cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sex Differences in Behavioral and Brainstem Transcriptomic Neuroadaptations following Neonatal Opioid Exposure in Outbred Mice.

The opioid epidemic led to an increase in the number of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) cases in infants born to opioid-dependent mothers. Hallmark features of NOWS include weight loss, severe irritability, respiratory problems, and sleep fragmentation. Mouse models provide an opportunity to identify brain mechanisms that contribute to NOWS. Neonatal outbred Swiss Webster Cartworth Farms White (CFW) mice were administered morphine (15mg/kg, s.c.) twice daily for postnatal days (P) 1-14, an approximate of the third trimester of human gestation. Female and male mice underwent behavioral testing on P7 and P14 to determine the impact of opioid exposure on anxiety and pain sensitivity. Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) and daily body weights were also recorded. Brainstems containing pons and medulla were collected during morphine withdrawal on P14 for RNA-sequencing. Morphine induced weight loss from P2-14, which persisted during adolescence (P21) and adulthood (P50). USVs markedly increased at P7 in females, emerging earlier than males. On P7 and P14, both morphine-exposed female and male mice displayed hyperalgesia on the hot plate and tail flick assays, with females showing greater hyperalgesia than males. Morphine-exposed mice exhibited increased anxiety-like behavior in the open-field arena on P21. Transcriptome analysis of the brainstem, an area implicated in opioid withdrawal and NOWS, identified pathways enriched for noradrenergic signaling in females and males. We also found sex-specific pathways related to mitochondrial function and neurodevelopment in females and circadian entrainment in males. Sex-specific transcriptomic neuroadaptations implicate unique neurobiological mechanisms underlying NOWS-like behaviors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) is a poorly understood condition that has both a genetic and environmental component and is thought to be mechanistically distinct from opioid withdrawal in adults. The development of murine models for measuring neurobehavioral responses is critical for informing the neurobiological adaptations underlying NOWS. Using outbred mice that more closely model human genetic variation, we discovered several sex differences in behavioral timing and severity of NOWS-model behaviors as well as transcriptomic adaptations in brain tissue that together suggest distinct mechanisms and sex-specific therapeutics for reversing withdrawal symptoms and restoring brain function.
Traumatic stress, body shame, and internalized weight stigma as mediators of change in disordered eating: a single-arm pilot study of the Body Trust® framework.

To enhance access to evidence-based treatment it is increasingly important to evaluate scalable virtual programs that support the needs of those struggling with disordered eating. This study described a scientifically grounded, trauma-informed framework known as Body Trust,® and aimed to pilot test the preliminary effectiveness and mechanisms of change in a Body Trust® program to improve disordered eating. Using quality outcomes data, we examined 70 mostly white (87%) female-identifying (97%) individuals enrolled in a 6-module online program based in the Body Trust® framework (Mage = 45.5 ±10.9; MBMI = 33.7 ±8.0). Putative mediators included traumatic stress, internalized weight stigma, and body shame. Outcomes were objective and subjective binge episodes, overvaluation of weight and shape, and eating concerns. Generalized estimating equations were applied to determine pre-to-post changes. We applied Montoya's MEMORE macro, the joint-significance test, and calculated 95% Monte Carlo confidence intervals to assess mediation. Significant pre-to-post improvements with medium to large effect sizes were detected for all outcomes and mediators (ps<.008). All hypothesized mechanisms supported mediation. Using the Body Trust® framework shows early promise for alleviating disordered eating symptoms through targeting traumatic stress, body shame, and internalized weight stigma. Given the program's use of mindfulness techniques, future research should test target mechanisms like interoception.
Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Survival Outcome in Lower Grade Gliomas With Combined Clinical and DNA Methylation Data.

Purpose/Objective(s) Lower grade gliomas (LGG, World Health Organization Grade II and III) are characterized by variable clinical behavior and variable outcomes. While previously identified clinically molecular stratification factors add prognostic insight over histologic classification alone, significant heterogeneity exists with respect to overall outcome among patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate nine machine learning algorithms on a combined clinical, mutational and methylation data of 293 adult LGGs. Materials/Methods 293 clinically annotated LGG samples with genome-wide methylation data available in the TCGA atlas were included in the study. Clinically relevant information included age at diagnosis, sex, IDH, TP53, ATRX mutations, 1p/19q status, tumor grade, histology, disease status and overall survival status. Methylation data of 450 genes with the highest variance across all samples were included. We used a total of nine machine learning algorithms in RapidMiner to evaluate the accuracy of each in predicting the overall survival status (deceased/living.) Those included tree-based and neural networks-based algorithms, support vector machine, and linear regression. Results Gradient boosted trees achieved the greatest predictive accuracy (86.76%, living and deceased class recall of 84.75% and 91.67%, respectively), followed by Decision Tree (84.52%, class recall of 85.25 and 82.61%, respectively). The largest weight in each model was disease-free status. Combined clinical and methylation data achieved greater sensitivity and specificity compared to either methylation or clinical data only: methylation data-based analysis without inclusion of clinical data achieved maximum accuracy of 79.56% with Deep Learning (living and deceased class recall of 95% and 39.13%, respectively), while clinical data-only based analysis showed highest accuracy of 89.16% with Random Forests, with a class recall for living and deceased of 98.36% and 63.64%, respectively. Conclusion The combination of clinical and methylation data achieves a remarkable accuracy in predicting overall survival outcome in LGG patients, with highest overall class recall. The class recall (true positive rate or sensitivity) for deceased patients of combined data is superior to both clinical data-only and methylation data-only based analysis.
80. Depletion of High-Content CD14+ Cells from Apheresis Products is Critical for the Successful Transduction and Expansion of CAR T Cells During Large-Scale cGMP Manufacturing

Adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered T cells holds great promise as a novel strategy to treat patients with cancer. Apheresis products are a major source of starting material for large-scale T cell selection using CD3/28 magnetic beads. At the time of collection, the composition in various cell lineages is highly variable. We have successfully manufactured CAR T cell products starting from apheresis products containing as few as 0.5% to 3% of CD3+ cells. However, we have experienced manufacturing challenges with apheresis products containing a high fraction of CD14+ cells. We conducted a study with an apheresis product derived from a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia containing 70% CD14+ cells. 350 × 106 CD3+ cells were selected from the cryopreserved apheresis product using CD3/28 magnetic beads either with or without a prior 1.5 hr monocyte/granulocyte adherence step. This short adherence procedure decreased the CD14+ cell composition from 70% to 45%. A second overnight depletion by adherence in T-flasks and re-stimulation with CD3/28 magnetic beads on day 1 were also performed in the depleted group to ensure the proper activation of CD3+ cells. On day 3, 350×106 vs 20 x106 total cells were recovered from each group without and with the depletion step, respectively. Selected cells from both groups were transduced using the same dilution of vector stocks at a cell concentration of either 0.4×106/mL or 0.2×106/mL in tissue culture bags. On day 7, we observed a drastic difference in transduction efficiency between the group without depletion (4.5%) and the group in which the CD14+ cells were depleted (38%). Moreover, starting with 108 × 106 selected cells on day 3, a mere total of 12.3 × 106 (14.8% CD3+) were recovered on day 11 in the group without depletion. By contrast, cells from the depleted group expanded 350 fold from day 3 to day 10 (100% CD3+). Our results suggest that high CD14+ cell content poses a manufacturing challenge when the selection of the CD3+ cells in the apheresis product is performed with CD3/CD28 magnetic beads. The CD14+ cell threshold for successful manufacturing without depletion remains to be determined. However, monitoring the CD14 cell content and depleting these cells from starting apheresis products with high CD14 content prior to CD3/CD28 magnetic bead selection are critical to ensure success of the CAR T cell manufacturing process.
Die chirurgische Behandlung des anorektalen Abszesses

Ziel der Behandlung des anorektalen Abszesses ist die rechtzeitige und ausreichende Sanierung, um weitere Komplikationen wie die Ausbildung einer Fistel zu verhindern. In dieser Studie wurden die prospektiv erfasten Daten von 324 Patienten, die wegen eines anorektalen Abszesses operiert worden waren, untersucht. 38,6% der Abszesse lagen im perianalen Gewebe, 34,6% im Intersphinkterraum, 19,4% in der Fossa ischiorectalis und 7,4% im supralevatorischen Bereich. Nur bei 25,6% aller Patienten wurde bei der Abszesoperation eine Analfistel nachgewiesen. Bei den ischiorektalen Abszessen wurden dagegen zu 47,6% uberwiegend trans- und suprasphinktere Fisteln nachgewiesen. 62,1% dieser Fisteln konnten primar saniert werden. 16 von 45 intraoperativ nachgewiesenen trans- und suprasphinkteren Analfisteln heilten ohne weitere operative Interventionen ab (35,6%). Bei 7,7% musten post-operativ diagnostizierte Fisteln behandelt werden. 9,6% der Patienten entwickelten einen Rezidivabszes. Der Verzicht auf eine intensive primare Fistelsuche fuhrt nicht zwangslaufig zu einer hoheren persistierenden Fistelrate. Unter diesem Aspekt sollte bei der Erstoperation auf eine weitergehende Exploration verzichtet werden. Oberflachliche Fisteln konnen naturlich in gleicher Sitzung saniert werden. Die Indikation zur Anlage einer Fadendrainage sollte unter diesem Aspekt auserst kritisch geschen werden. Postoperativ diagnostizierte hohe Analfisteln konnen nach Abklingen der akuten Entzundung durch eine kontinente Fistulektomie saniert werden.
Globalization of Voice-Enabled Internet Access Solutions

As voice-enabled Internet access solutions are obtaining an increasing success among the mobile users and at the same time software globalization is becoming an important issue for companies doing business worldwide, a natural emerging area of interest is represented by the application of internationalization and localization techniques to the Voice User Interfaces. The paper addresses the topic from both the software architecture and the human factor perspective and presents our solutions and findings.
Web 2.0 and business: Early results on perceptions of Web 2.0 and factors influencing its adoption

Web 2.0 is quickly evolving into one of the most important technologies to drive the business world. In about five years, it made its impact by converting the web into a platform for people to assemble and organize. Today it provides powerful tools for business use. Practitioners propose that they can lead to new product and service offerings, change business processes, and achieve remarkable levels of collaboration within and outside an organization. This research examines over fourteen hundred end-user responses and presents some early results. It empirically verifies the perceptions about the benefits of Web 2.0 and finds four factors that may influence the adoption of Web 2.0. Benefits like collaboration, process innovation, and cost reduction find strong recognition. The four underlying factors that appear to influence Web 2.0 adoption are Business improvement, Workplace collaboration, Innovation, and Personal use.
Mimotopes and proteome analyses using human genomic and cDNA epitope phage display.

In the post-genomic era, validation of candidate gene targets frequently requires proteinbased strategies. Phage display is a powerful tool to define protein-protein interactions by generating peptide binders against target antigens. Epitope phage display libraries have the potential to enrich coding exon sequences from human genomic loci. We evaluated genomic and cDNA phage display strategies to identify genes in the 5q31 Interleukin gene cluster and to enrich cell surface receptor tyrosine kinase genes from a breast cancer cDNA library. A genomic display library containing 2 × 10 6 clones with exon-sized inserts was selected with antibodies specific for human Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interleukin-13. The library was enriched significantly after two selection rounds and DNA sequencing revealed unique clones. One clone matched a cognate IL-4 epitope; however, the majority of clone insert sequences corresponded to E. coli genomic DNA. These bacterial sequences act as ‘mimotopes’ (mimetic sequences of the true epitope), correspond to open reading frames, generate displayed peptides, and compete for binding during phage selection. The specificity of these mimotopes for IL-4 was confirmed by competition ELISA. Other E. coli mimotopes were generated using additional antibodies. Mimotopes for a receptor tyrosine kinase gene were also selected using a breast cancer SKBR-3 cDNA phage display library, screened against an anti-erbB2 monoclonal antibody. Identification of mimotopes in genomic and cDNA phage libraries is essential for phage display-based protein validation assays and two-hybrid phage approaches that examine protein-protein interactions. The predominance of E. coli mimotopes suggests that the E. coli genome may be useful to generate peptide diversity biased towards protein coding sequences. Abbreviations used: IL, interleukin; ELISA, enzyme linked immunoabsorbant assay; PBS, phospho-buffered saline; cfu, colony forming units.
A survey of introns in three genes of rotifers

Here we report on the occurrence and position of introns found in three genes of rotifers. A region of the gene for the TATA-box binding protein was examined in three species of Bdelloidea and one of Monogononta. There are two introns in both copies of this gene present in each of the three bdelloids examined — one at a position where introns occur in other eukaryotes and the other at a novel position; the monogonont has no introns in the region examined. A region of the gene encoding the 82 kD heat shock protein was examined in 10 species, with every rotifer class represented. Introns were found in only two species, both bdelloids: one of the species has an intron in all three copies of the gene; the other has an intron in only one of the three copies. Both introns occur at novel positions. The gene for triosephosphate isomerase was examined in one bdelloid. Both copies of the gene in this species contain introns, all at conserved positions: one copy contains five introns, the other copy three. These observations demonstrate the presence of introns in bdelloid rotifers, some in conserved positions, others apparently newly arisen during bdelloid evolution.
India in 2011: The State Encounters the People

Abstract The year 2011 was marked by several important developments: a massive uprising of the people, spearheaded by a powerful civil society movement for the reform of India9s corrupt and criminalized democracy; an attempt by the central government to reform antiquated land acquisition laws for public use; a growing disillusionment with the United Progressive Alliance government; the slowing down of India9s eight-year-long run of rapid growth; and a growing convergence of interests between India and other powers in the region, except China.
Distributed monitoring and a video-based toolset

Healthcare environment is a prime example of collaborative work, in which work is organized both at the macro-level over days and weeks as well as micro-level over hours and minutes. Coordination is carried out jointly by those who often share the ultimate goal of providing best care to the patient while at the same time have different perspectives. Additionally, uncertainty and contingencies often arise to disrupt the best plans. Based on the phenomenology observed in coordination for day of surgery management, we illustrate strategies employed by healthcare workers to enhance operational robustness and reliability. Based on the insight learned, a video-based toolset was developed and deployed in a Level-I trauma center to enhance distributed monitoring. Initial trials showed that the toolset was highly received.
Laurentide Ice Sheet Meltwater and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation During the Last Glacial Cycle: A View From the Gulf of Mexico

0GM001016-RA-Flower.3 Pro of Meltwater input from the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) has often been invoked as a cause of proximal sea surface temperature (SST) and salinity change in the North Atlantic and of regional to global climate change via its influence on the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). Here we review the evidence for meltwater inflow to the Gulf of Mexico and its reduction relative to the onset of the Younger Dryas, compare inferred meltwater inflow during marine isotope stage 3 (MIS 3), and thereby assess the role of LIS meltwater routing as a trigger of abrupt climate change. We present published and new Mg/Ca and δO data on the planktic foraminifer Globigerinoides ruber from four northern Gulf of Mexico sediment cores that provide detailed records of SST and δO of seawater (δOsw) for most of the last glacial cycle (48–8 ka). These results generally support models that suggest meltwater rerouting away from the Gulf of Mexico and directly to the North Atlantic may have caused Younger Dryas cooling via AMOC reduction. Alternatively, southern meltwater input may simply have been reduced during the Younger Dryas. Indeed, Dansgaard-Oeschger cooling events must have had a different cause because southern meltwater input during MIS 3 does not match their number or timing. Furthermore, the relationships between Gulf of Mexico meltwater input, Heinrich events, Antarctic warm events, and AMOC variability suggest bipolar warming and enhanced seasonality during meltwater episodes. We formulate a “meltwater capacitor” hypothesis for understanding enhanced seasonality during abrupt climate change in the North Atlantic region.
A simple method for assessing sample sizes in microarray experiments.

In this short article, we discuss a simple method for assessing sample size requirements in microarray experiments. Our method starts with the output from a permutation-based analysis for a set of pilot data, e.g. from the SAM package. Then for a given hypothesized mean difference and various samples sizes, we estimate the false discovery rate and false negative rate of a list of genes; these are also interpretable as per gene power and type I error. We also discuss application of our method to other kinds of response variables, for example survival outcomes. Our method seems to be useful for sample size assessment in microarray experiments.
Biotic and Abiotic Factors Related to Rainbow Smelt Recruitment in the Wisconsin Waters of Lake Superior, 1978–1997

Lake Superior rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) recruitment to 12–13 months of age in the Wisconsin waters of Lake Superior varied by a factor of 9.3 during 1978–1997. Management agencies have sought models that accurately predict recruitment, but no satisfactory models had previously been developed. In this study, modeling was conducted to determine which factors best explained recruitment variability. The Ricker stock-recruitment model derived from only the paired stock and recruit data accounted for 63% of the variability in recruitment data. The functional relationship that accounted for the greatest amount of recruitment variation (81%) included rainbow smelt stock size, May rainfall, and bloater (Coregonus hoyi) biomass. Model results were interpreted to mean that recruitment was affected negatively by increased river flows from increased rainfall, and affected positively by the biomass of bloater, and those results were interpreted to mean that bloater mediated the effects of lake trout predation on rainbow smelt recruits. Model results were also interpreted to mean that stock size caused compensatory, density-dependent mortality on rainbow smelt recruits. Correlations observed here may be of value to managers seeking approaches to either enhance or control populations of this species, which is not indigenous to the Great Lakes.
DNA synthesis by isolated mitochondria of Physarum polycephalum

Abstract Isolated mitochondria of Physarum polycephalum were found to incorporate [ 3 H]dATP into an acid-insoluble product having the same buoyant density as that of Physarum mitochondrial DNA. The reaction required all 4 deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates and Mg 2+ , was unaffected by exogenous DNA, deoxyribonuclease or ATP, and was inhibited by Ca 2+ and spermine. In contrast to nuclear DNA synthesis, the DNA polymerase activity of isolated mitochondria was independent of the mitotic cycle in this organism.
Inverse problem solution of squeeze flow for parameters of generalized Newtonian fluid and wall slip

The determination of the parameters describing the shear viscosity and wall slip behavior of complex fluids, including polymer melts, polymeric suspensions, and polymeric gels, is a challenge. Here we use the squeeze flow of generalized Newtonian fluids with and without wall slip to generate an inverse problem solution methodology for the estimation of the parameters of the shear viscosity and wall slip. Analytical as well as the finite element method (FEM) based numerical solutions of the squeeze flow are used for the analysis and the determination of the parameters. It is suggested that the analytical and numerical analyses can provide the basic where withal necessary for the solution of the inverse problem of squeeze flows to characterize the shear viscosity and the wall slip parameters provided that the issues of uniqueness and stability are properly addressed.
Reclaiming the Core: Liberal Education in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract Colleges and faculties of liberal arts are facing potentially devastating declines in enrollments, driven in part by their own loss of clear purpose. To stem the tide and regain their rightful place at the center of the university, liberal arts faculties need to rethink the meaning of liberal education. This article argues that education in the liberal arts should be directed above all to cultivating practical wisdom, for which a deep inquiry into the central questions of political science is especially valuable. It discusses the relation of liberal education to civic education, the proper tasks of civic education at the university level, the benefits of dialectical inquiry, and the means by which students’ thoughtless relativism can be replaced with habit of moral reasoning suitable to a modern cosmopolitan society.
PTEN, Stem Cells, and Cancer Stem Cells

Like normal stem cells, "cancer stem cells" have the capacity for indefinite proliferation and generation of new cancerous tissues through self-renewal and differentiation. Among the major intracellular signaling pathways, WNT, SHH, and NOTCH are known to be important in regulating normal stem cell activities, and their alterations are associated with tumorigenesis. It has become clear recently that PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue) is also critical for stem cell maintenance and that PTEN loss can cause the development of cancer stem cells and ultimately tumorigenesis.
Mental health care services for children with special health care needs and their family members: prevalence and correlates of unmet needs.

Objectives To estimate the prevalence and correlates of unmet needs for mental health care services for children with special health care needs and their families. Methods We use the National Survey of Children With Special Health Care Needs to estimate the prevalence of unmet mental health care needs among children with special health care needs (1-17 years old) and their families. Using logistic-regression models, we also assess the independent impact of child and family factors on unmet needs. Results Substantial numbers of children with special health care needs and members of their families have unmet needs for mental health care services. Children with special health care needs who were poor, uninsured, and were without a usual source of care were statistically significantly more likely to report that their mental health care needs were unmet. More severely affected children and those with emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions were also statistically significantly more likely to report that their mental health care needs went unmet. Families of severely affected children or of children with emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions were also statistically significantly more likely to report that their mental health care needs went unmet. Conclusions Our results indicate that children with special health care needs and their families are at risk for not receiving needed mental health care services. Furthermore, we find that children in families of lower socioeconomic status are disproportionately reporting higher rates of unmet needs. These data suggest that broader policies to identify and connect families with needed services are warranted but that child- and family-centered approaches alone will not meet the needs of these children and their families. Other interventions such as anti-poverty and insurance expansion efforts may be needed as well.
Self-help treatment for migraine headaches: a controlled outcome study.

SYNOPSIS A self-help approach for the control of migraine headaches was evaluated. Self-help refers to a self-directed effort, without therapist contact aimed at reducing the symptoms of migraine. The experimental plan involved giving migraine headache patients one of two experimental books and then evaluating the effect. Subjects were recruited through newspaper announcements and were required to have had at least two vascular headaches per month. During the first six weeks of the study, the baseline period, all subjects recorded headache frequency, intensity and duration. Subjects were then matched for headache frequency and then randomly assigned to receive either the treatment or control book. The treatment book contained instructions for thermal biofeedback, relaxation and cognitive behavior therapy. A liquid crystal device for measuring fingertip temperature was also included. Instructions in the treatment book were written such that a self-help, no-therapist treatment could be followed by the subject. The control book was a popularly available paperback in which a series of case studies on headache treatment and diagnosis were discussed. It was selected because it was easy to read and contained information about headaches but did not necessarily direct the reader to start a self-help program. Data was obtained for 51 subjects who completed a three- and six-month followup data collection period (treatment N = 22, control N = 29). There was a 62% decrease in headache frequency at six months for subjects who received the treatment book and a 14% drop for those who received the control book. Corresponding findings were also obtained for duration and pain levels of the headache as well as for prescribed medication use. Although the results indicated that this type of self-help treatment could be effective for many migraine patients, limitations and cautions in interpretation of these results were discussed.
Orthonormal residuals in geostatistics: Model criticism and parameter estimation

In linear geostatistics, models for the mean function (drift) and the variogram or generalized covariance function are selected on the basis of the modeler's understanding of the phenomenon studied as well as data. One can seldom be assured that the most appropriate model has been selected; however, analysis of residuals is helpful in diagnosing whether some important characteristic of the data has been neglected and, ultimately, in providing a reasonable degree of assurance that the selected model is consistent with the available information. The orthonormal residuals presented in this work are kriging errors constructed so that, when the correct model is used, they are uncorrelated and have zero mean and unit variance. It is suggested that testing of orthonormal residuals is a practical way for evaluating the agreement of the model with the data and for diagnosing model deficiencies. Their advantages over the usually employed standardized residuals are discussed. A set of tests are presented. Orthonormal residuals can also be useful in the estimation of the covariance (or variogram) parameters for a model that is considered correct.
The Price of Privacy

Simply declaring privacy to be a legal right doesn't provide any resources to enforce it. If privacy was an economic transaction, meaning that people pay for it, then their payments would provide resources to protect it. Would we have better privacy if people were paying for it directly rather than trying to get it via political campaigns?
Design of Testing System for Main Spindle Box of CNC Lathe Based on LabVIEW

According to the testing craft and requirements of CNC Lathe about main spindle box, testing system of hardware and software structure was designed in this paper. It adopts sensors, data acquisition cards, industrial control computer, frequency converter and so on as hardware, good data analysis methods, and LabVIEW as software tool, to realize real-time monitoring of main spindle box testing conditions.
Reactions occurring in the organic phase during aromatic nitrations

The reactions which may occur in the organic phase during mononitration of benzene and toluene under heterogeneous conditions used in industry have been studied by mixing the hydrocarbon with a solution of nitrating acid in either m-mononitrotoluene or mononitrobenzene. Both nitration and oxidation reactions are shown to occur. A separate aqueous phase may be formed during reaction, and distribution of nitric acid into this has an important effect on reaction in the organic phase. The rate of nitration is sensitive to the presence of even traces of sulphuric acid. The ratio of mononitrotoluene isomers formed in the organic phase is the same as under heterogeneous conditions.
Estimation of affine motion from projection data using a mass conservation model

An approximate model for the effect of respiration is that the cross section of the thoracic area under interrogation experience time-varying magnification and displacement along two perpendicular axes — we propose to model this motion as parametric affine motion. A theoretical framework for determination of parameters of affine motion modeling the global respiratory motion based on the sinogram data in the projection domain is described. It is assumed that the spatial image considered is a density image where conservation of mass holds.
The need for power, brain norepinephrine turnover and learning

This experiment was designed to explore whether brain norepinephrine (NE) serves as a specific reward system for the power drive. Previous research has indicated that 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG), a urinary metabolite reflecting central NE turnover, is positively correlated with features of assertiveness which one might expect of a person high in the need for power (n power) or in a state of aroused power motivation. Twenty-seven male undergraduates, 13 of whom were high and 14 of whom were low in n power as assessed by a TAT measure, were recruited as subjects. Before and after the laboratory session, subjects voided all urine and concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine and MHPG were obtained from samples. The laboratory task consisted of 20 picture-word pairs in which the subject had to learn to anticipate the word associated with each picture before the word was presented. Five pairs of stimuli in each of the following picture-word combinations were presented 12 times: neutral-neutral, neutral-power, power-neutral and power-power. The results revealed that, as predicted, subjects high in n power learn most power-related material faster than subjects low in n power. The need for achievement is unrelated to the learning of any picture-word pairs. The neurochemical data indicated that subjects maintaining a relatively high MHPG excretion rate during the experiment who were also high in n power showed the greatest mastery of power related compared with neutral picture-word pairs. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that brain NE turnover is specifically related to the learning of power-related responses in subjects high in n power.
Ice Tank Tests on Ice Rubble Loads Against a Cable-Moored Conical Platform

Presented herein are ice-tank data concerning ice-rubble loads against a moored conical platform. Of prime interest is how rubble-ice loads are influenced by horizontal stiffness of the platform’s mooring system. An important, and heretofore undocumented, feature of rubble loading and clearing around the platform is the accumulation of ice rubble as a false bow, or prow, at the platform’s leading perimeter. The ice-tank data show that, under certain conditions of ice-rubble loading, the lowest stiffness of mooring tested resulted in prow instability and sloughing, which in turn lead to a cyclic pattern of loading, and to rubble congestion around the platform. An outcome of such rubble congestion was a marked increase in the overall rubble-ice load exerted against the platform.
Implicaciones funcionales de la lesión parenquimatosa tras angioplastia de la arteria renal

La revascularizacion percutanea de la arteria renal para tratar la hipertension arterial y la insuficiencia renal es comun en la actualidad, y cada vez es mas obvio que la intervencion en la arteria renal puede estar asociada con lesiones en el parenquima. La frecuencia, la causa y los resultados de las lesiones funcionales agudas asociadas con la intervencion renal estan poco perfiladas. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la frecuencia de dichas lesiones 30 dias despues de la intervencion sobre la arteria renal, para identificar los factores asociados y determinar si la disfuncion renal funcional relacionada con el procedimiento esta asociada con sucesos clinicos adversos diferidos. Se realizo un analisis retrospectivo de los pacientes sometidos a angioplastia de la arteria renal por afectacion aterosclerotica entre 1990 y 2007. No se utilizaron dispositivos de proteccion embolica distal. La disfuncion renal del parenquima renal se definio como un aumento persistente de las concentraciones sericas de creatinina ≥ 0,5 mg/dl un mes despues de la intervencion. Se determino la ausencia de morbilidad por causas renales (aumento persistente de la creatinina > 20% de los valores iniciales, progresion a hemodialisis y fallecimiento por causas renales) y la supervivencia del paciente. Cuatrocientos dieciocho pacientes fueron sometidos a 581 angioplastias de la arteria renal: 57% por hipertension arterial, 23% por hipertension arterial asociada a insuficiencia renal cronica, y 12% por insuficiencia renal aislada. En el 30% de los pacientes se produjeron lesiones renales funcionales agudas. La presencia de una disfuncion renal se asocio con una disminucion significativa de la ausencia de morbilidad por causas renales (media ± EEM 80 ± 2% frente a 55 ± 10%, ausencia de lesion frente a lesion, p
Structural Determination of the Carboxyl Terminal Domain from the Gap Junction Protein Connexin45

Gap junctions are intercellular channels that enable ions, small molecules, and second messenger metabolites to travel between adjacent cells. Gap junctions provide a pathway for molecules involved in growth, regulation, and development. In the cardiac conduction system, they are critical for impulse propagation. Alterations in the gap junction proteins or connexins (Cx) are associated with life threatening arrhythmias. The major connexins in the heart are Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45. Previous studies have shown that these connexins are able to interact causing the formation of heteromeric gap junction channels, which have different biophysical properties than homomeric channels. The mechanisms involved in the regulation of these heteromeric channels are still largely unknown, but recent evidence supports involvement of their carboxyl terminal (CT) domains. Our laboratory has focused biophysical studies on the Cx43CT and Cx40CT domains, and here we have extended our studies to the Cx45CT. Using different biophysical methods, including NMR spectroscopy and Circular Dichroism, we have found that the Cx45CT is predominately unstructured, like the Cx43CT and Cx40CT domains. Ongoing studies are focused on identifying if hetero-CT domain interactions are involved in the regulation of heteromeric channels.
The effect of thermopreference on circadian thermoregulation in sprague-dawley and fisher 344 rats

Abstract Interstrain differences in thermoregulation of rats are important in biomedical research because subtleties in thermoregulatory sensitivities may greatly affect data collected. Little is known regarding how individual rodent strains differentially utilize behavioral thermal preference to regulate core temperature (Tc). Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Fischer 344 (F344) rats are known to have differences in thermoregulation including heat tolerance and are useful models to study interstrain differences in thermoregulation. Adult male SD and F344 rats of similar body size were implanted with radiotelemetry thermoprobes (DSI) to measure Tc and MA and housed in either a longitudinal temperature gradient with an ambient temperature (Ta) range of ∼15–40 °C to measure selected Ta (STa) or control environment maintained at a Ta of 23 °C. When continuously monitored for 48 h, Tc and MA increased at night, while STa decreased, according to their normal circadian cycle in both strains. SD rats were more active than F344 rats throughout the circadian cycle (SD gradient: day=12.9±1.2 m/h, night=32.1±2.4 m/h; F344 gradient: day=4.1±0.6 m/h, night=16.8±1.8 m/h; p
The Place of Moral Responsibility and Mental Illness

Gillett (2009) places his view clearly in familiar categories: he argues for an embodied identity, resting both on phenomenology and neo-Aristotelianism, with strong ties to neuroscience. He argues...
Risk factors for heart disease associated with abnormal sidedness.

Background The purpose of this study is to obtain information on potential familial and environmental risk factors for liveborn cases of heart disease associated with abnormal visceral and vascular sidedness, heterotaxy heart disease, so that hypotheses about this congenital cardiovascular malformation (CCVM) and its risk factors can be generated. We describe the characteristics of infants with heterotaxy heart malformations and case-control comparisons of interview data obtained on parental socio-demographic characteristics, occupational and household environmental exposures. Methods Cases and controls are drawn from the Baltimore Washington Infant Study (BWIS) a population based case control study of CCVM diagnosed in the region from 1981–89. Results Maternal diabetes (OR = 5.5, 95% CI = 1.6–19.1) and family history of malformations (OR = 5.1, 95% CI = 2.0–12.9) are strongly associated with cardiac disorders of sidedness. Cocaine use by mothers during the first trimester is associated with heterotaxy heart disease with odds of 3.7 (95% CI = 1.3–10.7). Cases of isolated dextrocardia shared risk factors with other heterotaxy malformations. The odds of a twin proband having heterotaxy heart disease is 4.8 (95% CI = 1.9–11.8) compared to singleton births. Twin probands are predominantly monozygotic twins in contrast to twin probands in other congenital cardiovascular malformations. Conclusions Our findings are consistent with a role for multiple genetic factors in the development of left-right axis formation and with variable cardiac phenotypes according to gene expression and possible gene-environment interactions. Association with monozygotic twinning and with parental cocaine use may point to additional mechanistic clues for future research. Teratology 66:242–248, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Down-regulation of vimentin gene expression during myogenesis is controlled by a 5'-flanking sequence.

Abstract During myogenesis, the intermediate filament proteins vimentin and desmin are differentially expressed. While desmin levels increase dramatically, vimentin mRNA levels decrease substantially. Here, we show that transfected whole- and mini-vimentin-coding genes (Vim) are expressed in fibroblasts (mouse L cells) and down-regulated during muscle cell differentiation in culture. Functional assays with 5 ' -end Vim ::cat constructs demonstrate that this repression is controlled by a 5′-element (nt −321 to −160). This region is distinct from Vim promoter elements (nt −160 to + 71) which do not contribute to vimentin's down-regulation during myogenesis.
The Analysis of Unirradiated "Fissium" Alloy by Optical Emission Spectroscopy

An optical emission spectrographic method has been developed for the quantitative determination of molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, and zirconium in normal uranium metal in the range of 2.5%, 2.0%, 0.30%, 0.20%, and 2.5%, respectively. The precision of the spectrographic method for molybdenum is ±1.0%, ruthenium ±1 8%, rhodium ±1 7%, palladium ±2 1%, and zirconium ±2.2% of the amounts present. The comparison of spectrographic and chemical results on 24 "fissium" alloy samples for molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, and zirconium shows a standard relative deviation from the chemical results of ±3.9%, ±4.3%, ±7.2%, ±6.6% and ±7.5%, respectively. These samples were chosen at random from ingots by using routine sampling procedures.
Ectomycorrhizas of Cercocarpus ledifolius (Rosaceae)

UNLABELLED PREMISE OF THE STUDY Woody species in the Rosaceae form ectomycorrhizal associations, but the fungal symbionts are unknown. The species of fungi determine whether host plants are isolated from other ectomycorrhizal species in the plant community or linked with other trees through mycorrhizal networks. In this study we identified the fungi that form ectomycorrhizas with Cercocarpus ledifolius (curl-leaf mountain mahogany). • METHODS Soil samples were collected under canopies of C. ledifolius. Ectomycorrhizas were described by morphology and by DNA sequences of the ITS region. Host species were confirmed by rbcL sequences. • KEY RESULTS Sixteen species of fungi were identified from ectomycorrhizas of Cercocarpus ledifolius. The ectomycorrhizal community was distinguished by the presence of a Geopora species situated in the G. arenicola clade and by the absence of Rhizopogon, suilloids, and Sebacinales. Of the species on C. ledifolius, two also occurred on trees of Quercus garryana var. breweri and four on Arctostaphylos sp. • CONCLUSIONS The presence of fungal species in common with other ectomycorrhizal hosts shows that C. ledifolius, Q. garryana var. breweri, and Arctostaphylos species could be linked by a mycorrhizal network, allowing them to exchange nutrients or to share inoculum for seedling roots and new fine roots. Single-host fungi limited to C. ledifolius may improve resource acquisition and reduce competition with other ectomycorrhizal hosts. The finding of a Geopora species as a frequent mycobiont of C. ledifolius suggests that this fungus might be appropriate for inoculating seedlings for habitat restoration.
Three dimensional analysis of design-modification effects on neutron streaming through the net divertor duct

Abstract In the design of the Next European Torus (NET), a poloidal divertor has been considered. The present work consists of two parts. In the first part, a three dimensional Monte Carlo analysis of neutron streaming through the NET divertor duct was performed using the MCNP code. The effect of design modifications was also examined. The analysis used a simplified plasma model (cylindrical), but simulated the divertor duct in full detail. The results indicated a streaming effect that depends on the configuration (angle) of the outside divertor plate. The second part of this work examined the effect that the divertor tile material has on streaming through the divertor duct. The materials examined included Stainless Steel 316L, carbon, beryllium, copper, tungsten, and molybdenum. The analyses showed that when total flux was compared, the streaming for all materials was similar; however, when one considered the fast flux component of the streaming neutrons, significant differences between materials emerged. In all cases molybdenum showed the highest fluxes. Finally, it is noted that, although the plasma model was simplistic (straight cylindrical model), this approach helped to identify the design and material aspects that dominate the streaming behavior.
Antagonism of barium chloride lethality by atropine and naloxone: Analysis by a multivariate logistic model

Intracerebroventricular administration of BaCl2 was found to produce severe, fatal convulsions in male Swiss-Webster mice with an LD50 (95% C.L.) at 10 min postadministration of 0.597 (0.395–0.901) μmol/mouse. Antagonism of BaCl2-induced convulsions and lethality was obtained with pretreatment of atropine (1 to 5 mg/kg, ip) or naloxone (1 to 5 mg/kg, sc). A multivariate logistic model was used to examine the effect of atropine and naloxone on BaCl2 lethality. Atropine was found to be significantly more efficacious than naloxone in antagonizing BaCl2 lethality.
Evidence for an ethanol mediated disruption of hemostasis

Abstract 1. 1. Plasma clotting activity, platelet counts, and hematocrit were determined in male rats given i.p. ethanol. 2. 2. Uniform prolongation of the platelet count plus changes in intrinsic pathway activity resulted. 3. 3. The possible significance is discussed.
On the entropies of glassy and monoclinic selenium at 0 K

The entropies of trigonal, monoclinic and glassy selenium are discussed based on the ATHAS data bank data and third law entropy considerations. Within the error limit both trigonal and monoclinic selenium have zero residual entropy at zero kelvin temperature. The residual entropy of glassy Se is similar in magnitude to other linear macromolecules.
Efficacy and tolerability of once-daily venlafaxine extended release (XR) in outpatients with major depression. The Venlafaxine XR 209 Study Group.

Background This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the efficacy and safety of once-daily venlafaxine extended release (XR) in out-patients with DSM-IV major depression. Method Patients were randomly assigned to venlafaxine XR (75-225 mg) once daily or placebo for up to 8 weeks. The primary efficacy variables were the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) total score and HAM-D depressed mood item, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total scores, and the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Severity scale. Data were analyzed on a modified intent-to-treat basis using the last-observation-carried-forward method. Results Venlafaxine XR (N = 91) was significantly more effective than placebo (N = 100) beginning at Week 2 on the CGI Severity scale, at Week 3 on the HAM-D depressed mood item, and at Week 4 on the HAM-D and MADRS; this superiority was maintained through Week 8. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events associated with venlafaxine XR were nausea, insomnia, and somnolence. The incidence of nausea was highest during the first week, decreased by 50% during the second week, and was comparable to that of placebo from Week 3 onward. Conclusion These results demonstrate that venlafaxine XR is an effective and well-tolerated treatment of major depression.