cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concerning Behavioral Models for Spinal Cord Injury in Animals

A thoughtful consideration of the limits of animal models of SCI is critical to the movement of a promising technique into the surgical ward. It will likely surprise the reader to learn that the recovery of walking behavior (voluntary ambulation) has always been a controversial means of analysis of recovery from spinal injury in experimental animals — so I will start here first. We instinctively make the leap from paralysis in the animal to the lifelong paralysis endured by human spinal cord-injured patients. Most investigators still use some form of stepping or walking (Cheng et al. 1997; Basso et al. 1995) or related tests (Tator and Fehlings 1991) to evaluate functional recovery in small animal models of SCI. These models should act as behavioral indexes of white matter integrity and/or renewed nerve impulse conduction through the lesion if they are to indicate recovery from SCI — but do they?
Review on Waveguides

This chapter will review some of the basic principles in waveguide theory. Additional details are available in many textbooks and some of these are listed in the bibliography [C].
Exogenous 20-hydroxyecdysone induces epidermal carbonic anhydrase but inhibits exoskeletal calcification in the post-ecdysial blue crab, Callinectes sapidus.

Abstract The crustacean exoskeleton is composed primarily of chitin, proteins and various inorganic compounds. It is the inorganic compounds, such as calcium and magnesium, that underlie the exoskeletal mineralization process following ecdysis. Little is known about the hormonal mechanism for this process in crustaceans. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) in the epidermis has been suggested to aid in deposition of calcium and magnesium carbonates to the exoskeleton in crustaceans by generating bicarbonate ions, resulting in mineralization. Given a similar pattern of fluctuation in prevalence between epidermal CA and ecdysteroids during the crab molting cycle, it has been proposed in a previous study that post-ecdysial epidermal CA and subsequent metal deposition to the exoskeleton are controlled by the ecdysteroid molting hormones in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. This study sought to acquire evidence to support such a proposition. Early postmolt and early intermolt blue crabs were used to quantify epidermal CA mRNA expression when exposed in vitro to three physiologically relevant concentrations of 10 nM, 100 nM and 1 μM 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE), using the epidermis-with-exoskeleton (EWE) tissue assay method. It was found that 100 nM 20-HE significantly induced the mRNA of CasCAg, a CA isoenzyme, in epidermal tissues of early intermolt crabs and that injection of 20-HE at a dose of 15 ng/g significantly elevated epidermal CA activity in vivo in early intermolt crabs. These two lines of evidence clearly show that post-ecdysial epidermal CA is influenced by the molting hormone. Interestingly, exoskeletal calcium content was significantly lower in the 20-HE treated crabs than in the control, whereas magnesium content was unchanged. The inhibition of calcification in the post-ecdysial exoskeleton by the exogenous molting hormone may implicate that sclerotization and mineralization of the new shell must be coordinated and that enhanced deposition of carbonate salts as a result of increased epidermal CA activity following the administration of exogenous molting hormone would be inhibited to avoid the formation of a structurally disrupted exoskeleton.
How to Effectively Manage Up

Managing Up is often misunderstood. This concept for those in management positions can be confused with “sucking up” – insincerely positive behavior intended for the observation of the manager’s superiors in order to curry favor. The point of Managing Up is not to impress one’s superiors, but rather to recognize and perform well in those parts of your role as a manager that support the superior. Leadership positions in academic surgery are complex, and even successful leaders are not uniformly effective across the spectrum of their challenges. However, one of the ways to fall far short of expectations, and to fail to realize one’s potential in areas of strength, is to ignore the importance of Managing Up. Leaders must recognize that they are a part of someone else’s team, in addition to building their own. They need to recognize what is expected of them, and how to perform in ways that support the goals of their superiors. This includes the goals that the superior has formally set, as well as the ones that they have not recognized. Succeeding in Managing Up can include many types of behavior, and may require specific actions for specific manager/superior relationships. This chapter will discuss principles and successful strategies for effectively Managing Up.
Flame Aerosol Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterization of Ni-Rich Layered Cathode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries

We report on the synthesis of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) Li-ion battery cathode materials using an aerosol of micron-size aqueous metal nitrate solution droplets delivered to non-premixed flames....
Perception of palliative medicine by health care professionals at a teaching community hospital: what is the key to a “palliative attitude”?

