cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alteration of sensitivity to progesterone facilitation of lordosis in guinea pigs by modulation of hypothalamic progestin receptors

In order to delineate further the role of the progestin receptor system in the hypothalamus-preoptic area in the regulation of lordisis in female guinea pigs, we injected estradiol benzoate and progesterone in various regimens that result in sensitivity to, desensitization to, or restoration of sensitivity to progesterone-facilitation of lordosis. We attempted to correlate the effectiveness of progesterone to facilitate lordosis with the effectiveness of progesterone to cause accumulation of nuclear progestin receptors measured by an in vitro [3H]R 5020 binding assay. A progesterone injection 40 h after an estradiol benzoate injection in ovariectomized guinea pigs resulted in lordosis in 83% of the animals, caused a 30% depletion of cytoplasmic progestin receptors and a 200% increase in the concentration of nuclear progestin receptors 4 h after injection compared with control animals. By 24 h after the injection, after the period of sexual receptivity had terminated, the concentration of nuclear progestin receptors was no longer elevated, and the concentration of cytoplasmic progestin receptors was decreased to a level 55% lower than control animals. This depression was due to a decrease in the concentration of binding sites, not to in vitro competition of the injected progesterone with the [3H]R 5020 because similar results were obtained with cytosol in which progesterone had been removed by gel filtration prior to incubation. These progesterone-injected guinea pigs did not respond to a second progesterone injection 24 h after the first (64 h), and the injection resulted in 70% fewer nuclear progestin receptors than in oil-injected controls. This decreased accumulation appears to be due to the decreased level of cytoplasmic progestin receptors brought about by the first progesterone injection. Estradiol benzoate injected concurrently with the first progesterone injection restored behavioral sensitivity to the second progesterone injection and caused 160% greater accumulation of nuclear progestin receptors in response to the second progesterone injection than control animals that had received only progesterone. The increased concentration of nuclear progestin receptors in the estradiol-injected animals appear to be due to increased availability of cytoplasmic progestin receptors. It seems that estradiol increases and progesterone decreases the concentration of cytoplasmic progesterone receptors in hypothalamus-preoptic area such that a subsequent injection of progesterone results in a high or low concentration of nuclear progestin receptors. The accumulation of sufficient nuclear progestin receptors in response to the progesterone injection may be a requirement in the process by which progesterone facilitates lordosis in estradiol-primed rodents.
Breeding behaviour and parental care in the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus on the island of Crete (Greece)

A field study of the breeding behaviour of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) was conducted in Crete (Greece) during 1997–2000. The main behavioural patterns examined were aerial displays, nest defence, copulation, nest building, brooding and food provisioning to the chicks. The nesting territory consisted of a semicircle ca 5 m radius around the nest that was defended against conspecifics. Copulation attempts mainly occurred in the nesting ledge with a success rate of 77%. On average every pair accomplished 0.16 ± 0.34 copulations per day (range = 0–4) while 3.3% of the total attempts accounted for extra–pair copulations. Supplying material to the nest started 32 ± 9 days prior to egg laying (range = 17–44) at a rate of 5 ± 3.52 bouts/pair/day (range = 1–14).The mean number of items added to the eyrie was 2 ± 1.3/bout/pair (range = 1–8) with 63.5% of these being soft greenery.The mean frequency of relief at the nest relieves was 0.5 ± 0.64 bouts/pair/day (range = 0–2) while an incubation shift lasted on aver...
The effect of particle size on Debye temperature

Abstract The effect of size on the acoustic phonon spectrum for particles with free surfaces is discussed in terms of the Debye cut-off temperature, Θ D . It is demonstrated that there are two effects of opposite sign. A simple, highly accurate explicit relation between Θ D and particle size is derived.
Concurrent and prospective screening for problem drinking among college students

Purpose: Previous studies suggest that combining the CAGE questionnaire with the Perceived Benefit of Drinking Scale (PBDS), information about an adolescent's use of tobacco, and best friend's drinking pattern is a useful composite screening measure for problem drinking. The present study was undertaken to evaluate this composite screening measure prospectively as a predictor of subsequent problem drinking among late adolescents across 3 years of college. Methods: A random sample of 452 college freshmen entered a longitudinal study of alcohol use at the beginning of their freshman year. A total of 184 (58%) completed follow-up measures of alcohol use 32 months later. Outcome measures included the quantity and frequency of alcohol use and a composite measure of specific alcohol-related problems. Results: CAGE scores, PBDS scores, tobacco use, and best friend's drinking patterns as reported at college entry together explained 33% of the variance in the quantity/frequency measure and 37% of the variance in the alcohol-related problems measure from the end of the junior year. These same variables as reported at the end of the junior year explained 50% of the variance in the quantity/frequency measure and 61% of the variance in the alcohol-related problems measure. The composite screening measure as reported at college entry had a sensitivity of 73%, specificity of 70%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 63%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 78% for students at high risk for problem drinking at the end of the junior year. A similar concurrent composite screening measure consisting of the same variables reported at the end of the junior year had a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 56%, PPV of 60%, and NPV of 83% for high-risk drinkers. A total of 70–73% of students could be correctly categorized by each composite screening measure. These composite screening tests had significantly better test characteristics than the CAGE or PBDS alone. Conclusions: College students' responses to the CAGE, PBDS, tobacco use, and their friends' drinking remain consistent over 3 years and correlate with concurrent and future risk for problem drinking. These variables explain significant variance in drinking and alcohol-related problems and may constitute a useful screening measure for current and future problem drinking.
Phase separation in Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO0.3: a case of weak quenched disorder

