cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diet-Disease Interactions at the Molecular Level: An Experimental Paradigm

High levels of dietary fat enhance the severity of certain cancers, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases in susceptible individuals usually after prolonged exposure. We have been developing methods for identifying and characterizing genes regulated by the level of dietary fat for the purpose of determining their role in diseases promoted by high levels of dietary fat, particularly cancer and atherosclerosis. Our protocol employs semi-purified diets of reproducible composition fed to normal inbred mice to obtain reagents for studying of molecular events that lead to pathology. Our early studies demonstrated that different levels of dietary fat cause the accumulation or change in expression of two genes, designated Lfm-1 and Lfm-2 (low fat mammary) in mouse mammary glands and selected other tissues. The Lfm-2 gene is stearoyl CoA desaturase, a gene known to be regulated by dietary fat and insulin levels. The Lfm-1 gene is highly similar to the e subunits of bovine and rat F1F0-ATPases. A Lfm-1 restriction fragment length polymorphism located on chromosome 8 is associated with atherosclerosis in certain inbred strains of mice warranting additional tests to determine whether it is involved in initiation or promotion of heart disease. The experimental approach has the potential for analyzing genes regulated by approximately 50 essential nutrients or other dietary constituents. A potential outcome of this research is the development of reagents which can be used to predict the risk of diet-related diseases in individuals.
Inhibitory feedback shapes bipolar cell responses in the rabbit retina.

Retinal bipolar cells can be divided into on and off types based on the polarity of their response to light. Bipolar activity is further shaped by inhibitory inputs, characterized here by the event...
Aerophagia in adults: a comparison with functional dyspepsia

Summary Background : Aerophagia is a functional upper gastrointestinal disorder that has not previously been well described in a large patient group. Aims : To describe the initial evaluation of patients who presented with symptoms of aerophagia at a tertiary medical centre. Methods : A computerized search was used to identify all patients who were diagnosed with aerophagia at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester between 1996 and 2003 (n = 79). Individual medical charts were abstracted for information on the demographics, clinical features, co-morbid diagnoses, diagnostic workup and treatment. Information on presenting symptoms was also collected for a group of patients who were classified as having functional dyspepsia for comparison (n = 121). Results : The median duration of symptoms in patients with aerophagia was 24 months. The most common symptoms were belching (56%), abdominal pain (19%), bloating (27%) and abdominal distension (19%). Patients with functional dyspepsia had a higher prevalence of reporting nausea, vomiting, early satiety, weight loss and abdominal pain (all P < 0.01, adjusting for age, gender and body mass index). Significantly more patients with aerophagia had anxiety (19%) than those with functional dyspepsia (6%, P < 0.01). Conclusions : Individuals with aerophagia experience prolonged upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Initial presenting symptoms appear to be distinctly different from those who have functional dyspepsia.
Evaluation of flow scintillation analysis for the determination of Sr-90 in bioassay samples

Abstract An automated procedure for the determination of 90Sr was adapted from existing methods of flow scintillation analysis (FSA) for use on aqueous samples with low levels of activity (
Testing for pairwise serial independence via the empirical distribution function

Built on Skaug and Tjostheim's approach, this paper proposes a new test for serial independence by comparing the pairwise empirical distribution functions of a time series with the products of its marginals for various lags, where the number of lags increases with the sample size and different lags are assigned different weights. Typically, the more recent information receives a larger weight. The test has some appealing attributes. It is consistent against all pairwise dependences and is powerful against alternatives whose dependence decays to zero as the lag increases. Although the test statistic is a weighted sum of degenerate Cramer–von Mises statistics, it has a null asymptotic N(0, 1) distribution. The test statistic and its limit distribution are invariant to any order preserving transformation. The test applies to time series whose distributions can be discrete or continuous, with possibly infinite moments. Finally, the test statistic only involves ranking the observations and is computationally simple. It has the advantage of avoiding smoothed nonparametric estimation. A simulation experiment is conducted to study the finite sample performance of the proposed test in comparison with some related tests.
Single-photon VUV laser-induced fluorescence spectra of HCl and HBr

Abstract The absorption spectra of HCl and HBr have been measured between 110.0 and 116.3 nm by single-photon vacuum ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence. The HCl spectrum is in good agreement with the previous work of Ginter and Ginter. For HBr we report two new bands which we assign to the ν′=0 level of the 6sσ Rydberg state and the ν′=0 level of the 6dπ Rydberg state.
Food for thought: The role of appetitive peptides in age-related cognitive decline