Background: With growing expense in chronic illness and end-of-life (EOL) care, population-based interventions are needed to reduce the health care cost and improve patients’ quality of life. The authors believe that promotion of palliative medicine is one such intervention and this promotion depends on the acceptance of palliative medicine concepts by health care professionals. Aims of the studies: Perception of palliative medicine in chronic illness and in EOL care by health care professionals was learned in two studies carried out at a teaching community hospital 14 years apart. Participants and methods: Voluntary and anonymous surveys were randomly distributed among physicians, nurses, and social workers/case managers. Participants in the two studies presented two different groups of health care providers. Results of the studies: Results of the two studies were essentially similar. On most of the issues, respondents’ perceptions were consistent with palliative medicine concepts and confidence in palliation grew over the 14-year period. The authors call this approach a “palliative attitude.” Physicians with greater experience performed better in care planning. Younger physicians were more perceptive to withdrawal of care in futile cases. Participants’ religion had no influence on perception of palliative medicine. Attendance of educational activities did not influence attitudes of health care professionals. Health care providers who favored involvement of palliative care teams in patients’ management were better in care planning, interpretation of the DNR consent, use of opioids at the EOL, use of intensive care, and evaluation of the disease trajectory. Conclusion: The authors conclude that direct interaction between palliative and interdisciplinary teams in clinical practice is the key factor in the education of health care professionals, in the development of a “palliative attitude,” and in the promotion of palliative medicine.
Mechanisms of isoimmunization. II. Transplacental passage and postnatal survival of fetal erythrocytes in heterospecific pregnancies.

1. Fetal cells were demonstrated postpartum in approximately 20 per cent of Rh positive mothers with ABO incompatible infants and in only approximately 5 per cent of Rh negative mothers with both ABO and Rh incompatible infants in the absence of sensitization or presensitization. 2. When the prenatal findings were combined with those postpartum, the incidence was considerably greater in both groups (52 per cent and 32 per cent, respectively). 3. Two cases of massive transplacental hemorrhage in heterospecific pregnancies are reported with almost a normal survival of a few cells postpartum. 4. Observations on protective mechanisms bearing on isoimmunization in heterospecific pregnancies are made.
Prevalence of Frequent Mental Distress Among Illinois Adults With Chronic Conditions: Estimates From the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2011 to 2017:

Purpose:The objective of this study was to examine frequent mental distress (FMD) by demographics, chronic conditions, and health risk factors among Illinois adults.Design:Descriptive analyses incl...
Stability of a tokamak plasma with diffuse toroidal rotation

The present work considers the stability of a high- external kink modes in the presence of ideal and resistive walls. Internal resonances are avoided by means of the selection of appropriate equilibrium parameters. The stabilizing influence of a finite positive average magnetic shear is also exemplified.
Dietary Contributors to Food Group Intake in Preschool Children Attending Family Childcare Homes: Differences between Latino and Non-Latino Providers

While there are several factors that contribute to the diet quality of children in childcare, one contributing factor in Family Childcare Homes (FCCHs) is the provider's ethnicity. However, research examining the food items provided in this setting is limited; in particular, with regards to differences between FCCHs of Latino and non-Latino providers. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the food items that contribute to food group intake in preschool-aged children attending FCCHs, and to examine differences by provider ethnicity. This secondary data analysis used baseline data from Healthy Start/Comienzos Sanos: a cluster-randomized trial. Children's dietary intake was collected using the Dietary Observation in Child Care method and entered into Nutrition Data System for Research software. Food groups were based on the Nutrition Coordinating Center classification. Contribution of food items to their respective food group was calculated as a proportion, using ratio of means and presented as a percentage. Ethnic differences were tested with ANCOVA (p < 0.05) with Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons. All providers (n = 120) were female and 67.5% were Latino. Most fruit consumed by children was in the form of juice (85%), three-fourths of the grains consumed were refined (75%), and half of the sweets consumed were syrup/honey/jelly (50%). Most of the vegetables consumed were non-starchy (61%), nearly three-fourths of dairy consumed was low-fat (71%), and vegetable oils contributed the most to the fats group (89%). Food items differed by provider's ethnicity, with children cared for by non-Latino providers consuming a higher proportion of fruit juice, animal fats and a lower proportion of legumes (p < 0.001 for all). Children with Latino providers consumed a lower proportion of non-starchy vegetables, low-fat dairy, and nuts/seeds (p < 0.001 for all). FCCH providers could offer more whole fruits and grains and a greater variety of vegetables. Differences by ethnicity suggest providers could benefit from culturally tailored recommendations.
Soluble Models in Surface Collision Dynamics

Selective control of the rate and outcome of chemical events, based on molecular-level manipulations, is a major goal in chemical physics. Laser assisted chemistry is one area which has offered such hope [1]. Although “surface-assisted chemistry” is certainly capable of statistically controlling rates and outcomes [2], it is only recently that bond selectivity has been considered within the context of surface dynamics [3]. The physical basis for many proposed scenarios in selectivity can be summarized as follows. At some time t = 0, the molecular system is placed in an initially prepared, non-stationary state (say by electronnic excitation) and is then allowed to time-evolve.
A bootstrap-based non-parametric forecast density