Phase separation (PS) in manganites has been suggested to arise as a consequence of quenched disorder due to the size mismatch of the A-site cations in the perovskite lattice. In this paper, we have used single crystal x-ray and in-field neutron diffraction measurements to investigate PS in Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3, a compound with weak quenched disorder. Above the charge/ordering transition, our measurements show CE-type clusters with a coherence length of ~20 A. At TCE = 220 K the coherence length of the diffuse scattering diverges as a long-range ordered CE state is formed. Concurrently, the Huang scattering abruptly decreases at TCE as the diffuse CE-type reflections develop into Bragg reflections, suggesting that the transition to the CE-state is of the disorder–order type. Our neutron measurements of the ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AF) ordering in Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3, show the presence of FM 200 A clusters coexisting with long range AF and FM phases. Application of field after zero-field-cooling leads to the reduction of the diffuse FM scattering. We argue that PS in this compound arises as a consequence of the Jahn–Teller strain from Mn3+ centres that act like quenched disorder.
MINORITY BUSINESS NETWORKS AS SOURCES OF SOCIAL CAPITAL FOR MINORITY FIRMS

Much of our understanding concerning minority-owned firms is based on nascent entrepreneurial businesses. Therefore, it is difficult to answer the question of how a minority-owned firm's age and size may influence the social capital derived from a minority business network. We utilize a resource-dependence perspective to hypothesize that the social capital derived from participation in a minority business network will be negatively related to the minority-owned firm's age and size. We find that firm size (as measured by revenue and number of employees) is negatively related with social capital derived from the minority business network. Our findings may help minority business owners understand the relative value of membership in minority business networks before committing limited resources.
Development of a model of status epilepticus in pigtailed macaque infant monkeys.

Seizures, particularly multiple episodes and/or status epilepticus (SE) are prevalent in pediatric patients. Pediatric SE is associated with brain changes that have been hypothesized to contribute to the onset of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). In order to gain insight into the effects of seizures on the immature brain and the risk for later TLE, we have developed a model of limbic SE in the pigtailed macaque monkey. In separate studies, bicuculline methiodide or a bicuculline ‘cocktail’ was infused into three regions of the brain (area tempestas, hippocampus, entorhinal cortex) to induce seizures. Measures included MRI, electrophysiology, behavior and morphology. Our results suggest that monkey models of SE may provide useful tools for understanding the effects of prolonged seizures during infancy and the origins of TLE in humans.
Geographical variation in selection, from phenotypes to molecules.

Abstract: Molecular technologies now allow researchers to isolate quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and measure patterns of gene sequence variation within chromosomal regions containing important polymorphisms. I develop a simulation model to investigate gene sequence evolution within genomic regions that harbor QTLs. The QTLs influence a trait experiencing geographical variation in selection, which is common in nature and produces obvious differentiation at the phenotypic level. Counter to expectations, the simulations suggest that selection can substantially affect quantitative genetic variation without altering the amount and pattern of molecular variation at sites closely linked to the QTLs. Even with large samples of gene sequences, the likelihood of rejecting neutrality is often low. The exception is situations where strong selection is combined with low migration among demes, conditions that may be common in many plant species. The results have implications for gene sequence surveys and, perhaps more ...
DNA, the Immune System, and Atopic Disease

The prevalence and severity of atopic diseases (atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis) have increased over recent decades, particularly in industrialized nations. Atopic dermatitis, like asthma, is more common in older siblings and in less crowded houses and with late entry to day care, increased maternal education, and higher socio-economic status. The inverse relationship between the incidence of atopy and childhood infections has led to the "hygiene hypothesis," which suggests that diminished exposure to childhood infections in modern society has led to decreased TH1-type responses. Reduced TH1 may lead to enhanced TH2-type inflammation, which is important in promoting asthma and allergic disease. Corticosteroids, commonly used to treat these conditions, inhibit the function of inflammatory cells, but they are ineffective in altering the initial TH2-type response to allergens in a sensitized individual. Treatment with TH1 cytokines not only has failed to make any significant impact on the outcome of these diseases, but it also has caused significant adverse reactions. A novel therapeutic approach, recently reported in the preclinical setting, is the use of oligodeoxynucleotides, which contain unmethylated motifs centered on CG dinucleotides. These CpG oligodeoxynucleotides potently induce TH1 cytokines and suppress TH2 cytokines, and can prevent manifestations of asthma and other allergic diseases in animal models. They have the potential to reverse TH2-type responses to allergens and thus restore balance to the immune system without the adverse effects of TH1 cytokines.
Two Sisters for Social Justice: A BIOGRAPHY OF GRACE AND EDITH ABBOTT

Contemporaries of Jane Addams, tackled issues of suffrage, workers rights, child labor laws, juvenial deliquency, prostitution, and immigration. Grace worked with the U.S. Children's Bureau and Edith helped found the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration.
Crossover confusion: MPT still best

In this issue of Blood , Palumbo and colleagues describe the long-term results of adding thalidomide to MP as treatment for myeloma in elderly patients. Primary induction with MPT versus MP improves response and PFS, but not overall survival, in this study. How best to use thalidomide and other
Bacteria and biliary tract disease.