Through their well described actions in the hypothalamus, appetitive peptides such as insulin, orexin and leptin are recognized as important regulators of food intake, body weight and body composition. Beyond these metabolic activities, these peptides also are critically involved in a wide variety of activities ranging from modulation of immune and neuroendocrine function to addictive behaviors and reproduction. The neurological activities of insulin, orexin and leptin also include facilitation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and enhancement of cognitive performance. While patients with metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes have greater risk of developing cognitive deficits, dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD), the underlying mechanisms that are responsible for, or contribute to, age-related cognitive decline are poorly understood. In view of the importance of these peptides in metabolic disorders, it is not surprising that there is a greater focus on their potential role in cognitive deficits associated with aging. The goal of this review is to describe the evidence from clinical and pre-clinical studies implicating insulin, orexin and leptin in the etiology and progression of age-related cognitive decline. Collectively, these studies support the hypothesis that leptin and insulin resistance, concepts normally associated with the hypothalamus, are also applicable to the hippocampus.
The biowaiver extension for BCS class III drugs: The effect of dissolution rate on the bioequivalence of BCS class III immediate-release drugs predicted by computer simulation

The Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) guidance issued by the FDA allows waivers for in vivo bioavailability and bioequivalence studies for immediate-release (IR) solid oral dosage forms only for BCS class I drugs. However, a number of drugs within BCS class III have been proposed to be eligible for biowaivers. The World Health Organization (WHO) has shortened the requisite dissolution time of BCS class III drugs on their Essential Medicine List (EML) from 30 to 15 min for extended biowaivers; however, the impact of the shorter dissolution time on AUC(0-inf) and C(max) is unknown. The objectives of this investigation were to assess the ability of gastrointestinal simulation software to predict the oral absorption of the BCS class I drugs propranolol and metoprolol and the BCS class III drugs cimetidine, atenolol, and amoxicillin, and to perform in silico bioequivalence studies to assess the feasibility of extending biowaivers to BCS class III drugs. The drug absorption from the gastrointestinal tract was predicted using physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of test drugs provided by GastroPlus (version 6.0). Virtual trials with a 200 mL dose volume at different drug release rates (T(85%) = 15 to 180 min) were performed to predict the oral absorption (C(max) and AUC(0-inf)) of the above drugs. Both BCS class I drugs satisfied bioequivalence with regard to the release rates up to 120 min. The results with BCS class III drugs demonstrated bioequivalence using the prolonged release rate, T(85%) = 45 or 60 min, indicating that the dissolution standard for bioequivalence is dependent on the intestinal membrane permeability and permeability profile throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The results of GastroPlus simulations indicate that the dissolution rate of BCS class III drugs could be prolonged to the point where dissolution, rather than permeability, would control the overall absorption. For BCS class III drugs with intestinal absorption patterns similar to those of cimetidine, atenolol or amoxicillin, the dissolution criteria for extension of biowaivers to BCS class III drugs warrants further investigation.
Spatially Coherent States in Fractally Coupled Map Lattices

We study coupled map lattices with a scaling form of connectivity and show that the dynamics of these systems exhibit a transition from spatial disorder to spatially uniform, temporal chaos as the scaling is varied. We numerically investigate the eigenvalue spectrum of the random matrix characterizing fluctuations from spatial uniformity, and find that the spectrum is real, bounded, and has a gap between the largest eigenvalue (corresponding to the uniform solution) and the remaining $N\ensuremath{-}1$ eigenvalues (nonuniform solutions). The width of this gap depends on the scaling exponent. We associate the transition to the coherent state with the appearance of this gap.
Evidence-Based Policy and Performance Management Challenges and Prospects in Two Parallel Movements

Both the evidence-based policy and performance management movements aim to improve government effectiveness by developing and utilizing a more rigorous base of information and scientific evidence to guide decisions about program design, funding, implementation, and management. In practice, however, differences and tensions between these movements?such as their methods and standards for assembling and analyzing data, and the strategic timing and use of this information to influence policy and hold public managers accountable for performance?could limit their success. Using cases and empirical studies, this article considers questions about what should count as evidence, how it should be communicated, who should judge the quality and reliability of evidence and performance information, and how to achieve a balance between processes that produce rigorous information for decision making and those that foster democratic governance and accountability. Recommendations are made for improving government effectiveness by using more rigorous information in decision making, along with acknowledgment of the limitations and risks associated with such efforts.
Paramagnetic curie temperature in dilute magnetic alloys: Influence of order-disorder transitions

Abstract The influence of order-disorder transitions upon the paramagnetic Curie temperature, θ, of alloys with dilute concentrations of Mn has been measured. (Cu0.83Pd0.17)1-cMnc in the ordered state yields results very similar to those for Cu Mn with one striking exception. The sign of the contribution to θ which is linearly dependent upon Mn concentration is reversed. This sign reversal has serious implications for any model of RKKY coupling between impurities and several possibilities are discussed.
Privacy research: application of content analysis to assess a contemporary area of research

