cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mature breast adipocytes promote breast cancer cell motility

Adipocytes express substances involved in both normal physiology and pathological processes. One such adipocyte protein is the Serpin (serine protease inhibitor) plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). PAI-1 functions to inhibit urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) though PAI-1 itself is also implicated in breast cancer progression. While the role of adipocytes in breast cancer development is not fully understood, obesity is a known risk factor associated with breast cancer. Thus, we characterized adipocytes from breast and omental tissues for PAI-1 and uPA, and the influence of adipocytes on breast cancer cell motility. Using preadipocyte cells from breast and omental adipose tissue, we differentiated each site into mature adipocytes. PAI-1 protein was found in breast adipocytes>omental preadipocytes>omental adipocytes>breast preadipocytes. Interestingly, uPA protein was not detected in any of these cell types. We then incubated breast adipocyte conditioned media (Adip-CM) and preadipocyte conditioned media (PreAdip-CM) on both normal (MCF-10A) and malignant (MCF-10CA1) breast epithelial cell lines. Adip-CM, but not PreAdip-CM, (a) increased cell motility in both MCF-10A and MCF-10CA1 cells; (b) increased cell-associated uPA activity in both cell lines; (c) increased phosphorylated-Akt levels in MCF-10CA1 cells; and (d) gene array profiles show altered expression of several genes associated with cancer adhesion, metastasis and signaling. Our results suggest that mature breast adipocytes are capable of altering the epithelial cell phenotype, producing a more motile cell type and further provide a potential link between obesity and risk of breast cancer.
A coastal cliff management district for protection of eroding high relief coasts

Ensuring that new buildings do not interfere with the recreational and protective functions of the natural system and that the buildings will be useful long enough to protect the investment are among long-term solutions to coastal erosion. We propose that coastal cliff management districts be established for management of eroding high relief shorelines. Such districts would include an imminent failure zone, in which bluff retreat is possible at any time; a migration zone, which allows for long-term shoreline retreat; and a stability control zone in which activities affecting bluff erosion are restricted. Procedures are described for delineating these zones based on geomorphic criteria. If these land use controls are implemented, some shorefront development can be accommodated while retaining valuable characteristics of the natural system.
The use of hypercapnia in the study of regional cerebral blood flow abnormalities with 133Xe.

Abstract Induced hypercapnia was utilized for the study of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) using 133 Xe inhalation. Washout data were grossly biexponential with fast and slow components representing gray and white matter, respectively. Corrected washout data were fitted to a two-compartment model using a nonlinear least squares regression to calculate rCBF. In normal patients, hypercapnia resulted in a 2–4% increase in hemispheric flow for each Torr rise in P CO 2 . In abnormal studies either a lesser increase in flow was effected, or new regional or hemispheric asymmetries were seen, or both. The use of hypercapnia increased the sensitivity of the rCBF determinations from 30 to 90% in patients with transient ischemic attacks, and from 40 to 82% in patients with other varieties of cerebrovascular disease.
Infection of Cotton Seedlings By Meloidogyne Incognita and a Method of Producing Uniformly Infected Root Segments

Larvae of Meloidogyne incognita failed to penetrate root tissues 4 cm from the root tip and only a few penetrated 2 cm from the tip. Following penetration, larvae initially became oriented acropetally, parallel to the stele and could migrate up to 12 mm towards the growing tip. However, by 32 hr they were randomly oriented. The inoculation procedure utilized assures uniform, synchronous penetration of cotton roots by these nematodes.
Threefolds and deformations of surface singularities

The central theme of this article is the study of deformations of surface singularities using recent advances in three dimensional geometry. The basic idea is the following. Let X 0 be a surface singularity and consider a one parameter deformation {Xo: t e A } . Then the total space X = U X t is a three dimensional object. One can attempt to use the geometry of X to get information about the surface X~. In general X is very singular and so one can try to study it via a suitable resolution of singularities f : X ' -~ X. The existence of a resolution was established by Zariski; the problem is that there are too many of them, none particularly simple. Mori and Reid discovered that the best one can hope for is a partial resolution f : X ' ~ X where X' possesses certain mild singularities but otherwise is a good analog of the minimal resolution of surface singularities. The search for such a resolution is known as Mori 's program (see e.g. [-Ko3, KMM]). After substantial contributions by several mathematicians (Benveniste, Kawamata, Kollfir, Mori, Reid, Shokurov, Vichweg) this was recently completed by Mori [Mo 3]. A special case, which is nonetheless sufficient for the applications presented here, was settled by several persons. A proof was first announced by Tsunoda [TsM], later followed by Shokurov [Sh], Mori [Mo2] and Kawamata [Kaw2]. A precise formulation of the result we need will be provided at the end of the introduction. In certain situations X0 will impose very strong restrictions on X ' and one can use this to obtain information about X and X~ for t 40 . The first application is in chapter two. Teissier [Tel posed the following problem. Let {X~ : s~S} be a flat family of surfaces parameterized by the connected space S. Let X s be the minimal resolution of X~. In general {Xs: s e S } is not a flat family of surfaces, and it is of interest to find necessary and sufficient conditions for this to hold.
4-Amino-and 4-nitrodipicolinatovanadium(V) complexes and their hydroxylamido derivatives : Synthesis, aqueous, and solid-state properties

