cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolution and biological significance of A(H1N1) pdm09 influenza virus hemagglutinin glycosylation.

Introduction: As the pathogen that caused the first influenza virus pandemic in this century, the swine-origin A(H1N1) pdm09 influenza virus has caused continuous harm to human public health. The evolution of hemagglutinin protein glycosylation sites, including the increase in number and positional changes, is an important way for influenza viruses to escape host immune pressure. Based on the traditional influenza virus molecular monitoring, special attention should be paid to the influence of glycosylation evolution on the biological characteristics of virus antigenicity, transmission and pathogenicity. The epidemiological significance of glycosylation mutants should be analyzed as a predictive tool for early warning of new outbreaks and pandemics, as well as the design of vaccines and drug targets.Areas covered: We review on the evolutionary characteristics of glycosylation on the HA protein of the A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus in the last ten years.Expert opinion: We discuss the crucial impact of evolutionary glycosylation on the biological characteristics of the virus and the host immune responses, summarize studies revealing different roles of glycosylation play during host adaptation. Although these studies show the significance of glycosylation evolution in host-virus interaction, much remains to be discovered about the mechanism.
Modeling Temporal Variation of Estrogen Levels Due to Interconversion

Estrogens are known to have an adverse impact on the reproductive functions of aquatic animals in natural waters. However, the estrogen levels are usually below the detection limits and vary drastically in the surface water, making it difficult to assess the environmental exposure in watershed management. While dynamic models are useful to bridge the data gaps on estrogen levels in surface water, the complex interconversion among estrogens hinders the accurate calculation of estrogens levels. To address the issue, we developed a kinetic model consisting of three first-order ordinary differential equations to track the concentration change of three key estrogens, estrone (E1), 17α-estradiol (E2α), and 17β-estradiol (E2β) with time resulting from the complex interconversion process. The model was solved by the matrix method and applied to 15 sets of lab data measured both in anaerobic and aerobic conditions as well as in aqueous solutions and solids with various initial estrogen concentrations from earlier studies. The coefficient of determination (R2) values for those datasets range between 0.842 and 0.989, indicating very good accuracy for the application to the natural environment. This kinetic model can help managers to assess the environmental exposure in watershed management and make determinations on effective solutions.
Oncogenes of spontaneous and chemically induced tumors.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the molecular basis of nonviral tumorigenesis. Indirect experiments have suggested that DNA damage is a central step in transformation, largely because DNA-damaging agents tend to be carcinogens. However, this realization of the importance of DNA damage does not facilitate an understanding of which DNA sequences must be damaged in order to induce transformation. The chapter illustrates how the process of gene transfer makes possible the resolution of some of the above issues. It discusses a model that invokes a cellular oncogene as being centrally important in the process of oncogenic transformation. According to this model, such an oncogene derives from a normally innocuous cellular DNA sequence whose inappropriate activation during oncogenesis confers a novel transforming potency on the altered gene. This study concludes two points. First, the oncogenic sequence is of endogenous cellular origin. Second, the DNA sequences encoding transformation comprise a discrete unit of function and may represent an allelic variant of a normal cellular gene. This, in turn, implies that the activation of critical cellular genes, not the global activation of large portions of the genome, is important for oncogenic transformation.
The effect of modes of response about the structure of a social representation: The example of the study representation

A research relating to the social representation of the studies was carried out in order to explore the potential effect of the answers modalities in a calling into question questionnaire. Two questionnaires varying by the number of response and the presence of a midpoint were proposed to 251 young high-school pupils. The results underline the important impact of the answers modalities on the structures obtained. In one case (4 answers) the representation includes three central elements; in the other (5 answers), it contains only one of them. These results confirm those of former research concerning the impact of the midpoint in the calling into question method by reduction of the number of central elements of the representation. This type of research contributes to thinking about the methods used within the framework of the study of the social representations, but also to feed the epistemological stakes subjacent to these methods.
Conservation and Development Around Cameroon's Korup National Park: Is a Large-Scale, Industrial Oil Palm Plantation the Answer?

Land in sub-Saharan Africa is an emerging target of privately owned, industrial agricultural enterprises, which are increasingly responsible for contributing to tropical deforestation. Encouraged by a rapidly growing global demand for palm oil, foreign agribusiness companies are seeking land leases in the African tropical forest zone to develop large-scale oil palm plantations. At the forefront of this new “scramble” for Africa, is a highly publicized and contentious plantation planned near Cameroon’s Korup National Park, a globally recognized center of biodiversity and species endemism, by American agribusiness firm Herakles Farms (HF) and the non-profit organization All for Africa. HF has argued that its development addresses food security and poverty alleviation issues and has marketed its activities as environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. Critics claim the HF oil palm development is a “land grab” that violates Cameroonian law and local rights to free, prior and informed consent, will economically displace thousands of rural farmers, and will have serious negative impacts on the biodiversity of the region. This study dissects the anatomy of this oil palm plantation, critically examines the claims offered by HF, and presents recommendations for the future of oil palm development in Africa. Results suggest that HF is engaging in an aggressive public relations campaign that attempts to misinform the public, discredit critics, and greenwash their activities. The livelihoods of local people and the biodiversity on which they rely are at great risk if HF is the model used to develop the oil palm industry in Africa.
CO2‐Expanded Liquids for Nanoparticle Processing