This literature review collects, synthesises, and analyses 117 articles on a variety of topics closely related to privacy, published over a 20-year period (1990–2009) in 15 top information systems (IS) journals. We found a generally increasing level of activity during the last five years of the 20-year period and a focus on exploratory research methodologies. It was noted that several research methodologies were either underrepresented or absent from the pool of privacy research. We also identified several subject areas that need further exploration from IS researchers. The approach used in this study follows the scientific method, incorporates content analysis, and can be applied to other contemporary areas of research.
Organic TFTs as gas sensors for electronic nose applications

The use of organic thin-film-transistors (TFTs) as sensing devices for electronic nose applications is presented. The concept of an electronic nose is demonstrated by using multiple solution-processed organic devices integrated into a single testbed. This testbed is used to examine two different analytes and to observe different responses for each type of active material. These results indicate that organic devices have the capacity to be used in sensor arrays for electronic nose applications. Findings show that these organic TFT sensors have the aptitude for discrimination between analytes based on their functional group chemistry. Sensor parameters such as thickness and device area are also examined to determine their effect on the sensor response.
Specific stimulation of RNA synthesis by methionine in several strains of Escherichia coli.

Abstract The addition of methionine to a growing culture of certain strains of Escherichia coli causes a preferential stimulation of RNA synthesis. In the new steady state the RNA/protein ratio is increased 25% or more, with little change in growth rate. The excess RNA is found largely in ribosomes and appears to be normally methylated. The rate of restoration of the normal RNA/protein ratio after removal of methionine suggests that the extra ribosomes, though not contributing to the rate of protein synthesis, are functional. Possible mechanisms to explain this variation in the control of RNA synthesis are discussed.
Analytical methods to determine phytoestrogenic compounds

The analytical methods for the determination of phytoestrogenic compounds in edible plants, plant products and biological matrices are reviewed. The detection, qualitative and quantitative methods based on different chromatographic separations of gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with various detections by ultraviolet absorption (UV), electrochemical detection (ED), fluorescence detection, mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), as well as non-chromatographic immunoassay are each extensively examined and compared. An overview on phytoestrogen chemistry, bioactivities and health effects, plant precursors, metabolism and sample preparation is also presented.
Immuno-Oncology biomarkers 2010 and beyond: Perspectives from the iSBTc/SITC biomarker task force

The International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer (iSBTc, recently renamed the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, SITC) hosted a one-day symposium at the National Institutes of Health on September 30, 2010 to address development and application of biomarkers in cancer immunotherapy. The symposium, titled Immuno-Oncology Biomarkers 2010 and Beyond: Perspectives from the iSBTc/SITC Biomarker Task Force, gathered approximately 230 investigators equally from academia, industry and governmental/regulatory agencies from around the globe for panel discussions and presentations on the following topics: 1) immunologic monitoring: standardization and validation of assays; 2) correlation of immunity to biologic activity, clinical response and potency assays; 3) novel methodologies for assessing the immune landscape: clinical utility of novel technologies; and 4) recommendations on incorporation of biomarkers into the clinical arena. The presentations are summarized in this report; additional program information and slides are available online at the iSBTc/SITC website.
Studies on the phosphoglucosaminisomerase reaction of Escherichia coli

Abstract 1. 1. The mechanism for the conversion of glucosamine 6-phosphate to fructose 6-phosphate and ammonia has been studied using a purified enzyme isolated from Escherichia coli . 2. 2. Of the various compounds tested, only N -acetylglucosamine-6-PO 4 was found to be stimulatory; the products of the reaction, fructose-6-PO 4 and NH 3 had no effect; and compounds such as galactosamine-6-PO 4 , 2-deoxyglucose-6-PO 4 , pyrophosphate, and chondrosin appeared to be inhibitory. 3. 3. Balance studies indicated that there was little or no net disappearance of N -acetylglucosamine-6-PO 4 by the enzyme system, either in the presence or absence of the substrate glucosamine-6-PO 4 . Using C 14 -uniformly labeled glucosamine-6-PO 4 in the presence of normal N -acetylglucosamine-6-PO 4 , and isolating and counting the glucosamine-6-PO 4 , N -acetylglucosa-mine-6-PO 4 , and fructose-6-PO 4 after the reaction was near to completion, showed that N -acetylglucosamine-6-PO 4 was not on the carbon pathway between glucosamine-6-PO 4 and fructose-6-PO 4 . 4. 4. The stimulation due to the presence of N -acetylglucosamine-6-PO 4 did not alter the pH optima for the reaction. 5. 5. The inhibition of the reaction due to p -chloromercuribenzoate could not be reversed by preincubation of the enzyme with N -acetylglucosamine-6-PO 4 . 6. 6. The possible mechanisms of action for this enzymic reaction based on these experimental findings are discussed.
A hypothesis on the role of antidiuretic hormone in preeclampsia