Abstract Interest in density forecasts (as opposed to solely modeling the conditional mean) arises from the possibility of dynamics in higher moments of a time series, as well as in forecasting the probability of future events in some applications. By combining the idea of Markov bootstrapping with that of kernel density estimation, this paper presents a simple non-parametric method for estimating out-of-sample multi-step density forecasts. The paper also considers a host of evaluation tests for examining the dynamic misspecification of estimated density forecasts by targeting autocorrelation, heteroskedasticity and neglected non-linearity. These tests are useful, as a rejection of the tests gives insight into ways to improve a particular forecasting model. In an extensive Monte Carlo analysis involving a range of commonly used linear and non-linear time series processes, the non-parametric method is shown to work reasonably well across the simulated models for a suitable choice of the bandwidth (smoothing parameter). Furthermore, an application of the method to the U.S. Industrial Production series provides multi-step density forecasts that show no sign of dynamic misspecification.
Digital Mammography Has Persistently Increased High-Grade and Overall DCIS Detection Without Altering Upgrade Rate.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to evaluate whether digital mammography (DM) is associated with persistent increased detection of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or has altered the upgrad...
A Matching Pursuit for the Sphere Based on the Poisson Semigroup

An iterative greedy sampling and reconstruction algorithm for square-integrable functions on the two-sphere is presented. The algorithm performs a decomposition based on reproducing kernel spaces related to the Poisson semigroup. This decomposition starts from the harmonic extension of the initial function to the ball. In each iteration step, the respective input function is sampled in the ball and a multiple of a suitably chosen kernel function is subtracted. We discuss the rate of convergence for the reconstruction of functions that have harmonic extensions with finite gradient norm in the ball.
Functional connectivity differences between two culturally distinct prairie vole populations: insights into the prosocial network

The goal of this study was to elucidate the fundamental connectivity, resting-state, within and between nodes in the olfactory and prosocial core (PS) which permit the expression of social monogamy in males and how differential connectivity accounts for differential expression of prosociality and aggression. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we integrated graph theory analysis to compare functional connectivity between two culturally/behaviorally distinct male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Illinois males display significantly higher levels of prosocial behavior and lower levels of aggression than KI males (Kansas dam and Illinois sire), which are associated with differences in underlying neural mechanisms and brain microarchitecture. Shared connectivity between the anterior hypothalamic area (AHA) and the paraventricular nucleus and medial preoptic area and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) with the nucleus accumbens core suggest essential relationships required for male prosocial behavior. In contrast, Illinois males displayed higher levels global connectivity and PS intra-core connectivity, a greater role for the BST and AHA, which were degree connectivity hubs and greater PS & olfactory inter-core connectivity. These findings suggest that behavioral differences are associated with PS core degree of connectivity and post-signal induction. This transgenerational system may serve as powerful mental health and drug abuse translational model in future studies.
Structural Transition from Small Clusters to Bulk-like Structures

The structural transitions of LiN, BeN, and BN clusters toward the bulk-like structures have been systematically studied using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Lithium clusters become close-packed structures based on icosahedral packing above N≈25. Beryllium clusters begin to develop metallic binding at N≈6. Boron clusters below N=13 are quite different from its crystal structure. The icosahedral cage becomes stable at N=14.
Modulation of the Potassium Conductance in the Squid Giant Axon

The potassium conductance of the squid giant axon is considered the classical example of the delayed rectifier-type of voltage dependent potassium permeability (Hodgkin and Huxley, 1952). In this preparation a large number of experiments have been done on K ionic currents using intact axons and under conditions of internal perfusion to study the selectivity and voltage dependence of the conductance. It has also been possible to record single channel events (Conti and Neher, 1980; Llano and Bezanilla, 1985; Llano, Webb and Bezanilla, 1987) and gating currents related to the movement of the charge responsible for the opening and closing of the K conductance (White and Bezanilla, 1985). The squid giant axon is then an ideal preparation for a detailed analysis of K channel gating because all types of electrophysiological recordings can be made in the same preparation, an important prerequisite for formulating a complete model of channel gating. We review here evidence that the K conductance in the squid axon is modulated by ATP-dependent phosphorylation. The changes induced by ATP in the macroscopic currents appear to be the result of a combined effect on more than one type of K channel. We also provide evidence for a Ca-activated component of the K conductance.
Excursion Set Mediated Evolutionary Strategy

By mediating excursion sets in the selection phase of the standard evolutionary strategies (ES), Plus and Comma, two possible new variants which we call, Semicolon, and Colon strategies have been devised and their optimization behavior on model landscapes reported. By an internal mechanism, these strategies systematically vary the excursion level, and achieve stronger self adaptive exploration of the fitness landscapes exhibiting emergent characteristics of both Comma and Plus to the advantage of them.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the adrenal glands: analysis of 24 patients.

