, Trust Fund expenditures on their behalf) using multiple years of data from the Current Population Survey and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. In 2009 immigrants made 14.7 percent of Trust Fund contributions but accounted for only 7.9 percent of its expenditures—a net surplus of $13.8 billion. In contrast, US-born people generated a $30.9 billion deficit. Immigrants generated surpluses of $11.1–$17.2 billion per year between 2002 and 2009, resulting in a cumulative surplus of $115.2 billion. Most of the surplus from immigrants was contributed by noncitizens and was a result of the high proportion of working-age taxpayers...
Oct2 transcription factors in fish – a comparative genomic analysis

Abstract The Oct2 transcription factor is important in driving expression of the IgH locus of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Two isoforms, catfish Oct2α and Oct2β, have been characterized at the level of expression and function, but little is known of the structure of the Oct2 gene in catfish. To gain insight into the diversity of Oct2 gene structure and expression in the teleost fish, a comparative genomic analysis of Oct2 was undertaken in the pufferfish (Fugu rubripes) and the zebrafish (Danio rerio). The orthologues of zebrafish and Fugu Oct2 were identified, and share with catfish Oct2 the expression of a limited number (two in zebrafish, three in Fugu) of isotypes produced by alternative pathways of RNA processing. The alternatively spliced variants of catfish Oct2 showed a different pattern of exon use from those of Fugu and zebrafish. The analysis also identified a novel homologue of Oct2 in both zebrafish and Fugu. This homologue, termed Oct2x, shares similarities to both Oct1 and Oct2. A phylogenetic analysis of the relationships of Oct2x gave an unexpected result, with Oct2x occupying a position basal to the Oct gene families of both vertebrates and Drosophila.
Effects of aging on expression of genes involved in regulation of proliferation and apoptosis in the colonic epithelium

The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of aging on colonic messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein levels of genes involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, and epithelial morphology in male Fischer 344 rats. Our study shows that, with aging, colonic expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is significantly increased and decreased, respectively. Colonic Bax protein levels are increased significantly with aging. Immunohistochemical localization of Bax protein shows a greatly increased expression in colonic crypts, especially in the upper portion of crypts. p53 expression is unchanged with aging. No significant change in proliferation of colonic crypt cells is observed by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling, although the increased colonic expression of IGF-1 and the decreased expression of IGFBP-3 with aging may result in an increased colonic IGF-1 bioactivity. The age-related changes in Bax and IGFBP-3 appear to be independent of p53. The finding of an unchanged colonic epithelium with aging in the face of a greatly increased Bax protein levels may suggest that the elevated Bax protein levels function to render colonic epithelial cells more sensitive to apoptotic stimuli.
Demonstration of sensory innervation of rat tongue with anterogradely transported horseradish peroxidase.

Wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase injected into the petrosal ganglion in rats was transported to the posterior tongue in the glossopharyngeal nerve. Labelled fibers innervated the ipsilateral foliate papilla only, but both ipsi- and contralateral sides of the single circumvallate papilla. Somatosensory fibers in the posterior tongue also were labelled. Label crossed transcellularly from the afferent fibers into taste bud cells. Use of this method provides more detailed knowledge of sensory innervation of the tongue than previously available.
The Impact of Electoral Reform: “Open Elections” and the Louisiana Party System

This article examines effects of the "open-elections" law passed by the Louisiana legislature in 1975. The law eliminated traditional closed party primaries, creating instead, an open-elections system that requires all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, to appear on the same ballot. By and large, the new system has not had a significant effect on party competition, party success, or voter turnout in Louisiana.
Dual relaxation-oscillations and their dynamics in all-PM Er/Yb fiber ring lasers

Summary form only given. Transient gain dynamics in Er-doped fiber amplifiers and lasers are have been studied extensively for their affects on wavelength-division multiplexed optical networks and fiber lasers. Because, typically, such systems are nonpolarizing-maintaining (PM), effectively the relaxation-oscillation occurs for a single beam with random state of polarization. However, in PM fiber lasers, two different eigenmodes associated with two different polarization states exist where each polarization mode induces relaxation-oscillation. Depending on the cavity parameters and initial conditions, one would expect two relaxation oscillations to interfere constructively or destructively. We experimentally show the relaxation oscillation dynamics due to the interference of two relaxation oscillations associated with the two different polarization states of an all-PM fiber ring laser. We show that by varying the laser cavity parameters and initial conditions, one can control the interference of the relaxation-oscillations.
Melanocortin-4-receptor autoantibodies: a new player in obesity.