The maternal serum concentration of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in a pregnancy uncomplicated by preeclampsia is identical to the ADH concentration in the nonpregnant female and normal male. However, elevated maternal ADH secondary to fetal hypothalamic ADH production and a genetic defect in maternal vasopressinase may be a cause of preeclampsia.
A molecular model of MHC class-I-restricted antigen processing☆

Cells of higher vertebrates have evolved mechanisms that allow a sample of their intracellular contents to be available for surveillance by the immune system. This display of intracellular material is in the form of peptides bound to cell surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. In this review, John Monaco presents a model of the mechanisms by which this takes place, based on the recent identification of a number of new genes in the MHC.
Keeping Public Child Welfare Workers on the Job

Abstract The retention of public child welfare workers is of increasing concern in today's social work job market. This article presents results of a longitudinal study developing predictors of turnover among newly hired public child welfare workers. Comparisons are made between predictors of intention to leave and predictors of actually leaving the job as alternative outcomes. Attitudes of workers in response-to-job conditions are more likely to predict intention to leave than actually leaving. Time to receiving a full caseload, which is under the control of administrators, is an important predictor of leaving the job. Other lessons for administration are discussed.
Enhanced reliability features of the RL10E-1 engine

Abstract The RLlOE-1 rocket engine has been partially developed for the United States Air Force during the Atlas Reliability Enhancement Program. This engine is a 22,300 Ibf thrust liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, derivative of the RL10A-4-1, and incorporates an improved ignition system and new electromechanically actuated (EMA) valves controlled by an engine mounted Digital Electronic Rocket Engine Controller. The RLlOE-1 electronic control system operates the engine with only six valves (compared to the twelve on the RLIOA-4-1), provides boost phase engine cooldown capability (to avoid cryogenic temperatures at liftoff), and allows implementation of an improved torch ignition system with redundant, modem electronics. Other potential reliability improvements include active engine health monitoring, derated thrust operation, “soft” transients, and improved minimum residual shutdown capability. Although development of the RL10E-1 was not completed, the engine development tests were highly successful in demonstrating engine operation with the full authority, digital electronic control system and fewer valves. Many of the enhanced reliability features have been demonstrated and are directly applicable to other versions of the RL10 engines. Potential “hybrid” engine configurations offer a lower weight and less costly engine, while retaining much of the reliability improvements and other benefits of the RLIOE-1.
The effects of initial jet exit conditions on plume resonance

The acoustic emission and boundary layer of a cold jet issuing from an underexpanded sonic nozzle have been measured for lip thicknesses of the nozzle exit varying from 0.015-0.625 nozzle diameters. Near-field acoustic data demonstrate that the amplitude and frequency of certain modes of screech and the dominant mode of instability which exists in the shear layer are dependent on nozzle lip thickness. Changes in momentum thickness due to variations in the nozzle exit were also quantified.
Interfacial analysis of (La0.6Sr0.4)(Co0.2Fe0.8)O3− δ substrates wetted by Ag-CuO

The wetting of (La0.6Sr0.4)(Co0.2Fe0.8)O3−δ substrates by Ag-CuO was investigated using the standard sessile drop technique, followed by metallographic examination of the quenched specimens. The addition of CuO substantially improves the wetting of these substrates by silver. The largest improvements in contact angle are observed at low CuO-content, apparently through the formation of a homogeneous silver-copper oxide liquid at the area of sessile drop/substrate contact. At a critical composition of xCuO~ 8 mol% the mechanism of wetting changes, undergoing a transition initiated by the formation of two immiscible liquids within the molten sessile drop.
Advanced Techniques for Rehabilitation after Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Henry Chase Marble, 1885–Unknown

This biographical sketch on Henry Chase Marble corresponds to the historic text, The Classic: Application of Curative Therapy in the Ward, available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-009-0790-1.
Exclusionary Empire: English Liberty Overseas 1600–1900

Jack P. Greene (ed.) Exclusionary Empire: English Liberty Overseas 1600–1900. Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Pp. xiii. 305. Empire suggests inclusion within an ever-expandin...
Performance and fecal flora of calves fed a Bacillus subtilis concentrate.

Abstract Eighty-four Holstein calves were assigned at 2 d of age to one of three treatments: 1) control with no additives; 2) 10g of a mixed microbial concentrate containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus lactis , and Bacillus subtilis ; or 3) 10g of a B. subtilis concentrate. The microbial concentrates were mixed with milk replacer during the a.m. feeding. The milk replacer was offered twice daily at 5% BW per feeding; the reconstituted replacer contained 12.5% DM. Volume of replacer fed was based on initial weight of calf and held constant until weaning. Water and starter ration were offered for ad libitum intake throughout the trial. Calves were weaned abruptly at 30 d of age and received only water and starter from d 31 to 44. General health and performance of all calves were good. Although differences in weight gain and feed efficiency were not significant, the B. subtilis concentrate tended to have a positive effect on feed efficiency during wk 1 to 4 and on immediate postweaning gain. A higher fetal bacilli count at 6 wk in calves fed the microbial concentrates may be related to their tendency for improved gain during d 31 to 44, the immediate postweaning period.
Improved Labeling of Subcortical Brain Structures in Atlas-Based Segmentation of Magnetic Resonance Images