BACKGROUND Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) biopsy allows the detailed imaging and FNA not only of both intramural and extramural structures and lesions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract but also of various intraabdominal organs. Thus, EUS-FNA biopsy offers a novel opportunity to evaluate and obtain cytology samples from adrenal gland lesions. The objective of the current study was to determine the utility of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of adrenal lesions. METHODS The authors conducted a prospective evaluation of 24 consecutive EUS-FNA biopsy specimens obtained from patients with adrenal lesions. An attending cytopathologist was present on site to assess specimen adequacy and to provide rapid interpretation of air-dried material that had been stained with Diff-Quik (Baxter Scientific Products, McGraw Park, IL). Additional samples were obtained for ThinPrep (Cytyc Corporation, Boxborough, MA) preparation, and cell blocks subsequently were prepared. Appropriate immunohistochemical staining was performed as indicated. The cytologic diagnosis was then analyzed for correlations with the final diagnosis, which was based on relevant correlative cytologic or histologic examination of biopsied/resected pathology materials and/or final clinical follow-up. RESULTS In total, 24 EUS-FNA biopsy specimens (from 18 males and 6 females) were obtained from adrenal glands. The mean patient age was 62.2 years (range, 48–81 years). Adequate cellularity was noted in all 24 samples. Seven of 24 samples (29%) were reported to be positive for carcinoma. All samples that were diagnosed as metastatic carcinoma were confirmed on subsequent follow-up. EUS-FNA performed simultaneously with adrenal gland aspiration either from the primary site (n = 1) or from metastases to lymph nodes (n = 3) supported diagnoses of metastatic carcinoma. Six of seven samples were metastatic from the lung, and one specimen was a direct extension of a transitional renal cell carcinoma. EUS-FNA biopsy of the right adrenal gland in one patient revealed myelolipoma. In 16 patients, benign adrenal gland cells were noted on EUS-FNA biopsy specimens from enlarged adrenal glands. In 5 samples (31%), signs of adenoma were evident. Morphology alone could not distinguish between adrenal adenoma and adrenal hyperplasia. No significant complications were reported after EUS-FNA biopsy of adrenal glands. CONCLUSIONS EUS-FNA biopsy is a highly specific and safe technique for confirming the diagnosis of carcinoma metastatic to the adrenal glands. Along with cytologic evaluation, EUS imaging is needed to support the diagnosis of adrenal adenoma. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
The least‐squares plane

The calculation of least-squares planes based on uncorrelated, isotropic weights and of proper least-squares planes with Gaussian weights is described.
GTPases and Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Are Critical for Insulin-like Growth Factor-I-mediated Schwann Cell Motility

Previously, we reported insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) promotes motility and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation in neuronal cells. In the current study, we examined the role of IGF-I in Schwann cell (SC) motility. IGF-I increases SC process extension and motility. In parallel, IGF-I activates IGF-I receptor, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI-3)-kinase, and FAK. LY294002, a PI-3 kinase inhibitor, blocks IGF-I-induced motility and FAK phosphorylation. The Rho family of GTPases is important in the regulation of the cytoskeleton. Overexpression of constitutively active Leu-61 Cdc42 and Val-12 Rac1 enhances SC motility which is unaffected by LY294002. In parallel, stable transfection of SC with dominant negative Asn-17 Rac1 blocks IGF-I-mediated SC motility and FAK phosphorylation, implying Rac is an upstream regulator of FAK. Collectively our results suggest that IGF-I regulates SC motility by reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton via the downstream activation of a PI-3 kinase, small GTPase, and FAK pathway.
Antigenic and genetic stability of bovine immunodeficiency virus during long-term persistence in cattle experimentally infected with the BIVR29 isolate

Experimental infection of cattle with bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) is characterized by persistent, low levels of virus replication in the absence of clinical disease. A virus neutralization (VN) assay was developed to examine the role of VN antibodies in controlling virus replication in cattle experimentally infected with the BIVR29 isolate of BIV. All animals developed VN antibody, but there was no correlation between VN titres and restriction of virus replication in vivo. BIV infection did not induce high-titred, cross-neutralizing antibody and there was no evidence for antigenic variation through more than 4 years in vivo. Genetic comparisons among the BIVR29 inoculum virus and viruses isolated from infected animals identified only limited genetic variation during 4 years in vivo. Moreover, there was no evidence that the observed variation was due to selection. Analyses of genetic diversity in the virus stock used for inoculation indicated a fairly homogeneous population. In the absence of high levels of virus replication and overt clinical disease, there appeared to be little selection of virus variants, resulting in antigenic and genetic stability of BIVR29 during long-term, persistent infection.
Patterns of Industrial Development Revisited : The Role of Finance

