cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Vancomycin on Persistent Pain-Stimulated and Pain-Depressed Behaviors in Female Fischer Rats With or Without Voluntary Access to Running Wheels.

Abstract The present experiments determined the effects of the narrow-spectrum antibiotic vancomycin on inflammatory pain-stimulated and pain-depressed behaviors in rats. Persistent inflammatory pain was modeled using dilute formalin (0.5%). Two weeks of oral vancomycin administered in drinking water attenuated Phase II formalin pain-stimulated behavior, and prevented formalin pain-depressed wheel running. Fecal microbiota transplantation produced a non-significant trend toward reversal of the vancomycin effect on pain-stimulated behavior. Vancomycin depleted Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes populations in the gut while having a partial sparing effect on Lactobacillus species and Clostridiales. The vancomycin treatment effect was associated with an altered profile in amino acid concentrations in the gut with increases in arginine, glycine, alanine, proline, valine, leucine, and decreases in tyrosine and methionine. These results indicate that vancomycin may have therapeutic effects against persistent inflammatory pain conditions that are distal to the gut. Perspective The narrow-spectrum antibiotic vancomycin reduces pain-related behaviors in the formalin model of inflammatory pain. These data suggest that manipulation of the gut microbiome may be one method to attenuate inflammatory pain amplitude.
Assessing the effects of climate change on urban watersheds: a review and call for future research

Considerable efforts have been made to control and manage hydrology and water quality of watersheds impacted by urban development through construction of stormwater control measures (SCMs). Climate...
A Response-Based Cryptography Engine in Distributed-Memory

Cryptographic keys extracted from Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) can be produced reliably when paired with helper functions, but this places a burden of computation on client devices. With the disparity in power between weaker Internet of Things devices and the more powerful server clusters, response-based cryptography (RBC) shifts that burden of error correction on the server to match the client’s response. Noise injection is a potential solution for security in hostile environments, so it is vital to know to what error rate can a distributed system correct in an RBC cyber system. In this paper, we explore the feasibility and scalability of response-based cryptography in a high-performance computing environment. We present a highly parallel, MPI-based implementation using up to 512 ranks/cores. Scalability was achieved by ordering the key space lexicographically and having each rank independently generate its own work using combinadics, where we assign equal workloads to each MPI rank. Terminating the key search early across distributed-memory ranks is challenging as it can incur significant overhead. Thus, we compare two strategies for terminating the search algorithm early. We assume that a typical user prefers a service to be responsive within a two second window. We are able to achieve authentication under this assumed latency metric up to 5 bit errors over an AES-256 key when utilizing 512 ranks. The speedup of our RBC search algorithm developed achieves good scalability yielding a speedup of 404\(\times \) on 512 ranks.
The Escherichia coli serS gene promoter region overlaps with the rarA gene

Deletion of the entire gene encoding the RarA protein of Escherichia coli results in a growth defect and additional deficiencies that were initially ascribed to a lack of RarA function. Further work revealed that most of the effects reflected the presence of sequences in the rarA gene that affect expression of the downstream gene, serS. The serS gene encodes the seryl aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. Decreases in the expression of serS can trigger the stringent response. The sequences that affect serS expression are located in the last 15 nucleotides of the rarA gene.
Mechanistic Insight into Lithium Electrodeposition in Porous Host Architectures

Large volumetric changes and dendrite growth are major challenges to achieving enhanced cycling efficiency and safety in lithium (Li) metal batteries. Porous hosts for Li storage can potentially ac...
Positive marketing: A new theoretical prototype of sharing in an online community☆

Abstract Positive marketing champions exchange that benefits individuals, firms, and society at large. One method increasingly used to exchange goods is sharing. Sharing describes the non-monetary transfer of goods between actors. Scholars have called for greater understanding regarding an online community's ability to perpetuate sharing. This study uses empirical research to explain the structural elements that facilitate sharing within the Freecycle community. Fifty-seven in-depth interviews are conducted with participants and analyzed using grounded theory. The authors introduce a new theoretical prototype of sharing, provide insight on how modern consumers engage in a sharing activity, and describe the structural characteristics that facilitate sharing within an on-line community.
CLOSURE OF GENERAL STRESS-STRAIN-TIME FUNCTION FOR SOILS

