cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Associations between microinfarcts and other macroscopic vascular findings on neuropathologic examination in 2 databases

Clinicians may undervalue brain microinfarcts because they are defined by neuropathology and not seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We sought to identify what neuropathologic vascular findings-likely to be evident on brain MRI during life-would predict the presence of microinfarcts. We sought associations between such findings and microinfarcts in neuropathology databases from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) and the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study. Considering only subjects 65 years or older at death, microinfarcts were evaluated in 6189 from NACC and 219 from ACT. Despite different definitions being used, microinfarcts were common in both studies (19.7% in NACC and 16.0% in ACT), and their frequency increased significantly with age. In NACC specimens, after controlling for age and sex in multivariable models, microinfarcts were strongly associated with macroinfarcts [odds ratio (OR): 4.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.8, 5.0], leukoencephalopathy (OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 2.1, 3.3), and hemorrhages (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.6, 2.6). Similarly in the ACT specimens, microinfarcts were strongly associated with macroinfarcts (OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.4, 6.3). These neuropathologic associations suggest that people whose cranial MRI shows macroinfarcts, hemorrhages, or leukoencephalopathy are more likely also to have microinfarcts.
Adoption, attachment and self-concept

This was a two-tiered study. In the first part of the study, a random sample was drawn from a list of subsidized adoptions with a response rate of 70% (N=197). In the second part of the study approximately 30% of adoptive parents gave permission (N=57) for the adopted child to participate. Attachment from two different perspectives and self-concept were assessed. Results suggest most children with special needs do not evidence selfconcept difficulties. In addition, some indicators of attachment can be used in assessing self-concept; children with better parent-child relations and children who do not evidence ambivalence attachment patterns of relating have higher self-concepts. The implications of these findings for practice are discussed.
Ultramorphology of Deep Sea Cristobalitic Chert

X-RAY diffraction studies by Rex1,2, Calvert3 and others identify alpha-cristobalite as one of the chief constituents of post-Cretaceous deep sea cherts. Older cherts are quartz-rich and experimental and petrographic investigations4,5 suggest that quartz cherts are the end product of the reactions: bio-genous opal→cristobalite→quartz chert. It is, however, not clear whether these reactions are solid state or solution/reprecipitation conversions. Also, recent field and mineralogical evidence6,7 suggests that volcanism rather than purely bio-genous production may be an important source of silica for the extensive mid-Cainozoic cristobalitic cherts of the Caribbean and North Atlantic Ocean basins.
Time dependence of accumulation and binding of inorganic and organic arsenic species in rabbit erythrocytes

The uptake by rabbit erythrocytes of 0.4 mM arsenate, As(V), monomethylarsinate, MMA(V) and dimethylarsonate, DMA(V) were compared over 24 h. In membrane-free hemolysate, the distribution of As between proteins (10 kDa) and ultrafiltrate was determined by ultrafiltration and arsenic species in the ultrafiltrate were identified by thin layer chromatography methods. 1H spin-echo Fourier transform NMR was used to follow the binding of these arsenic species to glutathione (GSH). 31P-NMR was used to observe their effects on high-energy adenine nucleotide levels (ATP, ADP). These results demonstrate that As(III) readily accumulates in cells, reaches a quasi-plateau at 78% of the total As in the incubation after 1 h and 88% of the total As after 24 h. On average, 20% of the total erythrocyte As(III) burden is associated with the protein fraction, particularly with hemoglobin (Hb). About 68% of the erythrocyte As(III) burden is bound to GSH. As(III) has no effect on ATP levels during a 5-h incubation. By comparison, As(V) enters erythrocytes more slowly (53% of the total As after 5 h). Erythrocytes take up 81% of the As(V) in the reaction system after a 24 h incubation. Of the total As burden in As(V)-exposed erythrocytes, 22% was associated with the proteins (10 kDa) and possibly reduced to As(III) and 59% was in the ultrafiltrate (8% as As(III) and 51% as As(V)). This finding indicates that, over a 24 h incubation period, the reduction of As(V) to As(III) may account for 30% of the total As in rabbit erythrocytes. As(V) present in the erythrocytes enters the phosphate pool and depletes ATP. In comparison, about 65% of the total MMA(V) or about 44% of the total DMA(V) in the incubation system is taken up by rabbit erythrocytes during a 24 h incubation. Neither organoAs species perturbed the Hb signals observed by spin-echo Fourier transform NMR and the binding to GSH was minimal. Unlike As(V), MMA(V) and DMA(V) do not perturb phosphate metabolism, showing that, despite their pentavalent oxidation state, these arsenic species are not analogs for phosphate.
Expression of two related vacuolar H(+)-ATPase 16-kilodalton proteolipid genes is differentially regulated in a tissue-specific manner.