We re-examine the role of financial market development in the intersectoral allocation of resources. First, we characterize the assumptions underlying previous work in this area, in particular, that of Rajan and Zingales (1998). We show that they are implicitly testing whether financial intermediaries allow firms to better respond to global shocks to grow th opportunities . We then propose an alternative test that more efficiently tests this hypothesis, using statistical techniques developed in the social networks literature. Specifically, we find that countries have more highly correlated growth rates across sectors when both countries have well-developed financial markets, suggesting that financial markets play an important role in allowing firms to take advantage of global growth opportunities. These results are particularly strong when financial development takes into account both the level and composition of financial development: private banking appears to play a particularly important role in resource allocation. Our technique allows us to further distinguish between this ‘growth opportunities’ hypothesis and the related ‘finance and external dependence’ hypothesis, which would imply that countries with similar levels of financial development should specialize in similar sectors. We do not find evidence in support of this alternative view of finance and development.
The Architectural History of Disappearance

The architectural history of the clandestine detention and torture center begins when a space selected for its invisibility becomes legible in a landscape. How that visibility is integrated into postdictatorship societies and accounted for historically often becomes a matter of public debate playing out in the press, in local and national calls for proposals for what to do with the sites, and in architectural competitions. In The Architectural History of Disappearance: Rebuilding Memory Sites in the Southern Cone, Karen Elizabeth Bishop argues that the proposals to reappropriate the spaces of disappearance reveal important temporal disjunctions that impede or facilitate the integration of the memory of the disappeared into civil society. Examples of the competing temporalities at work in the construction of memory sites and the productive incompleteness these can provide for are examined in an analysis of proposals put forth to rehabilitate two clandestine detention and torture centers that functioned during the last Argentine military dictatorship (1976–83) and Chile’s Pinochet dictatorship (1973–90): the space of the former Navy Mechanics School (ESMA) in Buenos Aires and the former prison camp Tejas Verdes on the coast of Chile.
What is the real cost of an overnight stay after an ambulatory general surgical procedure

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Outpatient surgery is performed widely throughout the Army Medical Command (MEDCOM). It is common practice throughout Medical Command to admit barracks dwelling active duty service members (ADSMs) undergoing ambulatory surgical procedures for overnight observation. We hypothesized that overnight observation of these individuals has not prevented adverse outcomes that would have otherwise occurred if the patient had been discharged to the barracks. Methods: We reviewed the postoperative course of all ADSMs undergoing ambulatory surgery with subsequent overnight hospital stay because of primary barracks residence. Procedures included hernia repair, lipoma excisions, and pilonidal cystectomies. Inclusion criteria were ADSMs who stayed overnight purely on the basis of their military barracks residence. Results: 145 patients met our inclusion criteria. Their mean age was 23 ± 3.2, 90.9% were males. The mean hospital length of stay was 24 ± 11.4 hours. There were four (2.78%) postoperative...
Professional Liability for Pharmacists: A Focus on Pharmacy Practice Acts

The increased complexity of pharmacotherapeutics and the expanded role of pharmacists in the drug-use process may bring about an increased liability exposure for failure to conform to a professional standard of care. Therefore, a survey of 51 state pharmacy practice acts was conducted: (1) to establish a nationwide statutory definition of pharmacy practice, and (2) to outline possible use of the statutes in civil and administrative law. Twenty percent of state statutes contain no definition of pharmacy practice. Of the remaining 41 states, dispensing (97.5 percent), compounding (92.5 percent), interpretation and evaluation of prescriptions (68.2 percent), and consultation (73 percent) are legally defined. Pharmacokinetic consultation, drug administration, pharmacist prescribing, and pharmaceutical research are defined in one, seven, four, and one state(s), respectively. Pharmacists may face legal responsibilities from both the courts and state boards of medical and pharmacy practice. Aggressively updating...
Preparation of clinical‐grade 89Zr‐panitumumab as a positron emission tomography biomarker for evaluating epidermal growth factor receptor‐targeted therapy

Panitumumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positive colorectal cancer. Recently, panitumumab has been radiolabeled with 89Zr and evaluated for its potential to be used as immuno-positron emission tomography (PET) probe for EGFR positive cancers. Interesting preclinical results published by several groups of researchers have prompted us to develop a robust procedure for producing clinical-grade 89Zr-panitumumab as an immuno-PET probe to evaluate EGFR-targeted therapy. In this process, clinical-grade panitumumab is bio-conjugated with desferrioxamine chelate and subsequently radiolabeled with 89Zr resulting in high radiochemical yield (>70%, n = 3) and purity (>98%, n = 3). All quality control (QC) tests were performed according to United States Pharmacopeia specifications. QC tests showed that 89Zr-panitumumab met all specifications for human injection. Herein, we describe a step-by-step method for the facile synthesis and QC tests of 89Zr-panitumumab for medical use. The entire process of bioconjugation, radiolabeling, and all QC tests will take about 5 h. Because the synthesis is fully manual, two rapid, in-process QC tests have been introduced to make the procedure robust and error free. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of Meu1-mediated resistance in tomato on longevity, fecundity and behavior of the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae

The effect of the tomato resistance gene, Meu1, on feeding, longevity, fecundity and developmental rate of the pink biotype of the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) (Hemiptera, Aphididae), was determined using nearly isogenic tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, Solanaceae) lines. Aphid mortality was significantly higher on resistant plants, with 60% of the aphids dying by the 4th day of exposure. By the 10th day, all the aphids on the resistant plants were dead whereas 100% of the aphids on susceptible plants were alive. Meu1-mediated resistance resulted in significantly decreased fecundity with a ten-fold decrease in the net fertility rate (4.5 and 45.7 progeny per aphid on resistant and susceptible tomato, respectively). A qualitative analysis showed that honeydew was produced by aphids on resistant and susceptible plants, suggesting that aphids initiate feeding on both plant types. However, significantly lower quantities of honeydew were present when aphids were caged on resistant plants. There were also significant differences in aphid location on resistant and susceptible leaves. Experiments evaluating behavior in less than 24 h showed that aphids left resistant leaves after relatively short exposure (3–6 h). Aphids transferred from resistant to susceptible tomato at intervals between 3 h and 24 h resumed feeding as evidenced by presence of honeydew. Although the mechanism by which Meu1-mediated resistance operates is not yet known, our data suggest that resistance factors act rapidly after initiation of feeding and that lower fecundity and longevity are related to reduction in aphid feeding.
Shuttle box avoidance learning and epinephrine

Rats were trained on a two way shuttle avoidance response under one of two doses of epinephrine or placebo conditions. No effect of the hormone was found in female rats, while males learned less effectively under high doses of the hormone. No facilitation of avoidance learning was found at either dosage.
Trajectory design for the Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby 1995-1996 opportunities

Recent reprogramming of NASA's Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby (CRAF) mission has motivated an examination of the comet rendezvous opportunities available with launch dates in 1995 and 1996. Various interplanetary transfer modes have been investigated including direct, Delta V-earth-gravity- assist and Venus/earth gravity assist trajectories. Optimal trajectories have been generated and their performance assessed for a spacecraft using a chemical propulsion system and the upgraded Titan/Centaur launch vehicle. Of the viable options available, a new CRAF baseline mission has been selected. One important result of the present study is that while there are comet rendezvous trajectories with launch dates throughout the next decade, 1997 marks the beginning of a hiatus of opportunities with short flight times to the comet targets which promise the greatest potential science return.
Synthesis and characterization of novel organic photorefractive materials

Nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores are essential components in photorefractive materials. Several stilbene derivatives, functionalized with an electron-donating substituent in the 4-position and electron-withdrawing substitutent in the 41-position, are known to display second-order NLO properties. Commonly used electron-donating groups include ether and amino, while electron-withdrawing groups include nitrile, nitro, and sulfone. Many of the NLO chomophores have absorptions that extend well into the visible wavelength range, potentially interfering with charge generation or sensitization. Additionally, crystallization of NLO chromophores in doped polymer systems often occurs and is undesirable. We wish to report the synthesis and characterization of a new class of electron donor-acceptor substituted low molar mass and polymeric stilbenes. The phosphonate ester functionality is employed as the electron-withdrawing moiety, affording excellent solubility. These materials are single component, i.e., the charge transport functionality is covalently incorporated into the NLO chromophore.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Calciphylaxis-Induced Skin Necrosis in a Peritoneal Dialysis Patient

A 58-year-old white woman on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for 2 years developed calciphylaxisinduced necrotic skin lesions over both lower extremities. Despite subtotal parathyroidectomy and other conventional measures, skin lesions continued to worsen. Mapping of transcutaneous oxygen pressure showed markedly low values in involved areas. Skin ulcers completely healed after 38 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The results in our case indicate that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be useful in the treatment of skin ulcers secondary to calciphylaxis.
Site-specific methylation changes in the glucocorticoid receptor exon 1F promoter in relation to life adversity: systematic review of contributing factors