Summary Bile specimens were cultured in 118 consecutive patients with disease originating in and involving only the biliary tract. The conclusion reached is that an acute process appears essential for the development of infected bile. This acute process may take the form of either an acute inflammatory reaction or an acute obstructive process in the ductal system by a gallstone.
Spectral resolution of a zoneplate with circular sensor.

The energy intercepted by a circular sensor exposed to panchromatic light from a point source transmitted by a zoneplate lens is expressed as the convolution of the spectral source distribution with a wavenumber spread function. This wavenumber spread function, which represents the monochromatic energy encircled by the sensor as a function of wavenumber, depends on the product of the number of zones and the distance between sensor and focal plane and is invariant for a constant ratio of sensor radius to Airy radius. Results obtained by the diffraction integral for sensor radii larger than or comparable with the Airy radius are compared with approximate expressions based on geometrical optics and with the analytical expression for the limiting case of sensor small compared with Airy radius. The dependence of the energy intercepted by the sensor on the halfwidth of a Lorentzian source distribution is described. Applications of the sensor–zoneplate lens combination to a scanning spectrometer and monochromator are discussed.
Protein-Protein Interactions in the Tetraspanin Web

Tetraspanins are evolutionarily conserved membrane proteins that tend to associate laterally with one another and to cluster dynamically with numerous partner proteins in membrane microdomains. Consequently, members of this family are involved in the coordination of intracellular and intercellular processes, including signal transduction; cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration; cell fusion; and host-parasite interactions.
The Highly Unsaturated Binuclear Chromium Carbonyl Cr2(CO)8

The first structural characterization of the highly unsaturated dichromium carbonyl Cr2(CO)8 is reported using density functional theory (DFT). Cr2(CO)8 is predicted to have a short metal−metal bond length of 2.30 A (B3LYP) or 2.28 A (BP86). The minimum-energy structure exhibits distorted Cs symmetry, with nonequivalent chromium atoms and two equivalent asymmetrically bridging carbonyls. A high-symmetry (D2d) structure with a nominal chromium−chromium quadruple bond lies ∼22 kcal/mol higher in energy. Three other higher-energy structures are also found, including two geometries with two bridging carbonyls best interpreted as four-electron donors. The dissociation energy of Cr2(CO)8 to the fragments 2Cr(CO)4 or Cr(CO)3 plus Cr(CO)5 is predicted to be about 34 kcal/mol (B3LYP) or 44 kcal/mol (BP86), indicating that Cr2(CO)8, like Cr2(CO)9 but unlike Cr2(CO)10 and Cr2(CO)11, is stable with respect to dissociation into its fragments.
Molecular dynamics simulation of the water|nitrobenzene interface

The structure and dynamics of the neat water|nitrobenzene liquid|liquid interface are studied at 300 K using molecular dynamics computer simulations. The water is modeled using the flexible SPC potential, and the nitrobenzene is modeled using an empirically determined nitrobenzene potential energy function. Although nitrobenzene is a polar liquid with a large dielectric constant, the structure of the interface is similar to other water|non-polar organic liquid interfaces. Among the main structural features we describe are an enhancement of interfacial water hydrogen bonds, the specific orientation of water dipoles and nitrobenzene molecules, and a rough surface that is locally sharp. Surface roughness is also characterized dynamically. The dynamics of molecular reorientation are shown to be only mildly modified at the interface. The effect due to the polarizable many-body potential energy functions of both liquids is investigated and is found to affect only mildly the above results.
Effects of hemorrhagic shock on the microvasculature of skeletal muscle.

Abstract The relationship between arteriolar and venular dimensions and the progressive failure of the homeostatic mechanisms leading to irreversibility in hemorrhagic shock was evaluated in mammalian skeletal muscle (rat cremaster). The small distribution arterioles (diameter = 17 μm) were observed to lose their tone and vasomotion at irreversibility although at 15 min after hemorrhage they exhibited enhanced vascular activity. Slowing of flow was seen to occur in the large venules (100 μm) and late in shock in smaller venules (25 μm). Venular dilatation was adjudged to be the vascular defect associated with the onset of irreversibility. Muscle surface pH and P O 2 followed a course similar to that seen in unanesthetized subjects. The red cell aggregation seen in the venules during the low flow state was generally reversed after reinfusion of the shed blood and restoration of arterial pressure.
Sleep in bereavement-related depression during and after pharmacotherapy with nortriptyline

Our objective was to assess the effects of nortriptyline on electroencephalographic sleep and subjective sleep quality in spousally bereaved, depressed elders. Ten elderly volunteers with bereavement-related major depression had electroencephalographic sleep studies while depressed, after remission of depressive symptoms while still taking nortriptyline, and after nortriptyline discontinuation. Changes in sleep measures over time were compared both within bereaved subjects and with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Remission of depressive symptoms while still on nortriptyline was associated with improvements in sleep quality (P < .002), rapid eye movement (REM) percent (P < .02), REM latency (P < .05), REM density (P < .05), and delta sleep ratio (P < .05). After discontinuation of nortriptyline, REM percent, REM latency, and delta ratio reverted to pretreatment levels, while sleep efficiency and sleep quality continued to show improvement coincident with sustained clinical remission. These data suggest that nortriptyline may be clinically useful in treating the sleep disturbance of elders with bereavement-related depression and that a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial is warranted.
Nelson's symmetry and the infinite volume behavior of the vacuum in P (φ) 2

LetHl be the Hamiltonian in aP(φ)2 theory with sharp space cutoff in the interval (−l/2,l/2). LetEl=infσ(Hl), α(l)=−El/l, and let Ωl be the vacuum forHl. discuss properties of α(l) and Ωl. In particular, asl→∞, there are finite constants β∞<0 and α∞ such that α(l)↑α∞, (α(l)−α∞)l↓β∞, and hence α(l)=α∞+β∞/l+o(l−1). Moreover exp(−c1l)≦∥Ωl∥1≦exp(−c2l) forc1,c2 positive constants, where ∥Ωl∥1 is theL1(Q, dμ0) norm of Ω1 with respect to the Fock vacuum measure. We also present a new proof of recent estimates of Glimm and Jaffe on local perturbations ofHl in the infinite volume limit.
Can Old-Age Social Insurance Be Justified?*

While in America most people think of “welfare” as means-tested programs such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children, in reality in the United States and other affluent democracies the heart of the welfare state is social insurance programs, such as health insurance, old-age or retirement pensions, and unemployment insurance. They are insurance programs in the sense that they protect against common risks of a loss of income if and/or when certain events come to pass (illness, old-age or retirement, unemployment); they are “social” because unlike market insurance they are not run on a sound actuarial basis, the premiums are not voluntarily incurred but compulsory, and there is very limited choice or flexibility concerning the type of policy one can purchase. Why have social insurance rather than market insurance? In this essay, I take up this question with regard to old-age or retirement pensions, which at present absorb around 9 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and 25 percent of government spending of the affluent industrial countries comprising the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). My aim is to show that old-age or retirement social insurance (henceforth “SI”) is worse in virtually every relevant normative respect than its alternative, some form of market or private pensions. By relevant normative respect, I mean those values or principles which are used by contemporary political philosophers in their discussions and justifications of welfare-state policies, and which are applicable to assessments of different systems of old-age or retirement pensions. (Although they are applicable, almost no contemporary political philosophers have in fact applied them—an amazing state of affairs which I hope to remedy here.)
FORECASTING WITH EXPONENTIAL SMOOTHING: SOME GUIDELINES FOR MODEL SELECTION

Despite the general acceptance of exponential smoothing, the choice of a specific smoothing model is often a difficult problem. Previous research involving smoothing-model comparisons and the penalties for selection of the wrong model has been limited. This paper evaluates the performance of a representative group of smoothing models over a variety of conditions in 9,000 simulated time series. Forecast-error results demonstrate that a major disadvantage of adaptive smoothing models is their tendency to generate unstable forecasts, even during periods when mean demand itself is stable. Several trend-adjusted smoothing models are shown to be robust forecasters, whether the time series actually display a trend or not.
Elastic constant systematics

This papers reviews elastic constant systematics. The bulk modulus of oxides and silicates is generally predictable on the basis of density and mean atomic weight. For constant mean atomic weight, $$\bar M$$ , the bulk modulus is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the molar volume, regardless of whether molar volume changes due to temperature,T, pressure,P, or crystal structure. This iso- $$\bar M$$ trend has the explanation that the Gruneisen parameter, (∂K/∂P) T , and −(1/αK)(∂K/∂T) P , whereK is bulk modulus and α is volumetric thermal expansion, are approximately constant for most materials. For isostructural compounds, the bulk modulus is inversely proportional to the molar volume. This isostructural trend has the explanation that a certain combination of interatomic force parameters are the same for isostructural compounds. Equivalent iso- $$\bar M$$ and isostructural trends are discussed for velocity versus density. Exceptions to the systematics exist.
Ultrasound distinguishes ascites from a large ovarian fluid-filled cyst.

