cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mesopontine contribution to the expression of active ‘twitch’ sleep in decerebrate week-old rats

Myoclonic twitching is a ubiquitous feature of infant behavior that has been used as an index of active sleep. Although the active sleep of infants differs in some ways from the REM sleep of adults, their marked similarities have led many to view them them as homologous behavioral states. Recently, however, this view has been challenged. One avenue for resolving this issue entails examination of the neural substrates of active sleep. If the neural substrates of active sleep were found to be similar to those of REM sleep, then this would support the view that the two states are homologous. Therefore, in the present study, decerebrations were performed in the pons and midbrain to determine whether the mesopontine region is important for the expression of active sleep in infants, just as it is for the expression of REM sleep in adults. It was found that, in comparison to controls, caudal pontine decerebrations reduced myoclonic twitching by 76%, rostral pontine decerebrations reduced twitching by 40%, and midbrain transections had no significant effect on twitching. Moreover, analysis of the temporal organization of twitching indicated that pontine decerebrations predominantly affected high-frequency twitching while leaving unaffected the low-frequency twitching that is thought to be contributed by local spinal circuits at this age. These results indicate that the mesopontine region plays a central role in the expression of active sleep in infant rats.
Effects of prenatal cocaine on behavioral responses to a cocaine challenge on postnatal day 11.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prenatal cocaine treatment on behavioral responsivity to a cocaine challenge on postnatal day (PD) 11. Timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were injected s.c. with 40 mg/kg/day of cocaine (20 mg/kg twice daily) from gestational day 11 to 20. Saline-control females received saline injections and were pair-fed to the cocaine-treated females, whereas untreated-control females were undisturbed and were fed ad lib. Litters were culled to eight pups on PD1 and fostered to normal lactating dams. On PD 11, subjects were given either saline or cocaine (1.25, 2.5, or 5.0 mg/kg s.c.) and then tested 15 min later for isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations and other behaviors. Prenatal cocaine-treated pups showed a reduced sensitivity to the stimulating effect of postnatal cocaine on wall climbing, which may reflect an underlying alteration in central dopaminergic and/or noradrenergic systems. Most of the other behaviors studied, including ultrasonic vocalizations, were unaffected by prenatal cocaine administration. However, one other notable finding was an increase in postnatal mortality among the cocaine-exposed pups. We hypothesize that prenatal cocaine treatment may alter pup behavior so as to produce abnormal maternal-offspring interactions and impaired development in some individuals.
A fast EM algorithm for fitting joint models of a binary response and multiple longitudinal covariates subject to detection limits

Joint modeling techniques have become a popular strategy for studying the association between a response and one or more longitudinal covariates. Motivated by the GenIMS study, where it is of interest to model the event of survival using censored longitudinal biomarkers, a joint model is proposed for describing the relationship between a binary outcome and multiple longitudinal covariates subject to detection limits. A fast, approximate EM algorithm is developed that reduces the dimension of integration in the E-step of the algorithm to one, regardless of the number of random effects in the joint model. Numerical studies demonstrate that the proposed approximate EM algorithm leads to satisfactory parameter and variance estimates in situations with and without censoring on the longitudinal covariates. The approximate EM algorithm is applied to analyze the GenIMS data set.
Positive Functionals on General Operator Algebras

We show that any weakly closed algebra of bounded operators acting on a Banach space and different from the algebra of all bounded operators admits positive vector-functionals continuous in the essential operator norm.
Newer energy-efficient approach to particle production by comminution

Grinding tests on solids of varying hardness show that, in general, energy utilization in a choke-fed high-pressure roll mill is higher than in a ball mill, but lower than in the single-particle mode of comminution under slow compressive loads. The presence of moisture in feeds improves the energy efficiency of the high-pressure roll mill somewhat, presumably by reducing interparticle friction and the briquetting tendency of fines produced in the roll gap. The size distributions of ground products from the high-pressure roll mill are self-similar; the logarithmic median size decreases linearly with the fines produced, and the inverse of the median size increases linearly with the energy expended. Pressurized roll milling can be simulated satisfactorily by modifying the standard particle population balance grinding equation in order to account for energy dissipation in the tightly compressed particulate bed.
Heresy, orthodoxy, and the politics of science

Heresy and orthodoxy are two sides of an interactive process by which institutional identities are formed. Heresy plays a central part in the emergence of orthodoxy by means of the rhetoric it evokes from institutional elites. The orthodox response provoked by the crisis of heresy solidifies authority, defines institutional boundaries, enhances group solidarity, and, as a ritual, becomes an outlet for collective anxiety. The contemporary response of Neo‐Darwinists to the heretical challenges of scientific creationism is an instance of this heresy‐orthodoxy dialectic.
On the approximation of the free energy change on crystallization