Precise labeling of subcortical structures plays a key role in functional neurosurgical applications. Labels from an atlas image are propagated to a patient image using atlas-based segmentation. Atlas-based segmentation is highly dependent on the registration framework used to guide the atlas label propagation. This paper focuses on atlas-based segmentation of subcortical brain structures and the effect of different registration methods on the generated subcortical labels. A single-step and three two-step registration methods appearing in the literature based on affine and deformable registration algorithms in the ANTS and FSL algorithms are considered. Experiments are carried out with two atlas databases of IBSR and LPBA40. Six segmentation metrics consisting of Dice overlap, relative volume error, false positive, false negative, surface distance, and spatial extent are used for evaluation. Segmentation results are reported individually and as averages for nine subcortical brain structures. Based on two statistical tests, the results are ranked. In general, among four different registration strategies investigated in this paper, a two-step registration consisting of an initial affine registration followed by a deformable registration applied to subcortical structures provides superior segmentation outcomes. This method can be used to provide an improved labeling of the subcortical brain structures in MRIs for different applications.
Mechanisms of Poleward Propagating, Intraseasonal Convective Anomalies in Cloud System-Resolving Models

Abstract An envelope of convection that propagates both poleward and eastward accounts for the largest fraction of intraseasonal variance of the tropical atmosphere during boreal summer. Here the mechanisms of poleward propagating convective anomalies are examined in a nonhydrostatic model with zonally symmetric boundary conditions, integrated on a beta plane at resolutions high enough to explicitly represent moist convection. When the domain has a narrow zonal dimension of 100 km or less, the model produces a quasisteady intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). Meridionally propagating transients are produced for some prescribed sea surface temperature distributions, but these transients are shallow, vanish at finer resolutions, and have a structure that bears little resemblance to that of observed poleward propagating anomalies. This is in sharp contrast to previous studies that obtained robust poleward propagating anomalies in axisymmetric models using parameterized moist convection, and it suggests that...
Those Who Can, Tutor: High-Ability Students' Conceptions of Fair Ways to Organize Learning.

When conceptions of fair learning practices of high-ability students, ages 6 to 18, were compared with those from a more representative group, the high-ability students typically chose peer tutoring as fairest. This was the case even though they regularly experienced acceleration and enrichment programs. The two groups held equivalent conceptions of fair learning practices. It was not until late adolescence that students in both groups articulated a rationale for placing high-ability students in accelerated learning programs. High-ability students were also no more likely than those in the representative group to select the acceleration and enrichment practices they experience as fair
Prosecuting Adolescents in Criminal Courts: Criminal or Juvenile Justice?

Previous sociological research on courts has studied how court actors mobilize models of justice to shape court proceedings, yet no research examines how court actors approach cases of adolescents who are prosecuted in criminal (adult) courts. These cases raise a potential incongruity between a traditional 20th century "juvenile justice" model that focuses on rehabilitating individuals, and a traditional "criminal justice" model that focuses on punishment in proportion to severity of offenses. Drawing on observational research in a specialized criminal court that prosecutes adolescents, and on interviews of courtroom decision-makers, this article finds that court actors settle this incongruity by bifurcating court proceedings into two phases. They follow a criminal justice model during the initial phase of court proceedings, and a juvenile justice model during the latter, sentencing phase. They thus create a hybrid form of justice by implementing a sequential justice model, rather than relying solely on either a juvenile or a criminal model of justice throughout case processing. The results suggest that categorizations often applied to the contrast between juvenile and criminal courts may be misleading.
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Study of Copper Hopping in Doped Bis(l-histidinato)cadmium Dihydrate

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to study Cu(II) dynamic behavior in a doped biological model crystal, bis(l-histidinato)cadmium dihydrate, in order to gain better insight into copper site stability in metalloproteins. Temperature-dependent changes in the low temperature X-band EPR spectra became visible around 100 K and continued up to room temperature. The measured 298 K g-tensor (principal values: 2.17, 2.16, 2.07) and copper hyperfine coupling tensor (principal values: −260, −190, −37 MHz) were similar to the average of the 77 K tensor values pertaining to two neighboring histidine binding sites. The observed temperature dependence was interpreted using Anderson’s theory of motional narrowing, where the magnetic parameters for the different states are averaged as the copper rapidly hops between sites. The EPR pattern was also found to undergo a sharp sigmoidal-shaped, temperature-dependent conversion between two species with a critical temperature Tc ≈ 160 K. The species bel...
Professional analysts using a large, high-resolution display