A 51-year-old woman with Hepatitis C was referred to the emergency department (ED) for “massive ascites.” She reported increasing abdominal girth for six months with intermittent abdominal pain. An outpatient ultrasound performed two weeks prior to ED presentation was interpreted by a radiologist as “massive ascites, no masses within the abdomen” on the paper report the patient brought with her. In the ED, the patient was afebrile with normal vital signs. Her abdomen was distended with mild right upper quadrant tenderness. The emergency physician performed an abdominal ultrasound expecting to find free intraperitoneal fluid; instead, a large, fluid-filled cystic structure was identified. Further evaluation of Morison’s pouch and the left upper quadrant also showed no intraperitoneal fluid outside of the cystic structure (Video). Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a large right adnexal mass (33 × 21 × 31cm) without evidence of ascites. The gynecology service scheduled the patient for outpatient surgery, which identified the cystic structure as benign mucinous cystadenoma. Video Sagittal and transverse ultrasound images of the pelvis performed with a phased array probe demonstrate a large anechoic fluid collection contained within a cyst. Coronal ultrasound images of the right and left upper quadrants revealed no free fluid in ... Several conditions can cause abdominal distention and mimic ascites, including hepatosplenomegaly, bowel obstruction, large renal cysts, and pelvic masses.1–4 The physical examination is of limited value, as it is neither sensitive nor specific for ascites.1,5,6 Therefore, bedside ultrasound can be instrumental in defining the presence and location of fluid in patients with abdominal distention. However, large cystic masses can be difficult to sonographically distinguish from ascites, as illustrated by the results of the initial outpatient ultrasound in this case. When assessing intraperitoneal fluid, it is essential to confirm that the fluid tracks along fascial planes into dependent areas (e.g., Morison’s pouch), as fluid encapsulated in a cyst will not behave in this manner. This case highlights the utility of emergency physician performed ultrasound in the evaluation of abdominal distention and the challenges of sonographically distinguishing free intraperitoneal fluid from fluid within a cyst.
Counting error in the line-intercept method of measuring root length.

The line-intercept method is widely used to estimate the length of roots washed from soil samples. Human error in root length estimates has not been quantified and is needed for error analysis and specification of training/testing requirements for new workers. Nine or ten individuals counted four samples of roots on each of five days. One sample was counted on each of the days to test day-to-day variation. A coefficient of variation of 10% was typically obtained for estimates of the length of a single sample by the counters. An uncertainty of about 7% resulted from differences in how a sample was arranged on the grid and how the counters varied as a group from day-to-day. Certain individuals tended to yield estimates appreciably higher or lower than the entire group, so new workers must be adequately evaluated.
Magnetic vibrational circular dichroism of ammonia

We have measured the magnetic-field-induced circular dichroism of the A 1 symmetry (υ 2 ) and the E symmetry (υ 4 ) deformation modes of the NH 3 and ND 3 . At 0.5 cm -1 resolution, the spectra are partially rotationally resolved; and we can determine the sign and calculate the magnitude for the g factor of the rotational Zeeman effects observed by use of moment analysis of the rotationally resolved bands
(2Z)-3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-(pyridinium-4-yl)acrylonitrilep-toluenesulfonate

In the structure of the title compound, C15H13N2O+·C7H7O3S−, the cation has a Z geometry about the ethyl­ene bridge that links the heterocyclic and aromatic rings. The skeleton of the cation is slightly non-planar; the dihedral angles between the ethyl­ene linkage and the pyridinium ring and p-hydroxy­phenyl ring are 9.2 (1) and 2.0 (1)°, respectively. In the crystal structure, the cations are stacked along the b axis, with a head-to-tail orientation, and weak inter­molecular C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the cations into chains along the a axis. In addition, inter­molecular O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between cations and anions link two such chains together with a mean inter­planar distance of 3.23 A between cations.
Micellar rate effects on reactions of hydroxide ion with phosphinate and thiophosphinate esters

Cationic micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, bromide and mesylate (CTACl, CTABr, CTAOMs) speed reactions of OH− with phosphinate and thiophosphinate esters: Ph2PO.OPh (1a), Ph2PO.OC6H4NO2−p (1b), Ph(i-Pr)PO.OC6H4NO2−p (1c), Ph2PO.SEt (2a), Ph2PO.SPh (2b), (EtO)2PO.SPh (2c) and (EtO)2PS.OC6H4NO2−p (Parathion, 3). First-order rate constants go through maxima with increasing [surfactant]. The rate—surfactant profiles are fitted quantitatively in terms of a kinetic model that treats the distribution of OH− between aqueous and micellar pseudo-phases in terms of coulombic and non-coulombic ion-micelle interactions. Second-order rate constants at the micellar surface are lower than in water by factors that range from 0.035 for 1a to 0.7 for 1c. The thiophenyl derivative (2b) is more reactive than the corresponding phenoxy derivative (1a) and it is more reactive than the corresponding thioethyl derivative (2a). Parathion (3) is the least reactive substrate in both water and micelles.
A dominant mutation in the Ikaros gene leads to rapid development of leukemia and lymphoma

The Ikaros gene is essential for lymphoid lineage specification. As previously reported, mice homozygous for a mutation in the Ikaros DNA-binding domain fail to generate mature lymphocytes as well as their earliest described progenitors. In addition, our studies with mice heterozygous for this mutation establish the Ikaros gene as an essential regulator of T cell proliferation. Thymocytes display augmented TCR-mediated proliferative responses, and peripheral T cells are autoproliferative. A general lymphoproliferation precedes the T cell leukemia and lymphoma that rapidly develop in all heterozygotes. The first step toward leukemic transformation occurs within the maturing thymocyte population and is demarcated by clonal expansions and loss of the single Ikaros wild-type allele. From these studies, we propose that within developing and mature T lymphocytes, distinct thresholds of Ikaros activity are required to regulate proliferation. A decrease in Ikaros activity below the first threshold causes the rapid accumulation of T lymphoblasts, whereas a further decrease leads to neoplastic transformation.
Effects of organic sulfur compounds on methods of determining inorganic forms of nitrogen