Abstract Approximations of the Gibbs free energy change for crystallization of an undercooled liquid. ΔG, are discussed and compared. When liquid heat capacity data are available, ΔG can be approximated to various degrees of accuracy depending on the completeness of the data. In the absence of these data, it is necessary to make further approximations. It is shown that Turnbull's [4] simple linear approximation for ΔG is generally applicable to pure metals. A new expression is proposed for use with easy glass forming alloys such as Au81.4Si18.6. An approximation due to Hoffman [1] is not appropriate for use with metals and alloys but is adequate for use with organic substances, such as ortho-terphenyl.
Containment-enhanced Ho:YAG photofragmentation of soft tissues

Laser surgery of soft tissue can exploit the power of brief, intense pulses of light to cause localized disruption of tissue with minimal effect upon surrounding tissue. In particular, studies of Ho:YAG laser surgery have shown that the effects of cavitation upon tissues and bone depend upon the physical composition of structures in the vicinity of the surgical site. For photofragmentation of occluding structures within catheters and other implant devices, it is possible to exploit the particular geometry of the catheter to amplify the effects of photofragmentation beyond those seen in bulk tissue. A Ho:YAG laser was used to photofragment occlusive material (tissue and tissue analogs) contained in glass capillary tubing and catheter tubing of the kind used in ventricular shunt implants for the management of hydrocephalus. Occluded catheters obtained from patient explants were also employed. Selection of operational parameters used in photoablation and photofragmentation of soft tissue must consider the physical composition and geometry of the treatment site. In the present case, containment of the soft tissue within relatively inelastic catheters dramatically alters the extent of photofragmentation relative to bulk (unconstrained) material. Our results indicate that the disruptive effect of cavitation bubbles is increased in catheters, due to the rapid displacement of material by cavitation bubbles comparable in size to the inner diameter of the catheter. The cylindrical geometry of the catheter lumen may additionally influence the propagation of acoustic shock waves that result from the collapse of the condensing cavitation bubbles.
Significant Reduction in Risk of Falls and Back Pain in Osteoporotic-Kyphotic Women Through a Spinal Proprioceptive Extension Exercise Dynamic (SPEED) Program

OBJECTIVE To determine the outcome of intervention with a spinal weighted kypho-orthosis (WKO) and a spinal proprioceptive extension exercise dynamic (SPEED) program on the risk of falls in ambulatory community-dwelling persons older than 60 years with osteoporosis-kyphosis at risk for falls. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study had 3 stages. At stage 1 (baseline), the 12 women in the kyphotic group were compared with 13 healthy controls to assess the risk of falls and balance disorder in the kyphotic group. At stage 2, the 12 kyphotic women began the SPEED program with a WKO (2 supervised sessions in an outpatient clinic and a 4-week, daily home-based training program). At stage 3, baseline and follow-up data of the kyphotic group were compared to determine the effect of intervention. RESULTS At baseline, there were significant differences between the osteoporotic-kyphotic group and the control group in balance (P=.002), gait (P CONCLUSION Balance, gait, and risk of falls improved significantly with the 4-week SPEED program.
Effects of acute and repeated administration of caffeine on temporal discounting in rats.

Abstract Delay to presentation is one variable that can weaken the reinforcing efficacy of an outcome in a choice situation and drugs have been shown to modify such choices. A growing body of literature has examined effects of stimulant drugs on temporal (delay) discounting, but effects of caffeine, the most widely used stimulant in the world, have not previously been assessed. In the present experiment, effects of caffeine (administered acutely and repeatedly) on temporal discounting were analyzed. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 7) chose between a single food pellet delivered immediately after a lever press and three food pellets delivered after a delay. The delay to the three pellets increased within each session, from 0 to 16 s. High doses of caffeine increased large-reinforcer choice relative to control conditions. With repeated caffeine exposure, percent choice for the large reinforcer decreased relative to acute administration, but was still greater than pre-drug baseline. Following withdrawal of drug administration, choice returned to levels seen during pre-drug baseline. Reintroduction of caffeine increased the percent choice for a larger, delayed reinforcer to near acute levels. The results from the present study are consistent with previous research in which stimulant drugs have decreased temporal (delay) discounting.
Aging, immunity, and the varicella-zoster virus.

Dr. Ann Arvin writes that aging creates a special vulnerability to the often severely painful skin rash caused by varicella–zoster virus. The debilitating pain syndromes that accompany the reactivation of childhood herpes zoster have motivated the search for effective medical interventions.
Purification of chaperonins from thermophilic bacteria and archaea

Chaperonins are among the most abundant proteins in thermophilic and hyperthermophilic microorganisms. A fast and efficient protocol has been designed to purify chaperonins from natural microbial sources on a milligram scale. The procedure takes advantage of the low isoelectric point and high molecular mass of chaperonins. A strong anion-exchange matrix in combination with gel permeation chromatography and separation on a high-resolution MonoQ column were used to purify four chaperonins from bacteria and archaea. We also show how the procedure for one of the hyperthermophilic chaperones can be easily scaled up. Pure chaperonins were characterized by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography to establish heterogeneity. Pure chaperonins retain the characteristic double ring structure in electron microscopy and they bind unfolded proteins.
Completely isolated alimentary tract duplication in a neonate

A rare case of a completely isolated, alimentary tract duplication cyst in a 27-day-old neonate is reported. The duplication cyst was detected on antenatal fetal ultrasound and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 27 weeks' gestational age. At surgery, the duplication cyst was in a retroperitoneal site with no apparent communication between the cyst and any portion of the alimentary tract. On histopathological examination, the diagnosis was a gastric duplication cyst. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. There have been eight cases of completely isolated duplication reported in the literature, of which seven were detected during the prenatal or neonatal period. No previous report in the English literature has described the fetal MR imaging findings of this type of duplication cyst.
Identifying innovative national markets for technical consumer goods

Focuses on population characteristics that appear to make one nation more or less innovative for technical consumer products. Finds three predictors ‐ individualism, uncertainty avoidance and purchasing power ‐ to be related to national levels of new product ownership within Europe. Discusses the results, focusing on their implications for marketers seeking to export innovative technological consumer goods to Europe and elsewhere.
Conglomerates: The legal issues: A review of public policy needed

Abstract The recent developments o f the conglomerate merger again bring forth the question of bigness, already posed by the trusts and holding companies o f earlier decades. The Pattersons probe into the reasons for such unions and into the legality o f such combinations. Antitrust policy is at a crossroads. Will the necessary decisions concerning these mergers be decided by the courts, which must rely on vague instructions in the law and established legal precedent, or should Congress define new guidelines? Soon it must be decided whither conglomerate mergers.
Gender differences in income inequality among immigrant populations to the United States

Abstract This work examines the level of income inequality of immigrants to the United States. We separately examine income inequality of males and females using several different inequality measures for robustness. The work finds that males have the traditional inverted “U” relationship between inequality and growth but females have the opposite. These differences are caused by several key factors but mainly due to the level of work force participation of the two groups. Finally, we examine the differences in inequality between immigrants who have been in the country for a decade and newly arrived immigrants finding that income inequality is much greater for new immigrants.
GENDER AND RACIAL/ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN SURVIVAL AFTER CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION FOR IN-HOSPITAL CARDIAC ARREST

Data on gender and racial/ethnic differences in survival to hospital discharge after in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) are limited. We used the 2003-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify all patients aged ≥18 years who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (International
CAMAC: A Review and Status Report

CAMAC is a modular instrumentation system for transmission of digital data between instruments and between instruments and computers and computer peripherals. The system is described in a general way and the history of the CAMAC development, its expanding utilization in various fields and its current status are discussed. This is an introductory paper delivered at the 1972 Nuclear Science Symposium and is followed by papers that discuss CAMAC in greater detail.
The Safety and Efficacy of Ibutilide in Children and in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease

Background: The safety and efficacy of ibutilide in the cardioversion of atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation in children and in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) is unknown. Methods: Data from 19 patients (age 6 months to 34 years, median 16 years) who received ibutilide for atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation between 1996 and 2005 was retrospectively reviewed. There were 15 patients with CHD (14 had prior heart surgery); four children had normal heart structure. Results: There were 74 episodes of atrial flutter and four episodes of atrial fibrillation (median episodes per patient was one, range 1–31). Ibutilide converted 55 of all the episodes (71%). Ibutilide was successful during its first-ever administration in 12 of 19 patients (63%). Fourteen episodes in six patients required electrical cardioversion after ibutilide failed. There were no episodes of symptomatic bradycardia. One patient went into torsade de pointes and one patient had nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Conclusion: With careful monitoring, ibutilide can be an effective tool in selected patients for cardioversion of atrial flutter.
In Vivo Bypass of 8-oxodG

8-oxoG is one of the most common and mutagenic DNA base lesions caused by oxidative damage. However, it has not been possible to study the replication of a known 8-oxoG base in vivo in order to determine the accuracy of its replication, the influence of various components on that accuracy, and the extent to which an 8-oxoG might present a barrier to replication. We have been able to place a single 8-oxoG into the Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome in a defined location using single-strand oligonucleotide transformation and to study its replication in a fully normal chromosome context. During replication, 8-oxoG is recognized as a lesion and triggers a switch to translesion synthesis by Pol η, which replicates 8-oxoG with an accuracy (insertion of a C opposite the 8-oxoG) of approximately 94%. In the absence of Pol η, template switching to the newly synthesized sister chromatid is observed at least one third of the time; replication of the 8-oxoG in the absence of Pol η is less than 40% accurate. The mismatch repair (MMR) system plays an important role in 8-oxoG replication. Template switching is blocked by MMR and replication accuracy even in the absence of Pol η is approximately 95% when MMR is active. These findings indicate that in light of the overlapping mechanisms by which errors in 8-oxoG replication can be avoided in the cell, the mutagenic threat of 8-oxoG is due more to its abundance than the effect of a single lesion. In addition, the methods used here should be applicable to the study of any lesion that can be stably incorporated into synthetic oligonucleotides.
Numerical experiments on the onset of layered convection in a narrow slot containing a stably stratified fluid

Abstract Numerical experiments on the initial formation, growth, and merging of convective layers in a density stratified solute solution contained in a narrow slot with steadily applied lateral temperature gradient are reported on. At supercritical conditions, the kinetic energy of the layers, once formed, steadily increases until viscous interaction leads to the eventual merging of adjacent layers. The stability of the initial layer formation is studied. The critical thermal Rayleigh number for neutral conditions is determined through numerical experiment in close agreement with previous linear analysis and experimental results.
Optimal Design of Heat Exchangers: A Genetic Algorithm Framework

Computer software marketed by companies such as the Heat Transfer Research Institute (HTRI), HTFS, and B-JAC International are used extensively in the thermal design and rating of HEs. A primary objective in HE design is the estimation of the minimum heat transfer area required for a given duty, as it governs the overall cost of the HE. However, because the possible design configurations of heat transfer equipment are numerous, an exhaustive search procedure for the optimal design is computationally intensive. This paper presents a genetic algorithm (GA) framework for solving the combinatorial problem involved in the optimal design of HEs. The problem is posed as a large-scale, combinatorial, discrete optimization problem involving a black-box model. The problem is derived from earlier work on HE design using simulated annealing (SA). SA and GAs are particularly suitable in this black-box model because they lack the crucial gradient information required for other mathematical programming approaches. A met...
IDENTIFICATION OF A NOVEL ALLELE AT THE HUMAN NAT1 ACETYLTRANSFERASE LOCUS

Abstract Humans possess twoN-acetyltransferase isozymes (NAT1 and NAT2). We cloned and sequenced a novelNAT1allele (Genbank HSU 80835) that contained nucleotide substitutions at -344 (C→T), -40 (A→T), 445 [G→A(Val→Ile)], 459 [G→A(silent)], 640 [T→G(Ser→Ala)], a 9 base pair deletion between nucleotides 1065 and 1090, and 1095 (C→A). The novelNAT1allele which we have designatedNAT1*17is similar toNAT1*11except for a G445A substitution (Val149→Ile) in theNAT1coding region. The G445A (Val149→Ile) substitution yielded no significant changes in levels of immunoreactivity, as detected by Western blot, nor in intrinsic stability of the recombinant N-acetyltransferase protein. However, the G445A (Val149→Ile) substitution yielded expression of recombinant NAT1 protein that catalyzed theN-acetylation of aromatic amines and theO- andN,O-acetylation of theirN-hydroxylated metabolites at rates up to 2-fold higher than wild-type recombinant human NAT1.
Exploring a theory-guided path to the design of personal informatics and intervention technologies

At a high level, my goal is to design and deploy behavioral coaching and intervention systems that better complement individual users' unique characteristics. I am motivated by the idea that a person's innate attributes and current contexts interact in ways that produce idiosyncratic behaviors that generic interventions may not suit. Using domain knowledge as a guide, my research develops lightweight profiling methods that leverage people's digital footprints in order to passively sense pertinent psychological, physiological, and behavioral characteristics -- and ultimately tailor personal informatics and intervention tools accordingly. I argue that such a theoretically-informed approach that is able to robustly mine, model, and accommodate personal variability will lead to technological solutions that better meet individual needs and produce more positive outcomes.
High-efficiency InP based four-junction solar cells

In this paper, we simulated and calculated expected efficiency of proposed four-junction solar cells. The InGaAs, AlAsSb, AlInAs and AlGalnAs four-junction solar cells system has a potential to achieve high efficiencies, and can be manufacturable. We fabricated and tested an AlInGaAs(1.0 eV) solar cell.
Lipogenesis in developing guinea pig liver.

Abstract Hepatic fatty acid synthesis from glucose, pyruvate and acetate occurs at negligible levels in adult guinea pigs, whereas liver slices from fetal animals are able to synthesize fatty acids from acetate and pyruvate. However, glucose, pyruvate and acetate are readily oxidized to CO 2 by liver slices from fetal, newborn and adult guinea pigs. Key enzymes in the metabolic sequence of fatty acid synthesis such as NADP-malate dehydrogenase and ATP-citrate lyase are virtually absent in liver from adult guinea pigs. A negligible incorporation of [3- 14 C]aspartate into fatty acids by adult guinea-pig liver suggest that carbon flow through the “citrate-malate cycle” is one of the limiting steps in lipogenesis in these animals. In contrast to the liver, adipose tissue from adult guinea-pigs actively synthesizes fatty acids from the various substrates used and has high levels of activity of the lipogenic enzymes measured. It is suggested that the capacity of the guinea-pig liver to synthesize fatty acids is negligible, and that this species differs from the rat and other non-ruminant animals studied to date.
Formulation and integration of continuous and discontinuous quadratic boundary elements for two dimensional potential and elastostatics

Abstract A two dimensional quadratic boundary element formulation is presented for potential and elasticity problems which encompasses both continuous and discontinuous elements. The singularities that exist when the source point is within the element of integration are either removed, or in the case of logarithmic singularities manipulated into a form in which logarithmic quadrature can be applied. Thus no additional approximations are introduced into the numerical integration process and the need for complex integration schemes is eliminated. The element formulation is very efficient and allows the user complete freedom to determine the location of the boundary element nodes within an element. Example problems indicate that the continuous and discontinuous elements presented are very accurate and efficient.
Neuromorphic vision sensors

Abstract A review of current trends in biologically based computational visual sensors, also known as neuromorphic sensors, is presented. Neuromorphic sensors attempt to mimic the sensing and early visual-processing characteristics of living organisms. The objective of these sensors is to help reduce the computational load required for visual perception by extracting only information relevant to the post-processing stages. Furthermore, mechanisms for improving electronic imaging are also obtained by mimicking their biological counterparts. This paper provides the history and current practices for implementing neuromorphic sensors with (1) task-specific spatial variant layouts, (2) continuous time and steady-state phototransduction, (3) dynamic range compression using logarithmic and adaptive photoreceptors, and (4) early visual processing capabilities for focal plane edge, motion and orientation detection. For each of these functions, the practical considerations, the most successful methods and their future development are discussed.
Analysis of perturbations in the a3II and A1II states of CO

Abstract The results of an analysis of perturbations of the CO a3II and A1II states of the ⋯ (π2p)4(σ2p)(π*2p) electronic configuration by states of the ⋯ (π2p)3(σ2p)2(π*2p) configuration provide evidence for the following conclusions: (i) For perturbations between vibronic levels of a given pair of electronic states, the perturbation matrix element is the product of a vibrational factor and a constant electronic factor. (ii) Simple single configuration arguments successfully predict that all the electronic factors for the perturbations between levels of each pair of states can be related to two constants which are joint properties of the two electronic configurations σπ* and π3π*.
Thermoelectric Properties of Cold-Pressed Higher Manganese Silicides for Waste Heat Recovery

Polycrystalline higher manganese silicide (HMS) samples with different grain sizes have been obtained by cold-pressing HMS powder under high pressure of about 3 GPa and postprocessing annealing. It was found that the cold-pressing process can reduce the grain size of HMS to 120 nm. The cold-pressed pellets were then annealed at different temperatures to obtain a series of samples with different grain sizes. For comparison, an additional sample was prepared in a regular die under low pressure of 300 MPa, which resulted in lower density and higher porosity than the high-pressure process. For these samples, the effect of grain size and porosity on Seebeck coefficient was not as apparent as that on electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. The electrical conductivity of the cold-pressed samples increases as the grains grow, and the grain boundary connection is improved during the postprocessing annealing. A significant reduction in the thermal conductivity of the cold-pressed samples was observed. The sample prepared with the low-pressure pressing shows the lowest thermal conductivity of 1.2 W m−1 K−1 at 300 K, which can be attributed to its high porosity of 34% and low phonon transmission coefficient through the grain boundaries. The low-temperature thermal conductivity data of all samples were analyzed to obtain the phonon transmission coefficient and the Kapitza resistance at the grain boundaries.
Magnetostrictive sensor for active health monitoring in structures

A flat magnetostrictive sensor for active health monitoring of a large area of a structure has been developed. The sensor consists of a thin nickel foil and a coil placed over the nickel and, much like a strain gauge, is permanently bonded to the surface of a structure under monitoring. When activated, the sensor generates guided waves in the structure for interrogation and detects signals that are reflected back from the structural geometries and defects in the structure. Since guided waves can travel a long distance in the structure, a large area of the structure can be interrogated and monitored by using the sensor. By periodically acquiring the data and comparing it with the baseline data established at the time of sensor installation, structural changes occurred over that time can be quickly determined for suitable structural management decision. In addition to the ability to actively inspect and monitor a large area of the structure, the sensor is also rugged and inexpensive and therefore has high potential for practical use. As an example of its applicability to aircraft structure, data showing the monitoring of defect growth in fastener holes in a wing structure are presented.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Buckling of a sublaminate in a quasi-isotropic composite laminate

The buckling of an elliptic delamination embedded near the surface of a thick quasi-isotropic laminate was predicted. The thickness of the delaminated ply group (the sublaminate) was assumed to be small compared to the total laminate thickness. Finite-element and Rayleigh-Ritz methods were used for the analyses. The Rayleigh-Ritz method was found to be simple, inexpensive, and accurate, except for highly anisotropic delaminated regions. Effects of delamination shape and orientation, material anisotropy, and layup on buckling strains were examined. Results show that: (1) the stress state around the delaminated region is biaxial, which may lead to buckling when the laminate is loaded in tension; (2) buckling strains for multi-directional fiber sublaminates generally are bounded by those for the 0 deg and 90 deg unidirectional sublaminates; and (3) the direction of elongation of the sublaminate that has the lowest buckling strain correlates with the delamination growth direction.
Mutations affecting meiotic gene conversion in yeast.

Meiotic development and genetic recombination, including gene conversion, occur when cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are exposed to nitrogen-limited acetate sporulation medium. Mutations blocking acetate-induced conversion as detected by prototroph formation at the heteroallelic leu2 locus were isolated in a previous study (Roth and Fogel, 1971) in a marked disomic (n+1) haploid strain. Five mutant strains were further characterized. Diploids homozygous for each mutation were constructed and analyzed for intragenic recombination, premeiotic DNA replication, and ascospore formation. Although prototroph formation was blocked in all five diploids, only three, which permitted the initiation and completion of premeiotic DNA replication, could be considered specifically deficient in meiotic gene conversion as assayed by the production of wild type recombinants. From tetrad analysis and complementation tests, the mutations were identified as recessive and nonallelic. To denote the conversionless phenotype, the loci marked by the mutations have been designated con1, con2, con3.
Diurnal variations in the thermosphere 1. Theoretical formulation

A nonlinear perturbation theory is formulated for the solution of the multicomponent equations of energy, mass, and momentum conservation in the atmosphere. The theory is three-dimensional and includes the effects of heat conduction and advection, viscosity, ion drag, and diffusion. The theory is described as a superposition of mathematical modes obtained by expanding the physical quantities into vector and spherical harmonics. The coupling between the various modes, both linear and nonlinear, is included. The theory provides a basis for the treatment of the thermosphere and its interaction with the lower atmosphere, where 'mode coupling' is most important. As an example, a comparison is presented between one-dimensional and three-dimensional calculations of the fundamental mode of the diurnal component in the thermosphere. Coupling between the lowest modes is considered to describe the physical conditions of the lower thermosphere where inertia and Coriolis forces become dominant over the ion-drag and viscous forces. In this region, the latitude structures of the temperature, wind field, and diffusively controlled oxygen are shown to change significantly.
Effect of ascorbate and copper on rat serum albumin

It was recently reported by us that the histidine content of pure bovine serum albumin decreased from 15.6 to 2.2 residues per mol when incubated aerobically with 5 mM ascorbate and 0.8 mM copper sulfate at pH 6.5, 25C and 22 h in a model experiment. The purpose of the present research was to determine if ascorbate and copper ions decrease the histidine content of rat serum albumin under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The present research showed that histidine residues of rat plasma albumin were less susceptible to destruction than those of bovine serum albumin. Previously isolated rat serum albumin lost 12.2 of 16.6 histidine residues per mol after 24 h incubation with 50 mM ascorbate-8 mM copper sulfate at pH 7.0 and 37C. When fresh rat plasma was incubated under identical conditions with 50 mM ascorbate-8 mM copper sulfate and the albumin subsequently isolated the histidine lost was 6.4 of the 16.6 residues. No loss of histidine occurred in either experiment under anaerobic conditions (N2). When incubated for 5 h at 37C and pH 7 with 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 mM ascorbate-8 mM copper sulfate, fresh rat plasma albumin lost 2.6, 2.9 and 2.8 histidine residues, respectively. When rats were intubated with ascorbate-copper sulfate (50 and 8 mM final concentrations, respectively), 1.2 histidine residues were lost after 2 h.
GENERATION OF LONG WAVES IN A BASIN BY SHORT-TERM DISPLACEMENTS OF THE LATERAL BOUNDARY

A simplified model of generation of tsunamis by earthquakes occurring on the dry land is proposed. The transfer of horizontal momenta to the liquid medium is realized via the horizontal displacements of the vertical lateral boundary according to a given time law. The problem is solved by the method of finite differences for elastic and inelastic displacements of the lateral boundary of the basin. The efficiency of the process of generation of tsunami-type waves by similar external disturbances is analyzed. It is shown that the efficiency of generation of the surface waves by the elastic displacements of the lateral boundaries of the basin is much higher than that in the case of displacements of the boundary with residual deformations.
Hypertension in the elderly: review of therapy with a hydroflumethiazide-reserpine combination.

: A retrospective analysis revealed that 125 geriatric patients had been treated for mild to moderate essential hypertension with a combination drug, each tablet of which contained 50 mg of hydroflumethiazide and 0.125 mg of reserpine. The dosage schedule was one tablet once daily for most patients. The duration of treatment ranged from 1 to 93 months (mean, 22.1 months). After one month of therapy, the decreases in mean systolic (—18.3 mm Hg) and mean diastolic (—6.6 mm Hg) blood pressure were statistically significant and these initial reductions were well maintained over a 6-year period, without signs of tachyphylaxis. Side effects were reported by 53 patients, but these usually were mild and typical of those associated with antihypertensive therapy; discontinuation of treatment was required in only 3 patients. Use of the hydroflumethiazide-reserpine combination was associated with several significant advantages, including convenient once-daily dosing, improved compliance, and decreased cost.
Clinical correlates of depressive symptoms in familial Parkinson's disease

Depression is one of the most common nonmotor complications of Parkinson's disease (PD) and has a major impact on quality of life. Although several clinical factors have been associated with depression in PD, the relationship between depression and stage of illness as well as between depression and degree of disability remains controversial. We have collected clinical data on 1,378 PD cases from 632 families, using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Parts II (activities of daily living) & III (motor), the Mini-Mental State Exam, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the Blessed Functional Activity Scale (Blessed). Analyses were performed using the 840 individuals with verified PD and without evidence of cognitive decline. Logistic regression was used to identify study variables that individually and collectively best predicted the presence of depressive symptoms (GDS >or= 10). After correcting for multiple tests, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with Hoehn and Yahr stage and other clinical measures but not with any genetic variant (parkin, LRRK2, APOE). The Blessed score, education, presence of a first degree relative with signs of depression, and UPDRS Part II were found to best predict depressive symptomatology (R(2) = 0.33; P = 4 x 10(-48)). Contrary to several reports, the results from this large study indicate that stage of illness, motor impairment, and functional disability are strongly correlated with depressive symptoms.
Bacteriophagy of Streptomyces griseus as Revealed by Phase Microscope.

SummaryLysis by phage of germinating spores of Streptomyces griseus has been observed and photographed under the phase microscope, bright phase-contrast. The time required for complete lysis of a young hyphal cell is about 15 minutes.
A randomized, double-blind trial of parenteral low dose versus high dose interferon-β in combination with cryotherapy for treatment of condyloma acuminatum

Abstract Forty-nine subjects were enrolled in a study comparing two dosages of parenterally administered interferon (IFN)- β in combination with cryotherapy for the treatment of anogenital warts. Subjects were randomized to receive subcutaneous injections of either 2×10 6 or 4×10 6 IU/m 2 of IFN- β (Biogen) three times a week for a total of 6 weeks. Cryotherapy was administered concomitantly by aerosolization of liquid nitrogen at 10-day intervals. Systemic side- effects were modest in intensity and included fever, chills, myalgia, and headaches (flu-like symptoms). During the first 2 weeks of therapy, they were more common in the high dose group than in the low dose group ( P =0.02). Using survival analysis, there was no significant difference between the two groups in rates of resolution of warts present at baseline ( P =0.62). However, the rate of new lesion formation during the study was significantly lower in the high dose group ( P =0.04).
Noise measure of metal-semiconductor--metal Schottky-barrier microwave diodes

We calculate the impedance and noise measure of metal--semiconductor--metal (m.s.m.) microwave diodes. Assuming that the noise is caused by space-charge-smoothed shot noise accompanying the d.c. bias current, one comes to the conclusion that noise measures less than unity are possible. If shot noise is the main contributing noise source, then m.s.m. diodes should become extremely low-noise microwave oscillators and amplifiers.
Risk factors for candidemia in a children's hospital.

Candida species are increasingly important nosocomial pathogens in critically ill children. A 2.3-fold increase in the rate of nosocomial candidemia at our 200-bed tertiary care children's hospital prompted a study to identify risk factors for this infection. Twenty-six cases were identified between 1992 and 1993, representing 21% of all nosocomial bloodstream infections. Candida albicans was the most frequent isolate (58%), followed by Candida parapsilosis (27%). A case-control study revealed that there was a statistically significant association between the occurrence of candidemia and placement of a central venous catheter in the femoral vein (P = .03), the use of a tunneled central venous catheter (P = .05), and prolonged hyperalimentation (P = .04). Patients with candidemia also were noted to have candiduria more often than controls (P = .003) and were more likely to have had topical antifungal agents prescribed (P = .04). Multivariate analysis showed that hyperalimentation was an independent risk factor for the development of candidemia. We conclude that measures must be taken to reduce these risk factors whenever possible.
Ultra-thin wide-angle perfect absorber for infrared frequencies

A two dimensional design of an ultra-thin, wide-angle perfect absorber for infrared light is proposed. The geometry of the structure is simple enough to be realized with present fabrication techniques, yet it is shown numerically to exhibit nearly 100% absorption at the resonant wavelength that is tunable by adjusting its geometric parameters. The angular dependence of the absorption for different polarizations of the incident radiation is presented, remaining above 95% in P-polarization and 90% in S-polarization (in the orthogonal incidence plane) for the incidence angles up to 45°. The robustness and tunability of the structure with respect to the variations of its geometric parameters is quantified.
The Dust Cloud around the White Dwarf G29-38

We present new observations of the white dwarf G29-38 with the camera (4.5 and 8 μm), photometer (24 μm), and spectrograph (5.5-14 μm) of the Spitzer Space Telescope. This star has an exceptionally large infrared excess, amounting to 3% of the bolometric luminosity. The spectral energy distribution (SED) has a continuum peak around 4.5 μm and a 9-11 μm emission feature 1.25 times brighter than the continuum. A mixture of amorphous olivine and a small amount of forsterite in an emitting region 1-5 R☉ from the star can reproduce the shape of the 9-11 μm feature. The SED also appears to require amorphous carbon to explain the hot continuum. Our new measurements support the idea that a relatively recent disruption of a comet or asteroid created the cloud.
Control of the stereochemical impact of the lone pair in lead(II) tris(pyrazolyl)methane complexes. Improved preparation of Na[B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4].

The reaction of Pb(acac)2 with 2 equiv of [H(Et2O)2]{B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4} (HBArf) in CH2Cl2 followed by addition of 2 equiv of either HC(pz)3 or HC(3,5-Me2pz)3 (pz = pyrazolyl ring) leads to the formation of {Pb[HC(pz)3]2}{B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4}2 (1) and {Pb[HC(3,5-Me2pz)3]2}{B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4}2 (2), respectively. The cation in 1 has a distorted octahedral structure with a stereochemically active lone pair on lead(II). In contrast, the cation in 2 is trigonally distorted octahedral with the lone pair on the lead(II) clearly stereochemically inactive. The driving force for this cation to have a stereochemically inactive lone pair is that in this geometric arrangement the interligand distances between adjacent 3-position methyl groups are close to 4.0 A, the sum of the van der Waals radii of two methyl groups. To facilitate this chemistry, the synthesis of Na{B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]4}, needed to prepare HBArf, has been dramatically improved. The main change is to add NaBF4 to the reaction mixture before forming the ...
Treatment of an extracapsular post-renal biopsy pseudoaneurysm with ultrasound-guided thrombin injection

Percutaneous renal biopsy is a convenient method to obtain allograft tissue for histologic evaluation. Vascular complications, such as arteriovenous (AV) fistula and pseudoaneurysm, following renal biopsy are well known, and they usually resolve without further intervention. When symptomatic, they should be treated. We present a patient on chronic anticoagulation who developed a pseudoaneurysm after percutaneous renal biopsy. Applying techniques learned in the management of femoral artery pseudoaneurysm, we treated our patient with ultrasound-guided thrombin injection. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2010
Microwave antenna holography

The application of the holography technique to the newly constructed NASA/JPL Deep Space Network (DSN) 34-m beam-waveguide antenna, resulting in 4.1-dB performance improvement at 32 GHz by reducing the main reflector RMS surface error at 0.43 mm, is described. The improved antenna performance was verified by additional holographic measurements and efficiency measurements at X-band (8.45 GHz). Microwave holography has been demonstrated to be a required tool for achieving antenna aperture efficiency of 52% at Ka-band (32 GHz) and is probably necessary for maintaining an operational DSN Ka-band ground antenna capability. >
Sustained AAV-mediated overexpression of CRF in the central amygdala diminishes the depressive-like state associated with nicotine withdrawal

Smoking cessation leads to a dysphoric state and this increases the risk for relapse. Animal studies indicate that the dysphoric state associated with nicotine withdrawal is at least partly mediated by an increase in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) release in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). In the present study, we investigated whether a sustained overexpression of CRF in the CeA affects the dysphoric-like state associated with nicotine withdrawal. To study brain reward function, rats were prepared with intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) electrodes in the medial forebrain bundle. An adeno-associated virus (AAV, pseudotype 2/5) was used to overexpress CRF or green fluorescent protein (GFP, control) in the CeA and minipumps were used to induce nicotine dependence. The AAV2/5-CRF vector induced a 40% increase in CRF protein and mRNA levels in the CeA. Administration of the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine (precipitated withdrawal) or nicotine pump removal (spontaneous withdrawal) led to elevations in ICSS thresholds. Elevations in ICSS thresholds are indicative of a dysphoric-like state. The overexpression of CRF did not affect baseline ICSS thresholds but diminished the elevations in ICSS thresholds associated with precipitated and spontaneous nicotine withdrawal. The real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)–PCR analysis showed that the overexpression of CRF led to a decrease in CRF1 mRNA levels and an increase in CRF2 mRNA levels in the CeA. In conclusion, the overexpression of CRF in the CeA diminishes the dysphoric-like state associated with nicotine withdrawal and this might be driven by neuroadaptive changes in CRF1 and CRF2 receptor gene expression.