Professional cyber analysts were observed as they attempted to solve the VAST 2009 Traffic Mini Challenge using basic visualization tools and a large, high-resolution display. We discuss some of the lessons we learned about how analysts actually work and potential roles for visualization and large, high-resolution displays.
Synthesis and Local Anesthetic Activity of Several Dialkylaminoalkyl Esters of Indole Carboxylic Acids

The largest number of compounds synthesized for local anesthetic purposes are the alkamine esters of aromatic acids. In this work, two indole carboxylic acids were incorporated as the acid portion of the ester. All the compounds were effective as topical anesthetics, but had no action on unbroken skin. Nitration of indole-3-carboxylic acid reduced the duration of activity of the esters. The esters of indole-2-carboxylic acid showed a marked decrease in duration of local anesthetic activity.
Comparative reproductive biology of sympatric species: nest and chick survival of American avocets and black‐necked stilts

Identifying differences in reproductive success rates of closely related and sympatrically breeding species can be useful for understanding limitations to population growth. We simultaneously examined the reproductive ecology of American avocets Recurvirostra americana and black-necked stilts Himantopus mexicanus using 1274 monitored nests and 240 radio-marked chicks in San Francisco Bay, California. Although there were 1.8 times more avocet nests than stilt nests, stilts nonetheless fledged 3.3 times more chicks. Greater production by stilts than avocets was the result of greater chick survival from hatching to fledging (avocet: 6%; stilt: 40%), and not because of differences in clutch size (avocet: 3.84; stilt: 3.77), nest survival (avocet: 44%; stilt: 35%), or egg hatching success (avocet: 90%; stilt: 92%). We reviewed the literature and confirmed that nest survival and hatching success are generally similar when avocets and stilts breed sympatrically. In addition to species, chick survival was strongly influenced by age, site, and year. In particular, daily survival rates increased rapidly with chick age, with 70% of mortalities occurring ≤ 1 week after hatch. California gulls Larus californicus caused 55% of avocet, but only 15% of stilt, chick deaths. Differential use of micro-habitats likely reduced stilt chick's vulnerability to gull predation, particularly during the first week after hatch, because stilts nested in vegetation 2.7 times more often than avocets and vegetation height was 65% taller at stilt nests compared with avocet nests. Our results demonstrate that two co-occurring and closely related species with similar life history strategies can differ markedly in reproductive success, and simultaneous studies of such species can identify differences that limit productivity.
Corticosteroid production by interrenal tissue of teleost fishes.

Evidence has been obtained suggesting that the interrenal gland of teleost fishes is capable of secreting adrenocortical steroids. Several species of teleosts were used, and the anterior or head kidneys, containing the interrenal tissue, were incubated in vitro. Tentative identification of steroid secretory products was achieved, in most cases by chromatograprry of extracts in toluene-75% methanol and development with triphenyltetrazolium chloride. A single spot, having the same mobility as cortisol, was obtained from the incubated tissue of Anoplopoma fimbria (sablefish). Spots corresponding to cortisol and cortisone were observed after incubation of the head kidneys of Mugil cephalus (mullet). Cortisone was tentatively identified in extracts of the incubated tissue from Tilapia mossambica (cichlid), as well as a substance with a polarity similar to, but not identical with, corticosterone. A fourth species, Bodianus bilunulatus (a‚awa), failed to yield any detectable steroid, despite the relatively large...
Cloning and characterization of the nitrate reductase-encoding gene from Chlorella vulgaris: structure and identification of transcription start points and initiator sequences

Abstract The reduction of nitrate to nitrite catalyzed by nitrate reductase (NR) is considered to be the rate-limiting and regulated step of nitrate assimilation, a major metabolic pathway occurring in a wide range of organisms which in turn supply the nutritional nitrogen requirements for other forms of life. Chlorella vulgaris NR mRNA levels are very responsive to changes in nitrogen source. In the presence of ammonia as the sole nitrogen source, under repressed conditions, NR mRNA is undetectable. Under inducing conditions, the removal of ammonia and addition of nitrate, rapid NR mRNA synthesis occurs. We are studying the elements involved in regulating the expression of this important gene. Two overlapping genomic clones ( NRS1 and NR5′ ) were isolated from a cosmid library. The two clones were sequenced and their sequences were aligned with that of a full-length NR cDNA. The gene is approximately 8 kb long and consists of 19 exons and 18 introns. Unlike NR isolated from other species, the exons which code for the functional domains of C. vulgaris are separated by introns. Two transcription start points ( tsp ) were identified and each is surrounded by potential initiator sequences. No TATA, CAAT or GC-rich promoter elements were located. A time course of NR induction revealed that while transcription initiation from one tsp remains at a constant level from the point of induction through steady state, the level of initiation from another tsp is high upon induction, but decreases as steady state is attained.
The estimation of post-test probability of coronary disease following exercise testing using the sequential application of two Bayesian methods