Abstract Methionine, ethionine, cystine, cysteine and thiourea interfere with determination of nitrate by the phenoldisulfonic acid method; and cystine, cysteine and thiourea interfere with nitrate analysis by the MgO-Devarda alloy reduction method. Methionine, ethionine and thiourea do not interfere with determination of ammonium by the MgO distillation method; and cystine and cysteine do not significantly affect ammonium analysis by this method if the amount of N as cystine or cysteine does not greatly exceed the amount of N as ammonium. Methionine. ethionine, cystine, and thiourea do not interfere with determination of nitrite by the Griess-Ilosvay method, but this method is affected by the presence of substantial amounts of cysteine. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Improvement in the First Born Theory of Electron Scattering by Molecular Systems. I. Theory

The asymptotic or Bethe expansion of the first Born cross section, for large magnitude of the initial collision velocity $V$, is considered for a particular electronic excitation of a molecular target. The sum of the Bethe cross section over the complete set of wave functions for nuclear motion in the final electronic state is shown to be asymptotic to the analogous sum of the Born cross section over states allowed by energy conservation. The closure relation is then used to simplify the matrix elements which define the Bethe cross section without further approximation. The advantages gained by this approach are demonstrated in the following paper by the treatment of a particular example.
The mood stabilizer lithium potentiates the antidepressant-like effects and ameliorates oxidative stress induced by acute ketamine in a mouse model of stress.

Background: Evidence suggests that mammalian target of rapamycin activation mediates ketamine’s rapid but transient antidepressant effects and that glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibits this pathway. However, ketamine has associated psychotomimetic effects and a high risk of abuse. The mood stabilizer lithium is a glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitor with strong antisuicidal properties. Here, we used a mouse stress model to investigate whether adjunct lithium treatment would potentiate ketamine’s antidepressant-like effects. Methods: Mice received chronic restraint stress and long-term pre- or postketamine lithium treatment in drinking water. The effects of lithium on ketamine-induced antidepressant-like effects, activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin/brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling pathways, oxidative stress, and dendritic spine density in the brain of mice were investigated. Results: Subtherapeutic (600mg/L) lithium-pretreated mice exhibited an antidepressant-like response to an ineffective ketamine (2.5mg/kg, intraperitoneally) challenge in the forced swim test. Both the antidepressant-like effects and restoration of dendritic spine density in the medial prefrontal cortex of stressed mice induced by a single ketamine (50mg/kg) injection were sustained by postketamine treatment with 1200mg/L of lithium for at least 2 weeks. These benefits of lithium treatments were associated with activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin/brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling pathways in the prefrontal cortex. Acute ketamine (50mg/kg) injection also significantly increased lipid peroxidation, catalase activity, and oxidized glutathione levels in stressed mice. Notably, these oxidative stress markers were completely abolished by pretreatment with 1200mg/L of lithium. Conclusions: Our results suggest a novel therapeutic strategy and justify the use of lithium in patients who benefit from ketamine.
Desensitization of rat osteoblast-like cells (ROS 17/2.8) to parathyroid hormone uncouples the adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and cytosolic ionized calcium response limbs.

We have investigated the effects of PTH-induced desensitization on second messenger interactions in the rat osteosarcoma cell line ROS 17/2.8. Adenylate cyclase activation was assessed by accumulation of immunoassayable cAMP, and cytosolic calcium ion ([Ca2+]i) concentrations were measured in adherent perifused cells loaded with the Ca2+- sensitive bioluminescent protein aequorin. Preexposure to rat PTH-U-34) [rPTH-(l-34); 10-8 M for 48 h, then 10-7 M for 24 h] dramatically reduced (by 85%) the cAMP response to fresh challenge [2 min; 10-9-10-7 M rPTH-(l–34)], but the peak PTHinduced rise of [Ca2+]i was not diminished significantly (0–20%). Nevertheless, we did observe other changes in the PTH-induced [Ca2+]i response. Exposure of treated cells to (Bu)2cAMP nearly abolished the [Ca2+]i response to PTH (>80% reduction), but had much less effect on the PTH-stimulated [Ca2+]i increment of the naive cells (<35% reduction). Treated cells also had a blunted [Ca2+]i response to PTH in the presence of low extrace...
Polynomial extreme elements of the closed unit ball of H ∞(B)

Properties of homogeneous polynomials which are extreme points of the closed unit ball of the space H ∞(B) of bounded analytic functions on the open unit ball in C n are studied. A complete characterization is given in the case of degree 2 and applied to the study of holomorphic functions on B having positive real part. A sufficient condition for extremality is also given.
Axonal GABAA Receptors Increase Cerebellar Granule Cell Excitability and Synaptic Activity