The sections in this article are Introduction Gas-Expanded Liquids Controlling Nanoparticle Dispersibility and Precipitation Size-Selective Fractionation of Nanoparticles Small-Scale Size-Selective Fractionation Large-Scale Size-Selective Fractionation Tuning the Precipitation Range Effect of Temperature Effect of Solvent Effect of Stabilizing Ligand Modeling Nanoparticle Dispersibility in CXLs Thin-Film Deposition Nanoparticle Thin-Film Deposition on MEMS Devices Formation and Synthesis of Nanoparticles in CXLs Nanoparticle Phase Transfer Using CXLs Conclusion Keywords: nanoparticles; CO2-expanded liquids; antisolvent; dispersibility; thin-film formation; green chemistry
NTproBNP as a marker of rejection in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

Knecht KR, Alexander ML, Swearingen CJ, Frazier EA. NTproBNP as a marker of rejection in pediatric heart transplant recipients. Abstract: Acute rejection is a major morbidity in heart transplant recipients; diagnosis is difficult, and rejection must often be treated reactively. Various serum biomarkers have been investigated for non-invasive monitoring of the cardiac allograft. NTproBNP is produced by the ventricular myocardium and may increase with evolving rejection allowing earlier diagnosis. Retrospective review of serum NTproBNP levels in pediatric heart transplant recipients has been carried out to evaluate the association with episodes of acute rejection. Repeated measures logistic regression was used to model associations for variables with first rejection and within an individual for change in NTproBNP and first rejection. Odds ratios for rejection risk given an increase in serum NTproBNP were calculated. Correlation of NTproBNP levels with renal function as estimated by modified Schwartz equation was performed to look for confounding. Higher serum NTproBNP level was associated with increased risk of rejection, but intersubject variability was wide. However, increase in an individual subject’s serum level showed increased risk of rejection, greater with greater rise. Serum NTproBNP levels appear not greatly affected by renal function. NTproBNP shows promise in surveillance for pediatric heart transplant recipients. The greatest use appears to be in following trends for an individual instead of using an absolute value.
Teas and tea-based functional beverages

Abstract: Teas and tea-based products have become some of the most important beverages around the world. Their consumption has grown in popularity due primarily to their claimed stimulant and health properties. Market expansion from their country of origin to other parts of the world has also led to new technological developments, not only to optimize their production but also to satisfy consumers, particularly regarding convenience and taste. This chapter describes health benefits and technological and sensory aspects of teas from different plant species. It includes the most popular teas from Camellia sinensis and herbal teas such as mate, hibiscus, peppermint, and chamomile. Teas and tea-based beverages will continue to grow as part of a healthy lifestyle of consumers.
An analysis of enabling and mindful school structures

This inquiry is a theoretical analysis that attempts to identify the features of school structure that efficiently promote positive outcomes of organization, while limiting negative consequences that are often associated with bureaucratic structures. To that end, the concepts of enabling structures and mindful organizations are developed, contrasted, and synthesized. Then, the research and practical implications of enabling and mindful school structures are proposed and discussed.
Mating and Mutation of Alleles

Genetic theory provides us with insight into the changes of the genetic makeup of organisms. These insights are of particular interest in the context of conservation biology where genetic diversity is seen as one advantage of a species to survive in a changing environment. In this chapter we show how various alleles from “parents” combine into a genotype that carries those alleles and how randomness influences the resultant genetic makeup.
The Literacy Skills and Motivation to Read of Children Enrolled in Title I: A Comparison of Electronic and Print Nonfiction Books.

This mixed method study, grounded in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, examines if nonfiction e-books read independently by children enrolled in a summer reading program will increase vocabulary, improve comprehension, and enhance motivation to read as compared to children reading nonfiction trade books with adult support. Findings indicate improved vocabulary identification in all intervention groups (i.e., e-book, adult support, and independent) after reading. However, there was no significant difference in improvement regarding vocabulary or motivation to read when comparing the intervention groups. Although not significant, the results indicated the post-test mean was higher than the pre-test mean for the teacher group for motivation for recreational reading. Conversely, in all other areas of motivation for reading, the pre-test mean was higher than the post-test mean, indicating lower motivation for reading at the end of the summer program. The study also found that children with adult support gave the most accurate retellings, followed by the e-book group, and finally the independent group. Overall, the interview data across all groups included positive attitudes regarding the use of e-books and a preference for reading e-books rather than regular trade books.
On the Workings of Genetic Algorithms: The Genoclique Fixing Hypothesis