THE WRITERS THANK BARDEN AND POSKITT FOR THEIR DISCUSSION AND AGREE THAT THE EFFECTIVE STRESS RATIO MAY BE A USEFUL PARAMETER IN PLACE OF THE DEVIATOR STRESS. THE MOST SUITABLE IN ANY CASE WOULD DEPEND ON THE PURPOSE TO WHICH THE RELATIONSHIP IS TO BE PUT AND THE ACCESSIBILITY OF THE QUANTITIES TO MEASUREMENT OR PREDICTION. THE WRITERS ARE ALSO INVESTIGATING A RHEOGOGICAL MODEL TO REPRESENT GIVEN EQUATION NUMBER 9. THE GENERALIZED FUNCTION IS NOT INTENDED TO SUPERSEDE PRIMARY CONSOLIDATION THEORY BUT MAY SERVE AS A MEANS FOR SUPERIMPOSING SHEAR DEFORMATIONS AND VOLUMETRIC DEFORMATIONS. THE GENERALIZED FUNCTION, HOWEVER, HAS BEEN STUDIED IN DETAIL ONLY DURING UNDRAINED DEFORMATIONS AND UNDER CONDITIONS OF APPROXIMATELY CONSTANT PORE-WATER PRESSURE. STRESS-STRAIN RELATIONSHIPS ARE DISCUSSED IN RELATIONSHIP TO SECONDARY DEFORMATION. THE FUNCTION PRESENTED BY THE WRITERS HAS BEEN FOUND APPLICABLE TO DRAINED CONDITIONS AS WELL AS UNDRAINED CONDITIONS, HOWEVER, CERTAIN PARAMETERS CANNOT BE ANTICIPATED TO REMAIN THE SAME UNDER BOTH CONDITIONS. DRAINED AND UNDRAINED CREEP BEHAVIOR MAY BE RELATED IN A SYSTEMATIC MANNER. THIS POSSIBILITY IS UNDER STUDY. REFERENCES: GENERAL STRESS-STRAIN-TIME FUNCTION FOR SOILS, AWTAR SINGH, JAMES K. MITCHELL, ASCE PROCEEDINGS PAPER 5728, JANUARY, 1968.
The Behavior of Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri) in Natural Environments

This chapter presents a brief summary of the available information on Saimiri in their natural environments, including data on ecological specializations, daily behavior patterns, group structure, social behavior and organization, developmental patterns, and relations with other species.
Schemas in Problem Solving

Preface Acknowledgements Part I. Fundamentals: 1. Schema roots 2. The nature of a schema 3. The schemas of arithmetic story problems Part II. Schemas and Instruction: 4. Theoretical issues for instruction 5. The story problem solver and the problem solving environment: two examples of schema-based instruction Part III. Learning from Instruction: 6. Learning and schema theory 7. Learning from schema-based instruction 8. The acquisition of planning knowledge 9. The diagram: marker and template Part IV. Schemas and Assessment: 10. Schema-based assessment 11. Assessment in SPS and PSE Part V. Schema Models: 12. Production systems, neural networks and hybrid models 13. The performance model 14. The learning model 15. The full schema model 16. Some concluding remarks on schema theory Notes References Name index Subject index.
Colonization and the Commodification of Nature

This paper explores some of the theoretical issues surrounding the commodification of nature and its value as a research topic. In particular it examines the relationship between European colonization, the rise of capitalism and the increased use of abstract space. An appeal is also made for adding environmental history to the research agenda of historical archaeology. Case studies from South Africa and Virginia illustrate the manner in which abstract notions of space and the environment contributed to the commodification of nature. The Virginia case study from Jamestown Island provides a particularly vivid example of how micro- and macro-level environmental changes can be linked to important political and economic events.
Understanding Immigration and Psychological Development: A Multilevel Ecological Approach

Abstract Approximately one in five children in the U.S. are born to immigrant families in which at least one parent is foreign-born. Existing theoretical frameworks suggest that immigration experiences can increase acculturative stress and lead to developmental psycholopathology in immigrant children. These models, however, do not account for levels in the environment that trigger this stress and/or serve as forms of resilience. Drawing from Bronfenbrenner's multilevel, bioecological model of development, this paper presents a framework that charts environmental processes which generate or buffer acculturative stress and, therefore, mediate the impact of immigration on psychological well-being. Empirical research shows that Mexican immigrants, on the whole, fare better than U.S.-born groups in terms of mental health outcomes. These results are explained in the context of the presented theoretical model. Though further research is needed, preliminary evidence suggests that encouraging “enculturation,” as o...
Targeting Apoptotic Pathways in Cancer Cells

A holy grail of cancer therapy has been to design peptidomimetics-small peptides containing nonnatural amino acids-that bind to target proteins and induce cancer cells to undergo apoptosis. In their Perspective, Denicourt and Dowdy discuss two new innovative strategies ( Li et al., Walensky et al.) for designing peptidomimetics that target protein-protein interactions in the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptotic cell death.
Study of the shaped probe on the cup dielectric resonator antenna for bandwidth enhancement