The rise in human obesity, which has been observed worldwide, has attracted the attention of both basic scientists and physicians alike. The fundamental basis of obesity is the imbalance between an individual’s food intake and the energy expenditure. Energy homeostasis is a carefully orchestrated event in humans and animals, involving both peripheral organs like liver, adipose tissue, pancreas, and stomach as well as the central nervous system (1). The communication between the peripheral organs and the central nervous system is achieved via various signaling molecules secreted by these organs such as leptin, insulin, glucose, and various satiety signals. The central integrating circuits for food intake are located in the hypothalamus (2). Well accepted is the thesis that, carrying excess adipose tissue (fat) results in insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic steatosis, and cardiovascular diseases.
In utero ethanol exposure decreased the density of serotonin neurons. Maternal ipsapirone treatment exerted a protective effect.

Abstract Prior studies from this laboratory showed that in utero ethanol exposure severely retards the development of the serotonin (5-HT) system; we demonstrated a reduced concentration of 5-HT and 5-HT reuptake sites and alterations in the concentration of 5-HT 1A receptors in ethanol-exposed offspring. These investigations also found that maternal treatment with a 5-HT 1A agonist, buspirone, prevented most of the ethanol-associated damage to the developing 5-HT system. In the present investigation, we investigated whether the ethanol-associated changes in the 5-HT system are due to a reduction of 5-HT neurons and whether any changes in the density of 5-HT neurons can be prevented by maternal treatment with another 5-HT 1A agonist, ipsapirone. Using immunocytochemistry, we found that in utero ethanol exposure reduced the density of 5-HT immunopositive neurons in the dorsal raphe, median raphe and B9 neurons of postnatal day 5 (PN5) rats. In all three brain areas, the offspring of ethanol-fed, saline-treated dams exhibited a 28%–40% reduction in 5-HT neurons. Ipsapirone prevented the ethanol-induced reduction in 5-HT immunopositive neurons in the dorsal raphe, median raphe and B9 neurons. In the dorsal and median raphe of control offspring, ipsapirone did not alter the concentration of 5-HT neurons. However, this drug did reduce 5-HT neurons in the B9 region of the offspring of control-fed rats.
Twinning of dodecanedicarboxylic acid

Twinning of 1,10-dodecanedicarboxyl acid (DDA) was observed in 0.1 mm thick films with a polarizing microscope. Twins originated from polycrystalline regions which tended to nucleate on twin faces, and terminated by intersection gone another. Twinning increased dramatically with addition of organic compounds with a similar molecular size and shape. Increasing the freezing rate, increasing the temperature gradient, and addition of silica particles increased twinning. It is proposed that twins nucleate with polycrystals and sometimes anneal out before they become observable. The impurities may enhance twinning either by lowering the twin energy or by adsorbing on growing faces.
Regulation of calcium homeostasis by S100RVP, an androgen‐regulated S100 protein in the rat ventral prostate

BACKGROUND S100RVP was previously identified as an androgen-response gene in the rat ventral prostate (RVP). Characterization of S100RVP is important for elucidating the function of S100 proteins in androgen action. METHODS The expression and subcellular localization of S100RVP were determined by Northern blot, in situ hybridization, and fluorescent microscopy. Calcium overlay and calcium ionophore sensitivity assays were performed to investigate the calcium binding and function of S100RVP. RESULTS S100RVP is abundantly expressed in the RVP epithelial cells. A green fluorescent protein(GFP)-S100RVP fusion protein is present in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of transfected cells. A GST-S100RVP fusion protein bound calcium in vitro at levels similar to known S100 proteins. Furthermore, GFP-S100RVP transfected LNCaP and PC3 cells exhibited reduced sensitivity to calcium ionophore-induced cell death, but not to UV-induced cell death. CONCLUSION The results of this study argue for a role of S100RVP in calcium homeostasis in the prostate. Prostate © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Grand challenges in organismal biology