We recently reported that the simple genetic algorithm (SGA) is capable of performing a remarkable form of sublinear computation which has a straightforward connection with the general problem of interacting attributes in data-mining. In this paper we explain how the SGA can leverage this computational proficiency to perform efficient adaptation on a broad class of fitness functions. Based on the relative ease with which a practical fitness function might belong to this broad class, we submit a new hypothesis about the workings of genetic algorithms. We explain why our hypothesis is superior to the building block hypothesis, and, by way of empirical validation, we present the results of an experiment in which the use of a simple mechanism called clamping dramatically improved the performance of an SGA with uniform crossover on large, randomly generated instances of the MAX 3-SAT problem.
Caregiver Burden in Patients with Parkinson Disease Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation: An Exploratory Analysis

Background: Little is known about caregiver burden in Parkinson disease (PD) patients undergoing brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. Objective: The aim of this exploratory analysis was to evaluate whether caregiver burden improves after bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS for PD patients and identify baseline factors associated with caregiver burden. Methods: We analyzed the motor, cognitive and behavioral data of 12 PD patients (9 men/3 women) who underwent bilateral STN DBS and whose caregivers completed the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) both before and approximately 6 months after bilateral STN DBS. Results: Total CBI score did not change from baseline (17.8 ± 10.7) to the 6 month evaluation (18.7 ± 13.1), despite a 29% improvement in the MDS-UPDRS motor score (baseline 40.3 ± 12.1 compared to 28.7 ± 8.4 at 6 months, p = 0.01). Change in total CBI score did not correlate with change in MDS-UPDRS Parts I–IV or MoCA from baseline to 6 months. In post-hoc analyses looking at baseline characteristics that may correlate with caregiver burden, only the disinhibition subscore on the Frontal Systems Behavioral Scale correlated positively with the baseline total CBI score (ρ = 0.763, p = 0.004). Conclusion: Caregiver burden for PD patients (as measured by the CBI) does not change 6 months after bilateral STN DBS, despite significant improvement in motor function. Only baseline behavioral problems, specifically disinhibition, correlated with higher baseline caregiver burden. Clinicians may need to better counsel patients on expectations for caregiver burden after DBS.
Understanding the challenges of protein flexibility in drug design

Introduction: Protein–ligand interactions play key roles in various metabolic pathways, and the proteins involved in these interactions represent major targets for drug discovery. Molecular docking is widely used to predict the structure of protein–ligand complexes, and protein flexibility stands out as one of the most important and challenging issues for binding mode prediction. Various docking methods accounting for protein flexibility have been proposed, tackling problems of ever-increasing dimensionality.Areas covered: This paper presents an overview of conformational sampling methods treating target flexibility during molecular docking. Special attention is given to approaches considering full protein flexibility. Contrary to what is frequently done, this review does not rely on classical biomolecular recognition models to classify existing docking methods. Instead, it applies algorithmic considerations, focusing on the level of flexibility accounted for. This review also discusses the diversity of d...
Determining sex of the posterior ilium from the Robert J. Terry and William M. Bass collections.

: Morphological traits of the posterior ilium are commonly used for sex determination in bioarcheological and forensic skeletal analysis. This study was designed to compare the classification correctness of standard scoring systems and measurements of the posterior ilium, including using logistic regression, to develop new formulae to predict sex. Metric measurements and morphological scores for the preauricular sulcus (PS), the elevation of the auricular surface, and the greater sciatic notch width were recorded for 97 males and 101 females of both European and African ancestry from the William M. Bass and Terry Collections. Correct classification of sex was high using individual traits such as the greater sciatic notch score (88.4%), the presence or absence of a PS (78.8%), and the scoring of a present PS as 1, 2, or 3 (100%). Furthermore, an equation combining multiple traits of the posterior ilium had a high classification of 94.9%.
Originalism and Political Ignorance

Original meaning originalism may now be the most popular version of constitutional theory in the legal academy. The methodology has been endorsed by at least two Supreme Court justices and well-known scholars from across the political spectrum. Original meaning is usually interpreted as focusing on the public understanding of the meaning of a constitutional provision at the time of ratification. This makes it essential to try to determine what the public actually knew and understood about the meaning of specific parts of the Constitution at the time they were enacted. If most of the public knew little or nothing about the constitutional provision in question, it may be difficult or impossible to determine its original meaning. The evidence of extensive public ignorance on even very basic political issues suggests that such situations might well be quite common. Yet none of the rapidly growing literature on original meaning has so far grappled with the reality of widespread public ignorance. This article begins the task of filling the gap in the literature. Part I describes the ways in which various theories of original meaning implicitly depend on assumptions about public knowledge. The problem is most severe with respect to determining the original meaning of provisions that are relatively vague and open-ended and least so when it comes to those that are more clear and precise. However, many of the most important disputes in constitutional law involve the former. The available empirical evidence on political ignorance suggests that the public may well have been poorly informed about many constitutional issues at the time of ratification. Indeed, political ignorance is actually rational for most voters. In Part II, I consider several possible solutions to the challenge posed by political ignorance. These include relying on the perceptions of political elites, looking to contemporary coverage of constitutional issues in the popular media, and assuming that the public divined an original meaning after all, by relying on “information shortcuts.” Each of these approaches has some merit, but all also have important shortcomings. Part III briefly considers two ways in which originalists could respond to the challenge of political ignorance by modifying their theories: adopting a presumption in favor of literal over figurative interpretations of constitutional text, and leaving more issues to be resolved by construction rather than interpretation. Political ignorance is not a terminal problem for originalism, and certainly does not discredit the theory completely. But it is an important issue that both originalists and their critics need to pay more attention to.
Plasma steroid concentrations and male phallus size in juvenile alligators from seven Florida lakes.

Neonatal and juvenile alligators from contaminated Lake Apopka in central Florida exhibit abnormal plasma sex steroid concentrations as well as morphological abnormalities of the gonad and phallus. This study addresses whether similar abnormalities occur in juvenile alligators inhabiting six other lakes in Florida. For analysis, animals were partitioned into two subsets, animals 40-79 cm total length (1-3 years old) and juveniles 80-130 cm total length (3-7 years old). Plasma testosterone (T) concentrations were lower in small males from lakes Apopka, Griffin, and Jessup than from Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Similar differences were observed in the larger juveniles, with males from lakes Jessup, Apopka, and Okeechobee having lower plasma T concentrations than Lake Woodruff males. Plasma estradiol-17beta (E(2)) concentrations were significantly elevated in larger juvenile males from Lake Apopka compared to Lake Woodruff NWR. When compared to small juvenile females from Lake Woodruff NWR, females from lakes Griffin, Apopka, Orange, and Okeechobee had elevated plasma E(2) concentrations. Phallus size was significantly smaller in males from lakes Griffin and Apopka when compared to males from Lake Woodruff NWR. An association existed between body size and phallus size on all lakes except Lake Apopka and between phallus size and plasma T concentration on all lakes except lakes Apopka and Orange. Multiple regression analysis, with body size and plasma T concentration as independent covariables, explained the majority of the variation in phallus size on all lakes. These data suggest that the differences in sex steroids and phallus size observed in alligators from Lake Apopka are not limited to that lake, nor to one with a history of a major pesticide spill. Further work examining the relationship of sex steroids and phallus size with specific biotic and abiotic factors, such as antiandrogenic or estrogenic contaminants, is needed.
Gas chromatographic behavior of metal-tri(ethylenediamine) complex cation-exchanged montmorillonites

Gas chromatographic packing material was prepared from the tris(ethylenediamine) complexes of Cr(III), Co(III) and Cu(II) exchanged on to Na+-montmorillonite. The retention times of the light hydrocarbons (C1-C3) and oxides of nitrogen showed similar increase as the per cent exchange increased from 0 to 100%. Beyond 100%, however, the behavior was different. From surface area, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (not included in this paper) it was determined that N2O is involved in an adsorption process on the oxygens of the basal surface of the clay, whereas the light hydrocarbons were most probably involved in a sieving separation. Good separation on some of the light hydrocarbons (C1-C5) was obtained on very short columns at relatively high temperatures and carrier gas flow-rates.
Ester hydrolyses catalyzed by modified cyclodextrins

Abstract Cyclohexaamylose- N-(N,N′ -dimethylaminoethyl)acetohydroxamic acid and cyclohexaamylose- N -(4-imidazolemethyl)acetohydroxamic acid were synthesized. Their catalytic power is greater than that of cyclohexaamylose or of cyclohexaamylose- N -methylhydroxamic acid. In addition, optical selectivity was exhibited in the hydrolysis of d - and l -acetylphenylalanine p(m) -nitrophenyl esters by cyclohexaamylose- N-(N,N′ -dimethylethyl)acetohydroxamic acid, and cycloheptaamylose.
Prediction of Plastic Wrinkling Using the Energy Method

The prediction and prevention of wrinkling during a sheet metal forming process have been challenging issues on the design of part shape, die geometry, and processing parameters. In an effort to provide a reliable and efficient tool to assess the onset of wrinkling, analytical models for flange wrinkling and straight side-wall wrinkling are presented here. Using a combination of energy conservation and plastic bending theory, the critical buckling wavelength and stress are calculated as functions of the boundary conditions (displacement constraint and binder pressure). Comparisons between the numerical and experimental results are given for both cases and excellent agreement is obtained.
Perturbation Theory and Undiscounted Markov Renewal Programming

A recently-developed perturbation formalism for finite Markov chains is used here to analyze the policy iteration algorithm for undiscounted, single-chain Markov renewal programming. The relative values are shown to be essentially partial derivatives of the gain rate with respect to the transition probabilities, and they rank the states by indicating desirable changes in the probabilistic structure. This both implies the optimality of nonrandomized policies and suggests a gradient technique for optimizing the gain rate with respect to a parameter. The policy iteration algorithm is shown to be a steepest-ascent technique in policy space: the successor to a given policy is chosen in a direction that maximizes the directional derivative of the gain rate. The occurrence during policy improvement of the gain and relative values of the original policy is explained by their essentially determining the gradient of the gain rate.
Oil in Louisiana’s estuarine environments: A development model

Coastal erosion, accelerated by sea level rise, and subsidence are major Louisiana issues. With current sea-level-rise projections, coupled with the state’s eroding barrier islands and coastal wetlands, the region’s estuarine environments are in jeopardy of being lost, redefined, or permanently altered. As the coast erodes, Louisiana is endangered of losing valuable wetland’s habitat. In addition, if the barrier islands disappear, the region’s wetland-oriented oil and gas wells and associated infrastructure will be at risk to open Gulf conditions. If this should occur, each well, pipeline, and storage battery represents a potential environmental catastrophe. From an oil-spill-response perspective, it is much easier to clean a barrier beach than a salt-water or freshwater marsh. The barrier islands represent not only the first line of defense against the combined wind and water forces of a hurricane, but they also serve as pipeline anchor points. More importantly, the islands protect the marshes from an offshore-derived oil spill. Tidal mud flats, shallow grass beds, marshes and swamps are especially difficult to clean. The key, therefore, to an effective oil-spill-response plan is related directly to the viability of these islands, along with detailed pre-existing environmental, ecological, and habitat information. To be useful, this knowledge must be extensive, current, and easily extracted from a comprehensive data base. These data are being developed in Louisiana in the form of an all-inclusive geographic information system (GIS). Data in this system are helping Louisiana manage a vast array of resources. From a historical perspective, analysis of these data can serve as a model on how a deltaic environment can change from hydrocarbon exploration and development. Entering into the 21st century, Louisiana’s comprehensive database can help balance oil and gas activity, while maintaining the viability of the state’s estuarine environments.
Optimality modeling and fitness trade‐offs: when should plants become pollinator specialists?

The assumption that flowers readily evolve specializations for pollination by particular animals has been central to a standard view of pollinator-mediated adaptive divergence in angiosperms. Stebbins’ Most Effective Pollinator Principle (MEPP) formalized this assumption in proposing that a plant should always evolve specializations to its most effective pollinator. I argue that the MEPP and its corollaries are unsupported by basic models of phenotypic selection which predict that a plant should evolve greater specialization to a particular pollinator when the marginal fitness gain exceeds the marginal fitness loss from becoming less adapted to all other pollinators. Differences in pollinator effectiveness are neither necessary nor sufficient to predict specialization. Differences in effectiveness certainly can foster floral specialization to the most effective pollinator in some cases, but when adaptation to a relatively ineffective pollinator requires little loss in the fitness contribution of a more effective pollinator, plants may exhibit striking specializations for the less effective pollinator. Recognizing that the effectiveness of pollinators is not tightly coupled to their importance in selecting for phenotypic novelty may resolve the mismatch between floral features that appear to represent clear evolutionary responses to specific pollinators and patterns of flower visitation that often seem generalized. To shed light on agents of selection and the adaptive value of floral traits I argue that we must go beyond measures of pollinator effectiveness to investigate pollinator-mediated fitness trade-offs over a range of floral phenotypes.
External Pressure Testing of 4-in-Dia High-Density Polyethylene Pipe

Many of the investigations dealing with the determination of the time-to-failure of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes involve internal pressure tests. HDPE pipe, however, can also he subjected to external pressure such as from underwater laying, vacuum, or burial. For the particular case of uniform external pressure, only a small amount of data detailing the time-to-failure of such pipes is available, and no definitive testing procedure exists. Here, an experimental apparatus and corresponding testing procedure are developed to explore remedies for this situation. On the basis of the data thus obtained, a three-coefficient equation relating time, temperature, and pressure is generated. The failure predictions from this design basis equation are in good agreement with the available data existing in the literature.
Urinary Tract Infections in Surgical Patients

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are common in surgical patients. CAUTI are associated with adverse patient outcomes, and negatively affects public safety reporting and reimbursement. Inappropriate catheter use and prolonged catheter duration are major risk factors for CAUTI. CAUTI pathogenesis and treatment are complicated by the presence of biofilms. Prevention strategies include accurate identification and tracking of CAUTIs, and the development of institutional guidelines for the appropriate use, duration, alternatives, and removal of indwelling urinary catheters.
Bovine metacarpal and metatarsal dimensions: Comparison of aberdeen—Angus and charolais steers slaughtered at three percentages of mature cow weight

Abstract Fifty-six Aberdeen—Angus (Angus) and 56 Charolais steers were used in a 2 (diet energy levels) × 4 (slaughter weights) × 2 (breeds) factorial experiment. Live slaughter weight groups within each breed were initial, 86 (light), 100 (middle) or 114% (heavy) of average mature cow weight (Angus dams, 467 kg; Charolais dams, 612 kg). Therefore, Angus were slaughtered at 408, 476 or 544 kg and Charolais at 526, 612 or 699 kg. Live, carcass and metacarpal and metatarsal traits were obtained. There were no important effects of diet (2.72 vs. 2.96 Meal metabolizable energy/kg of dry matter). Breed affected (P
Phosphate binders in refractories for steelcasting

Nozzles for steelcasting are more durable when produced with an aluminochromophosphate binder than with an aluminophosphate binder, the reasons being the more favorable conditions for the preparation of the batch and the state of the bond during firing and in the steelcasting process. Nozzles containing ACPB No. 2 binder should also be produced and tested on an industrial scale.
Conceptual and data-based investigation of genetic influences and brain asymmetry: A twin study of multiple structural phenotypes

Right-left regional cerebral differences are a feature of the human brain linked to functional abilities, aging, and neurodevelopmental and mental disorders. The role of genetic factors in structural asymmetry has been incompletely studied. We analyzed data from 515 individuals 130 monozygotic twin pairs, 97 dizygotic pairs, and 61 unpaired twins from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging to answer three questions about genetic determinants of brain structural asymmetry: First, does the magnitude of heritability differ for homologous regions in each hemisphere? Despite adequate power to detect regional differences, heritability estimates were not significantly larger in one hemisphere versus the other, except left > right inferior lateral ventricle heritability. Second, do different genetic factors influence left and right hemisphere size in homologous regions? Interhemispheric genetic correlations were high and significant; in only two subcortical regions pallidum and accumbens did the estimate statistically differ from 1.0. Thus, there was little evidence for different genetic influences on left and right hemisphere regions. Third, to what extent do genetic factors influence variability in left-right size differences? There was no evidence that variation in asymmetry i.e., the size difference of left and right homologous regions was genetically determined, except in pallidum and accumbens. Our findings suggest that genetic factors do not play a significant role in determining individual variation in the degree of regional cortical size asymmetries measured with MRI, although they may do so for volume of some subcortical structures. Despite varying interpretations of existing data, we view the present results as consistent with previous findings.
Monolithic bipolar design considerations for the automotive environment

IC design techniques to protect the IC from destructive voltage transients and eliminate detrimental noise-induced substrate injection of electrons, using a minimum number of less expensive discrete components to produce a cost-effective automotive electronic system, will be discussed.
Rat liver retinyl palmitate hydrolase activity. Relationship to cholesteryl oleate and triolein hydrolase activities.

Abstract Studies were conducted to explore relationships in rat liver between retinyl palmitate hydrolase activity and the hydrolytic activities against cholesteryl oleate and triolein. Previous studies have shown positive correlations between these three lipid ester hydrolase activities. In order to extend this work, the hydrolase activities were further purified and characterized. The activities against cholesteryl oleate and triolein resembled retinyl palmitate hydrolase activity in showing great variability from rat to rat as assayed in vitro. The relative levels of the three activities were highly correlated with each other over a 50-fold range of activity in a series of 66 liver homogenates. Partial purification (approx. 200-fold) in the absence of detergents was achieved by sequential chromatography of an acetone powder extract of liver on columns of phenyl-Sepharose, DEAE-Sepharose and heparin-Sepharose. The three hydrolase activities copurified during each of these Chromatographic steps. The properties of the three copurifying activities were similar with regard to stimulation of activity by trihydroxy bile salts, pH optimum (near 8.0), and observance of Michaelis-Menten-type saturation kinetics. The three activities were different in their sensitivity towards the serine esterase inhibitors diisopropylfluorophosphate and phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, and in their solubility properties in 10 mM sodium acetate, pH 5.0. Thus, triolein hydrolase activity was much less sensitive than the other two activities to the two inhibitors. In addition, the activity against cholesteryl oleate could be separated from the other two activities by extraction of an acetone powder with acetate buffer, pH 5.0. These results indicate that the three lipid hydrolase activities are due to at least three different catalytically active centers, and at least two distinct and separable enzymes. It is likely that three separate but similar enzymes, that appear to be coordinately regulated, are involved.
Effects of ciliary neuronotrophic factor on rat spinal cord neurons in vitro: survival and expression of choline acetyltransferase and low-affinity nerve growth factor receptors.

We have studied the effects of ciliary neuronotrophic factor (CNTF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) on cultures of E14 rat spinal cord cells maintained for 7 days. The trophic factors were supplied at the day of seeding and every other day thereafter. Treatments with CNTF (human recombinant or purified from rat sciatic nerve, 100 TU/ml) resulted after 7 days in an increase, relative to control cultures, of: (i) the total number of neurons (identified by neurofilament protein and neuron-specific enolase immunostaining) that were not stained with choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and low affinity nerve growth factor receptor (LNGFR) antibodies; (ii) the number of motoneurons (0.5% of the neuronal population) as identified by size (> 25 μm), morphology and immunostaining for ChAT and LNGFR; and (iii) a population of small- to medium-sized (< 25 μm), ChAT- and LNGFR-positive neurons, representing 5–10% of the total neuronal population. NGF treatments (mouse submaxillary βNGF; 10–3000 TU/ml) were without effect on all 3 neuronal populations. Experiments in which CNTF administration was delayed revealed that the population of ChAT- and LNGFR-negative neurons and the population of motoneurons, were both dependent on CNTF for their survival. The third population, small ChAT and LNGFR-positive neurons, was not dependent on CNTF for survival but was induced by CNTF to express its two markers. These observations indicate that CNTF is a neuronotrophic factor for motoneurons, but that the effect of CNTF is not restricted to that cell population. In addition to its survival promoting effect, CNTF has also a regulatory role on the expression of ChAT and LNGFR for some spinal cord neurons.
Nonparametric Estimation of the Hazard Ratio

Abstract A nonparametric estimate of the hazard ratio function is developed and applied to the time-dependent survival advantage of having achieved an objective response to treatment for a given disease. The method computes the total exposure to risk of failure, or dying, among patients in either of two disease states (nonresponder/responder). By assuming constant hazard rates between observed failure times, and using smoothing techniques of exploratory data analysis, the log hazard ratio function is computed and plotted versus time. The method is applicable to any binary, time-dependent covariate, of which disease state is a particular example. Continuous-valued covariates may be handled by a plot of updated covariate percentiles for failures. The methods are applied to data on leukemia patients and to a simulated example and compared with standard Cox regression results.
MICRONUTRIENT UPTAKE AND TRANSLOCATION BY MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA (PHAEOPHYTA)1

Radionuclides of the micronutrients (Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Mo, and I) of Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Ag. and the nonnutrient Ni were concentrated in sieve tube sap. Micronutrient uptake rates of mature blade tissue were determined using the appropriate radionuclide in artificial seawater. Cellular uptake was distinguished from free space uptake by the use of suitable wash solutions. The uptake rates were then transposed to conditions in the sea, with several assumptions being made. Micronutrient content was determined for mature blade tissue before and after treatment to remove extracellular micronutrients. A mathematical description of frond growth was developed from previously published data and used to derive equations relating micronutrient assimilation (tissue incorporation) and uptake by fronds, both expressed in mg·d−1, to frond length. Calculations revealed that at a certain frond length xi assimilation equaled uptake for Mn, Co, and Fe. Uptake was greater than assimilation for fronds longer than xi and less than assimilation for fronds shorter than xi. This indicated that Mn, Co, and Fe translocation was required from fronds longer than xi to fronds shorter than xi. The large assimilation values at xi for Mn and Co further indicate that these elements, at times, may limit Macrocystis growth. Calculations also showed that Cu, Zn, Mo, I, and Ni uptake was greater than their assimilation for all frond lengths, which suggested that these elements are transported to other tissues for storage (e.g. in holdfast) or release (e.g. from frond apices).
A two-state markov model

Markov chains are used to model binary urine test results. Taking advantage of the transition mechanism of Markov chains, missing observations can be incorporated in the analysis. Maximum likelihood estimates of transition probabilities are computed. Formulas for empirical Bayes procedures are given.
Laser desorption studies using laser-induced fluorescence of large aromatic molecules

Pulsed laser desorption of non-volatile organic dye molecules paraterphenyl and tetra-t-butyl-p-quinquephenyl (QUI) was studied using gas phase ultraviolet laser induced fluorescence, following heating of a steel substrate by a pulsed 1.06-µm Nd:YAG laser. The fluorescence signal intensity is linear in concentration up to at least 30 monolayers and shows infrared power threshold behavior, as expected for evaporation, at ∼0.2 J/cm2. Similar signal levels were also observed in air, with 532-nm heating, and using other metallic or dark black surfaces.
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the thyroid gland.

Objective: To examine the presentation, diagnosis, and appropriate management of renal clear cell carcinoma metastasis to the thyroid gland.Methods: We describe a clinical case of solitary thyroid ...
258 HEPATIC METABOLISM FOLLOWING NEONATAL CARBOHYDRATE ALIMENIATION IN DOGS

Following birth pups were divided into 3 groups. As glucose(G) and galactose (Gal) are important monosaccharides for neonates, pups received an enteric feed of 0.625gm/Kg of either G (N=7) or Gal (N=7) at 6 hrs of age. The third group was fasted from birth. At 9 hrs, blood G levels were equivalent in fasted and G fed pups. Compared to fasting pups, those fed Gal had higher circulating G levels (7.1±0.9 vs 5.2±0.7 mM p<.05).+ Plasma free fatty acids were lower in the alimented pups (301±33 vs 880±10 μ M p< .001). Hepatic G levels were not different however, glycogen(Gly) content was elevated following G (664±33 μ mol/g p<.01) and Gal (588±50 p<.05) compared to fasted controls (430±55). Glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate were equivalent among all pups. In contrast fructose-1,6 diphosphate was elevated following G (0.022±0.002) and Gal (0.029±0.009 vs 0.012±0.002). In addition phosphoenolpyruvate was higher after G (0.135±0.02) or Gal (0.134 ±.03 vs 0.074±0.01) feeding. Nevertheless hepatic pyruvate and lactate levels were unaltered, as was the cytoplasmic NAD/NADH ratio. Enteric G or Gal resulted in higher levels of ATP (1.64± .11(G) 1.78±.18(Gal) vs 1.25±.09). ADP and AMP values were not altered. In conclusion, neonatal canine carbohydrate alimentation results in: 1) ↑hepatic Gly content; 2) ↑hepatic glycolytic flux through phosphofructokinase or diminished gluconeogenic flux through fructose diphosphatase; and 3) ↑hepatic ATP production or ↓utilization. *Deceased +Mean±SE
Telescopic and Microscopic Views of the Magnetosphere: Multispacecraft Observations

The magnetospheric research community has long sought the capability to view the Sun-Earth system in a global way and to probe concurrently the microphysical details of key physical regions. This objective has now been substantially realized with the combination of the CLUSTER and IMAGE missions. With the additional use of SOHO, ACE, FAST, SAMPEX, POLAR, and geostationary orbit spacecraft, there is a remarkable ability to apply both telescopic and microscopic principles. As an example, a bright active region on the Sun gave rise on 29 March 2001 to a fast halo coronal mass ejection (CME) event observed by SOHO instruments. Subsequently on 31 March, a strong interplanetary shock wave ahead of a magnetic cloud (probably arising from the earlier CME) passed the ACE spacecraft and hit the Earth’s magnetosphere. This driver compressed the subsolar magnetopause to ≤ 4 RE geocentric distance and initiated a powerful geomagnetic storm (minimum Dst ~ −360 nT). The CLUSTER set of four spacecraft were located in the midnight sector of the magnetosphere near perigee (r~4 RE) at ~0635 UT and observed a dispersionless injection of energetic (E ≥ 20 keV) electrons in association with a large magnetospheric substorm expansion phase onset (AE ~1200 nT). Concurrent to these in situ observations, the IMAGE spacecraft was returning a sequence of global Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA) images from the medium-energy (MENA) and high-energy (HENA) sensor systems. These data showed a very prominent injection of substorm ions in the premidnight (and postdusk) sector of the inner magnetosphere. This event is consistent with a substorm onset that pushed the substorm ‘injection boundary’ far inside of geostationary orbit and far toward the dusk sector. In another event on August 27, 2001, the IMAGE-CLUSTER combination provided evidence that magnetic reconnection began in the mid-tail plasma sheet some 7 min prior to auroral onset and brightening. Alternative interpretations may also be possible even with the multis-pacecraft data available. Notwithstanding, these data gave an unprecedented view both telescopically and microscopically of a magnetospheric substorm onset and help establish key process timing in the magnetosphere. Such available events reveal the power of multispacecraft observations.
Observation of Social Behavior in Frontotemporal Dementia

Background:The most characteristic manifestations of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) are abnormalities in social behavior. However, distinguishing bvFTD based on social behavior can be difficult in structured clinical settings.Methods:Using a Social Observation Inventory, 10 patients with bvFTD and 10 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were compared to their caregiver interlocutors on 1-hour mealtime, in-home videotaped segments.Results:Compared to caregivers and patients with AD, patients with bvFTD were significantly disturbed in social behavior. In contrast, patients with AD were indistinguishable from their caregivers. The lack of “you” comments and decreased tact and manners distinguished 92.6% of the patients with bvFTD from patients with AD and caregivers. The Social Observation Inventory scores correlated with scores on frontal-executive tests and socioemotional scales.Conclusions:The systematic observation of social behavior during routine activities may be one of the best ...
Genetic duplications induced at very high frequency by ultraviolet irradiation in Escherichia coli

We have found that mild ultraviolet irradiation of Escherichia coli leads to a duplication of the glyT purD region of the chromosome to the extent that 3–5% of all surviving chromosomes carry a genetic duplication of this material. The duplications vary in size from less than one to more than five minutes of the chromosome. While the endpoints of the duplications vary, seven of ten characterized have one end between the purD and metA loci, and five of these seven have the other endpoint near the argH locus. Consequently, the region between purD and metA (only 0.1 minutes) seems to be particularly prone to participating in abnormal recombinational events. The UV-induced damage leading to the genetic duplications is subject to dark repair, suggesting the involvment of pyrimidine dimers. Other mutagens such as nitrous acid, ethyl methanesulfonate and nitrosoguanidine are also effective in generating these duplications at high frequency. Evidence is discussed which indicates that some and probably most of the duplications are tandem duplications. However, at least one example was found that is more readily explained by a translocation.