Dielectric resonator antennas (DRA) are attractive at high frequencies. They can be designed with different shapes, but have the drawback of narrow bandwidths, typically around 10%. A wide range of materials is available to control the size and the bandwidth. One method of excitation is the coaxial probe, which is usually placed inside the DRA. It can be difficult to drill a small hole for the probe in ceramic materials, especially if the hole is close to the wall. Deformation of the DRA geometry from regular shapes can be used to enhance the bandwidth. Instead of drilling a small hole in the DRA, we modify the shape of the DRA to contain an easily machined groove which is large enough to house the shaped probe. Several probe shapes are investigated. It is found that L-, J- or hook-shaped probes can enhance the bandwidth of the DRA and excite a broadside-radiating mode. A single probe achieves a bandwidth around 30%. Using two orthogonal probes excites two orthogonal modes for dual polarization and further enhances the bandwidth. A wideband dually polarized DRA was studied and a bandwidth of 30-50% was achieved.
On the Heuristic Use of Formal Models in International Relations Theory

What is the epistemological status of rational choice models in International Relations (IR) theory, and by what standards should they be evaluated? The literature using these models is becoming increasingly bifurcated between their use to generate predictive hypotheses, which are then evaluated by empirical, usually quantitative, analysis, and their use to contribute to a generalized deductive model of international politics based on the assumptions of rational choice theory, narrowly defined. A third use of these methods, as heuristic models, based on a Weberian philosophy of social science, remains an eminently useful tool in the study of IR, but is becoming increasingly marginalized. The application of evaluative standards designed for other uses of rational choice modeling is inappropriate to the use of this technique for heuristic purposes. An evaluative standard of usefulness in helping us to understand particular political events or discourses, rather than one of predictive accuracy or contribution to a broader effort to model IR, is appropriate for the heuristic use of rational choice models.
An approximation for the maximum likelihood estimator of the infection rate in the simple stochastic epidemic

SUMMARY Hill & Severo (1969) and Kryscio (1972) present approximations to the maximum likelihood estimator of the infection rate of the simple stochastic epidemic model. These approximations, valid under some restrictions on the data set, use a table published by Hill & Severo (1969). We give here an algebraically simpler approximation, which does not use an auxiliary table and may be applied to all data sets.
New Culture Conditions for Clostridium histolyticum leading to Production of Collagenase of High Specific Activity

Summary: New culture conditions are described for the growth of Clostridium histolyticum allowing for the production of collagenase (E.C.3.4.4.19) in a highly purified form, free of general protease activity. The conditions include the use of a mixture of sodium bisulphite-oxidized sodium thioglycollate to provide the reducing environment within an otherwise standard culture medium. Also, new modifications in the preparation of collagenase A are reported.
Management of a supernumerary tooth fused to a permanent maxillary central incisor.

Abstract A multidisciplinary approach to the management of a supernumerary tooth fused to a permanent maxillary central incisor is described.
A Simpler Dense Proof Regarding the Abundancy Index

(B) If I (a) = r/s is in lowest terms, then s divides a. This follows since sa (a) = ra and gcd(r, s) = 1. (C) If I (a) = r/s is in lowest terms then r > ar(s). This follows from properties (B) and (A) since r/s = I (a) > I (s) = a(s)/s. (The condition that r and s be relatively prime is an important one! Note that 1(2) = 6/4 even though 6 r then r/s is not an abundancy index.
Demographic Effects of Behavior Modeling in Seat Belt Use: Analysis of 15,000 Observations

Automotive seat belt use is known to be highly effective in saving lives, but is still not universally practiced, with wearing rates around 60% to 70%. A series of studies, observational and experimental has established that behavior modeling occur when vehicles have more than one occupant. More times than would be expected by chance, both occupants show the same wearing behavior. However, the demographics of this modeling effect are not clear from the literature. The current study analyzed a large database, over 15,000 observations collected in Indiana in 2001 where the sample size was large enough to provide statistical significance for even small effects. Overall, a high degree of modeling behavior was observed. Modeling was found to be larger for males and larger for the under 21 age group as drivers. Modeling was also maximized when driver and passenger belonged to the same age or gender group. Comparing drivers with and without passengers, we found that the major effect of modeling was negative, i.e...
Left ventricular regional wall motion assessment by multigated and end-diastolic, end-systolic gated radipnuclide left ventriculography