A number of 4-substituted, dipicolinatodioxovanadium(V) complexes and their hydroxylamido derivatives were synthesized to characterize the solid state and solution properties of five- and seven-coordinate vanadium(V) complexes. The X-ray crystal structures of Na[VO2dipic-NH2]·2H2O (2) and K[VO2dipic-NO2] (3) show the vanadium adopting a distorted, trigonal-bipyramidal coordination environment similar to the parent coordination complex, [VO2dipic]- (1), reported previously as the Cs+ salt. The observed differences in the chemical shifts of the complexes both in the 1H (ca. 0.7−1.4 ppm) and 51V (ca. 1−11 ppm) NMR spectra were consistent with the electron-donating or electron-withdrawing properties of the substituent groups, respectively. Stoichiometric addition of a series of hydroxylamine ligands (H2NOH, MeHNOH, Me2NOH, and Et2NOH) to complexes 1−3 led to the formation of seven-coordinate vanadium(V) complexes. The X-ray crystal structure of [VO(dipic)(Me2NO)(H2O)]·0.5H2O (1c) was found to be similar to th...
Late Cretaceous and Palaeogene palaeolatitudes of the Ontong Java Plateau

THE Pacific plate has undergone a substantial northward displacement during the late Mesozoic and the Cainozoic. Here we give additional documentation for such motion based on palaeomagnetic measurements of a sequence of sedimentary and basalt samples collected from middle Oligocene to Aptian sections of Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) site 289 (ref. 1; 00° 29.92′S, 158° 30.69′E) drilled on the Ontong Java Plateau.
Intermolecular and intramolecular catalysis in deamination of cytosine nucleosides.

The rates of deamination of arabinosylcytosine (Ara-C), cytidine (Cyd) and cytosine (C) are compared in the presence and in the absence of catalytic buffers. Ratios of the rate constants in the absence of intermolecular catalysis by buffers indicate intramolecular catalysis by the 2′-hydroxyl in Ara-C. For example, the ratio of the deamination rate constants at pH 4.7, 70° is 53/1.4/1 for Ara-C/Cyd/C. In contrast to Cyd and C which show catalysis by both the acidic and basic components of the buffers, Ara-C exhibits only general-acid catalysis. These data suggest that intramolecular participation by the 2′-hydroxyl in Ara-C replaces the general-base catalytic role which the buffers perform in the deamination of C and Cyd. Mechanisms for inter- and intramolecular catalysis in the deamination of Ara-C, Cyd, and C are discussed.
The Effects of Cortisone on the White Leghorn Cockerel and Capon

Abstract INTRODUCTION THE physiological activity of cortisone on the rat and other mammals has been investigated extensively and an excellent review was recently published by Ingle and Baker (1953). Comparative studies, however, on other forms are meager. The purpose of the experiments reported in this paper was to determine the effects of this hormone on the chick. The fact that this hormone produces a decrease in body weight and adrenal atrophy has been described by many investigators (Moore, 1953; Winter, Silber and Stoerk, 1950; Wells and Kendall, 1940; and Lewis et al., 1950). Antopol (1950) and Migeon (1952), however, have observed that this adrenal hormone has an inhibitory effect on the reproductive system of the mouse and rat. An inhibitory effect has also been reported to occur in the chick by cortisone treatment (Kudiza and Champion, 1953). In contrast to the above results it has been observed by Maddock (1953) that …
Concepts and Controversies in Cancer Screening

Screening for cancer is a common and expected part of primary care medicine. However, the known effects of lead time, length, and selection bias confound our ability to objectively evaluate screening tests, and often result in an overestimation of the benefits of screening. Because of these biases, the randomized controlled trial remains the only reliable way to measure the true effects of a screening program. Significant controversy remains for many screening tests, because most common screening procedures have come into widespread use without the benefit of definitive trials. These concepts are illustrated by exploring current controversies in screening for cancer of the lung, colon, breast and prostate, which together account for more than 50% of US cancer deaths. In the face of ongoing controversy and uncertainty about the value of screening tests, physicians are advised to engage patients in a process of shared decision making and informed consent.
A positive selection approach identifies residues important for folding of Salmonella enterica Pat, an Nε-lysine acetyltransferase that regulates central metabolism enzymes

Abstract In Salmonella enterica , the protein acetyltransferase (Pat) enzyme is part of the sirtuin-dependent acylation/deacylation system (SDPADS) that modulates the activity of several proteins via the acylation of lysine residues critical to their activities. Pat is a ∼98 kDa protein with two distinct domains, an N -terminal acyl-CoA synthetase (NDP-forming) domain (∼700 aa) and a C -terminal acetyltransferase domain (∼160 aa), with homology to proteins of the Gcn5-related N -acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily. Although the role of the GNAT-like domain is likely responsible for the catalytic activity of Pat, the role of the N- terminal domain remains unclear. Here we report the use of positive selection for identification of residues critical for Pat enzyme activity. This approach revealed seven residues that, when changed, resulted in drastic loss of Pat activity in vitro which caused a discernable loss-of-function phenotype. Five of the seven residues were located in the N -terminal region of Pat and two were located in the GNAT-like domain. Each single-amino-acid variant had a circular dichroism spectrum that differed from that of the wild-type Pat protein, suggesting that loss of enzymatic activity in the mutant proteins was likely due to an inability to acquire its biologically active fold.
Method for analyzing complex two-dimensional forms: Elliptical Fourier functions.