The 16-kD proteolipid subunit is the principal integral membrane protein of the vaculor H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) complex that forms the proton channel responsible for translocating protons across lipid bilayers. Two degenerate synthetic oligonucleotides, COT11 and COT12, corresponding to highly conserved transmembrane domains in all 16-kD subunits sequenced so far, were used to amplify a partial cDNA of the V-ATPase proteolipid subunit from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These PCR products were used to isolate two full-length cDNAs from a -3 d postanthesis cotton ovule library. Both clones, CVA16.2 and CVA16.4, consisting of 816 and 895 bp, respectively, encode the 16-kD proteolipid subunit of the V-ATPase. At the nucleotide level, the complete sequences of the two clones show 73.5% identity, but share about 95% identity within the coding region, although the two polypeptides differ by only one amino acid. Comparison of deduced amino acid sequences of the proteolipid subunits revealed that the four transmembrane domains and the two cytosolic extramembrane domains are highly conserved in all eukaryotes. Southern blot analysis of cotton genomic DNA showed that these clones belong to small gene families in related diploid and allotetraploid species. Northern blot analysis suggested that the three major V-ATPase subunits (69, 60, and 16 kD) are coordinately regulated, in part, at the transcriptional level. RNA analysis and reverse-transcription PCR established that 16-kD proteolipid transcripts differentially accumulate in different tissues and increase dramatically in tissues undergoing rapid expansion, particularly in anthers, ovules, and petals. The CVA16.4 proteolipid transcript is the most prevalent of the two proteolipid messages in expanding ovules harvested 10 d postanthesis. In contrast, the two proteolipid mRNAs accumulate to similar levels in developing petals.
Automobile and Steel Strategies: Symbols of a New World of Work

Foreign competition has made the US steel and automobile industries effect decentralization operations to the middle south and west — to rural, low‐paid, non‐unionized labor, and thus maximising profits and increasing management control. All this has led to a reruralization of the US workforce and by selling off operations, profit levels can be enhanced.
Effect of Pauli Blocking on Exchange and Dissipation Mechanisms Operating in Heavy-Ion Reactions

Systematic properties of dissipation and exchange mechanisms associated with damped nuclear reactions are obtained from available data, yielding results that cannot be consistently described in a classical approach. However, correlations between energy loss and the variances of the fragment $A$ and $Z$ distributions are understood on the basis of an exchanged-induced dissipation mechanism, if account is taken of the Pauli exclusion principle.
STIMULATION OF RAT ADRENOCORTICAL SECRETION BY A FACTOR PRESENT IN HUMAN URINE

Production of corticosteroids by the rat adrenal gland has been studied in vitro. Both a commercial and a highly purified preparation of ACTH stimulated the secretion of “corticosterone” and aldosterone in vitro. The “corticosterone” fraction was increased more than aldosterone. Addition of the nonultrafilterable fraction of human urine to the incubate stimulated the secretion of aldosterone more than “corticosterone.” Several possible interpretations of this effect arc discussed.
Electrochemical Behavior and Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of Star-Shaped D−A Compounds with a 1,3,5-Triazine Core and Substituted Fluorene Arms

We report the synthesis, electrochemistry, and electrogenerated chemiluminescence of a series of star-shaped donor−acceptor (D−A) molecules. The star-shaped molecules consist of an electron-deficient 1,3,5-triazine core with three fluorene arms substituted with diarylamino (TAM1−TAM3) or carbazolyl (TAM4) electron donors. Cyclic voltammetry of TAM1−TAM3 shows that the reduction consists of one wave of single electron transfer to the core, while the oxidation exhibits a single peak of three sequential electron-transfer processes, with the formation of a trication. The carbazole-containing molecule TAM4 after oxidation undergoes a subsequent rapid chemical reaction to produce a dimer (via the overall coupling of two radical cations with the loss of two protons). The dimer electrooxidizes more easily than the monomer of TAM4. With continuous cycling on the oxidation side, a conductive polymer film is formed on the surface of the working electrode. Because of the presence of the acceptor (triazine) center and...
Dynamics of the destruction and rebuilding of a dipole gap in glasses.

After a strong electric bias field is applied to the polyester glass Mylar at temperatures in the mK range, its dielectric constant increases and then decays logarithmically in time. We observed its dielectric response for several temperatures and different field sweeps. Starting from the dipole gap theory, we developed a model suggesting that the change in dielectric constant after transient application of a bias field is only partly due to relaxational processes. In particular, nonadiabatic driving of tunneling states (TSs) by applied electric fields causes additional dielectric response. Also, we find that for $T\ensuremath{\lesssim}50\text{ }\mathrm{m}\mathrm{K}$ the relaxation of TSs is caused primarily by mutual interactions.
Digital microfluidic assay for protein detection

Global studies of the human proteome have revealed a plethora of putative protein biomarkers. However, their application for early disease detection remains at a standstill without suitable methods to realize their utility in the clinical setting. There thus continues to be tremendous interest in developing new technology for sensitive protein detection that is both low in cost and carries a small footprint to be able to be used at the point of care. The current gold standard method for protein biomarker detection is the ELISA, which measures protein abundance using bulky fluorescent scanners that lack portability. Here, we present a digital microfluidic platform for protein biomarker detection that is low in cost compared with standard optical detection methods, without any compromise in sensitivity. This platform furthermore makes use of simple electronics, enabling its translation into a portable handheld device, and has been developed in a manner that can easily be adapted to assay different types of proteomic biomarkers. We demonstrate its utility in quantifying not only protein abundance, but also activity. Interleukin-6 abundance could be assayed from concentrations as low as 50 pM (an order of magnitude lower than that detectable by a comparable laboratory designed ELISA) using less than 5 μL of sample, and Abelson tyrosine kinase activity was detectable in samples containing 100 pM of kinase.
Small Yttrium−Carbon and Lanthanum−Carbon Clusters: Rings Are Most Stable

A theoretical study has been undertaken to determine the energetics of a variety of neutral and cationic isomeric forms of metal clusters MCx, where M = Y or La and x = 3−6. Included in this study are cyclic molecules and linear molecules, as well as recently-proposed “kite” structures. Geometries are optimized by the B3LYP density functional method, and energies are computed with the coupled-cluster method. The major conclusion of this work is that cyclic structures are the most stable, a result which holds for both yttrium and lanthanum and for both cations and neutral molecules.
Mesh-connected processor arrays for the transitive closure problem

The main purpose in this paper is to lay a theoretical foundation for the design of mesh-connected processor arrays for the transitive closure problem. Using a simple path-algebraic formulation of the problem and observing its similarity to certain well-known smoothing problems that occur in digital signal processing, we show how to draw upon existing techniques from the signal processing literature to derive regular iterative algorithms for determining the transitive closure of the graph. The regular iterative algorithms that are derived using these considerations, are then analyzed and synthesized on mesh-connected processor arrays. Among the vast number of mesh-connected processor arrays that can be designed using this unified approach, the systolic arrays reported in the literature for this problem are shown to be special cases.
Maternal Smoking and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis

We conducted a meta-analysis of 15 studies on maternal prenatal smoking and ASD risk in offspring. Using a random-effects model, we found no evidence of an association (summary OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.93-1.12). Stratifying by study design, birth year, type of healthcare system, and adjustment for socioeconomic status or psychiatric history did not alter the findings. There was evidence that ascertaining exposure at the time of birth produced a lower summary OR than when this information was gathered after birth. There was no evidence of publication bias. Non-differential exposure misclassification was shown to have the potential for negligible influence on the results. We found no evidence to support a measurable association between maternal prenatal smoking and ASD in offspring.
UiMOR - UC Riverside Model Order Reduction Tool for post-layout wideband interconnect modeling

In this paper, we introduce a new model order reduction tool, UiMOR - UC Riverside Model Order Reduction Tool. UiMOR fills the gap between parasitic extraction and post-layout simulation to improve the efficiency of VLSI circuit validation. UiMOR is a stand-alone circuit complexity reduction tool. It can perform accurate reduction for wideband frequency range with negligible loss of accuracy and is well suited for analog/mixed-signal/memory designs. It also works well for traditional delay and noise calculations in digital circuits. It works seamlessly with the existing digital and analog design tools that use the standard SPICE format interface. We then present some numerical comparison results with an existing industry tool, Ultrasim. UiMOR is now available for free download from UC Riverside
Calciphylaxis: A systematic review of existing and emerging therapies

Calciphylaxis, also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy, is a cutaneous ischemic small vessel vasculopathy seen in 1 to 4% of patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. It is associated with extreme pain and a 60 to 80% mortality rate in the setting of few and frequently ineffective therapeutic options, although this may be changing based on reports of success with newer therapies.
Leukokeratoderma estrovale digitorum inversa.

As the unifying feature, keratodermas display aberrant cornification. They can be subdivided into symptomatic and hereditary types. The symptomatic keratodermas have either an endogenous or an exogenous cause. We describe a woman with a unique type of seasonal hyperkeratosis and hypopigmentation involving the dorsum of her fingers.
Objectively reliable subjective probabilities

Subjective Bayesians typically find the following objection difficult to answer: some joint probability measures lead to intuitively irrational inductive behavior, even in the long run. Yet well-motivated ways to restrict the set of “reasonable” prior joint measures have not been forthcoming. In this paper I propose a way to restrict the set of prior joint probability measures in particular inductive settings. My proposal is the following: where there exists some successful inductive method for getting to the truth in some situation, we ought to employ a (joint) probability measure that is inductively successful in that situation, if such a measure exists. In order to do show that the restriction is possible to meet in a broad class of cases, I prove a “Bayesian Completeness Theorem”, which says that for any solvable inductive problem of a certain broad type, there exist probability measures that a Bayesian could use to solve the problem. I then briefly compare the merits of my proposal with two other well-known proposals for constraining the class of “admissible” subjective probability measures, the “leave the door ajar” condition and the “maximize entropy” condition.
Epigenomic Annotation of Enhancers Predicts Transcriptional Regulators of Human Neural Crest

Neural crest cells (NCC) are a transient, embryonic cell population characterized by unusual migratory ability and developmental plasticity. To annotate and characterize cis-regulatory elements utilized by the human NCC, we coupled a hESC differentiation model with genome-wide profiling of histone modifications and of coactivator and transcription factor (TF) occupancy. Sequence analysis predicted major TFs binding at epigenomically annotated hNCC enhancers, including a master NC regulator, TFAP2A, and nuclear receptors NR2F1 and NR2F2. Although many TF binding events occur outside enhancers, sites coinciding with enhancer chromatin signatures show significantly higher sequence constraint, nucleosomal depletion, correlation with gene expression, and functional conservation in NCC isolated from chicken embryos. Simultaneous co-occupancy by TFAP2A and NR2F1/F2 is associated with permissive enhancer chromatin states, characterized by high levels of p300 and H3K27ac. Our results provide global insights into human NC chromatin landscapes and a rich resource for studies of craniofacial development and disease.
Rhodium(I)-catalyzed alternating co-oligomerization of carbon monoxide with olefins: Synthetic and mechanistic studies

Abstract Rhodium(I) phosphine complexes were found to catalyze the alternating co-oligomerization of ethylene and carbon monoxide in appropriate solvents. In a mixture of alcohol (ROH) and acetic acid, the products were H(CH 2 CH 2 CO) n CH 2 CH 3 and H(CH 2 CH 2 CO) n OR ( n = 1–4). Only the oligomeric polyketones were formed when a mixture of alcohol and water was used as the solvent. The effect of solvent composition and additives on the product distribution was studied extensively. The reactions were initiated by a rhodium-hydride species formed through the water-gas shift reaction. The chain growth involved the alternate insertions of ethylene and carbon monoxide into the initial rhodium-hydride bond. The oligomeric polyketoesters were formed by the alcoholysis of the intermediate rhodium-acyl species, whereas the oligomeric polyketones were generated through a bimolecular reductive elimination from the intermediate rhodium alkyls and a rhodium hydride. The catalyst system was also found to effect the carbonylation of propylene and butene.
Locating chronically implanted subdural electrodes using surface reconstruction.

Abstract Objective To determine the accuracy of locating subdural electrodes by means of 3-D surface rendering of CT scans. Methods Open source software has been developed and posted on the web which segments the electrodes into 3-D surfaces and allows their 3-D locations to be exported to other EEG analysis programs. The accuracy of the technique was determined by studying 410 subdural electrodes implanted in four epilepsy patients. Accuracy was determined by comparing the locations from the rendering analysis to the locations of the same electrodes determined by conventional analysis of their appearance on individual CT slices. Results The average accuracy of a study of 410 electrodes imaged in four patients repeated two times by three observers was 0.91 (±0.41) mm, with a maximum error of 3.3 mm, about half of the diameter of an electrode. Conclusions The location of subdural electrodes can easily and quickly be determined within high-resolution CT scans through the use of 3-D rendering. Significance This relatively fast and easy method for determining the location of subdural electrodes should facilitate their use in both clinical and research investigations.
Office personnel and medicolegal claims

In the current litigious milieu much can be done by office personnel to forestall the occurrence of a claim or to diminish the probability of the plaintiff succeeding if it should occur. Among the important factors are a friendly, courteous attitude, no matter how trying the circumstances, and proper training of the personnel in handling of emergencies, failures or cancellations of appointments, requests for refills of prescriptions, malfunctioning of equipment, and confrontation with attorneys.
Poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid)-polyether blends

Abstract Theoretical equations have been developed describing the free energy changes and phase behaviour of binary polymer blends involving ether groups and carboxylic acids. The latter strongly self-associate through the formation of intermolecular dimers. Calculations have been performed for a number of poly(ethylene- co -methacrylic acid)-polyether blends. There is good agreement between the theoretical predictions and the experimental observations.
Outpatient diverticulitis: mild or myth?

Background Diverticulitis is considered common in the outpatient population, with mild variants of described diagnostic criteria: left lower quadrant pain, fever, and leukocytosis. Here, expected criteria utilization among outpatients with a possible diagnosis of diverticulitis is assessed.
Aberrant expression of MUC5AC and MUC6 gastric mucins and sialyl Tn antigen in intraepithelial neoplasms of the pancreas.

Abstract Background & Aims: It has recently been suggested that infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the pancreas arises from histologically well-defined precursor ductal lesions called pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN-1A, -1B, -2, and -3). This study examined alterations in the pattern and the level of expression of several mucin genes (MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6) and mucin-associated tumor antigens (Nd2 and sialyl Tn) in these precursor lesions. Methods: We examined 139 PanINs and 68 infiltrating ductal adenocarcinomas of the pancreas by using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods. Results: Overexpression of MUC1, a pan-epithelial mucin, and MUC6, a pyloric-gland mucin, and de novo expression of MUC5AC, a gastric foveolar mucin, was observed in all stages of PanINs and invasive ductal adenocarcinoma. In contrast, the expression of mucin-associated carbohydrate antigen, sialyl Tn, was markedly increased only in PanlN-3 and invasive ductal adenocarcinoma. In addition, a decrease in the expression of these mucin-associated peptide and carbohydrate antigens was correlated with the degree of differentiation of the tumor. Conclusions: Expression of both gastric-foveolar and pyloric-gland mucin in PanINs is an early event, whereas sialyl Tn expression is a late event in the recently defined progression model of pancreatic carcinogenesis. This altered mucin gene expression provides new insight into the role of cell lineage–associated metaplasia in pancreatic carcinogenesis. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2002;123:1052-1060
Ascribing value to ecological processes: an economic view of environmental change

Abstract Decisions made by individual landowners and public land managers can have a significant impact on the rates of ecological change. Interdisciplinary cooperation is desirable if economists and ecologists are to correctly interpret the impacts of individual choices for landscape management. This paper reports results from two studies of the residents of North Carolina which contrast individual preferences for utilitarian forest benefits and financial returns with less tangible benefits of forest amenities and ecosystem stability. One study reports preliminary findings from a forest-benefit mail survey on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests; the second study presents an analysis of harvest decisions by private landowners. Economic methods pertinent to valuation of environmental goods are briefly considered. Individual behavior is described which suggests that segments of the public recognize welfare benefits specifically from forest amenities, and from `natural' production of environmental goods and services. The two studies suggest how economic tools may be extended to help quantify complex social and biological values associated with ecological processes.
The Reincarnation of Interstellar Dust: The Importance of Organic Refractory Material in Infrared Spectra of Cometary Comae and Circumstellar Disks

We consider the reincarnation of interstellar dust to be reborn in protoplanetary disks as aggregates consisting of submicron-sized grains with a crystalline or amorphous silicate core and an organic-rich carbonaceous mantle. We find that infrared spectra of reincarnated interstellar dust reproduce emission peaks at correct wavelengths where the peaks were observed in cometary comae, debris disks, and protoplanetary disks if the volume fraction of organic refractory meets the constraints on elemental abundances. We discuss what we can learn from the infrared spectra of reincarnated interstellar dust in cometary comae and circumstellar disks.
Differential display-mediated rapid identification of different members of a multigene family, HSP16.9 in wheat

Isolation of cDNAs encoding individual members of a gene family is essential for assessing their role in a biological phenomenon. However, this process is often laborious and slow due to highly conserved protein-coding region that interferes with the isolation of the individual members. Identification of gene-specific probes from 3′ non-coding regions of different members can assist in the fast retrieval and characterization of individual members of a multigene family. We used the recent technique of differential display for the same purpose. As an example of a multigene family in plants, we selected a heat shock protein gene family, HSP16.9 from wheat, with estimated 12 members. We modified the original differential display technique for selective amplification of the 3′ non-coding regions of different wheat HSP16.9 genes by replacing the random 10-mer in the original method with a conserved HSP16.9 gene family-specific primer. Sixteen cDNA fragments from these experiments were sequenced and they represent 8 different members of a 12 member gene family. Our succes can be attributed to shorter 3′ non-coding regions that are typical of higher-plant genes and use of highly conserved gene family-specific primer in these experiments. This modified differential display technique can be of general application to other plant systems where cloning of the different members of a gene family is desired.
Risk and severity of non‐back occupational injuries after lumbar laminectomy for degenerative disc disease

An increased risk, after lumbar laminectomy, for lost work time occupational back injury (odds ratio, 5.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-18.8) and disability (mean 292.8 days vs. 24.8 for controls) was previously demonstrated. Such differences could be due to physical sequelae of back surgery or to psychosocial factors. Extensive literature addresses the impact of psychosocial factors on the incidence of occupational injury and severity of disability. This study assumes that psychosocial factors would affect both back and non-back injuries, while surgery-related physical factors would not. The odds ratio for non-back lost work time injury for subjects in the same cohort studied previously was 1.5 (0.5-4.5), with no significant increase in duration of disability (mean 27.0 days vs. 24.8 for controls). The increased risk for back injury in the absence of an increased risk for other injuries suggests that physiologic rather than psychosocial factors provide the more likely explanation for the differences in back injuries.
Energy Extraction From a Porous Media Reciprocal Flow Burner With Embedded Heat Exchangers

Superadiabatic combustion in porous media allows a stable burning of ultralean methane/ air mixtures, far below flammability limits. The intrinsic heat regeneration process of the porous matrix and the low degree of thermal nonequilibrium between the gas and the solid phases maintain temperatures of less than 1600 K resulting in extremely low levels of CO and NO x production. Due to the transient nature of this phenomenon, a method to confine the combustion into a practical burner has been engineered. The Reciprocal Flow Burner (RFB) is an effective and simple system to achieve this result by arranging the reaction zone to travel back and forth along the length of the burner
Calcium binding protein (calbindin-D28k) and glutamate decarboxylase gene expression after kindling induced seizures

Abstract In order to determine whether calcium binding protein (calbindin-D28k or CaBP) and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) may be involved in the process underlying the generation of seizure activity, changes in CaBP protein and mRNA and in GAD mRNA were examined in the kindling model of epilepsy. Following amygdaloid (AK) and commissure (CK) kindling significant decreases in the concentration of CaBP of 20% and 30%, respectively, were specifically observed in the hippocampal formation. However, using a cDNA specific to mammalian CaBP, Northern analysis of poly(A+) RNA and slot blot analysis of total RNA revealed no changes in the levels of CaBP mRNA in hippocampus, subcortical area (including amygdala, substantia nigra and striatum) or cerebellum of rats sacrificed 30 min, 1 h, 6 h or 24 h after the last kindled seizure. Similarly when these blots were reprobed with a cDNA specific to mammalian GAD, no changes in GAD gene expression were observed. However, fos gene expression was markedly enhanced at 1 h after seizure. We also tested whether changes in CaBP or GAD mRNA could be detected at any of the various stages of the kindling process. Slot blot analysis of cortex, subcortical structures and hippocampus revealed no changes in CaBP or GAD mRNA during the course of commissure kindling. In situ hybridization studies with GAD and CaBP 35S-labeled antisense probes also indicated no obivous changes upon visual analysis of autoradiographs. However, when silver grains were counted, significant changes in GAD mRNA in individual cells in hippocampus and substantia nigra were noted after kindling induced epilepsy. Our results indicate that, unlike fos gene expression, prominent alterations in GAD and CaBP mRNA in gross brain regions (as measured by slot blot and Northern blot analyses) are not observed in the kindling process. However, our in situ hybridization studies suggest that changes in GAD mRNa in individual cells may be involved in the process underlying kindling induced seizure activity.
Quantifying Spinning Reserve in Systems With Significant Wind Power Penetration

The traditional unit commitment and economic dispatch approaches with deterministic spinning reserve requirements are inadequate given the intermittency and unpredictability of wind power generation. Alternative power system scheduling methods capable of aggregating the uncertainty of wind power, while maintaining reliable and economic performance, need to be investigated. In this paper, a probabilistic model of security-constrained unit commitment is proposed to minimize the cost of energy, spinning reserve and possible loss of load. A new formulation of expected energy not served considering the probability distribution of forecast errors of wind and load, as well as outage replacement rates of various generators is presented. The proposed method is solved by mixed integer linear programming. Numerical simulations on the IEEE Reliability Test System show the effectiveness of the method. The relationships of uncertainties and required spinning reserves are verified.
The Internet in the personal finance course

Abstract A revolution is occurring as textbook authors struggle with how to effectively incorporate the Internet into the personal finance textbooks and course. This paper considers three questions associated with this revolution. What is the current degree of Internet integration? Where might we be headed with this new technology? Will this integration make for a better course? The current degree of Internet integration is reported in Table 1 , Table 2 . An argument is made that we may be headed to an eventual elimination of the textbook, as we know it. There is some preliminary evidence that this will make for a better educational experience.
Subsequent Performance of Calves Held at Near Birht Weight for the First Three Weeks of Life

Abstract Thirty-six Holstein calves with mean daily gain from −.01 to .44kg during the first 3 wk of life were used to study effects of early gain on performance through 12 wk of age. During the initial 3 wk, calves were fed milk replacer only at fluid intakes of 8 and 10% body weight and dry matter concentrations of 10, 15, and 20%. Starting with the 4th wk of life calves were offered a complete calf starter (guaranteed minimum 15% crude protein) ad libitum. Calves continued to receive replacer once daily in those treatment combinations. All calves were weaned abruptly at 6 wk of age. Fluid intake had no effect on gain anytime from 4 to 12 wk of age. Mean daily gain from 4 to 12 wk was .67 and .68kg for calves fed fluid intakes of 8 and 10% body weight. Dry matter concentration of replacer had no effect on gain during wk 4 to 6. However, during wk 7 to 8, immediate post weaning, mean daily gains were .56, .60, and .38kg for calves previously fed replacer at 10, 15, or 20% dry matter. Gains from 4 to 12 wk were .67, .69, and .66 kg/day for calves fed 10, 15, or 20% dry matter. Intake of starter dry matter during wk 4 to 6 decreased with increasing fluid intake and concentration of replacer. Calves can be maintained near birth weight for up to 3 wk without detrimental effects on performance through 12 wk of age.
A Stochastic Approach to Nonlinear Seismic Design Spectra

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of yield strength ratios and damping values on the nonlinear response of Single Degree of Freedom Systems (S.D.F.S) subjected to earthquake ground motion. A stochastic approach to constructing design response spectra and period dependent strength reduction factors for current existing nonlinear design spectra is then proposed. Non-stationary stochastic models are adopted to characterize earthquake ground motion. Twenty simulated earthquakes accelerograms are generated for each of eight historical events using Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA) techniques. The average of nonlinear response spectra for a given Structural period from a sample of twenty records for each event are calculated to obtain the response spectra. These response spectra are used to examine the effects of structural strength factors such as the yield strength ratio and damping value, and the effects of nonlinear stiffness models including the elastoplasic model, a stiffness degrading model and a stiffness softening model.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
The Carboxyl-Terminal Domain of RNA Polymerase II Is Phosphorylated by a Complex Containing cdk9 and Infected-Cell Protein 22 of Herpes Simplex Virus 1

The infected-cell protein 22 (ICP22), a regulatory protein encoded by the alpha22 gene of herpes simplex virus 1, is required for the optimal expression of a set of late viral proteins that includes the products of the U(S)11, U(L)38, and U(L)41 genes. ICP22 has two activities. Thus, ICP22 and the U(L)13 protein kinase mediate the activation of cdc2 and degradation of its partners, cyclins A and B. cdc2 and its new partner, the DNA polymerase accessory factor (U(L)42), bind topoisomerase IIalpha in an ICP22-dependent manner. In addition, ICP22 and U(L)13 mediate an intermediate phosphorylation of the carboxyl terminus of RNA polymerase II (RNA POL II). Here we report another function of ICP22. Thus, ICP22 physically interacts with cdk9, a constitutively active cyclin-dependent kinase involved in transcriptional regulation. A protein complex containing ICP22 and cdk9 phosphorylates in vitro the carboxyl-terminal domain of RNA POL II in a viral U(S)3 protein kinase-dependent fashion. Finally, the carboxyl-terminal domain of RNA POL II fused to glutathione S-transferase is phosphorylated in reaction mixtures containing complexes pulled down with ICP22 or cdk9 immune precipitated from lysates of wild-type parent virus or deltaU(L)13 but not deltaU(S)3 mutant-infected cells. The experiments described here place ICP22 and cdk9 in a complex with the carboxyl-terminal domain of RNA POL II. At the same time we confirm the requirement of ICP22 and the U(L)13 protein kinase in the posttranslational modification of RNA POL II that alters its electrophoretic mobility, although U(S)3 kinase appears to play a role in a cell-type-dependent fashion.
On the mitigation of bioterrorism through game theory

Bioterrorism represents a serious threat to the security of civilian populations. The nature of an epidemic requires careful consideration of all possible vectors over which an infection can spread. Our work takes the SIR model and creates a detailed hybridization of existing simulations to allow a large search space to be explored. We then create a Stackelberg game to evaluate all possibilities with respect to the investment of available resources and consider the resulting scenarios. Our analysis of our experimental results yields the opportunity to place an upper bound on the worst case scenario for a population center in the event of an attack, with consideration of defensive and offensive measures.
Further Information on the Geography of the Blowgun and Its Implications for Early Transoceanic Contacts

Abstract I supplement my earlier Annals article on the blowgun (Jett 1970) with new information pertaining to the evolution, dispersal, and distribution of the weapon and its accoutrements. The weapon's known geographic range is extended, most importantly to north of the lower Amazon River in Brazil, to the Kabul region of Afghanistan, and to localities in West New Guinea and the western Caroline Islands. The manifold and detailed similarities between the blowgun complexes of the Indonesian region and of tropical America suggest early transpacific introduction from the Old World to the New; this is supported by much additional evidence reported elsewhere. Migrations from Southeast Asia may have been triggered by post-Pleistocene marine inundation of parts of the Sunda Shelf and adjacent lowlands.
Reducing energy by exploring heterogeneity in a coarse-grain fabric

This paper explores the impact of heterogeneity on energy consumption in a stripe-based coarse-grain fabric architecture. We examine the benefit of replacing 25-50% of functional blocks with dedicated vertical routes in the fabric. Additionally, we reduce the number of operations supported by the functional units from 23 to 16, 10 and 8. To assist in testing and examining the impact of these different architectures on energy consumption, an automation process was created to automatically generate fabric instances based on a fabric instance model (FIM) written in XML. The FIM is also used as an input parameter to our heuristic mapper in order to program a particular fabric instance. Upon testing these instances, we found that the fabric with ALUs supporting 10-operations and using an 8:1 interconnect with 33% of the functional units replaced with dedicated pass gates provided the best energy versus mappability tradeoff, resulting in a 32% energy improvement and a 47% area savings over the baseline fabric with ALUs supporting 23-operations and using an 8:1 interconnect without dedicated vertical routes.
VEGF164 isoform specific regulation of T-cell-dependent experimental colitis in mice†

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consists of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), two widespread diseases of unknown, multifactorial etiology. Colitis pathology involves a pathological angiogenic response where increases in vascular density participate in colitis histopathology. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is a potent angiogenesis stimulator known to be involved in pathological angiogenesis in several diseases including colitis. However, the pathogenic importance of specific VEGF-A isoforms during T-cell-mediated experimental colitis remains largely unknown.
Using Literature to Teach Social Skills to Adolescents with LD

Social skill deficits in students with learning disabilities have been frequently cited as a significant problem for this group of learners. Although most practitioners are aware of these difficulties, they may not be providing a systematic program of instruction to alleviate these deficits. The social skill literature strategy (SSLS) described in this article is an instructional approach that involves integrating social skill intervention into the literature curriculum. It is an intervention program that focuses on increasing social perception within the context of literature study. Although SSLS is a strategy that can be used to teach any type of literature, the following article describes how social skill intervention can be accomplished through the study of Shakespeare. This particular approach to social skill intervention promotes inclusive practices for secondary students with learning disabilities.
A new class of focussing matrices for coherent signal-subspace method

It is shown on the basis of theoretical and simulation results that the specific structure of the focussing matrix may have profound consequences in the statistical characteristics of the direction-of-arrival estimates. First, the focussing array signal-to-noise ratio (ASNR) loss and relative sufficiency measure are defined. Both can serve as performance measures for choosing a good focussing matrix. Next, factors that lead to the degradation of performance for the coherent-signal-subspace method based on the focussing matrices are identified. A new focussing matrix that is useful for general multigroup situations is introduced to provide a possible remedy. Various classes of focussing matrices are compared from the points of view of relative sufficiency of the reduced data and estimator/detector performance. >
The role of race concordance on prescription drug utilization among primary care case-managed Medicaid enrollees.

Abstract Background The race concordance hypothesis suggests that matching patients and health providers on the basis of race improve communication and patients' perceptions of health care, thereby encouraging patients to seek and utilize health care. However, few studies have examined the direct impact of race concordance on the utilization of prescription drugs. Objectives This paper, grounded in the theory of Andersen's Emerging Model of Health Services Utilization (Phase Four), includes race concordance between patients and their primary care providers as a predisposing characteristic and examines its effect on prescription drug utilization. Drug utilization was analyzed in terms of aggregated race concordance and dis-aggregated (stratified) race concordance. Methods This study examines the experience of 1942 adults enrolled in North Carolina Medicaid's managed care delivery system in 2006–2007. Primary data were obtained from a computer assisted telephone survey that used the North Carolina Medicaid CAHPS 3.0 Adult Survey 2006 as the survey instrument and from enrollment data provided by plan administrators. Propensity score matching techniques sorted respondents on their propensity for race concordance and indices were constructed from survey indicators to generate key control variables. A nested logistic regression model analyzed prescription drug utilization. Results The primary findings indicate that race concordance between survey respondents and primary care providers was not a significant predictor of prescription drug use when examining aggregated concordance, but was significant in the black concordant subgroup. Conclusions The contradictory findings in the white and black subpopulations suggest that additional studies at the subpopulation level are required to resolve this dilemma. These studies should employ path analysis or structural equation modeling to examine the relationship between patients' trust, satisfaction, and race concordance with their providers. The current study makes a valuable contribution to the sparse body of literature describing the impact of race concordance on prescription drug use.
A Family in Crisis Replacing the Aggressive Behavior of a Child with Autism Toward an Infant Sibling

As a means of managing a 10-year-old child with autism's aggressive behavior toward his infant sibling in a home setting, the use of clinician-implemented skill training of replacement behavior and clinician fading with self-management of replacement behaviors was examined. This study exemplifies a specific circumstance when a clinician-implemented treatment is useful in ameliorating emotionally charged family circumstances in which parent training is not possible. A single-case design (nonconcurrent multiple baseline across behavior) was used to evaluate performance. The longitudinal nature of the study reflects the moving target of problem behaviors that emerged as the infant developed an increasingly complex repertoire of skills over time. After employing skill training, the researchers found a decrease in the occurrence of aggressive behavior, an increase in the percentage of intervals in which replacement behaviors occurred, and an increase in the duration of sibling interactions. As a result, the fa...
Synergistic use of remotely sensed data for evaluation of the role of boundary layer in synoptic storms and fronts

Surface wind fields for mid-latitude storms are developed from multiple satellite sensors. The SSM/I (Special Sensor Microwave/Imager) passive radiometer and the ERS-1 scatterometer determine wind speed and wind vector measurements, respectively. The data are compared with the conventional analyses from ECMWF. Since the satellite data do not give complete coverage and are seldom synchronous with the analyses, a stratagem is needed for creating a composite field. This encompasses time shifting, gap filling and smoothing techniques. To provide a background wind field and to fill in the interswath gaps the University of Washington planetary boundary layer model is used with the ECMWF sea level pressure and temperature fields to determine the surface wind. The ECMWF analyses are interpolated to the nearest hour of the satellite overpass(es). The sea level pressure and 2-meter air temperature fields before and after the time in question are used for the interpolation. The translation of the intersections of the isobars and isotherms over the six hour interval, enables determination of the fields at any hour in between. This interpolation allows retention of the synoptic scale features in the analyses and permits many looks at a storm during its life. The satellite data are laid over the background wind field, each with weighting and smoothing factors. Two storms in the North Pacific, which occurred in November of 1992 are analyzed. >