A renaissance in organismal biology has been sparked by recent conceptual, theoretical, methodological, and computational advances in the life sciences, along with an unprecedented interdisciplinary integration with Mathematics, Engineering, and the physical sciences. Despite a decades-long trend toward reductionist approaches to biological problems, it is increasingly recognized that whole organisms play a central role in organizing and interpreting information from across the biological spectrum. Organisms represent the nexus where sub- and supra-organismal processes meet, and it is the performance of organisms within the environment that provides the material for natural selection. Here, we identify five "grand challenges" for future research in organismal biology. It is intended that these challenges will spark further discussion in the broader community and identify future research priorities, opportunities, and directions, which will ultimately help to guide the allocation of support for and training in organismal biology.
Autonomic and Enteric Nervous System Dysfunction May Play a Role in Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Background: Nausea and vomiting, seen in 70-85% of all pregnancies, becomes intractable in hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). We aimed to investigate the relationship between HG and autonomic nervous system functioning and gastric electrical activity. Methods: Twenty-seven pregnant patients, 21 with HG and six normal, were studied with sympathetic adrenergic; percent vasoconstriction (%VC) and postural adjustment ratio (PAR); parasympathetic vagal cholinergic functions by R-to-R intervals (RRIs), a total autonomic score; and enteric nervous system measured by electrogastrography (EGG). Results: Significant differences were found in parasympathetic measures (RRI for HG 29.98 ± 2.95 vs. control 40.91 ± 2.38, P < 0.05); sympathetic PAR was significantly lower in patients (PAR for HG 24.5 ± 5.0 vs. 67.6 ± 11.4 for controls, P < 0.01); mean total autonomic score was significantly lower in HG (131.75 ± 9.61 vs. 196.87 ± 12.8, P < 0.05). EGG results were borderline different (normal < 3.3, HG 3.4 vs. controls 3.0, P = 0.07). Conclusion: Autonomic and enteric nervous system dysfunction may play a role in the pathophysiology of HG. Gastroenterol Res. 2015;8(1):153-156 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/gr632w
Use of incretin-based therapy in hospitalized patients with hyperglycemia.

Abstract Objective Hyperglycemia is common in hospitalized patients with and without prior history of diabetes and is an independent marker of morbidity and mortality in critically and noncritically ill patients. Tight glycemic control using insulin has been shown to reduce cardiac morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, but it also results in hypoglycemic episodes, which have been linked to poor outcomes. Thus, alternative treatment options that can normalize blood glucose levels without undue hypoglycemia are being sought. Incretin-based therapies, such as glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists (RAs) and dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors, may have this potential. Methods A PubMed database was searched to find literature describing the use of incretins in hospital settings. Title searches included the terms “diabetes” (care, management, treatment), “hospital,” “inpatient,” “hypoglycemia,” “hyperglycemia,” “glycemic,” “incretin,” “dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor,” “glucagon-like peptide-1,” and “glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist.” Results The preliminary research experience with native GLP-1 therapy has shown promise, achieving improved glycemic control with a low risk of hypoglycemia, counteracting the hyperglycemic effects of stress hormones, and improving cardiac function in patients with heart failure and acute ischemia. Large, randomized controlled clinical trials are necessary to determine whether these favorable results will extend to the use of GLP-1 RAs and DPP-4 inhibitors. Conclusions This review offers hospitalist physicians and healthcare providers involved in inpatient diabetes care a pathophysiologic-based approach for the use of incretin agents in patients with hyperglycemia and diabetes, as well as a summary of benefits and concerns of insulin and incretin-based therapy in the hospital setting. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20:933-944)
Are Adolescents with ADHD Interested in Genetic Testing for Nicotine Addiction Susceptibility

It has been well-established that some adolescents diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for cigarette smoking. Current research on the genetic basis of this association could ultimately translate into genetic tests capable of identifying smoking-prone adolescents with ADHD. In this study we examined 81 ADHD affected adolescents’ (age 13–21) interest in genetic testing for nicotine addiction susceptibility. Fifty-seven percent of adolescents indicated a fair amount of interest or more in testing. Most adolescents indicated that the personal information revealed from testing would be either useful (29%) or interesting (37%). Implications for genetically-informed smoking prevention and cessation interventions in high risk adolescents with ADHD are discussed.