Abstract Recent studies have revealed that Bayesian methods to estimate post-test probability following exercise testing differ in their sensitivity and specificity across the range of post-test probability. To take advantage of the relative strengths of each method, we combined two of these methods into a single method (DUAL BAYES) and compared it with the two original methods in 436 patients who underwent stress testing followed within 2 months by coronary arteriography. All patients had post-test probabilities determined using CADENZA (better sensitivity). Those CADENZA-derived probabilities ≥ 50% were substituted with post-test probabilities determined by Diamond and Forrester's original TABULAR method (better specificity). Mean post-test probabilities were as follows: TABULAR 34, CADENZA 48, DUAL BAYES 37 (actual incidence 38%). Comparison of sensitivity and specificity at every fifth percentile of post-test probability revealed that the sensitivity of DUAL BAYES was better than that of TABULAR and equal to that of CADENZA at thresholds ≤ 10 and that the specificity was better than that of CADENZA and equal to that of TABULAR at thresholds ≥ 60. Therefore using both methods as indicated above was better than using either method alone.
British and American children's preferences for teleo-functional explanations of the natural world

Teleological-functional explanations account for objects by reference to their purpose. They are a fundamental aspect of adults' explanatory repertoire. They also play a significant role in children's reasoning although prior findings indicate that, in contrast to adults, young children broadly extend teleological explanation beyond artifacts (e.g. chairs) and biological properties (e.g. eyes) to the properties of non-living natural phenomena (e.g. clouds, rocks). The present study extends earlier work with American children to explore British children's application of teleological explanation. The motivation is that while Britain and America are, culturally, as close to a minimal pair as the global context affords, there are differences in the religiosity of the two nations such that British children might be less inclined to endorse purpose-based explanation. Results reveal that young British children also possess a promiscuous teleology although they differ in the kinds of purposes that they attribute. Additional findings include a replication of earlier effects using a modified task with young American children.
The surgeon's assistant in private surgical practice and in the University hospital

Abstract The increased demand for medical care and the uneven geographic distribution of doctors in this country have stimulated physicians and nonphysicians to seek additional methods of improving health care through the use of paramedical personnel. Surgeon's assistants now in practice have been of considerable help in the operating room, within the hospital, and in an outpatient area. These individuals perform patient care services thereby allowing the house staff to participate primarily in those activities of medical care relating to education. Surgeon's assistants may be especially valuable in community hospitals where patient care is the major consideration. However, the use of paramedical personnel alone will not provide sufficient treatment to the medically underserved areas in the State of Alabama. The state law requires all paramedical assistants to work directly under the supervision of the physician and the surgeon. Therefore, the absence of a surgeon precludes the presence of a surgical assistant in remote rural areas. The medical-legal implications are considerable and must be examined with care to protect both the surgeon and the assistant. The act passed by the state legislature of Alabama and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners have been reviewed with attention given to the surgeon's assistant, the physician, and the Board.
The effects of X-rays on the proliferation dynamics of cells in the imaginal wing disc ofDrosophila melanogaster.

We report on the size distribution of clones marked by mitotic recombination induced by several different doses of X-rays applied to 72 h oldDrosophila larvae. The results indicate that the radiation significantly reduces the number of cells which undergo normal proliferation in the imaginal wing disc. We estimate that 1000 r reduces by 40–60% the number of cells capable of making a normal contribution to the development of the adult wing. Part of this reduction is due to severe curtailment in the proliferative ability of cells which nevertheless remain capable of adult differentiation; this effect is possibly due to radiation-induced aneuploidy. Cytological evidence suggests that immediate cell death also occurs as a result of radiation doses as low as 100 r. The surviving cells are stimulated to undergo additional proliferation in response to the X-ray damage so that the result is the differentiation of a normal wing.
Pregnant women's third trimester exercise behaviors, body mass index, and pregnancy outcomes

Pregnancy and postpartum are determinants of sedentary and low active lifestyles. Before effective physical activity interventions are implemented within this population, it is necessary to prospectively examine, during each trimester, their exercise determinants and behaviors within a theoretical framework. The purposes of this study were to: (a) prospectively examine women's third trimester exercise intention and behavior using the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and (b) examine group differences across the TPB constructs, body mass index (BMI), and birth outcomes for women exercising and not exercising during their third trimester. Participants were 62 pregnant women who completed self-report measures during their third trimester and 6-weeks postpartum. We found that: (a) intention predicted exercise behavior; (b) subjective norm predicted exercise intention; and (c) women exercising during their third trimester had significantly lower postpartum BMI and significantly heavier and longer babies than w...
Cellular and cytokine effectors of acute graft versus host disease.

Graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) is the major complication of allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and Older BMT recipients are at greater risk for acute graft-versus-host-disease. Using well-characterized murine BMT models we have explored the mechanisms of increased GVHD in older recipients. GVHD mortality and morbidity, as well as pathologic and biochemical indices were all worse in old recipients. Donor T cell responses were significantly increased in old recipients both in vivo and in vitro when stimulated by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) from old mice. In a haploidential GVHD model, CD4+ donor T cells mediated more severe GVHD in old mice. We confirmed the role of aged APCs in GVHD using B6D2F1 BM chimeras created with either old or young BM. APCs from these mice also stimulated greater responses from allogeneic cells in vitro. We also evaluated whether alloantigen expression on host target epithelium is essential for tissue damage induced by GVHD in mouse models. In bone marrow chimeras recipients in which either MHC II or MHC I alloantigen was expressed only on APCs, we found that acute GVHD does not require alloantigen expression on host target epithelium and that neutralization of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 prevents acute GVHD. These results suggest new strategies for the prevention and treatment of this toxic complication of BMT.
A Statistical Analysis of Palestinian Terrorism and Israeli Counter-Terrorism Over Time

There has been much controversy and confusion over the issue of the proper response to domestic and international terrorism. Some believe that the best results can be achieved by harsh policies based on the so-called war model, which defines the fight against terrorism as a form of warfare. Paul Johnson, for example, suggests that the West should "perfect a military instrument of fearful retribution" to be used against terrorism! Benjamin Netanyahu argues that "deterrence ... works on terrorists just as it does on anyone else."2 Counter-terrorism, therefore, assumes a military tone, with preemptive strikes and retaliations to destroy terrorist infrastructure and capabilities and to deter further acts of terror by raising the cost and risk involved in such acts. This philosophy is consistent with theories of "resource mobilization," which assume that terrorist groups are rational actors and predicts deterrence policies work? Others believe that the "communication model" is the best response to terrorism. Proponents of the communication model see terrorism as a last resort tactic used by weak and alienated groups who have been excluded from the political process. Therefore, counter-terrorism is viewed as a process of providing channels of communication and negotiations, which alleviate the necessity of using violent means. The advocates of this model condemn the use of force and claim that retaliations, preemptive strikes, and other types of force are acts of revenge that are mainly intended to satisfy the attackers. Jerrold Post argues that a policy of "reactive retaliatory response will, in some circumstances, be counterproductive and encourage the very activity it is designed to deter.'" This philosophy predicts that deterrence policies do not work because retaliation, reprisals, and repression will further alienate the dissidents, who then strike back at the regime. The existing theories cannot explain why in some conflicts the use of force by a government was successful and in others it was not. Although "we currently do not know why government coercion produces mixed effects on popular strife,"6 governments, after 1972, are increasingly responding with force to embassy seizures, hostage-taking incidents and retaliatory actions? Some examples are the rescue operation by the British anti-terrorist unit, SAS, on the Iranian embassy in London on April 30,1980;8 the simultaneous assaults on a hijacked train and a barricaded school by the Dutch anti-terrorist unit on March 23, 1977? the rescue operation by the French anti-terrorist unit, GIGN, on a school bus in Djibouti on February 3, 1976;" the attempted rescue of hostages from the U.S. Embassy by the American Delta Force in 1980; and the air raid on Libya in 1985. 4
Management of recurrence and follow-up strategies for patients with seminoma and selected high-risk groups

Seminoma is characterized by high sensitivity to both radiation and chemotherapy. Localized recurrences in the retroperitoneum after surveillance for stage I can be treated with radiotherapy; however, multiple or large bulky retroperitoneal recurrences or systemic metastasis require cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Salvage chemotherapy for those patients who recur after initial complete response to induction chemotherapy is based on regimens containing ifosfamide and cisplatin. Incomplete response or failure after induction chemotherapy requires high-dose chemotherapy and stem-cell rescue. Patients with seminoma require long-term follow-up because of the possibility of late recurrence and the risk of a contralateral primary tumor.
Effects of perceived similarity on vicarious emotional conditioning

Abstract The present experiment tested the hypothesis that perceived similarity between observers and models enhances vicarious emotional conditioning. Subjects were led to believe that they were either similar to the model in beliefs and attitudes, different from him or were given no information about him. They then underwent a vicarious classical conditioning procedure by witnessing the model express pain reactions in conjunction with a neutral stimulus. Observers developed emotional reactions to the neutral stimulus alone after seeing it paired with modeled pain expressions. Preceived similarity, however, had no significant effect on either the level of vicarious conditioning or the rate of extinction. Subjects who had no information concerning the model displayed stronger autonomic responses to the model's pain expressions, and more frequent and intense autonomic responses to the conditioned stimulus during tests for acquisition and extinction. In correlational analyses, subjects in the latter condition also yielded a significant positive relationship between self-reported arousal and vicarious emotional conditioning. The obtained findings were interpreted in terms of the emotion arousing properties of unfamiliarity.