There has been recent interest in epigenetics in psychiatry since it offers a means of understanding how stressful life experiences, in interaction with the genotype, result in epigenetic changes that result in altered gene expression, ultimately affecting the risk for mental disorders. Many studies focused on methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor exon 1F promoter following an initial observation that changes in this region could be modulated by the environment. This review examines all published studies that have attempted to measure methylation in this region using different techniques, several tissue types, populations at different behavioral state and stages of development. Methodological issues have been raised with the aim of attempting to understand methylation quantification and site of action. We propose that it is useful to examine whether methylation at specific sites within the promoter region may be particularly relevant to psychiatric vulnerability to stress-related outcomes.
SR 141716A, a cannabinoid receptor antagonist, produces hyperalgesia in untreated mice

Antinociceptive effects of cannabinoids are well documented. However, the physiological role of endogenous cannabinoids in nociception is unknown. We evaluated the effects of the cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 141716A (N-piperidino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-3-pyrazolecarboxamide) on mouse hot plate latencies. Intrathecal injection of SR 141716A evoked a significant thermal hyperalgesia. These results suggest that the cannabinoid system tonically regulates thermal nociceptive thresholds. Furthermore, the absence of this regulation results in hyperalgesia suggesting that hypoactivity of this system may be involved in certain types of chronic pain.
Fundamental Laws of Photoelectricity

Although the present amazing variety of applications of the photoelectric cell has been developed entirely during the past decade, the photoelectric effect was discovered during the nineteenth century. This article gives a brief account of the fundamental laws of photoelectric phenomena and their theoretical significance; it is the eighth of a series of special articles prepared under sponsorship of the A.I.E.E. committee on education, for full details of which see p. 238 of the February issue.
Oxidic semiconducting glass continuous dynode electron multipliers

Abstract Semiconducting oxide glasses containing multiple valence elements have found limited use in electronic applications because of their low mobility and relatively low conductivity. The latter characteristic has been used to advantage in the construction of continuous dynode electron multipliers. Parallel plate and tube structures, with no special surface treatment, have operated successfully with gains greater than 10 8 for single electron inputs. The output is linear with input until saturation sets in at output currents of approximately 10% of the current flowing in the dynode.
The Origins of the Ubiquitin Field

This is a personal account of the early history of ubiquitin research by one of its protagonists. The field of ubiquitin and regulated protein degradation was created in the 1980s, largely through the complementary discoveries by the laboratory of A. Hershko (Technion, Haifa, Israel) and by my laboratory, then at MIT (Cambridge, MA, USA). I describe the elegant insights by Hershko and his colleagues that yielded the initial understanding of the chemistry of ubiquitin conjugation and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis in cell extracts, including the identification of E1, E2, and E3 enzymes. These advances were followed by a set of interconnected discoveries in my laboratory that revealed the biology of the ubiquitin system, i.e., its necessity for protein degradation in vivo, its specific physiological functions (in the cell cycle, DNA repair, protein synthesis, transcriptional regulation, and stress responses), the source of its selectivity (specific degradation signals in short-lived proteins), and its key mechanistic attributes, such as the polyubiquitin chain and the subunit selectivity of protein degradation. The above biological (function-based) insights produced the main discovery of the physiological regulation by intracellular protein degradation. These advances caused the enormous expansion of the ubiquitin field in the 1990s. Together with the initial discovery of ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis by Hershko and coworkers, our biological discoveries in the 1980s led to a radically changed understanding of the logic of intracellular circuits, as it became clear that the control through regulated protein degradation rivals, and often surpasses in significance, the classical regulation through transcription and translation.
ASPECTS OF CONFOCAL IMAGE ANALYSIS

In this paper, we discuss various aspects of an image analysis system for images obtained from a laser scanning confocal light microscope with particular emphasis on segmentation techniques. The main areas of interest of the image analysis system are: pre-processing, segmentation, data structures used to represent objects, morphometry, and visualization of three-dimensional microscopic structures. Pre-processing techniques are discussed, both for reduction of spurious intensity variations using digital filters and for intensity correction to account for the loss of signal due to photo bleaching and due to the field curvature of the objective lens. The segmentation techniques discussed in this paper include data driven approaches such as region segmentation based on intensity variations as well as model driven approaches such as boundary refinement based on object models. The segmented image is then used to extract morphometric parameters of microscopic structures such as surface area, volume, center of gravity, eccentricity, and skeleton. Several algorithms are presented to extract this information and methods of presenting the results are also discussed. Finally, various methods and implementation aspects of visualizing both raw data and segmented images are evaluated together with techniques for interactive manipulation of the images.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An endogenous morphine-like factor in mammalian brain.