A generalized procedure, elliptical Fourier analysis, for accurately characterizing the shape of complex morphological forms of the type commonly encountered in the biological sciences, is described. Elliptical Fourier functions are derived as a parametric formulation from conventional Fourier analysis, i.e., as a pair of equations that are functions of a third variable. The use of elliptical Fourier functions circumvents three restrictions that have limited conventional Fourier analysis to certain classes of shapes. These restrictions are (1) equal divisions over the interval or period; (2) dependency on the coordinate system, i.e., conventional Fourier functions are not "coordinate free"; and (3) the presence of shapes with outlines that curve back on themselves, a common occurrence. These three limitations are effectively removed with the utilization of elliptical Fourier functions, facilitating the analysis of a much larger class of two-dimensional forms.
Regulating innate immunity with dopamine and electroacupuncture

Neural circuits are able to modulate immune responses by detecting inflammatory mediators and relaying signals back to the immune system. Here, in a mouse model of sepsis, the authors show that the immune responses can be modulated by electroacupuncture, which stimulates a neural circuit that results in the release of dopamine. The mechanism, like the inflammatory reflex, is neither sympathetic nor parasympathetic. Their results show a potential way forward in developing therapies for sepsis in dopamine agonists (pages 291–295 ).
MicroRNAs in cardiomyocyte development.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate gene expression at the post- transcriptional level, primarily by base-pairing with the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of their target mRNAs. Many miRNAs are expressed in a tissue/organ-specific manner and are associated with an increasing number of cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue development events. Cardiac muscle expresses distinct genes encoding structural proteins and a subset of signal molecules that control tissue specification and differentiation. The transcriptional regulation of cardiomyocyte development has been well established, yet only until recently has it been uncovered that miRNAs participate in the regulatory networks. A subset of miRNAs are either specifically or highly expressed in cardiac muscle, providing an opportunity to understand how gene expression is controlled by miRNAs at the post-transcriptional level in this muscle type. miR-1, miR-133, miR-206, and miR-208 have been found to be muscle-specific, and thus have been called myomiRs. The discovery of myomiRs as a previously unrecognized component in the regulation of gene expression adds an entirely new layer of complexity to our understanding of cardiac muscle development. Investigating myomiRs will not only reveal novel molecular mechanisms of the miRNA-mediated regulatory network in cardiomyocyte development, but also raise new opportunities for therapeutic intervention for cardiovascular disease. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2011 3 183–190 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.111 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website
On the mechanism of homogeneous decomposition of the chlorinated silanes. Chain reactions propagated by divalent silicon species

A mechanism for the homogeneous gas-phase decomposition of SiHCl3, SiH2Cl2, and SiH3Cl in hydrogen is derived from the results of ab initio molecular-orbital studies. It consists of 39 reversible e...
Surface-enhanced hyper-Raman scattering (SEHRS) on Ag film over Nanosphere (FON) electrodes: surface symmetry of centrosymmetric adsorbates.

Electrochemical surface-enhanced hyper-Raman scattering (SEHRS) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of centrosymmetric molecules on Ag film over nanosphere (AgFON) electrodes are presented. The SEHR spectra of trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (BPE) at different potentials (vs Ag/AgCl) are presented for the first time, and a reversible potential tuning of the SEHR spectra of BPE is demonstrated. The SEHRS and SERS techniques were used to determine to what extent either site symmetry reduction or field gradient effects dictate the origin of the observed vibrational spectra. It is found that the SEHR and SER spectra for the molecules studied were distinctly different at all frequency regions at a fixed voltage, suggesting that centrosymmetry is largely retained upon adsorption to the AgFON surface and that field gradient effects are negligible. This work also shows that the SEHR spectra clearly depend on potential, whereas the SER spectra are essentially independent of potenial. It is determined tha...
Biotype Status of Hessian Fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Populations from the Eastern United States and Their Response to 14 Hessian Fly Resistance Genes

Twenty-eight Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), populations from 15 states in soft winter wheat area of the eastern United States were evaluated for biotype composition and response to 14 Hessian fly resistance genes. The biotype composition of each Hessian fly population was estimated by confining individual gravid females on the wheat differentials ‘Seneca’ (H7H8), ‘Monon’ (H3), ‘Abe’ or ‘Magnum’ (H5), and ‘Caldwell’ (H6). The response of Hessian fly populations to resistance genes not deployed in the eastern United States was evaluated in replicated tests with wheat containing H9, H10, H12, H13, H14H15, H17, H18, and H19+ genes and two Purdue germplasm lines with unknown sources of resistance (’ACC 1566-1-1-IX’ and ‘Giorgio 331-39-10’). Based on biotype determinations, H7H8 was resistant or moderately resistant to populations from the South and Southeast, H3 and H5 were resistant to populations from East Texas, H6 was susceptible to all but the ML-TX population, and no deployed genes were resistant to populations from most locations in the Midwest and in the Mid-Atlantic region and the Northeast. Predominant biotypes in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina were E, G, and O, respectively. Biotype L was predominant in populations from the Midwest and some states of the Mid-Atlantic region. Texas populations were predominantly GP and A. The most resistant undeployed genes or gene combinations were H9, H13, H14H15, and H17, but Hessian fly virulence was found to all genes except H17. Continued monitoring of biotype frequency in Hessian fly populations is required for optimal deployment and management of resistance genes.
The absolute calibration of a brush accelerometer and its response to square waves of displacement and velocity

While it is not too difficult to determine the steady-state sinusoidal response of accelerometers and seismographs, the absolute calibration of these instruments is a more difficult matter. A new method for the absolute calibration of seismographs and accelerometers dynamically is based upon matching the peak sinusoidal acceleration of the instrument on test against the constant vertical acceleration of gravity. The method is described in its application to the calibration of a Brush accelerometer. The technique in its present simple form appears to enjoy a precision of five parts per 100. The response of the same accelerometer to square waves of displacement and velocity, and to simple transient wave-forms, is also shown as a matter of interest.
An overview of air quality III: mercury, trace elements, and particulate matter

Abstract The Air Quality III Conference on Mercury, Trace Elements, and Particulate Matter was held September 9–12, 2002, in Arlington, Virginia. Over 400 participants from 185 organizations representing 15 countries and 36 states attended, bringing together leaders from research, industry, and government to address air quality issues concerning health and ecosystems, emission prevention and control, measurement methods, and atmospheric reactions and modeling. This conference series, which is next held in September 2003, examines the ways in which scientific research and technology development drive the development of control technologies that define the limits of achievable regulation. The following is an overview of mercury and particulate issues discussed at the Air Quality III Conference.
REPORTED SLEEP: NEEDED MINUS OBTAINED SLEEP, FAMILY RESEMBLANCE, AND AGE

For a normal population from 13 to 89 yr. of age there was a correlation of .02 between age and sleep obtained, -.07 between age and sleep needed, and -.33 (p less than .01) between age and sleep needed minus sleep obtained. Also, significant family resemblance was found for all three of the above sleep variables.
Normal Cognitive Aging

Even those who do not experience dementia or mild cognitive impairment may experience subtle cognitive changes associated with aging. Normal cognitive changes can affect an older adult's everyday function and quality of life, and a better understanding of this process may help clinicians distinguish normal from disease states. This article describes the neurocognitive changes observed in normal aging, followed by a description of the structural and functional alterations seen in aging brains. Practical implications of normal cognitive aging are then discussed, followed by a discussion of what is known about factors that may mitigate age-associated cognitive decline.
Laminarization and turbulentization in a pulsatile pipe flow

A fluid-flow model which automatically determines the flow regime was used to analyze a timewise-periodic pipe flow. Numerical simulation was employed to implement the model. The range of the instantaneous Reynolds number gave rise to four distinct flow regimes: laminarizing, fully laminar, turbulentizing, and fully turbulent. The period of the imposed harmonic oscillations was varied over a very wide range, and the magnitude of the oscillations was of the same order as that of the steady flow on which the oscillations were superimposed. A large-period limit at which the flow is quasi-steady was identified. The predicted quasi-steady fully developed friction factor for each regime was found to be in excellent agreement with steady-state results applied instantaneously. A metric in the form of the ratio of the turbulence production to turbulence destruction was used to exhibit the turbulence characteristics of each of the four flow regimes. The value of this metric was somewhat different in the laminarizat...
Violent Death in Fourteenth- and Early Fifteenth-Century England

Murder has both an attractive and a repellent quality. The tingling, fearfully pleasurable sensation of reading or hearing about murders makes them popular in literature and in the media. George Orwell perceptively sums up this human reaction when he says of one of his characters, “Mother preferred the News of the World which she considered had more murders in it.” The fascination with split heads, spilled brains and dismembered bodies was a dominant theme of medieval as well as of modern literature.
Effects of prostaglandin E2 on the activity of thermosensitive and insensitive single units in the preoptic/anterior hypothalamus of unanesthetized rabbits.

To eliminate depressant effects of anesthetics on neuron activity, we recorded the single unit activity of thermoregulatory neurons in the POAH of unanesthetized rabbits. Intraventricularly applied PGE2 induced consistent excitatory effects (190% increase in firing rate) on cold-excitable cells and inhibited the firing rate (50%) of warm-sensitive neurons. Single units that were insensitive or had uncorrelatable changes in firing rate with POAH temperature were either facilitated or inhibited by PGE2. The consistent effects of PGE2 on the thermoregulatory neurons found in this study support the proposal of PGE modulation of thermoregulatory neurons during the development of a fever.
Stimulation of calcium release by caffeine analogs in pheochromocytoma cells.

Abstract Caffeine ( ec 50 ∼ 20 mM) causes a maximal 400% increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ) in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. A range of caffeine analogs in which methyl groups at the 1, 3, and 7 positions were replaced with relatively nonpolar (ethyl, allyl, propyl, propargyl) or polar (CH 2 COOH, CH 2 CH 2 OH, CH 2 CN, CH 2 OCH 3 ) substituents were tested at a 10 mM concentration. Many analogs were as efficacious or only somewhat less efficacious than 10 mM caffeine. Certain analogs with polar substituents had no effect. Disubstituted xanthines were less efficacious (theophylline, paraxanthine) than caffeine or were ineffective (theobromine). 1-Propyl-3,7-dimethylxanthine ( ec 50 4 mM) and 1-propargyl-3,7-dimethylxanthine ( ec 50 5 mM) were several-fold more potent than caffeine in causing elevation of [Ca 2+ ] i and the latter was at least as efficacious.
Nonlocal electroweak baryogenesis. II. The classical regime.

We investigate baryogenesis at a first-order electroweak phase transition in the presence of a CP-violating condensate on the bubble walls, in the regime in which the bubble walls are ``thick,'' in the sense that fermions interact with the plasma many times as the bubble wall passes. Such a condensate is present in multi-Higgs-doublet extensions of the standard model and may be formed via an instability in the minimal standard model. We concentrate on particles with typical thermal energies in the plasma, whose interactions with the wall are accurately described by the WKB approximation, in which a classical chiral force is evident. The deviations from thermal equilibrium produced by the motion of the wall are then treated using a classical Boltzmann equation which we solve in a fluid approximation. From the resulting equations we find two effects important for baryogenesis: (i) a classical chiral force term due to the CP-violating background and (ii) a term arising from hypercharge-violating interactions which are pushed out of equilibrium by the background field. Provided the wall propagates slower than the speed of sound, both terms lead to the diffusion of a chiral asymmetry in front of the wall. This can produce a baryon asymmetry of the observed magnitude for typical wall velocities and thicknesses. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Glucocorticoids Down-Regulate Somatostatin Receptors on Pituitary Cells in Culture

GH4C1 cells, a clonal strain of rat pituitary tumor cells which synthesize and secrete PRL and GH, have specific functional receptors for the two hypothalamic peptides TRH and somatostatin (SRIF). Chronic treatment of GH4C1 cells with cortisol has previously been shown to increase the number of TRH receptors per GH4C1 cell. The results reported here demonstrate that cortisol also causes a 20–40% decrease in the specific binding of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF. Treatment of GH4C1 cells with 5 × 10-6 M cortisol caused a time-dependent decrease in [125I-Tyr1]SRIF-specific binding. A maximal effect was achieved after 8 h of treatment, and the effect persisted for at least 48 h. Receptor affinity was the same in control and cortisol-pretreated cells (Kd = 7.8 × 10-10 M), but the number of SRIF-binding sites decreased from 21,900 to 15,20 receptors/cell. The half-maximal decrease in [125I-Tyr1]SRIF-specific binding occurred with 3 × 10-8 M cortisol. Pretreatment of cells with 5 × 10-7 M dexamethasone(1,4-pregnadien-9-fluoro...
A Comparative fMRI Study of Cortical Representations for Thermal Painful, Vibrotactile, and Motor Performance Tasks

Cortical activity due to a thermal painful stimulus applied to the right hand was studied in the middle third of the contralateral brain and compared to activations for vibrotactile and motor tasks using the same body part, in nine normal subjects. Cortical activity was demonstrated utilizing multislice echo-planar functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a surface coil. The cortical activity was analyzed based upon individual subject activity maps and on group-averaged activity maps. The results show significant differences in activations across the three tasks and the cortical areas studied. The study indicates that fMRI enables examination of cortical networks subserving pain perception at an anatomical detail not available with other brain imaging techniques and shows that this cortical network underlying pain perception shares components with the networks underlying touch perception and motor execution. However, the thermal pain perception network also has components that are unique to this perception. The uniquely activated areas were in the secondary somatosensory region, insula, and posterior cingulate cortex. The posterior cingulate cortex activity was in a region that, in the monkey, receives nociceptive inputs from posterior thalamic medial and lateral nuclei that in turn are targets for spinothalamic terminations. Discrete subdivisions of the primary somatosensory and motor cortical areas were also activated in the thermal pain task, showing region-dependent differences in the extent of overlap with the other two tasks. Within the primary motor cortex, a hand region was preferentially active in the task in which the stimulus was painful heat. In the primary somatosensory cortex most activity in the painful heat task was localized to area 1, where the motor and vibratory task activities were also coincident. The study also indicates that the functional connectivity across multiple cortical regions reorganizes dynamically with each task.
Preparation and ionic transport properties of YDC–YSZ nanocomposites

The ionic transport properties of dense nanocomposites of yttria-doped ceria (YDC) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), in a volume ratio of 1 : 1, have been investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. These materials were prepared by means of a fast-firing process starting from nanopowders with high specific surface area, avoiding the formation of secondary phases and minimizing the opportunity for grain growth to occur during sintering. An important enhancement of the total ionic conductivity with decreasing crystallite size was observed, as reported in the literature for other nanostructured ionic conductors. This result can be attributed to an almost ideal parallel connection between both nanophases, coupled to an increase of their grain boundary ionic diffusivity. In addition, it was proved that the presence of the YSZ phase significantly improves the mechanical properties of ceria-based nanoceramics.
Salt toxicosis in ruddy ducks that winter on an agricultural evaporation basin in California.

Agricultural evaporation basins are used as a means to dispose of highly saline underground-tile-drainage water in the San Joaquin Valley (California, USA). The hypersaline water conditions encourage high aquatic invertebrate production, primarily brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana), which attract birds to these sites. Cool winter temperatures ( 70,000 μmhos/cm) resulted in feather salt encrustation and salt toxicosis in ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis). During December 1998 and January 1999, approximately 200 dead and sick ruddy ducks were collected from an evaporation basin and five healthy control ruddy ducks were collected from a freshwater wetland. Brains contained ≥1,890 ppm sodium (wet tissue mass) in seven dead birds and contained ≤1,150 ppm sodium in the control birds. Liver arsenic, lead, and mercury concentrations were 0.05) between the tw...
The Adaptive Character of Thought

Contents: Part I:Introduction. Preliminaries. Levels of a Cognitive Theory. Current Formulation of the Levels Issues. The New Theoretical Framework. Is Human Cognition Rational? The Rest of This Book. Appendix: Non-Identifiability and Response Time. Part II:Memory. Preliminaries. A Rational Analysis of Human Memory. The History Factor. The Contextual Factor. Relationship of Need and Probability to Probability and Latency of Recall. Combining Information From Cues. Implementation in the ACT Framework. Effects of Subject Strategy. Conclusions. Part III:Categorization. Preliminaries. The Goal of Categorization. The Structure of the Environment. Recapitulation of Goals and Environment. The Optimal Solution. An Iterative Algorithm for Categorization. Application of the Algorithm. Survey of the Experimental Literature. Conclusion. Appendix: The Ideal Algorithm. Part IV:Causal Inference. Preliminaries. Basic Formulation of the Causal Inference Problem. Causal Estimation. Cues for Causal Inference. Integration of Statistical and Temporal Cues. Discrimination. Abstraction of Causal Laws. Implementation in a Production System. Conclusion. Appendix. Part V:Problem Solving. Preliminaries. Making a Choice Among Simple Actions. Combining Steps. Studies of Hill Climbing. Means-Ends Analysis. Instantiation of Indefinite Objects. Conclusions on Rational Analysis of Problem Solving. Implementation in ACT. Appendix: Problem Solving and Clotheslines. Part VI:Retrospective. Preliminaries. Twelve Questions About Rational Analysis.
Small Intestinal Submucosa as a Vascular Graft: A Review

Continuing investigations of vascular graft materials suggest that unacceptable graft complications continue and that the ideal graft material has not yet been found. We have developed and tested a biologic vascular graft material, small intestine submucosa (SIS), in normal dogs. This material, when used as an autograft, allograft, or xenograft has demonstrated biocompatibility and high patency rates in aorta, carotid and femoral arteries, and superior vena cava locations. The grafts are completely endothelialized at 28 days post-implantation. At 90 days, the grafts are histologically similar to normal arteries and veins and contain a smooth muscle media and a dense fibrous connective tissue adventitia. Follow-up periods of up to 5 years found no evidence of infection, intimal hyperplasia, or aneurysmal dilation. One infection-challenge study suggested that SIS may be infection resistant, possibly because of early capillary penetration of the SIS (2 to 4 days after implantation) and delivery of body defenses to the local site. We conclude that SIS is a suitable blood interface material and is worthy of continued investigation. It may serve as a structural framework for the application of tissue engineering technologies in the development of the elusive ideal vascular graft material.
Experience With Duplex Sonographic Evaluation of Meso-Rex Bypass in Extrahepatic Portal Vein Obstruction

Meso-Rex bypass is a surgical procedure for managing extrahepatic portal vein obstruction in children. Although duplex sonography has been used for assessing the patency of the bypass graft and the changes in the intrahepatic portal venous system after the surgery, there was little sonographic description of functioning and dysfunctioning bypass grafts found in the literature. In this case series, we retrospectively evaluated duplex sonography of functioning and dysfunctioning bypass grafts in 5 pediatric patients who received meso-Rex bypass grafts. Sonography was performed preoperatively and postoperatively within 48 hours, 1 to 2 weeks later, and at follow-up 1 month and up to 3 years later. Changes in the direction and velocity of the flow in the intrahepatic portal veins and bypass grafts and diameters of the grafts and the left portal veins were analyzed. Preoperative sonography revealed varied extension of extrahepatic portal vein occlusion with cavernous transformation and diminished intrahepatic portal venous flow, whereas postoperative studies showed a rapid increase of the intrahepatic portal flow via the meso-Rex bypass graft in all cases. A patent graft with reversed flow in the left portal vein was a predominant feature of a functioning graft. In contrast, absent flow in the graft with diminished flow or an altered flow direction in the left portal vein indicated graft failure. It is believed that duplex sonography provides a valuable tool for monitoring the hemodynamic changes in the portal venous system and detecting graft malfunction.
Comparative Genomics of Rickettsia prowazekii Madrid E and Breinl Strains

Rickettsia prowazekii, the causative agent of epidemic typhus, has been responsible for millions of human deaths. Madrid E is an attenuated strain of R. prowazekii, while Breinl is a virulent strain. The genomic DNA sequence of Madrid E has recently been published. To study the genomic variations between Madrid E (reference) and Breinl (test) DNAs, cohybridization experiments were performed on a DNA microarray containing all 834 protein-coding genes of Madrid E. Of the 834 genes assessed, 24 genes showed 1.5- to 2.0-fold increases in hybridization signals in Breinl DNA compared to Madrid E DNA, indicating the presence of genomic variations in ∼3% of the total genes. Eighteen of these 24 genes are predicted to be involved in different functions. Southern blot analysis of five genes, virB4, ftsK, rfbE, lpxA, and rpoH, suggested the presence of an additional paralog(s) in Breinl, which might be related to the observed increase in hybridization signals. Studies by real-time reverse transcription-PCR revealed an increase in expression of the above-mentioned five genes and five other genes. In addition to the elevated hybridization signals of 24 genes observed in the Breinl strain, one gene (rp084) showed only 1/10 the hybridization signal of Madrid E. Further analysis of this gene by PCR and sequencing revealed a large deletion flanking the whole rp084 gene and part of the rp083 gene in the virulent Breinl strain. The results of this first rickettsial DNA microarray may provide some important information for the elucidation of pathogenic mechanisms of R. prowazekii.
Female Labour Supply and Marital Status Decisions: A Life-Cycle Model

This paper studies the interdependence between and the determinants of life-cycle marital status and labour force participation decisions of women. A dynamic utility maximization model is presented and estimated using longitudinal data on women from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. The MLE method employed, involves solving a dynamic programming problem. Further, a minimum distance estimator is proposed which allows for the incorporation of wage data in a computationally simple way. The estimates are used to predict changes in the life-cycle patterns of employment, marriage and divorce due to differences in education, race, the female's earnings and her (potential) husband's earnings. The estimation results indicate that the utility gains to marriage are decreasing in the female's wage rate and increasing in her (potential) husband's earnings, while the opposite is found for gains to working. Ignoring the endogeneity of marital status decisions is shown to lead to an underestimation of own and husband's wage effects on female labour supply.
Finite element analysis of plates with curved edges

The application of the high precision triangular plate bending element to problems with curved boundaries is considered. Appropriate edge conditions for nodal points on these boundaries are derived. The error inherent in representing the shape of a curved boundary by a series of straight segments is found to be the limiting factor on accuracy, while the effect of approximations in the actual boundary conditions is minor. To overcome the first type of error, the high precision element is modified to include one curved edge. Substantial improvements in accuracy are obtained, as demonstrated in example calculations for circular and elliptical plates.
Antisense RNA Strategies for Metabolic Engineering of Clostridium acetobutylicum

We examined the effectiveness of antisense RNA (as RNA) strategies for metabolic engineering of Clostridium acetobutylicum. Strain ATCC 824(pRD4) was developed to produce a 102-nucleotide asRNA with 87% complementarity to the butyrate kinase (BK) gene. Strain ATCC 824(pRD4) exhibited 85 to 90% lower BK and acetate kinase specific activities than the control strain. Strain ATCC 824(pRD4) also exhibited 45 to 50% lower phosphotransbutyrylase (PTB) and phosphotransacetylase specific activities than the control strain. This strain exhibited earlier induction of solventogenesis, which resulted in 50 and 35% higher final concentrations of acetone and butanol, respectively, than the concentrations in the control. Strain ATCC 824(pRD1) was developed to putatively produce a 698-nucleotide asRNA with 96% complementarity to the PTB gene. Strain ATCC 824(pRD1) exhibited 70 and 80% lower PTB and BK activities, respectively, than the control exhibited. It also exhibited 300% higher levels of a lactate dehydrogenase activity than the control exhibited. The growth yields of ATCC 824(pRD1) were 28% less than the growth yields of the control. While the levels of acids were not affected in ATCC 824(pRD1) fermentations, the acetone and butanol concentrations were 96 and 75% lower, respectively, than the concentrations in the control fermentations. The lower level of solvent production by ATCC 824(pRD1) was compensated for by ∼100-fold higher levels of lactate production. The lack of any significant impact on butyrate formation fluxes by the lower PTB and BK levels suggests that butyrate formation fluxes are not controlled by the levels of the butyrate formation enzymes.
Meta-rules: Reasoning about control

Abstract How can we insure that knowledge embedded in a program is applied effectively? Traditionally the answer to this question has been sought in different problem solving paradigms and in different approaches to encoding and indexing knowledge. Each of these is useful with a certain variety of problem, but they all share a common problem: they become ineffective in the face of a sufficiently large knowledge base. How then can we make it possible for a system to continue to function in the face of a very large number of plausibly useful chunks of knowledge? In response to this question we propose a framework for viewing issues of knowledge indexing and retrieval, a framework that includes what appears to be a useful perspective on the concept of a strategy. We view strategies as a means of controlling invocation in situations where traditional selection mechanisms become ineffective. We examine ways to effect such control, and describe meta-rules, a means of specifying strategies which offers a number of advantages. We consider at some length how and when it is useful to reason about control, and explore the advantages meta-rules offer for doing this.
Campylobacter jejuni Induces Secretion of Proinflammatory Chemokines from Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT Campylobacter jejuni is a common cause of diarrhea in humans. While the pathogenic mechanisms of C. jejuni are not completely understood, host inflammatory responses are thought to be contributing factors. In this report, C. jejuni 81-176 is shown to up-regulate chemokines essential to inflammatory responses. Growth-related oncogene α (GROα), GROγ, macrophage inflammatory protein 1, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and gamma interferon-inducible protein 10 (γIP-10) mRNA transcription in INT-407 cells was enhanced within 4 h of bacterial exposure. Infection with viable campylobacters was necessary for sustained chemokine transcription and was NF-κB dependent. GROα, γIP-10, and MCP-1 chemokine secretions were confirmed by immunological assays.
Determination of Ephedra Alkaloid and Caffeine Concentrations in Dietary Supplements and Biological Fluids

Dietary supplements containing botanical forms of caffeine and ephedra alkaloids have been widely promoted and used in the U.S. for weight loss and athletic enhancement despite a lack of adequate research on the pharmacology of these botanical stimulants. In order to analyze dietary supplements and perform human pharmacokinetic studies, an analytical approach with good precision and accuracy was needed with sufficient sensitivity to detect very low levels of ephedra alkaloids. A liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method was developed for quantitating the various ephedrine-group alkaloids found in dietary supplements that contain Ephedra species, and in plasma and urine of persons consuming these supplements. Using this method, low nanogram-per-milliliter concentrations of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, methylephedrine, methylpseudoephedrine, and caffeine can be quantitated in a 12-min LC-MS-MS run.
Polyamine analysis of human gingival crevicular fluid.

Crevicular fluid from inflamed periodontitis sites was analyzed for polyamines by high performance liquid chromatography. Putrescine and cadaverine concentrations were positively correlated with site probing depth (p<0.01). Spermidine concentrations were poorly correlated with probing depth (p<0.30), but were significantly higher at moderately inflamed sites (as assessed by the Gingival Index) than at mildly inflamed sites (p<0.02).
A web application to support recovery and shared decision making in psychiatric medication clinics

Topic Web-based technology and peer support can be paired to create an enhanced medication visit that supports shared decision making between psychiatrists and people with psychiatric disabilities. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe an intervention to support recovery and shared decision making in the psychiatric medication visit. We will describe the CommonGround web application and a new role for peer staff in the medication clinic. Additionally, we will describe early adopters, patterns of use and lessons learned. Sources used Sources used include the application's database and observation of 8 sites using the web application with 4,783 users. Conclusions Despite the constraints on the typical 15-minute medication consultation, it is possible to use technology and peer support to create an enhanced medication visit that supports shared decision making in the psychiatric medication visit.
Study of static cushioning properties: Automated data input and reliability test of static cushioning properties

A computer-controlled compression testing machine is used to compile a database of the static cushioning properties of package cushioning materials. Through research into automated data input procedures, so far not developed, a direct transfer program (ZABCON) has been devised, which allows direct access to the disk in which compression test data are stored. Elimination of manual data input has led to simplified and easy construction of a database, and the applied laboratory tests, such as that for determining the relationship between static cushioning properties and compression rate, can be performed quite readily. Also in this report, the application of the static cushioning characteristics of foamed polystyrene in the cushioning package design of dummy goods and the evaluation of its reliability by drop testing are discussed.
Advantages Of Evolutionary Computation Used For Exploration In The Creative Design Process

In early phases of design a wide exploration of the design space is crucial to the development of creative solutions. In this regard, Evolutionary Computation (EC), and in particular Genetic Algorithms, contain several qualities that can enhance exploration by opening the search process beyond the focus of finding a single "best" solution. Over the years many researchers in the area of creative thinking including Gordon, de Bono, Parnes, Osborn and others, have suggested design strategies that have interesting parallels in EC processes. For instance, a well known inhibitor of creative thinking is design fixation, where the suggestion of a particular solution makes it difficult to imagine other good solutions. Unlike many other computational search algorithms, EC methods work with populations of "fairly good" solutions. Therefore, there is less danger that creativity will be harmed by design fixation on one "best" solution. This paper shows through a specific example of a truss bridge how an EC based design exploration program can aid the designer by providing a selection of "pretty good" solutions rather than a single optimal solution. Other aspects of the EC program are also discussed including drawbacks to the method such as computational intensity as well as directions of future development.