We report that activation of GABA(A) receptors on cerebellar granule cell axons modulates both transmitter release and the excitability of the axon and soma. Axonal GABA(A) receptors depolarize the axon, increasing its excitability and causing calcium influx at axonal varicosities. GABA-mediated subthreshold depolarizations in the axon spread electrotonically to the soma, promoting orthodromic action potential initiation. When chloride concentrations are unperturbed, GABA iontophoresis elicits spikes and increases excitability of parallel fibers, indicating that GABA(A) receptor-mediated responses are normally depolarizing. GABA release from molecular layer interneurons activates parallel fiber GABA(A) receptors, and this, in turn, increases release probability at synapses between parallel fibers and molecular layer interneurons. These results describe a positive feedback mechanism whereby transmission from granule cells to Purkinje cells and molecular layer interneurons will be strengthened during granule cell spike bursts evoked by sensory stimulation.
Cocited author retrieval online: An experiment with the social indicators literature

One mode of online retrieval in Scisearch or Social Scisearch involves entering pairs of authors' names believed to be jointly cited by subsequent writers and retrieving papers in which cocitations occur. Six pairs were formed with the names of four authors prominent in the social indicators movement (Bauer, Duncan, Land, and Sheldon). Documents by the four were not specified. It was thought that the pair Duncan and Land would retrieve papers in which indicator-type data would be integrated with path-analytic causal modeling. All other pairs seemed likely to retrieve a “general social indicators” literature. The 298 retrieved papers confirmed expectations. It was found that 121 papers generally cited social indicators (SI) documents by the input authors and frequently had SI language in their titles. Other signs of content also identified them as papers of the SI movement. The 177 papers retrieved on Duncan and Land generally cited causal modeling documents by the input pair and were path-analytic in nature. As expected, they were relatively “harder” than the first group of papers, although the two groups are akin and are formally linked through citations in certain papers. An additional result is that papers citing at least three of the input authors tend to be overviews of the SI movement.
Petrology of Alarcon Rise lavas, Gulf of California: Nascent intracontinental ocean crust

[1] The Alarcon Basin in the southern Gulf of California originated by intracontinental rifting of the southwestern margin of North America and has evolved into an intercontinental ocean basin by 3.7 m.y. of seafloor spreading. Lava samples collected on the axial ridge along Alarcon Rise, two of the many near-axis seamounts on the northwest flank of the rise, and an abyssal hill on 0.6 Ma crust on the southeast flank were examined petrographically and analyzed for major and trace element and He-Sr-Nd-Pb isotope composition. Most samples are typical mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB), but rocks at the axial ridge site closest to continent are more differentiated. Rocks from the axial ridge and abyssal hill are genetically related through separate episodes of fractional crystallization. Seamount samples are relatively more primitive than seafloor samples and may have been formed by smaller degree of melting of the same mantle source as the seafloor lavas. Tamayo transform fault has no apparent effect on the geochemistry of axial ridge lavas erupted close to it; this is contrary to the postulated transform fault effect. Alarcon Basin differs from the Salton Trough and Guaymas Basin in that its youngest seafloor shows no evidence for contamination with continental crust or a subduction component. We propose that Pacific MORB source mantle underlies the Gulf of California because the western North American margin has overridden the Pacific suboceanic mantle. Miocene rifting and Pliocene spreading in Alarcon Basin have created a window allowing the most recent MORB melts to rise uncontaminated to the surface.
The Only Way I Can Say This: Representing African Refugees’ Experience through Poetic Inquiry

The creation of this poem came about as I attempted to conflate both the predominantly African refugees’ experience in Sicily, those to which things happen, with that of the researcher, the one who watches, waits, and records. Many of the refugees endure seemingly endless and horrendous sea voyages to arrive on the island. One can see the refugees everywhere, in so many different settings, as they attempt to negotiate their new home. One never really belongs. Neither they nor I. The title of the poem is the Italian word for “flag” and is my attempt to show the reality of the new arrivals: they will learn the Italian language and develop additional loyalties, while remaining true to their homeland. The disenfranchised, the forgotten, and the displaced are the predominant themes in my work and if one looks closely, one can see it everywhere. For this poem, I sifted through copious amounts of data and extracted themes, recorded bits of overheard conversation, read “official “ reports of what is being done fo...
Woodland Voles Captured Among Sparse Shrubs in Native Tallgrass Prairie on Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas

From autumn 1981 through spring 2009, woodland voles (Microtus pinetorum) were captured rarely and only in woodland habitats (four in ca. 15,000 trap nights) and never in grassland habitats (ca. 300,000 trap nights) on the Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas. Konza Prairie is located in the Flint Hills region of eastern Kansas in Geary and Riley counties (see Knapp and Seastedt 1998 or http://keep.konza.ksu.edu/visit/map. htm for maps and location). We summarized characteristics of these voles (all four voles captured in moist gallery forest; Kaufman and Kaufman 2009) as well as their locations and habitat features because small mammals only were to be sampled in grassland sites away from gallery forest habitats as we completed our long-term studies of small mammals during autumn 2009 through spring 2013 (nearly 30,000 more trap nights during this time period). Unexpectedly, two woodland voles were captured in a prairie site during March 2013, which was the last sampling period of our 32 year study. Herein, we describe the characteristics of the two voles captured along a prairie trapline plus features of the habitat surrounding capture locations.
THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF SYNCHRONOUS BILATERAL EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE LITHOTRIPSY

Purpose: Bilateral renal calculi have traditionally been managed by staged extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL † †Dornier Medical Systems, Inc., Marietta, Georgia.) due to concern about bilateral obstruction. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of synchronous bilateral ESWL in a large series of patients treated at our institution to determine the safety and efficacy of this controversial technique in what is to our knowledge the largest series to date.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the records of 120 patients with a mean age of 48 years who underwent bilateral synchronous ESWL between 1987 and 1996. Of the patients 71 (59%) were male. Average followup was 21 months. ESWL was performed using a Dornier HM3† lithotriptor in all cases. Intraoperative technique and postoperative factors were analyzed using the Pearson product moment correlation, the 2-tailed t test and multiple regression analysis.Results: Mean stone size was 13 and 15 mm. on the left and right sides, respectively...
Identification and deconvolution of multichannel linear non-Gaussian processes using higher order statistics and inverse filter criteria

This paper is concerned with the problem of estimation and deconvolution of the matrix impulse response function of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system given only the measurements of the vector output of the system. The system is assumed to be driven by a temporally i.i.d. and spatially independent non-Gaussian vector sequence (which is not observed). An iterative, inverse filter criteria-based approach is developed using the third-order or the fourth-order normalized cumulants of the inverse filtered data at zero lag. Stationary points of the proposed cost functions are investigated. The approach is input iterative, i.e., the input sequences are extracted and removed one by one. The matrix impulse response is then obtained by cross correlating the extracted inputs with the observed outputs. Identifiability conditions are analyzed. The strong consistency of the proposed approach is also briefly discussed. Computer simulation examples are presented to illustrate the proposed approaches.
Mouthpart separation does not impede butterfly feeding.

The functionality of butterfly mouthparts (proboscis) plays an important role in pollination systems, which is driven by the reward of nectar. Proboscis functionality has been assumed to require action of the sucking pump in the butterfly's head coupled with the straw-like structure. Proper proboscis functionality, however, also is dependent on capillarity and wettability dynamics that facilitate acquisition of liquid films from porous substrates. Due to the importance of wettability dynamics in proboscis functionality, we hypothesized that proboscides of eastern black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterius Stoll) (Papilionidae) and cabbage butterflies (Pieris rapae Linnaeus) (Pieridae) that were experimentally split (i.e., proboscides no longer resembling a sealed straw-like tube) would retain the ability to feed. Proboscides were split either in the drinking region (distal 6-10% of proboscis length) or approximately 50% of the proboscis length 24 h before feeding trials when butterflies were fed a red food-coloring solution. Approximately 67% of the butterflies with proboscides split reassembled prior to the feeding trials and all of these butterflies displayed evidence of proboscis functionality. Butterflies with proboscides that did not reassemble also demonstrated fluid uptake capabilities, thus suggesting that wild butterflies might retain fluid uptake capabilities, even when the proboscis is partially injured.
Mantophasmatodea and phylogeny of the lower neopterous insects

Polyneoptera is a name sometimes applied to an assemblage of 11 insect orders comprising the lower neopterous or “orthopteroid” insects. These orders include familiar insects such as Orthoptera (grasshoppers), Blattodea (roaches), Isoptera (termites) (Mantodea) praying mantises, Dermaptera (earwigs), Phasmatodea (stick insects), Plecoptera (stoneflies), as well as the more obscure, Embiidina (web-spinners), Zoraptera (angel insects) and Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers). Many of these insect orders exhibit a high degree of morphological specialization, a condition that has led to multiple phylogenetic hypotheses and little consensus among investigators. We present a phylogenetic analysis of the polyneopteran orders representing a broad range of their phylogenetic diversity and including the recently described Mantophasmatodea. These analyses are based on complete 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, Histone 3 DNA sequences, and a previously published morphology matrix coded at the ordinal level. Extensive analyses utilizing different alignment methodologies and parameter values across a majority of possible ranges were employed to test for sensitivity of the results to ribosomal alignment and to explore patterns across the theoretical alignment landscape. Multiple methodologies support the paraphyly of Polyneoptera, the monophyly of Dictyoptera, Orthopteroidea (sensu Kukalova-Peck; i.e. Orthoptera + Phasmatodea + Embiidina), and a group composed of Plecoptera + Dermaptera + Zoraptera. Sister taxon relationships between Embiidina + Phasmatodea in a group called “Eukinolabia”, and Dermaptera + Zoraptera (“Haplocercata”) are also supported by multiple analyses. This analysis also supports a sister taxon relationship between the newly described Mantophasmatodea, which are endemic to arid portions of southern Africa, and Grylloblattodea, a small order of cryophilic insects confined to the north-western Americas and north-eastern Asia, in a group termed “Xenonomia”. This placement, coupled with the morphological disparity of the two groups, validates the ordinal status of Mantophasmatodea. © The Willi Hennig Society 2005.