Abstract An endogenous morphine-like substance (MLF) found in rat and calf brains has a regional distribution correlating with that of opiate receptors, with the highest levels in the caudate and negligible amounts in the cerebellum. In binding assays MLF behaves like an opiate agonist. Sodium ion and enzyme and reagent treatment of membranes decrease its potency and manganese ion enhances it. MLF is localized in synaptosomal fractions, stored in an osmotically labile compartment, and can be degraded by carboxypeptidase A and leucine amino peptidase, implying a peptide structure. Its molecular weight is about 1000 as determined by gel chromatography.
Microarray Detection Call Methodology as a Means to Identify and Compare Transcripts Expressed within Syncytial Cells from Soybean (Glycine max) Roots Undergoing Resistant and Susceptible Reactions to the Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines)

Background. A comparative microarray investigation was done using detection call methodology (DCM) and differential expression analyses. The goal was to identify genes found in specific cell populations that were eliminated by differential expression analysis due to the nature of differential expression methods. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) was used to isolate nearly homogeneous populations of plant root cells. Results. The analyses identified the presence of 13,291 transcripts between the 4 different sample types. The transcripts filtered down into a total of 6,267 that were detected as being present in one or more sample types. A comparative analysis of DCM and differential expression methods showed a group of genes that were not differentially expressed, but were expressed at detectable amounts within specific cell types. Conclusion. The DCM has identified patterns of gene expression not shown by differential expression analyses. DCM has identified genes that are possibly cell-type specific and/or involved in important aspects of plant nematode interactions during the resistance response, revealing the uniqueness of a particular cell population at a particular point during its differentiation process.
Locating the border

This essay focuses upon how a border is physically located and policed on the terrain ‘between’ two countries to defamiliarize the nature and culture of a border as a space of governing. It sketches some of the issues and questions raised if a critical focus shifts from the identity of people who cross the border to the identity of the border; more precisely the essay focuses on how the border itself came to be identified through a variety of communication technologies. The ‘border’ is defined as the designated points of entry used to police an international boundary, as distinct from the boundary line as it appeared on maps and also as it was marked on the land. Congressional documents and newspaper and magazine articles are used to focus on the US/Canadian border in the 1920s and 1930s to suggest some of the issues and subsequent concerns raised by questioning where and how officials chose to make a previously benign boundary line into a border where the movement of people and goods across land was policed.
F-Amplitude, left atrial appendage velocity, and thromboembolic risk in nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation

Background: Reduced left atrial appendage velocity (LAAV) has been identified as a marker for thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. Hypothesis: It was postulated that electrocardiographic (ECG) F-wave amplitude would correlate with LAAV, and inversely with the risk of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods: In all, 53 patients with nonrheumatic (NRAF) and 7 patients with rheumatic (RAF) atrial fibrillation underwent assessment of maximum LAAV, which was correlated to the maximum ECG F-wave voltage from lead V1 (Fmax). In 450 NRAF patients on neither aspirin nor warfarin, the relationship between Fmax and thromboembolic risk was assessed over an average follow-up of 1.3 years. Results: Fmax did not correlate with LAAV (r = 0.2, p = 0.07). Patients with intermittent atrial fibrillation (n = 123) had smaller Fmax amplitude than patients with constant atrial fibrillation (n = 327) (mean 0.73 vs. 0.88 mV−1, p = 0.001). Fmax amplitude was not related to a history of hypertension, systolic blood pressure, duration of NRAF, abnormal transthoracic echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) systolic function or left atrial (LA) diameter. There was a strong trend for increased LV mass being related to smaller Fmax amplitude after adjusting for body surface area (p = 0.06). Fmax amplitude was not correlated with risk of embolic events, including only those events presumed by a panel of case-blinded neurologists to be cardioembolic. Conclusion: Fmax amplitude in NRAF is smaller in patients with intermittent versus constant AF. It does not correlate with LAAV, LA size, increased LV mass, or systolic dysfunction, hypertension, or risk of embolism. Therefore, Fmax amplitude may not be used as a surrogate for LAAV, or as a measure of thromboembolic risk in NRAF.
"A Little In Front O' The Next"

For many people, the first experience of Paul Brokaw is a job interview. Unfortunately, for many people, it is also their last. It?s not that Paul makes the interview uncomfortable. On the contrary, it is relaxed and friendly. It feels more like the meeting of old colleagues than a formal interview. It is quickly apparent, however, that this is going to be something different, and whatever you trained for, whatever you think you know, it?s not going to be enough.
Paradoxical embolism after peripheral blood stem cell infusion.

There are two case reports of a paradoxical embolus to the brain following bone marrow infusion.1 We describe a similar case following infusion of peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells.