cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of the basic-helix-loop-helix region of the immunoglobulin enhancer binding protein E47 and evaluation of its structural and DNA binding properties.

The basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) region of the immunoglobulin enhancer binding protein E47 (IEB E47) was prepared in high yield by a solid-phase peptide synthesis methodology. Size-exclusion chromatography, sedimentation equilibrium and cross-linking data showed that the synthetic bHLH protein, 1, was dimeric, and higher-order aggregates of trimer and tetramer were also observed. The circular dichroism spectrum of 1 showed a high helical content, which increased upon addition of DNA containing the κE2 sequence. Gel mobility shift experiments showed that protein 1 bound sequence specifically to the κE2 sequence with a binding constant of 10−10 M2, and had an affinity for other E box sequences as well. Comparisons between the co-crystal structure of IEB E47 with DNA and structural studies in solution showed lower helical contents in solution as would have been predicted from the crystal structure. © Munksgaard 1995.
Multiplex holography with chirp-modulated binary phase-coded reference-beam masks

Certain binary codes developed for spread-spectrum communication applications can be used to construct families of pseudorandom diffuser masks suitable for multiplex holography. Binary codes are used so that fabrication of the diffuser masks can be relatively straightforward. A simple technique is described for chirp-modulating the binary diffuser masks to achieve the advantage of polyphase masks, i.e., improved correlation properties, without having to construct them. Numerical comparisons of the correlation properties of optimal binary codes with and without chirp-modulation are presented.
EFFECT OF METHIONINE, VITAMIN B12 AND ANTIBIOTICS SUPPLEMENTATION ON PROTEIN NUTRITIVE VALUE OF NAVY BEANS.

SummarySupplementation with methionine and or Vit. B12 failed to correct growth depression but reduced mortality in rats fed ran navy beans. Antibiotics supplementation prevented weight losses and in combination with methionine and Vit. B12 promoted limited growth. Rats fed autoclaved beans supplemented with methionine grew as well as rats fed casein. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) values of autoclaved beans supplemented with Vit. B12 and or antibiotics were significantly loner than of those beans supplemented with methionine. Antibiotics may act to overcome growth depression by increasmg the digestibility or absorption of nutrienti and it is suggested that antibiotics may also act by inhibiting an enzyme involved in liberating a “bound” growth inhibitor from raw beans.
Registration of ‘MiniMax’ Soybean

Journal of Plant Registrations, Vol. 1, No. 2, September 2007 97 ‘M iniMax’ soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (Reg. No. CV-489, PI 643148) was developed by the USDA-ARS at Beltsville, MD. It was released on April 13, 2006 because of its small stature, early maturity date, and small seed size, to allow more plants to be grown and to mature in a smaller space than other soybean cultivars (Fig. 1). It is intended for researchers with limited space who desire high-density planting and as a basic laboratory model for soybean genomics, biochemical, plant disease and physiological studies. MiniMax is derived from an F9 plant from the cross [‘AC Colombe’ × PI548240 (‘T263’)] × PI548650 ‘Nattosan’. AC Colombe is a cultivar developed for the Asian natto soyfood market (Cober et al., 2001). Nattosan was developed at the Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario Canada (Zarkadas et al., 1997). AC Colombe and Nattosan are Maturity Group 00, while T263 is Maturity Group I and is a donor of df5df5 (Palmer 1977, 1984). The cross from which MiniMax originated was made in the summer of 1998 at Beltsville, MD. MiniMax was advanced by pedigree inbreeding with selection for early maturity, small stature, and small seed size in the fi eld and greenhouse at Beltsville, MD. MiniMax was planted in the fi eld June fi rst at Beltsville, MD (approx. 39° North latitude) matured in 73 to 85 d with an average plant height of 22 cm. Plants were also grown in the greenhouse in 16 h light/8 h dark for the fi rst 16 d, then at 12 h light/12h dark to initiate fl owering, which began at 23 to 27 d. The temperature was maintained between 72 and 80o F during the day and 72 to 75o F at night. Natural greenhouse lighting was supplemented with sodium vapor lights during winter months. Dry brown pods can be harvested at 9 to 11 wk after planting. In the greenhouse the small seed averaged about 5.1 g/100−1 seeds and 14 seeds per plant in the summer. MiniMax has purple fl owers, brown pods, gray pubescence and produces seeds with a yellow seed coat and Registration of ‘MiniMax’ Soybean
STEP-based feature extraction from STEP geometry for Agile manufacturing

Abstract Feature recognition, from low level geometric entities of product design representations within a CAD model to facilitate process planning and manufacturing activities, has been of significant importance in computer integrated manufacturing (CIM). However, the emerging paradigm of Agile Manufacturing has imposed additional requirements of “neutral format” so that form-feature information can be readily shared among multiple partners of a virtual enterprise. Recently, the STandard for the Exchange of Product model data (STEP) has emerged as the means for neutral form exchange of product related data. The “STEP efforts” have broken down the domain of manufacturing related activities in the form of application protocols (APs) target for specific functions which include drafting, configuration control and feature-based process planning to mention a few. Efforts are still on to increase the acceptance and use of this international standard (IS). This paper focuses on our efforts to support the STEP standard with the development of a standards-oriented form-feature extraction system. The developed feature extraction system takes as a input a STEP file defining the geometry and topology of a part and generates as output a STEP file with form-feature information in AP224 format for form feature-based process planning. The system can also be interfaced with a recent IGES to AP202 translator [M.P. Bhandarkar, B. Downie, M. Hardwick, R. Nagi, Migration from IGES to STEP: one-to-one translation of IGES drawing to STEP drafting data, accepted by Computers in Industry, July, 1999; M.P. Bhandarkar, Satisfying information needs in Agile Manufacturing through translation and feature extraction into STEP product data models, MS Thesis, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1997.] to allow conversion of legacy data. The feature recognition algorithm is boundary-representation (B-Rep) based and follows a sequential approach through an existing classification of features. Properties of each feature class are exploited to enable their extraction. The algorithm is currently developed for prismatic solids produced by milling operations and that contain elementary shapes such as plane and cylindrical surfaces (possibly using non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS)). Special attention has been paid to implementation issues. We demonstrate the efficacy of the system using representative parts.
National variations in bariatric surgery utilization

Abstract Introduction: Exploring bariatric surgery (BaS) utilization provides initial data in effective treatment allocation. This study analyzes regional and age differences in BaS utilization on a national level. Methods: United States patients undergoing BaS were identified from the 2001 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Rates of procedures per 100,000 population (ROP) by gender, census region (Northeast[NE], Midwest[MW], South[SO], and West[WE]) and age group were determined using 2000 census data. Rate ratios (RR) were calculated and significance tested via 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) accounting for sampling design using STATA 8.2. Results: From 7,452,727 discharges, 11,108 BaS operations were identified, representing a national cohort of 55,033 patients. ROP were lowest in SO for both sexes across ages. Among women, ROP were highest in MW for ages = 50 years. In men, ROP were highest in NE for ages = 60) in 2.9% of women and 4.4% of men. In women 18, mean age at operation was 16.0 (0.3) years (mean (standard error)) with increased ROP among WE women compared to MW women (RR 11.0, 95% CI 4.4− 27.4). In men >= 60, mean age at operation was 62.8(0.3) years with WE men more likely to undergo BaS than MW men (RR 4.9, 95%CI 3.4 −7.1). Table . Rates of BaS per 100,000 population by gender, census region, and age group Women (n = 46,366; 84%) Men (n = 8,667; 16%) ∗ 18–39 40–49 50–59 ≥60 18–39 40–49 50–59 ≥60 NE 0.5 52.0 73.5 58.3 6.3 0 11.0 20.9 21.2 1.9 MW 0.1 63.7 81.0 56.7 3.9 0.1 7.3 12.7 11.0 0.8 SO 0.3 38.3 50.2 35.3 2.6 0.03 5.6 8.9 8.3 1.1 WE 0.7 51.3 80.8 68.2 7.3 0.2 7.9 16.1 16.5 3.9 ∗ Age category in years. Conclusions: National estimates suggest that BaS rates vary greatly by region and age. Areas with increased rates of non-traditional BaS candidates (age = 60 years) require further evaluation.
Use of direct thrombin inhibitors in acute coronary syndrome

Abstract Objective This paper examines the rationale for using direct thrombin inhibitors in the management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Background With traditional management of ACS using aspirin and unfractionated heparin (UH), refractory angina and new myocardial infarction (MI) continue to develop. Growing understanding of the pathophysiology of ACS has led to the search for more effective therapies directed toward preventing formation of fibrinand platelet-rich thrombi in the coronary arteries. Current pharmacologic approaches include use of direct thrombin inhibitors (lepirudin, desirudin, and bivalirudin). Methods We reviewed all published clinical trials abstracted in MEDLINE ® from 1966 to April 2000, excluding pilot studies enrolling Results Use of lepirudin at medium doses (0.4-mg/kg bolus + 0.15 mg/kg/h) resulted in lower rates of death, new MI, and refractory angina at 7 days compared with UH (3.0% vs 6.5%; P = 0.047), although the incidence of minor bleeding was increased (7.6% vs 4.5%; P P Conclusions All clinical trials to date have studied relatively short-term use (3–5 days) of direct thrombin inhibitors, and long-term benefits on morbidity and mortality have not been demonstrated. Until further data are available, direct thrombin inhibitors should be restricted to use as a possible alternative in patients who require anticoagulant therapy but experience UH-induced thrombocytopenia.
Placental blood flows and oxygen transfer during uterine contractions: a mathematical model.

Abstract Theoretical calculations have been performed on the effects of changes in intrauterine pressure on maternal and fetal placental blood flows and pressures and transplacental O2 exchange. Initial conditions and contraction profiles may be “assumed normal” or abnormal. The model predicts that the fetal O2 deficit is most sensitive to the maximum intensity of the contraction and maternal mean arterial blood pressure, less sensitive to the duration of the contraction and far less sensitive to the value of maternal arterial PO2. The umbilical venous PO2 falls to a minimum at the peak of a contraction. Its level is most sensitive to contraction intensity and maternal blood pressure; while the value of maternal arterial PO2 has less effect and the duration of contraction has essentially no effect. There is interaction between factors so that the effect of simultaneous changes is not necessarily in proportion to the effects of individual changes.
Data mining with decision trees and decision rules

Abstract This paper describes the use of decision tree and rule induction in data-mining applications. Of methods for classification and regression that have been developed in the fields of pattern recognition, statistics, and machine learning, these are of particular interest for data mining since they utilize symbolic and interpretable representations. Symbolic solutions can provide a high degree of insight into the decision boundaries that exist in the data, and the logic underlying them. This aspect makes these predictive-mining techniques particularly attractive in commercial and industrial data-mining applications. We present here a synopsis of some major state-of-the-art tree and rule mining methodologies, as well as some recent advances.
Caged O-phosphorothioyl amino acids as building blocks for Fmoc-based solid phase peptide synthesis.

Abstract The synthesis of 1-(2-nitrophenylethyl) caged O -phosphorothioylserine, -threonine, and -tyrosine derivatives is reported. These amino acid building blocks can be directly incorporated into peptides by Fmoc-based solid phase synthesis as their pentafluorophenyl esters or as symmetric anhydrides. Upon irradiation with UV light, the thiophosphate group, representing a hydrolysis resistant phosphate analog, is revealed.
Fabrication of Cubic Nanocages and Nanoframes by Dealloying Au/Ag Alloy Nanoboxes with an Aqueous Etchant Based on Fe(NO3)3 or NH4OH

This paper describes a two-step procedure for generating cubic nanocages and nanoframes. In the first step, Au/Ag alloy nanoboxes were synthesized through the galvanic replacement reaction between Ag nanocubes and an aqueous HAuCl4 solution. The second step involved the selective removal (or dealloying) of Ag from the alloy nanoboxes with an aqueous etchant based on Fe(NO3)3 or NH4OH. The use of a wet etchant other than HAuCl4 for the dealloying process allows one to better control the wall thickness and porosity of resultant nanocages because there is no concurrent deposition of Au. By increasing the amount of Fe(NO3)3 or NH4OH added to the dealloying process, nanoboxes derived from 50-nm Ag nanocubes could be converted into nanocages and then cubic nanoframes with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks continuously shifted from the visible region to 1200 nm. It is also possible to obtain nanocages with relatively narrow SPR peaks (with a full width at half-maximum as small as 180 nm) by controlling the amount of HAuCl4 used for the galvanic replacement reaction and thus the optimization of the percentage of Au in the alloy nanoboxes.
Elevation of tumor necrosis factor-α induces the overproduction of postprandial intestinal apolipoprotein B48-containing very low-density lipoprotein particles: evidence for related gene expression of inflammatory, insulin and lipoprotein signaling in enterocytes:

The aim of this study was to determine whether systemic elevation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha induces intestinal-derived apolipoprotein B (apoB)48-containing very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) production in hamsters after fat loading and whether TNF-alpha disturbs the related mRNA expression in inflammatory, insulin and lipoprotein signaling pathways in primary enterocytes. In vivo TNF-alpha and Triton-WR1339 infusion, Western blotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction were combined to explore the mechanisms underlying intestinal overproduction of apoB48-containing chylomicrons and VLDL(1) particles by TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha infusion increased intestinal production of chylomicron and VLDL(1)-apoB48 in postprandial (fat load) states. Following TNF-alpha-treatment in enterocytes, there was enhanced gene expression of Il1alpha and beta, Il6 and Tnf and decreased mRNA levels of components of the insulin signaling pathway including the insulin receptor (Ir), Ir substrate-1 and 2, PI3 k, and Akt, but increased phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (Pten) protein and mRNA expression. TNF-alpha also induced Cd36 and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (Ppar)gamma expression, as well as microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (Mtp) protein and mRNA, but suppressed the sterol regulatory element binding protein (Srebp)1c protein and mRNA level. Systemic elevation of TNF-alpha stimulates the postprandial overproduction of apoB48-containing chylomicrons and VLDL(1) particles by disturbing intestinal gene expression of the inflammatory, insulin and lipoprotein pathways. These findings provide mechanistic links among the inflammatory factor, TNF-alpha, intestinal inflammatory/insulin insensitivity and the overproduction of intestinal apoB48-containing lipoproteins.
Regulation of mouse small heat shock protein αb-crystallin gene by aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

The stress-inducible small heat shock protein (shsp)/αB-crystallin gene is expressed highly in the lens and moderately in other tissues. Here we provide evidence that it is a target gene of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transcription factor. A sequence (−329/−323, CATGCGA) similar to the consensus xenobiotic responsive element (XRE), called here XRE-like, is present in the αBE2 region of αB-crystallin enhancer and can bind AhR in vitro and in vivo. αB-crystallin protein levels were reduced in retina, lens, cornea, heart, skeletal muscle and cultured muscle fibroblasts of AhR−/− mice; αB-crystallin mRNA levels were reduced in the eye, heart and skeletal muscle of AhR−/− mice. Increased AhR stimulated αB-crystallin expression in transfection experiments conducted in conjunction with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) and decreased AhR reduced αB-crystallin expression. AhR effect on aB-crystallin promoter activity was cell-dependent in transfection experiments. AhR up-regulated αB-crystallin promoter activity in transfected HeLa, NIH3T3 and COS-7 cells in the absence of exogenously added ligand (TCDD), but had no effect on the αB-crystallin promoter in C2C12, CV-1 or Hepa-1 cells with or without TCDD. TCDD enhanced AhR-stimulated αB-crystallin promoter activity in transfected αTN4 cells. AhR could bind to an XRE-like site in the αB-crystallin enhancer in vitro and in vivo. Finally, site-specific mutagenesis experiments showed that the XRE-like motif was necessary for both basal and maximal AhR-induction of αB-crystallin promoter activity. Our data strongly suggest that AhR is a regulator of αB-crystallin gene expression and provide new avenues of research for the mechanism of tissue-specific αB-crystallin gene regulation under normal and physiologically stressed conditions.
Nulls of a conformal beamforming array on an arbitrary wedge-shaped surface

Beamforming is an integral part of modern wireless communication systems and a key component of beamforming is to have the ability to define specific nulls in the radiation pattern. Moreover, conformal antennas are being used in wireless systems to provide coverage in previously unavailable areas. This paper investigates the affects that a conformal surface may have on the specifically defined nulls associated with a desired beamformation. In particular, a 1×4 conformal array on a wedge-shaped surface is evaluated and analytical computations are validated with measurements.
Mode of inheritance of unselected traits in lines of chickens selected for high or low antibody response to sheep red blood cells. 2. Heterophils, lymphocytes, and hematocrits

Abstract The nuclear lines for this experiment were White Leghorns that had undergone long-term selection for high (HH) or low (LL) antibody response to sheep red blood cell antigen(s). Sixteen progeny types consisting of parental lines, reciprocal F1 and F2 crosses, and backcrosses were produced in a single hatch from age-contemporary parents. At 30 d of age, blood was obtained from a random sample of 10 males per progeny type (n = 160) and slides prepared for subsequent determination of number of heterophils and lymphocytes. Twelve days later, blood was collected from random samples of 10 males and 10 females per progeny type (n = 320) for measuring hematocrits. There were no differences between parental lines for heterophils, lymphocytes, or the heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. Reciprocal effects were evident in the F1 crosses and directional heterosis was present in one cross but not the other. Neither maternal heterosis nor recombination effects were significant for either heterophils or lymphocytes. Although hematocrits were similar for males and females and parental lines, sex-linked and recombination effects appeared to be important.
Hypertensive Iridocyclitis and Glaucoma of Horses

Glaucoma in the horse consists of many conflicting “facts” and clinical anecdotes. The horse retina and optic nerve are under severe metabolic stress during the periods of persistent intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation found in glaucoma. Glaucoma in horses eventually results in blindness due to the death of a neuron, the retinal ganglion cell (RGC). Equine recurrent uveitis is also associated with “hypertensive” phases of IOP elevation and RGC death. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of these two eye diseases are distinct and yet also similar. The horse eye can maintain functional vision for prolonged periods despite progressive RGC loss and sustained IOP elevations. The glaucomatous globe of horses also responds to laser therapy of the ciliary body better than other species.
Determination of the rate of reduction of oxyferrous cytochrome P450 2B4 by 5-deazariboflavin adenine dinucleotide T491V cytochrome P450 reductase.

The use of 5-deazaFAD T491V cytochrome P450 reductase has made it possible to directly measure the rate of electron transfer to microsomal oxyferrous cytochrome (cyt) P450 2B4. In this reductase the FMN moiety can be reduced to the hydroquinone, FMNH2, while the 5-deazaFAD moiety remains oxidized [Zhang, H., et al. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 6804−6813]. The rate of electron transfer from 5-deazaFAD cyt P450 reductase to oxyferrous cyt P450 was determined by rapidly mixing the ferrous cyt P450−2-electron-reduced 5-deazaFAD T491V reductase complex with oxygen in the presence of substrate. The 5-deazaFAD T491V reductase which can only donate a single electron reduces the oxyferrous cyt P450 and oxidizes to the air-stable semiquinone, with rate constants of 8.4 and 0.37 s-1 at 15 °C. Surprisingly, oxyferrous cyt P450 turns over more slowly with a rate constant of 0.09 s-1, which is the rate of catalysis under steady-state conditions at 15 °C (kcat = 0.08 s-1). In contrast, the rate constant for electron transfer...
Absolute risk reduction due to statin use according to sex.

I would like to thank Dr. Mosca for her insightful editorial ([1][1]) on our publication detailing a meta-analysis of the effects of statin use in women and men ([2][2]) and for highlighting the importance of reduction in absolute risk, particularly in primary prevention. She also raised the issues
Surveillance of treated and untreated funguria in a university hospital.

Study Objective. To determine the influence of treatment on the microbiologic outcome of funguria. Design. Retrospective case series. Setting. A 300-bed tertiary care teaching hospital in a large metropolitan area. Subjects. 141 hospitalized patients, 18 years of age or older, with at least one urine culture positive (≥ 102 cfu/ml) for fungi. Interventions. Retrospective review of medical records to determine the microbiologic outcome of funguria. Main Results. Funguria developed rapidly in individuals with known predisposing factors. Urinalysis did not routinely detect the presence of fungi or pyuria. Symptoms such as fever, dysuria, and frequency were generally absent. Funguria persisted whether it was due to Candida albicans or non-albicans species. There were no statistical differences in the microbiologic outcomes of treated and untreated funguria. Conclusions. Funguria is a rapidly developing, often benign and persistent process. Minimizing predisposing risks, such as removing indwelling urinary catheters, is beneficial in its management. Pharmacologic treatment of funguria due to C. albicans or non-albicans species does not influence the microbiologic outcome.
Tying Beauty to Truth: Visual Mnemonics Add Meaning to Perceived Patterns

he information visualization community has made great strides in understanding and engaging human sensory and perceptual mechanisms over the last decade, essentially back- fitting them by designing displays that take advantage of human vision. I will present an abstraction of the human visual system that follows a "Knowledge Acquisition Pipeline" from photons to contextualized ideas at just the granularity needed by designers and engineers. My students and I have found it valuable in the analysis of visualizations and the design of visualization-like user interfaces: interfaces with non-standard widgets or spatial organization. This pipeline does more than help us sort out and connect data to the appropriate perceptual mechanisms; it helps us explore the final stages in knowledge acquisition: the stages where patterns exposed by good visualization tools get integrated into the individual ideas and shared metaphors of a knowledge domain. By letting questions from domain experts define the goals of a view, and letting their shared metaphors inform the structure of the view space and shapes of the glyphs, we can streamline the task of interpretation and memory embellishment that anchors ideas. Though many of the techniques I will share are well known, I hope this pipeline abstraction will help designers sort out which data to present to what perceptual/cognitive process, and evaluate designs to see whether they are missing expressive opportunities by ignoring one or more human "input channels." These techniques are more effective in some domains than others, but the approach can also help to identify where visual metaphors should not be used, helping prevent unintentionally misleading displays. The approach also seems extremely well suited to alternate displays such as large-format prints and the pixel-dense meter-wide displays we will see in the near future. Perhaps most important: tying the tool more firmly to the representations experts have in their minds makes each tool more of a toy, work more like intellectual play, and might even add the depth of human meaning to our pretty patterns. T
An FPGA-Based Application-Specific Processor for Efficient Reduction of Multiple Variable-Length Floating-Point Data Sets

Reconfigurable computers (RCs) that combine generalpurpose processors with field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are now available. In these exciting systems, the FPGAs become reconfigurable application-specific processors (ASPs). Specialized high-level language (HLL) to hardware description language (HDL) compilers allow these ASPs to be reconfigured using HLLs. In our research we describe a novel toroidal data structure and scheduling algorithm that allows us to use an HLL-to-HDL environment to implement a high-performance ASP that reduces multiple, variable-length sets of 64-bit floating-point data. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our ASP by using it to accelerate a sparse matrix iterative solver. We compare actual wall clock run times of a production-quality software iterative solver with an ASP-augmented version of the same solver on a current generation RC. Our ASP-augmented solver runs up to 2.4 times faster than software. Estimates show that this same design can run over 6.4 times faster on a next-generation RC.
XPS O 1s binding energies for polymers containing hydroxyl, ether, ketone and ester groups

XPS spectra of nine model polymers containing oxygen functional groups are studied. The measured O 1s binding energies were 532.8 eV for ether and alcohol oxgens, 532.2 eV for ketone oxygens and 532.2 and 533.7 eV for the carbonyl- and ether-type oxygens in ester groups, respectively. Comparison with previous experimental and theoretical O 1s binding energies for these groups is also presented. Absolute O Is binding energies of polymers are not in agreement with those published by other groups. However, with the exception of ketone oxygens, binding energy shifts observed for the various functional groups are comparable.
Transient hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism after head trauma: effects on steroid precursors and correlation with sympathetic nervous system activity.

SUMMARY Transient hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism commonly occurs after major medical insults. Because data on testosterone precursors are sparse and because little is known about the aetiology of these changes, we studied the interactions of traumatic brain injury with gonadal steroidogenesis and with sympathetic nervous system activation. Patients were divided into two groups based upon the severity of neurological dysfunction using the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS); Group 1 > 8, Group 2 ≥ 8. Group 1 was further divided into those patients treated (Group 1b) and those not treated with dexamethasone (Group 1a). Plasma levels of testosterone, androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, DHEA sulphate, cortisol, LH, FSH, and the catecholamines noradrenaline (NE), adrenaline (EPI) and dopamine were measured in 31 acutely brain injured men, aged 18–95, shortly after their accident and 4 days later. In all patients, NE and EPI were elevated on admission (NE: 841 ± 105 (SEM) pg/ml; EPI: 191 ± 32 pg/ml and there were highly significant inverse correlations between admission NE (r=−0·52, P > 0·003) and EPI (r=0·44, P > 0·02) levels and day 4 testosterone concentrations. Testosterone fell 53% (P>0·001) in 13 Group la men, but only 25% (P=NS) in the less severely injured. Similar reductions occurred in cortisol and the steroid precursors. However, only testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and DHEA sulphate levels were significantly lower than normal on day 4. LH and FSH levels were also significantly reduced from elevated admission levels. In the eight men treated with dexamethasone (8–40 mg/ml) (Group 1b), the decrease in testosterone, LH and FSH concentrations were similar to those present in Group 1a. Thus, severe traumatic brain injury leads to hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism which affects testosterone and its precursors. The magnitude of the hormonal dysfunction is dependent upon the severity of the neurological insult. Finally, the decrease in testosterone is significantly correlated with admission catecholamine levels, which may suggest a role for the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in mediating this response in men.
Adhesion receptor phenotypes of murine lung CD4+ T cells during the pulmonary immune response to sheep erythrocytes.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of pulmonary lymphocyte recruitment is a crucial step toward selective control of immune lung diseases and infections in immunocompromised hosts. To dissect these mechanisms, we are studying the response induced in primed C57BL/6 mice by intratracheal challenge with the T cell-dependent antigen, sheep red blood cells (SRBC). This study used four-parameter flow cytometry to examine expression by CD4+ murine T cells in peripheral blood and lungs of receptors known to be differentially expressed on primed human lymphocytes (CD2, CD11a, CD44, CD45RB, CD49d, and L-selectin). Compared with peripheral blood, more lung CD4+ T cells recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) showed a primed phenotype. Judged by low expression of CD45RB or L-selectin, 76 to 90% of BAL CD4+ T cells were primed at all times. Adhesion receptor phenotype of CD4+ T cells in BAL and lung interstitium agreed closely, although BAL contained a greater percentage of primed cells. The percentage of CD4+ T...
Pleural Fluid pH as a Predictor of Pleurodesis Failure: Analysis of Primary Data

Study objectives: To determine the predictive accuracy of pH for identifying patients with malignant pleural effusions who will fail pleurodesis. Design: Analysis of published and unpublished individual patient-level data retrieved from a MEDLINE search and correspondence with primary investigators. Study selection: Studies that reported pleural fluid pH values and outcomes of pleurodesis for patients with malignant pleural effusions. Data collection and analysis: Primary investigators supplied data for 433 patients. Receiver operating characteristic analysis and logistic regression estimated the predictive accuracy, decision thresholds, and value of pleural fluid pH compared with other clinical factors. The primary investigations were graded for study design. Results: Pleural fluid pH was the only independent predictor of pleurodesis failure (odds ratio, 4.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.69 to 7.45; p < 0.0001) and had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (decision threshold, < 7.28) of 0.671 (95% CI, 0.624 to 0.715). The pH model fit the data well (p 5 0.48) with the probability of pleurodesis failure increasing as pH decreased; specificity and negative predictive values for pleurodesis failure exceeded 90% and 80%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 45.7% at pH values < 7.15. The primary studies had several important design limitations. Conclusions: Using patient-level data, this study showed that pleural fluid pH has only modest predictive value for predicting symptomatic failure and should be used with caution, if at all, in selecting patients for pleurodesis. The limitations of the primary studies and low predictive accuracy should be considered when using pleural fluid pH for patient care. (CHEST 2000; 117:87‐95)
Inhibition of SREBP transcriptional activity by a boron-containing compound improves lipid homeostasis in diet-induced obesity

Dysregulation of lipid homeostasis is intimately associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Sterol regulatory-element binding proteins (SREBPs) are the master regulators of lipid biosynthesis. Previous studies have shown that the conserved transcriptional cofactor Mediator complex is critically required for the SREBP transcriptional activity, and recruitment of the Mediator complex to the SREBP transactivation domains (TADs) is through the MED15-KIX domain. Recently, we have synthesized several boron-containing small molecules. Among these novel compounds, BF175 can specifically block the binding of MED15-KIX to SREBP1a-TAD in vitro, resulting in an inhibition of the SREBP transcriptional activity and a decrease of SREBP target gene expression in cultured hepatocytes. Furthermore, BF175 can improve lipid homeostasis in the mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Compared with the control, BF175 treatment decreased the expression of SREBP target genes in mouse livers and decreased hepatic and blood levels of lipids. These results suggest that blocking the interaction between SREBP-TADs and the Mediator complex by small molecules may represent a novel approach for treating diseases with aberrant lipid homeostasis.
Learning-based Animal Models: Task-specific Focal Hand Dystonia

Dystonia is a disabling, involuntary disorder of movement that leads to writhing, twisting end-range movements or abnormal postures. Inadequate inhibition could account for excessive excitation and near synchronous co-contractions of agonists and antagonists. Dystonia may be generalized or specific, affecting only one part of the body or involving only a well-learned task (e.g., writing, keyboarding, golfing, playing a musical instrument). Task-specific and other focal dystonias are considered idiopathic, with multiple factors such as genetics, anatomy, physiology, psychology, environment, and behavioral characteristics contributing to the development of symptoms. This article provides detailed descriptions of two behavioral animal models (a primate [owl monkey] model and a rodent [Sprague-Dawley rat] model) developed to study the effect of excessive repetition as a potential etiology of focal hand dystonia (FHd). The hypothesis is that repetitive, near simultaneous hand movements can degrade the topographic representations of the hand on the somatic sensory and motor cortices, creating the involuntary movements characteristic of dystonia. While animal studies permit the opportunity for greater control to determine efficacy, the findings must always be confirmed by clinical studies to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis and effectiveness of treatment in the home, work, and personal environment. This article presents a review of the etiology and clinical implications for intervention strategies from animal and clinical studies that support learning-based mechanisms for FHd. Other animal models are also briefly reviewed.
Amitriptyline normalizes tetrabenazine-induced changes in cerebral microcirculation ☆

The cerebromicrocirculation in the tetrabenzaine (TBZ) model of depression has been found to be abnormal with respect to (1) responsiveness of cerebral blood flow to increases in arterial CO2 content and (2) the effective permeability of the blood-brain barrier to water. Development of these abnormalities temporally paralleled the behavioral disturbances and catecholamine depletion induced by TBZ. These TBZ-induced changes occurred globally throughout the brain, being apparent in the forebrain, cerebellum, and medulla-pons. Pretreatment with the antidepressant amitriptyline prevented both behavioral and physiological effects of TBZ, whereas amitriptyline administered after TBZ was less effective. The results suggest that an important action of tricyclic antidepressants may be cerebromicrocirculatory effects.
ELABORATION VERSUS FRAGMENTATION: DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN SELF-COMPLEXITY AND SELF-CONCEPT DIFFERENTIATION

Abstract While theorists have argued that self-concept differentiation (SCD) (i.e., the lack of interrelatedness of roles) is an important precursor to mental health problems (Donahue et al., 1993), self-complexity (i.e., having more self-aspects and maintaining greater distinction among self-aspects) is seen as a cognitive buffer against the deleterious effects of stress (Linville, 1985, 1987). Using a sample of 260 college students, the current study was designed to empirically validate the distinction between these seemingly similar constructs. As predicted, SCD and self-complexity demonstrated opposite relationships with indices of psychological distress. Whereas SCD was positively related to depression, loneliness, and dissociation, and negatively related to self-esteem, the opposite pattern of results was observed with respect to self-complexity. Further, SCD, but not self-complexity, was associated with retrospective reports of parental bonding. Finally, results indicated that each of the two aspec...
Linear hollows in the Jazira, Upper Mesopotamia

O.G.S. Crawford, founder of ANTIQUITY, flew in the 1920s over an English landscape where the grooves and lines cut into unploughed downlands showed the courses of roads and tracks since earliest times. Similar patterns of crop- and soil-marks in the rain-fed agricultural zone of the Middle East, when studied in the same spirit, also reveal the local and the long-distance routes of a proven great age.
Antidepressant Medicine Use and Risk of Developing Diabetes During the Diabetes Prevention Program and Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study

OBJECTIVE To assess the association between antidepressant medicine use and risk of developing diabetes during the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS DPP/DPPOS participants were assessed for diabetes every 6 months and for antidepressant use every 3 months in DPP and every 6 months in DPPOS for a median 10.0-year follow-up. RESULTS Controlled for factors associated with diabetes risk, continuous antidepressant use compared with no use was associated with diabetes risk in the placebo (adjusted hazard ratio 2.34 [95% CI 1.32–4.15]) and lifestyle (2.48 [1.45–4.22]) arms, but not in the metformin arm (0.55 [0.25–1.19]). CONCLUSIONS Continuous antidepressant use was significantly associated with diabetes risk in the placebo and lifestyle arms. Measured confounders and mediators did not account for this association, which could represent a drug effect or reflect differences not assessed in this study between antidepressant users and nonusers.
Scenic assessment: An overview

Arthur, L.M., Daniel, T.C. and Boster, R.S., 1977. Scenic assessment: An overview. Landscape Plann., 4: 109–129. The authors present a synthesis and overview of techniques developed for evaluating the scenic beauty of natural resources. Literature is grouped into three categories: descriptive inventories, public evaluations, and economic analyses. Both quantitative and non-quantitative methods within each category are discussed, strengths and weaknesses of the general approaches noted, and, occasionally, alternatives suggested. Discussions are focused on methodological soundness and on utility of the evaluative systems for management of scenic resources.
Study of hot electron transportation in foils and wedge targets irradiated with ultrashort laser pulses

We investigated the hot electron transport in foil and wedge shaped targets irradiated with ultra-intense laser pulses. The results suggest that the electrons are guided by the strong quasi-static electromagnetic fields at the wedge boundary.
The Will to Allegory and the Origin of Chinese Modernism: Rereading Lu Xun’s Ah Q—The Real Story

Through a formal analysis of this seminar work of Lu Xun, the author observes that the narrative and dramatic motivation of Ah Q—The Real Story is an intense yet futile search for a proper name and identity within a system of naming and identity-formation as the system, by default, repels the identity-seeking and “homecoming” effort of the sign in question (“Ah Q”). Based on this observation, the author goes on to argue that the origin of Chinese modernism lies in a highly political awareness of one’s loss of cultural belonging and thus one’s collective alienation from the matrix of tradition and indeed existence. Departing from conventional reading of this work, often anchored in sociopolitical interpretations of class, nation, and group psychology centered on the “critique of national characteristics” discourse, this article maintains that the true ambition and literary energy of Lu Xun’s masterpiece can only be fully grasped when one confronts this epic cultural-political struggle to regain a cultural system’s power and legitimation to name one’s own existence and define one’s own value.
Interplay between structure, stoichiometry and properties of technetium nitrides

We report first-principles calculations of the structures and properties of technetium nitride phases within the framework of gradient-corrected density functional theory. Specifically, we have investigated the possible existence of hexagonal Tc3N and Tc2N subnitrides, following the recent discovery of Re nitrides analogues synthesized directly from the elements. These novel Tc subnitride phases, which are predicted to be stable, are also compared with bulk Tc and Tc mononitride in order to shed light on the intrinsic relationships between the structure, Tc/N stoichiometry, and properties in the Tc–N system.
THE EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY OF AN EMINENT WORLD CARTOGRAPHER

The multifaceted career and contributions of Professor Konstantin A. Salishchev, Chair of the Moscow University Department of Cartography and eminent world cartographer, are celebrated on the occasion of his eightieth birthday. These contributions include but are not restricted to: scholarly and administrative work in upgrading national atlas cartography worldwide, improvement of the quality of maps and cartographic instruction in higher education, publication of numerous excellent cartographic texts, formulation of the concept of the “cartographic method of research,” and promotion of international cooperation among cartographers and geographers through active participation and leadership in numerous world professional organizations. From the Russian original by I. D. Papanin, G. I. Rychagov, and A. F. Treshnikov.
Culture and usability evaluation: the effects of culture in structured interviews

A major impediment in global user interface development is that there is inadequate empirical evidence for the effects of culture in the usability engineering methods used for developing these global user interfaces. This paper presents a controlled study investigating the effects of culture on the effectiveness of structured interviews in international usability evaluation. The experiment consisted of a usability evaluation of a website with two independent groups of Indian participants. Each group had a different interviewer; one belonging to the Indian culture and the other to the Anglo-American culture. The results show that participants found more usability problems and made more suggestions to an interviewer who was a member of the same (Indian) culture than to the foreign (Anglo-American) interviewer. The results of the study empirically establish that culture significantly affects the efficacy of structured interviews during international user testing. The implications of this work for usability engineering are discussed.
Food-borne Bacteria

Distinction has been made in the past between ‘true’ food-poisoning organisms, i.e. those that grow in food (with or without toxin production), and those that are merely transmitted by food. In either case their presence in food is a potential hazard and, thus, from both the consumer’s and the analyst’s standpoint they should be treated equally. ‘Food-borne bacteria capable of causing disease’ might be a better general term. However, for practical purposes, only those organisms that cause gastrointestinal symptoms are usually considered, excluding the occasional known transmission of brucellosis, tuberculosis, diphtheria and anthrax via food; Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum should be regarded as exceptions to this view because their effects are not primarily in the gut. Viruses, fungi and parasites, although undoubtedly of importance, will not be considered.
Lymphocyte migration from Peyer's patches by diapedesis through M cells into the intestinal lumen.

Lymphocytes and other leukocytes are found in the intestinal lumen in a variety of pathological conditions, and also in the absence of disease. Although Mitchison (1) found few lymphocytes in luminal washings from rabbit intestinal loops, Kotani et al. (2) found large numbers of lymphocytes in the lumen of rat intestinal loops, and calculated that a number of lymphocytes equal to the blood lymphocyte count entered the intestinal lumen five times per day. In jejunal biopsies from patients with giardiasis, and in mice infected with Giardia muris, we have observed intraluminal lymphocytes in close association with Giardia trophozoites (3,4). These lymphocytes are numerous over Peyer’s patch lymphoid follicles. Leukocytes have also been found over Peyer’s patches and appendix lymphoid follicles in the rabbit intestinal lumen (5). In mice Abe and Ito found twice as many intraepithelial lymphocytes over Peyer’s patch follicle domes as over villi (6). Over half of these dome intraepithelial lymphocytes lay above the level of epithelial cell nuclei suggesting migration into the lumen, whereas only 7% of intraepithelial lymphocytes over villi lay above epithelial nuclei. After hydrocortisone administration intraepithelial lymphocytes dropped to one third but the proportion of lymphocytes above the level of epithelial nuclei remained unchanged, consistent with continued movement toward the lumen (6).
Protecting and Expanding Access to Birth Control

Political attacks against women's health care in the United States are threatening access to critical services that allow women to choose and readily obtain the birth control methods that are best for them — threatening their health.