cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The antinociception produced by microinjection of a cholinergic agonist in the ventromedial medulla is mediated by noradrenergic neurons in the A7 catecholamine cell group

Activation of neurons in the ventromedial medulla by electrical stimulation or by microinjection of opioid or cholinergic agonists produces antinociception that is mediated in part by spinally-projecting noradrenergic neurons. Several lines of evidence indicate that these noradrenergic neurons are located in the pontine A7 catecholamine cell group. For example, anatomical studies have demonstrated that neurons in the ventromedial medulla project to the noradrenergic neurons in the A7 catecholamine cell group that provide the major noradrenergic innervation of the spinal cord dorsal horn. In addition, electrical and chemical stimulation of A7 neurons produces antinociception that can be reduced by intrathecal injection of alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists. The present studies provide more direct evidence that activation of neurons in the ventromedial medulla produces antinociception by activating noradrenergic neurons in the A7 cell group. Neurons in the ventromedial medulla were stimulated by microinjecting the cholinergic agonist carbachol (5 microg) into sites in the nucleus raphe magnus or the nucleus gigantocellularis pars alpha of pentobarbital anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. In some experiments, the local anesthetic tetracaine (10 microg) was then microinjected near the A7 cell group to inactivate the spinally-projecting noradrenergic neurons. In other experiments, cobalt chloride (100 mM) was microinjected near the A7 cell group to block synaptic activation of spinally-projecting noradrenergic neurons. Microinjection of carbachol into sites in the ventromedial medulla produced antinociception, assessed using the tail flick test, that lasted more than 60 min. However, the effects of carbachol were attenuated by microinjection of either tetracaine or cobalt into sites near the A7 cell group neurons identified by tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactivity. Similar injections of tetracaine or cobalt more than 500 microm from the A7 neurons did not alter the antinociceptive effect of carbachol. These results support the conclusion that the antinociception produced by activating neurons in the ventromedial medulla is mediated in part by the subsequent activation of spinally-projecting noradrenergic neurons in the A7 cell group.
President's Page: dining out in Paris: wine and guidelines.

![Figure][1] I am at La Tour d'Argent in Paris, dining at an elegant restaurant that is said to be the oldest in Paris. The restaurant specializes in duck. When my duck arrives, I get a card with the specific number of the duck on the plate in front of me—now numbering in the millions since
Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of hydroxyl with carbon disulfide under atmospheric conditions

Etude a l'aide de la methode par fluorescence induite par laser pulse-photolyse pulsee. En l'absence d'O 2 , il y a formation rapide et reversible de CS 2 OH. Mecanisme de reaction en 3 etapes
Transformation Para Salud: An Infrastructure for Prevention and Control of Overweight in Young Children

Author(s): M. Boylan, C. Esperat, D. Feng, D. Reed, L. Thompson, M. Chyu, J. Borrego; Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, School of Nursing, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, Food Technology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, Psychology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
English classifier constructions

Abstract Although not a classifier language, English has an open class of words that are functionally similar to classifiers: a head of lettuce, a herd of cattle, a box of candy . For some words the lexical and collocational properties must be directly represented in the lexicon. Pride would be listed as the collective classifier for lion . Classifiers are not without meaning, however, as is evident in extended senses of these words. Compare a herd of linguists with a flock of linguists . In many cases the classifier meaning follows from the normal meaning and no special information need be included in the lexicon. Novel uses of words in classifier constructions ( a board of statues ) require pragmatic rules of interpretation which depend on the prior existence of conventional classifiers. The appendix, on the syntax of classifiers in English, shows that all the syntactic tests which purport to distinguish among measure phrases, partitives, pseudo-partitives, and complement PPs ultimately fail.
Analyses of interference due to surface motion and shock induced changes of index of refraction

Abstract In this paper we consider the interference of the light beam transmitted through a slice of an ideal dielectric with the incident light beam. The surface on which the incident beam is directed has a prescribed velocity, and a shock wave, induced by the velocity, propagates in the specimen. Our analyses are couched within the framework of electromagnetic wave theory by appealing to Maxwell's equations and the associated boundary conditions. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the predictions of the results and the influences of the surface velocity and shock induced changes of index of refraction.
Mammalian Merkel cells are descended from the epidermal lineage

Merkel cells are specialized cells in the skin that are important for proper neural encoding of light touch stimuli. Conflicting evidence suggests that these cells are lineally descended from either the skin or the neural crest. To address this question, we used epidermal (Krt14Cre) and neural crest (Wnt1Cre) Cre-driver lines to conditionally delete Atoh1 specifically from the skin or neural crest lineages, respectively, of mice. Deletion of Atoh1 from the skin lineage resulted in loss of Merkel cells from all regions of the skin, while deletion from the neural crest lineage had no effect on this cell population. Thus, mammalian Merkel cells are derived from the skin lineage.
Water aspiration syndrome at birth – report of two cases

Under-water birth has been considered as a safe method of delivery for healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies after appropriate selection of women and respect of hygiene rules. However, perinatal morbidity after under-water births is not as rare as it has been considered initially. We present the cases of two neonates, who were transferred to our neonatal unit during the last 12-month period with water aspiration after their uneventful under-water birth.
Bidirectional Cavopulmonary Anastomosis: Impact on Diastolic Ventricular Function Indices

Systolic ventricular function has been demonstrated to remain unchanged following bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (BCPA). The effects of BCPA on diastolic ventricular performance have not been critically assessed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in diastolic ventricular function indices early after BCPA. Nineteen patients were enrolled prospectively. Transthoracic echocardiograms were performed at a median of 4 days prior to and 5 days subsequent to BCPA. Diastolic and systolic echocardiographic indices of ventricular performance were measured for the dominant ventricle. End diastolic volume decreased postoperatively (71.1 ± 21.1 vs 68.08 ± 17.9 ml/m2, p = 0.05). Tei index increased postoperatively (0.51 ± 0.2 vs 0.62 ± 0.1, p = 0.002), whereas inflow Doppler E velocity (70.3 ± 13 vs 56.3 ± 24.7 cm/sec, p = 0.04), E/A ratio (1.18 ± 0.52 vs 0.84 ± 0.2, p = 0.02), tissue Doppler E′ velocity (9.5 ± 2.5 vs 6.4 ± 3.2 cm/sec, p = 0.03) and diastolic flow propagation velocity (56.5 ± 12 vs 52.8 ± 11 cm/sec, p = 0.04) all decreased. There was no change in ventricular mass, area change fraction, heart rate, or inflow Doppler A or tissue Doppler A′ and S′ velocities. This study demonstrated that diastolic indices of ventricular performance are altered indicating decreased diastolic function early following BCPA. Whether this observation is a result of a change in ventricular mass:volume ratio, loading conditions of the ventricle, ventricular geometry, or the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass remains to be determined.
Prostaglandin E2 effects on cation flux in sickle erythrocyte ghosts.

Abstract Prostaglandin E 2 has previously been shown to enhance the shape transformation of sickle prone erythrocytes (8) and to reduce the oxygen resaturation of Hemoglobin SS within intact sickle cell erythrocytes after deoxygenation (15). In view of the recent importance attributed to calcium transport in maintaining erythrocyte shape and viability (10) and the suggestion that prostaglandins may act via a calcium ionophore mechanism (9) on cell membranes, erythrocyte ghosts were prepared following the method of Lepke and Passow (12) from normal and sickle cell anemia erythrocytes. These two classes of ghosts are shown to display differing patterns of sodium and calcium transport, with calcium influx being preferentially stimulated by prostaglandin E 2 in sickle cell ghosts. It is suggested that in hypoxic, stasis conditions in vivo , prostaglandins may play a role in accelerating sickling of sickle prone erythrocytes via stimulation of calcium influx.
Sterol Regulation of Fatty Acid Synthase Promoter COORDINATE FEEDBACK REGULATION OF TWO MAJOR LIPID PATHWAYS

The gene encoding fatty acid synthase, the essential multi-functional enzyme of fatty acid biosynthesis, is shown to be regulated by cellular sterol levels similar to genes that encode important proteins of cholesterol metabolism. We show that expression of the endogenous FAS gene is repressed when regulatory sterols are included in the culture medium of HepG2 cells and that the FAS promoter is subject to similar regulation when fused to the luciferase reporter gene. Mutational studies demonstrate that sterol regulation is mediated by binding sites for the sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) and transcription factor Sp1, making it mechanistically similar to sterol regulation of the low density lipoprotein receptor gene. It is also demonstrated that SREBP and Sp1 synergistically activate the FAS promoter in Drosophila tissue culture cells, which lack endogenous Sp1. These experiments provide key molecular evidence that directly links the metabolism of fatty acids and cholesterol together.
Sensual, Erotic, and Sexual Behaviors of Women from the “Kink” Community

Unconventional sensual, erotic, and sexual behaviors (herein referred to as kink behaviors) investigated by academia are based largely on clinical and criminal cases, and most published, peer-reviewed, quantitative research on these behaviors is based almost exclusively on male participants. For this study, information was collected and analyzed from 1580 female participants recruited from the kink community, using a non-clinical and non-criminal sample. We explored and described the preferences and diversity of more than 126 sensual, erotic, and sexual behaviors found among these participants, along with recommendations for continued research. Gaining a better understanding of the breadth and depth of activities engaged in by female kink practitioners could benefit educators, counselors, therapists, medical doctors, and other professionals when interacting with members of the kink community.
Comment on "Why earthquake hazard maps often fail and what to do about it" by S. Stein, R. Geller, and M. Liu

Stein et al. (2012) contends that the occurrence of some recent destructive earthquakes in areas mapped as low hazard in some probabilistic seismic hazard maps “illustrates limitations of earthquake hazard mapping.” This statement is fundamentally incorrect. These instances illustrate that short-term observations such as recent seismicity do not characterize the hazard from faults with long recurrence-time earthquakes. This is not an inherent limitation in the methodology of probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA). They repeat arguments made in their previous articles, one of them recent (Stein et al., 2011) and others on the New Madrid region of the central United States that were published and commented on several years ago (e.g., Frankel, 2003, 2004; Stein et al., 2003). Stein et al. (2012) makes three major points: 1) the inputs to seismic hazard maps should include long-term geologic data in addition to historical and instrumental seismicity, 2) uncertainties in hazard values should be estimated and communicated to users, and 3) seismic hazard maps need to be objectively tested. The first two points have long been recognized and practiced in the seismic hazard mapping community in the United States and elsewhere. The third point has also been the subject of substantial work (e.g., Stirling and Petersen, 2006). This comment points out problems
13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of compounds containing β-D-fructofuranosyl groups or residues

Abstract 13 C-N.m.r. spectra have been recorded for sucrose, melezitose, levan, inulin, palatinose, and D -fructose. Except for the last, each compound contains a different O -substituted D -fructofuranose residue or group, or β- D -fructofuranosyl residue or group. On the basis of chemical-shift displacements, resulting from O -substitution at specific carbon atoms, resonances can be assigned to the carbon atoms of the β- D -fructofuranosyl residue. Fortuitously, the α- D -glucopyranosyl group present in some of these compounds exhibits resonances that do not obscure the β- D -fructofuranosyl resonances. O -Substitution of the β- D -fructofuranosyl residue causes a downfield displacement of the corresponding, linked-C resonance; however, the other major resonances of this residue are not affected by bulky substituents. Members of a series of levan fractions, the products of partial, acid hydrolysis of Streptoccoccus salivarius levan, were then examined for changes in relative degree of branching.
Somatotopic organization of inhibition in the crayfish abdomen of Procambarus clarkii.

Mittels elektrophysiologischer Methode und Kobaltinjektion wurde der Zellkorper eines als Streckungsinhibitor wirkenden motorischen Neurons im Abdomen des KrebsesProcambarus clarkii lokalisiert. Es zeigte sich, dass ein schmales, unverzweigtes neurit zunachst vom Zellkorper weggeht und dann kontralateral zur Ausgangswurzel verlauft.
Combined Ventricular Systolic and Arterial Stiffening in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction. Implications for Systolic and Diastolic Reserve Limitations

Background Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HF-nlEF) is common in aged individuals with systolic hypertension and is frequently ascribed to diastolic dysfunction. We hypothesized that such patients also display combined ventricular-systolic and arterial stiffening that can exacerbate blood pressure lability and diastolic dysfunction under stress. Methods and results Left ventricular pressure-volume relations were measured in patients with HF-nlEF (n=10) and contrasted with asymptomatic age-matched (n=9) and young (n=14) normotensives and age- and blood pressure-matched controls (n=25). End-systolic elastance (stiffness) was higher in patients with HF-nlEF (4.7+/-1.5 mm Hg/mL) than in controls (2.1+/-0.9 mm Hg/mL for normotensives and 3.3+/-1.0 mm Hg/mL for hypertensives; P Conclusion Patients with HF-lnEF have systolic-ventricular and arterial stiffening beyond that associated with aging and/or hypertension. This may play an important pathophysiological role by exacerbating systemic load interaction with diastolic function, augmenting blood pressure lability, and elevating cardiac metabolic demand under stress.
Follicular fluid soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE): a potential indicator of ovarian reserve.

Context: The interaction of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) with their cellular receptor (RAGE) is implicated in the pathogenesis of abnormal ovarian follicular growth. RAGE has a circulating secretory receptor form, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), which neutralizes the action of AGEs and might exert a protective role on the follicular environment. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate whether serum or follicular fluid (FF) sRAGE levels are associated with markers of ovarian reserve. Design, Setting, and Participants: Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and sRAGE protein levels were correlated in 31 reproductive-aged women. An additional 33 women who underwent oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization were enrolled. AMH and its receptor (AMHR-II) mRNA levels were quantified in cumulus granulosa cells and FF sRAGE and AMH protein levels were measured. Main Outcome Measures: Granulosa cell AMH and AMHR-II gene expression, serum and FF AMH and sRAGE protein concentration, and number of oocyt...
Vitamin E and selenium levels of premature infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Abstract Plasma selenium (Se), erythrocyte Se, erythrocyte glutathione and total plasma vitamin E were prospectively measured in 19 preterm neonates (< 1780 grams birth weight, < 33 weeks gestation) with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in cord blood at 3 and on average at 37 days of age. Infants received daily oral administration of 25 IU of vitamin E. Patients were radiologically evaluated for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and divided into 2 groups by this diagnosis, 8 patlents who recovered from RDS (- BPD) and 11 atients who developed BPD (+ BPD). The demographic data profiles and the requirements for supplemental 0, and mechanical ventilation during the first 5 days of life were similar. A biochemical Se deficiency in both groups of infants during the first month of life is reported. No difference was found in plasma Se, erythrocyte Se and total glutathione levels between the 2 groups. Total plasma vitamin E levels were similar in both groups at birth and below the normal values for age....
Flemion based actuator for mechanically controlled microwave switch

A microwave switch based on EAP presents several advantages. A switch based on Flemion is studied. Flemion a perfluorinated carboxylic acid membrane shows improved performance as actuator material compared with Nafion (perfluorinated sulfonic acid). Flemion has a higher ion exchange capacity and good mechanical strength. In order to get a good Flemion actuator, highly conductive soft gold electrodes with large fractal structure have to be deposited on the membrane. The impregnation reduction technique used for plating requires exchange of a gold complex and reduction by gradual sodium sulfite additions. K + shows the highest exchange ratio with the gold complex and reducing bath temperatures around 60°C with enough reducing agent present are shown to promote the growth of a gold fractal structure. The resulting material shows an actuation displacement with no relaxation, a key feature for switch applications. A simple mechanical switch based on a flemion actuator is prepared and tested as a microwave switch.
Kinetic properties of S-adenosylmethionine:Δ24-sterol methyltransferase enzyme(s) in mitochondrial structures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract The inhibition of S-adenosylmethionine:Δ24-sterol methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.41) activity by endogenous cellular components has been studied in vitro. The principal inhibitors were Na+ and K+; Cs+, NH4+ and Li+ were also shown to inhibit the reaction. The possible significance of inhibition by sodium and potassium is discussed. Evidence is presented for the presence of more than one enzyme capable of methylating sterols in cell-free extracts of yeast. Three enzymatic activities are described which differ in their respective Michaelis constants for S- adenosyl- l -methionine , pH optima, and affinity for zymosterol. Based on differences in the apparent Michaelis constants for zymosterol, it appears that only one may be responsible for in vivo methylation of this ergosterol precursor.
Effects of Chronic Alcohol Abuse on Exocrine Pancreatic Secretion in Man

The effect of chronic alcohol abuse on the secretion of pancreatic exocrine proteins was studied. Pure pancreatic juice (PPJ) was obtained by endoscopic cannulation of the pancreatic duct from 21 healthy, nonalcoholic volunteers and 25 chronic alcoholics. Peak concentration and output of total proteins after sequential stimulation with secretin and cholecystokinin was elevated significantly in chronic alcoholics when compared to nonalcoholic subjects. The most striking change in the secretory proteins investigated was exhibited by the trypsinogens. Although the concentrations of all three trypsinogen variants were elevated significantly in PPJ of chronic alcoholics, most of the increase resulted from an approximately fivefold increase of the anionic variant, suggesting nonparallel alterations in the synthesis of pancreatic exocrine proteins. Whereas the ratio of cationic-anionic trypsinogen in the control group was consistently greater than one, it was, without exception, below one in the chronic alcoholics group. As there was no significant increase in trypsin inhibitor in PPJ of alcoholics, the ratio of trypsinogen-trypsin inhibitor showed a highly significant increase in this group. This distortion of the normal ratio in favor of trypsinogen may facilitate premature activation of pancreatic zymogens as postulated in acute pancreatitis. The concentrations of other zymogens and lysosomal hydrolases in PPJ of chronic alcoholics showed small, but not significant, increases, with the exception of leucine naphthylamidase which was significantly elevated. Nonparallel secretion of some exocrine proteins previously described in healthy nonalcoholic subjects was affected selectively by chronic ethanol ingestion. Thus, in chronic alcoholics the secretory kinetics of trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen were altered, but trypsin inhibitor secretion remained apparently unaffected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Crystallographic orientation of sputtered Cr films on glass and glass–ceramic substrates

Abstract The effect of sputtering conditions and silicate substrate properties on the crystallographic orientation of thin Cr films was investigated. The films were d.c. magnetron sputtered onto a number of different glass and glass–ceramic substrates under various sputtering conditions. The degree of orientation was determined using the Cr(110)/Cr(200) X-ray diffraction line intensity ratio. The results confirmed not only the necessity of substrate heating to produce [200] oriented films, as has been previously reported, but also showed that the degree of orientation depends on thermalization of the sputtered Cr atoms by the sputtering gas. Orientation was not found to be a function of the particular silicate substrate used. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements showed the presence of a thin Cr2O3 layer between the Cr film and the silicate substrate surface. © 1997 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.
Spatial variations of damage parameters in FMIT and their implications

Abstract The major conclusion is that the variation in damage rates in FMIT will be dominated by changes in flux, not spectrum. Throughout the test region where the flux is greater than 10 14 n/cm 2 .s, the flux varies by a factor of about 20, while the spectral-averaged displacement and helium production cross sections for copper vary by less than factors of two and four, respectively. The corresponding helium-to-dpa ratios bracket a fusion reactor first wall value for copper (i.e., 7.7 appm He/dpa). With the Li(d,n) yields and with the copper damage energy and helium production cross sections used in this study, the test volumes for which the displacement and total helium production rates are greater than those at a D-T fusion reactor first wall (with a loading of 1.0 MW/m 2 ) are about 139 and 208 cm 3 , respectively.
Consumption of modern goods and services and it's relation to fertility: A study in Taiwan

A survey in Taiwan showed that couples whose consumption patterns emphasize modem goods and services also exhibit modern fertility behaviour, i.e. they cite a somewhat lower ideal family size and are considerably more likely to be using contraception. Since the ownership of modern goods in Taiwan does not appear to be achieved at the expense of either savings or educational aspirations, a suggested hypothesis is that economic development, by fostering new wants, may encourage couples to limit family size.
Why Do Some Democratic Countries Join More Intergovernmental Organizations Than Others

Objective. This study investigates whether variations in democratic institutions influence foreign policy outcomes. Specifically, it examines whether democracies differ systematically in their inclination to join international organizations. Methods. The study performs negative binomial estimation analysis of the relationship between IGO membership and variations in democratic structure. Results. It finds that a more competitive party system and multiple legislative chambers, especially for wealthy and stable Western democracies, contribute to more IGO memberships. Conclusions. From our findings we infer that consensus democracies adopt a kinder, gentler foreign policy that includes more willingness to participate in multilateral, cooperative international institutions, relying on negotiation and compromise to reach mutually acceptable arrangements for dealing with common problems. This assertion fits with a fundamental Kantian thesis: that the more representative and accountable a society's political institutions are, the more peaceful that society is likely to be.
Thermodynamic mixing properties of the UO2–HfO2 solid solution: Density functional theory and Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract HfO 2 is a neutron absorber and has been mechanically mixed with UO 2 in nuclear fuel in order to control the core power distribution. During nuclear fission, the temperature at the center of the fuel pellet can reach above 1300 K, where hafnium may substitute uranium and form the binary solid solution of UO 2 –HfO 2 . UO 2 adopts the cubic fluorite structure, but HfO 2 can occur in monoclinic, tetragonal, and cubic structures. The distribution of Hf and U ions in the UO 2 –HfO 2 binary and its atomic structure influence the thermal conductivity and melting point of the fuel. However, experimental data on the UO 2 –HfO 2 binary are limited. Therefore, the enthalpies of mixing of the UO 2 –HfO 2 binary with three different structures were calculated in this study using density functional theory and subsequent Monte Carlo simulations. The free energy of mixing was obtained from thermodynamic integration of the enthalpy of mixing over temperature. From the Δ G of mixing, a phase diagram of the binary was obtained. The calculated UO 2 –HfO 2 binary forms extensive solid solution across the entire compositional range, but there are a variety of possible exsolution phenomena associated with the different HfO 2 polymorphs. As the structure of the HfO 2 end member adopts lower symmetry and becomes less similar to cubic UO 2 , the miscibility gap of the phase diagram expands, accompanied by an increase in cell volume by 7–10% as the structure transforms from cubic to monoclinic. Close to the UO 2 end member, which is relevant to the nuclear fuel, the isometric uranium-rich solid solutions exsolve as the fuel cools, and there is a tendency to form the monoclinic hafnium-rich phase in the matrix of the isometric, uranium-rich solid solution phase.
Press‐forming of continuous‐fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composites

Reference LTC-ARTICLE-1990-004 URL: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jhome/107639242 Record created on 2006-06-26, modified on 2016-08-08
Change and expectations in macroeconomic models: recognizing the limits to knowability

This paper argues that contemporary macroeconomic and finance models suffer from insuperable epistemological flaws and that their empirical difficulties – which are particularly apparent in modeling market participants' expectations – can be traced to economists' core premise that they can adequately specify in probabilistic terms how individuals alter the way they make decisions and how the processes underpinning market outcomes unfold over time. We refer to such accounts of change as determinate. The first part examines how this core premise has derailed the development of macroeconomic analysis for the last four decades. The second part sketches how imperfect knowledge economics (IKE) jettisons conventional models' core premise and how doing so helps to overcome these models' epistemological flaws. By opening economic models to change, that is, at least in part, indeterminate, and by recognizing imperfect knowledge on the part of economists, IKE explores the frontier of what empirically relevant mathem...
Epilogue: the not-so-hidden complexity of the sport-community connection

During the first-class meeting of an Introductory Sociology course, I was teaching at George Mason University in Virginia, a student asked me to sum up the findings of the discipline in one sentenc...
Developmental- and differentiation-specific patterns of human γ- and β-globin promoter DNA methylation

The mechanisms underlying the human fetal-to-adult β-globin gene switch remain to be determined. While there is substantial experimental evidence to suggest that promoter DNA methylation is involved in this process, most data come from studies in nonhuman systems. We have evaluated human γ- and β-globin promoter methylation in primary human fetal liver (FL) and adult bone marrow (ABM) erythroid cells. Our results show that, in general, promoter methylation and gene expression are inversely related. However, CpGs at −162 of the γ promoter and −126 of the β promoter are hypomethylated in ABM and FL, respectively. We also studied γ-globin promoter methylation during in vitro differentiation of erythroid cells. The γ promoters are initially hypermethylated in CD34+ cells. The upstream γ promoter CpGs become hypomethylated during the preerythroid phase of differentiation and are then remethylated later, during erythropoiesis. The period of promoter hypomethylation correlates with transient γ-globin gene expression and may explain the previously observed fetal hemoglobin production that occurs during early adult erythropoiesis. These results provide the first comprehensive survey of developmental changes in human γ- and β-globin promoter methylation and support the hypothesis that promoter methylation plays a role in human β-globin locus gene switching.
On the lack of typical behavior in the global Web traffic network

We offer the first large-scale analysis of Web traffic based on network flow data. Using data collected on the Internet2 network, we constructed a weighted bipartite client-server host graph containing more than 18 x 106 vertices and 68 x 106 edges valued by relative traffic flows. When considered as a traffic map of the World-Wide Web, the generated graph provides valuable information on the statistical patterns that characterize the global information flow on the Web. Statistical analysis shows that client-server connections and traffic flows exhibit heavy-tailed probability distributions lacking any typical scale. In particular, the absence of an intrinsic average in some of the distributions implies the absence of a prototypical scale appropriate for server design, Web-centric network design, or traffic modeling. The inspection of the amount of traffic handled by clients and servers and their number of connections highlights non-trivial correlations between information flow and patterns of connectivity as well as the presence of anomalous statistical patterns related to the behavior of users on the Web. The results presented here may impact considerably the modeling, scalability analysis, and behavioral study of Web applications.
Upper mantle P velocity structure beneath the Baikal Rift from modeling regional seismic data

[1] Uppermost mantle P wave velocity structure beneath the Baikal rift and southern margin of the Siberian Platform has been investigated by using a grid search method to model Pnl waveforms from two moderate earthquakes recorded by station TLY at the southwestern end of Lake Baikal. The results yielded a limited number of successful models which indicate the presence of upper mantle P wave velocities beneath the rift axis and the margin of the platform that are 2–5% lower than expected. The magnitude of the velocity anomalies and their location support the presence of a thermal anomaly that extends laterally beyond the rift proper, possibly created by small-scale convection or a plume-like, thermal upwelling.
FT-IR Microspectroscopic Investigation of the Interphase of Epoxy Resin-Glass Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Glass fiber-epoxy with composites were analyzed with the use of FT-IR microspectroscopy. With the use of spectral subtraction along with two-dimensional mapping experiments, spectral features characteristic of the interfacial region were revealed. Different types of glass fibers were used in order to observe spectral differences at the interphase. When as-received and heat-cleaned glass fibers were used, certain similarities were observed, although an inhibition of the curing seems to be taking place at the interfacial region of epoxy-heat-cleaned glass fibers. When the glass fibers were treated with an aminosilane coupling agent (γ-APS), there was spectral evidence that the glass surface was modifying the epoxy-glass fiber interphase.
Thermal stimulated Brillouin scattering in laser-produced plasmas.

A new form of the stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) instability in laser-produced plasmas is analyzed in the context of recent advances in thermal transport theory. Inverse-bremsstrahlung heating rather than the usual ponderomotive force provides the driving force for the instability. It is found that in low-temperature, high-density, high-Z plasmas this form of the instability dominates and can lead to significantly higher growth rates for SBS.
Magnetoresistance of layered conductors

Abstract The conductivity of a layered conductor in the weak localization regime is calculated. In the a – b plane dimensional crossover from the 2D to 3D regimes and in c -direction from the 0D to 3D regimes with decreasing temperature is found. In a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the layers, the quantum correction to the conductivity is suppressed. The resulting negative magnetoresistance exhibits various types of dependences. At low fields it is always proportional to H 2 . At a large magnetic field the behavior changes to H and then to log H for the longitudinal component of the resistivity. For the transverse magnetoresistance with an increasing field, the dependence becomes H and then saturates.
Nanopumping Using Carbon Nanotubes

A new "nanopumping" effect consisting of the activation of an axial gas flow inside a carbon nanotube by producing Rayleigh traveling waves on the nanotube surface is predicted. The driving force for the new effect is the friction between the gas particles and the nanotube walls. A molecular dynamics simulation of the new effect was carried out showing macroscopic flows of atomic and molecular hydrogen and helium gases in a carbon nanotube.
Resonance photoelectron spectroscopy using a tunable laser plasma light source

We report the first resonance photoemission experiments on plutonium metal, with surface preparation accomplished by means of laser ablation. The photoemission experiments were conducted using the newly commissioned tunable light source for transuranic research at Los Alamos. The light source is a tunable, laser plasma system capable of producing photons in the energy range 30-150 eV, with a photon flux of order 10 9 photons s -1 at 0.1% bandwidth. First results on δ-phase plutonium reveal the 5d-5f resonance enhancement to be maximum at a photon energy of 113 eV. Lower energy photoemission results show a narrow peak very near the Fermi level, with a linewidth of order 100 meV. This peak is verified by resonance photoemission to be of 5f character but also having strong 6d-7s contributions. The combination of high-energy resolution, tunable energies for orbital character determination and surface sensitivity of the UPS energy range make the laser plasma light source ideal for surface and interface studies.
Tissue specific inhibition of transient gene expression in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

We have surveyed a variety of promoter-reporter gene constructs and transient transformation protocols to identify strong root specific promoters in the tropical crop plant cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz). Using a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, we observed several hundred localized regions which expressed β-glucuronidase activity in cassava leaves but virtually none in roots. Similary, a low frequency of transient gene expression was observed in roots when bombarded with a soybean root-specific glutamine synthetase promoter-β-glucuronidase reporter gene. Another reporter gene (luciferase) fused to the CaMV 35S promoter gave similar results indicating that the low frequency of transient gene expression in roots was not a consequence of the particular reporter gene used. In our attempts to resolve the basis for the low frequency of transient gene expression in roots, we determined that root tissues have high levels of DNase activity. It is postulated that the high levels of DNase activity compromises the integrity of the transforming DNA resulting in reduced transformation efficiency.
Prevalence of psychosis among the Hutterites: a reanalysis of the 1950–1953 study

Psychiatric case records from Eaton and Weil's 1950-53 study of the Hutterites were rediagnosed using DSM-III-R criteria. The results confirmed that the Hutterites have a very low prevalence of both schizophrenia (0.9 per 1000) and bipolar disorder (0.6 per 1000). Genetic and/or environmental explanations are both possible. Because of their unusual genetics and lifestyle, the Hutterites are an invaluable potential research resource.
Recent trends in white-black earnings differentials

Abstract This paper tracks white-black earnings differentials between 1967 and 1986 using panel data. Separate estimates are computed for males and females. Corrections for selectivity bias have been made, and Neumark's modified version of the Oaxaca procedure is used to derive estimates of the earnings gap. The finding of secular decline in the white-black earnings gap is re-established.
Noninvasive imaging of cardiac transmembrane potentials within three-dimensional myocardium by means of a realistic geometry anisotropic heart model

We have developed a new approach for imaging cardiac transmembrane potentials (TMPs) within the three-dimensional (3-D) myocardium by means of an anisotropic heart model. The cardiac TMP distribution is estimated from body surface electrocardiograms by minimizing objective functions of the "measured" body surface potential maps (BSPMs) and the heart-model-generated BSPMs. Computer simulation studies have been conducted to evaluate the present 3-D TMP imaging approach using pacing protocols. Simulations of single-site pacing at 24 sites throughout the ventricles, as well as dual-site pacing at 12 pairs of sites in the vicinity of atrio-ventricular ring were performed. The present simulation results show that the correlation coefficient (CC) and relative error (RE) between the "true" and inversely estimated TMP distributions were 0.9915/spl plusmn/0.0041 and 0.1266/spl plusmn/0.0326, for single-site pacing, and 0.9889/spl plusmn/0.0034 and 0.1473/spl plusmn/0.0237 for dual-site pacing, respectively, when 10 /spl mu/V Gaussian white noise (GWN) was added to the BSPMs. The effects of heart and torso geometry uncertainty were also evaluated by shifting the heart position by 10 mm and altering the torso size by 10%. The CC between the "true" and inversely estimated TMP distributions was above 0.97 when these geometry uncertainties were considered. The present simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of noninvasive estimation of TMP distribution throughout the ventricles from body surface electrocardiographic measurements, and suggest that the present method may become a useful alternative in noninvasive imaging of distributed cardiac electrophysiological processes within the 3-D myocardium.
Sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, and typical development: a population-based study

Summary This study compared parent-reported sleep characteristics in 2- to 5-year-old children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to children with other developmental delays (DD) and typical development (TD). We included 529 children (303 ASD [167 males], 63 DD [46 males], and 163 TD [134 males]) enrolled in the CHARGE study, an ongoing population-based case–control study. The mean age of participants was 3.6 years (standard deviation, 0.8 years). ASD diagnosis was confirmed with Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedules (ADOS). Cognitive and adaptive functioning was assessed using Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS), respectively. Demographic, medical and sleep history information were ascertained from California birth records, telephone interview, medical assessments at clinic visit, and parent-administered questionnaires. Fifty-three percent of children with ASD had at least one frequent sleep problem, followed by 46% of children with DD, and 32% of the TD group (P < 0.0001). Exploratory factor analyses of sleep history data yielded two factors: sleep onset problems and night waking. Children with ASD had marginally higher sleep onset factor scores and significantly higher night waking factor scores compared with the TD group. Factor scores for children with DD were intermediate between the ASD and TD groups. Cognitive or adaptive development did not predict severity of sleep problems in the ASD group.
English Learners' Time to Reclassification: An Analysis.

This study uses 9 years of longitudinal, student-level data from the Los Angeles Unified School District to provide updated, empirically-based estimates of the time necessary for English learners (...
Paterson and Zderad’s Humanistic Theory Entering the Between Through Being When Called Upon

This column represents the integration of a reflected nursing experience, an organizing theoretical framework, and the illumination from selected literature. The genesis of this work came with an invitation to recall a treasured story of caring in nursing practice. The story is situated within the nursing theoretical framework of Paterson and Zderad's humanistic work. Relevant selections from the literature provide thematic insights into the meaning of caring as lived in nursing practice.
Heat and Moisture Production of Broiler Chickens During Brooding

Abstract Using stocking rates, temperatures, and ventilation air characteristics typical of partial-house brooding, an environmental chamber was instrumented to obtain sensible and latent heat production rates for broiler chickens for the first 4 weeks. Sensible heat available from the chickens to keep the environment warm was found to be much less than earlier reports on calorimetric research have indicated. During the first week, little heat in excess of that required to evaporate moisture from the litter was produced by the chicks. Moisture production was found to be higher than previously reported in the literature. It was found that relative humidity should be maintained near 50% in order to keep litter moisture in the 25 to 30% moisture range, on a wet weight basis, when broiler chickens are brooded at the stocking rates typical of partial-house brooding.
On parameter estimation in long-code DS/CDMA systems: Cramer-Rao bounds and least-squares algorithms

The problem of parameter estimation in direct-sequence code division multiple access (DS/CDMA) systems employing long (aperiodic) spreading codes is considered. In particular, for an asynchronous network, the problem of estimating the amplitudes, phase offsets, propagation delays, and directions of arrival (DoAs) for the CDMA signals transmitted by the active users is examined. First, formulas are provided for the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) on the error variance of any joint multiuser parameter estimation procedure exploiting a known training sequence. Further, least-squares adaptive algorithms are derived, which, based on the transmission of known pilot symbols, enable adaptive estimation of the parameters with a computational complexity that is only quadratic in the processing gain. In particular, the cases where either the parameters from all of the active users are to be estimated, or the relevant parameters of only one user are to be acquired (based on the knowledge of its spreading code and training sequence only), are considered. This study is completed by an analysis of the convergence properties of the proposed adaptive algorithms and by extensive computer simulation results illustrating the performance of the estimation procedures, also in comparison with the CRB, and the impact of the estimation errors on the performance of the linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) multiuser detector.
A coupled-mode theory for multiwaveguide systems satisfying the reciprocity theorem and power conservation

Two sets of coupled-mode equations for multiwaveguide systems are derived using a generalized reciprocity relation; one set for a lossless system and the other for a general lossy or lossless system. The second set of equations also reduces to those of the first set in the lossless case under the condition that the transverse field components are chosen to be real. Analytical relations between the coupling coefficients are shown and applied to the coupling of mode equations. It is shown analytically that our results satisfy exactly both the reciprocity theorem and power conservation. New orthogonal relations between the supermodes are derived in matrix form with the overlap integrals taken into account.
Main-chain viologen polymers with triflimide counterion exhibiting lyotropic liquid-crystalline properties in polar organic solvents†

The solution-phase behavior of three main-chain viologen polymers, which are composed of isomeric xylyl units and triflimide as a counterion, was studied in methanol, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, and dimethyl sulfoxide as solvents microscopically under crossed polarizers. Each of them exhibited a lyotropic lamellar phase in both polar protic and aprotic solvents. Their C* for the formation of biphasic solutions (1-5 wt %) and concentrations (20-30 wt %) for the lyotropic solutions in methanol was much lower than those in polar aprotic solvents (20-71 and 60-81 wt %, respectively). Their high solubility, high C* for the formation of biphasic solutions, and high concentrations for the formation of lyotropic solutions in polar aprotic solvents were related to the significant reduction of strong ionic interactions between triflimide and 4,4'-bipyridinium ions in each of these viologen polymers. They were the first examples of viologen polymers that exhibited a lyotropic phase in polar aprotic solvents.
Transcriptional and Translational Control of the mlr Operon, Which Confers Resistance to Seven Classes of Protein Synthesis Inhibitors

The methyltransferase genes erm(B) and cfr are adjacent to each other in the chromosome of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain CM05. Analyses of the transcriptional organization of the erm(B) and cfr genes in the chromosome of strain CM05 showed that the two genes are organized into an operon, designated mlr (for modification of the large ribosomal subunit), which is controlled by the erm(B) promoter. Analysis of the translation control and the inducibility of the erm(B) and cfr genes in the mlr operon showed that despite the presence of putative regulatory short open reading frames, both genes are expressed constitutively. The combined action of the two methyltransferases encoded in the mlr operon results in modification of two specific residues in 23S rRNA, A2058 and A2503, and renders cells resistant to all clinically useful antibiotics that target the large ribosomal subunit. Furthermore, simultaneous modification of both rRNA sites synergistically enhances resistance to 16-member-ring macrolides.