Abstract The validity and accuracy of three methods of gated cardiac blood pool imaging for the determination of regional wall motion were assessed in 124 patients undergoing contrast left ventriculography. Eighty-four patients had multigated acquisition and display, and 40 patients had end-diastolic, end-systolic gated acquisition and display in both a two frame movie format and on photographs. Both gated cardiac blood pool images and left ventriculograms were reviewed independently by three blinded observers and regional wall motion was qualitatively scored. For scoring purposes, the left ventricular wall was subdivided into anterolateral, apical, inferior, septal, apical-inferior and posterior segments. Segmental motion was graded on a five point grading scale as normal, mildly hypokinetic, moderately to severely hypokinetic, akinetic or dyskinetic. The graded scores for regional wall motion for each of the three observers were averaged and then compared. Regional wall motion scores for the gated blood pool study agreed within ± 1 grade with scores for contrast ventriculography in 338 of 402 segments (84 percent) studied with multigated acquisition and display, in 97 of 117 segments (83 percent) for the end-diastolic, end-systolic gated acquisition with motion display and in 99 of 117 segments (83 percent) for the end-diastolic, end-systolic gated acquisition with photographic display. The multigated display was least accurate in scoring of the apical segment, the end-diastolic, end-systolic gated movie display in scoring of the inferior segment and the end-diastolic, end-systolic gated photographic display in scoring of the apical and septal segments. Scoring based on multigated blood pool images had a significantly greater percent agreement with results of contrast ventriculography when segments were normal on contrast ventriculography (88 percent) than when they were abnormal (79 percent) (p
Cytoskeletal influence on merocyanine 540 receptors in the plasma membrane of erythroleukemic cells

When human erythroleukemic cells are induced to differentiate in vitro, the lipids in the plasma membrane that bind the fluorescent dye merocyanine 540 are redistributed into a cap at one pole of the cell. This capping phenomenon can also be observed in uninduced cells that have been incubated with cytochalasin B, an agent which disrupts actin-containing microfilaments or with local anesthetics which act on both microfilaments and microtubules. Colchicine which acts on microtubules, however, has no effect. This suggests that the uniform distribution seen in uninduced cells is maintained by the cytoskeletal microfilaments and that loss of these structures leads to spontaneous redistribution of merocyanine 540-binding sites.
Scanning probe microscope studies of thermodynamic and kinetic processes in ultrathin organic films

The recent use of scanning probe microscopy has gone beyond basic structural measurements to studies of -processes including self-assembled monolayer growth, phase transitions in Langmuir-Blodgett films and morphological transformations in surfactant interfacial aggregates. Also, the influence of the probe itself on film structure was demonstrated in experiments that showed tip-induced changes to molecular packing and orientation.
trans-SNARE complex assembly and yeast vacuole membrane fusion

cis-SNARE complexes (anchored in one membrane) are disassembled by Sec17p (α-SNAP) and Sec18p (NSF), permitting the unpaired SNAREs to assemble in trans. We now report a direct assay of trans-SNARE complex formation during yeast vacuole docking. SNARE complex assembly and fusion is promoted by high concentrations of the SNARE Vam7p or Nyv1p or by addition of HOPS (homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting), a Ypt7p (Rab)-effector complex with a Sec1/Munc18-family subunit. Inhibitors that target Ypt7p, HOPS, or key regulatory lipids prevent trans-SNARE complex assembly and ensuing fusion. Strikingly, the lipid ligand MED (myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate effector domain) or elevated concentrations of Sec17p, which can displace HOPS from SNARE complexes, permit full trans-SNARE pairing but block fusion. These findings suggest that efficient fusion requires trans-SNARE complex associations with factors such as HOPS and subsequent regulated lipid rearrangements.
Air intussusception reduction: “The winds of change”

AIR is an excellent example of the application of the scientific process to the treatment of pediatric disease. For more than 40 years, pediatric radiologists in North America were comfortable with hydrostatic enemas for the diagnosis and treatment of intussusception. Initial clinical trials in the 1980s suggested the efficacy of AIR. Subsequent clinical studies demonstrated that fluoroscopy time and radiation are less, accurate pressure measurements are possible, and reduction rates are higher with AIR than with hydrostatic techniques. Questions regarding safety and types of perforation were answered in the laboratory with an animal model. Moreover, this experimental work clarified issues regarding maximum pressures and the importance of the Valsalva maneuver during AIR. Experimental data has been transferred to the radiological treatment of childhood intussusception. The "winds of change", generated by clinical and basic research, have now swept across North America. More and more radiologists are performing AIR. Many of the pediatric radiologists who still doubt the efficacy of AIR have had no experience with the technique. Air insufflation is safe and effective for the diagnosis and treatment of intussusception in infants and children. It is replacing the hydrostatic enema in an ever-increasing number of institutions. AIR is quicker, safer, and more effective than hydrostatic enemas. If you are using AIR, I hope this overview will further improve the radiological care of your pediatric patients. If you are not using AIR, I hope that these personal observations will stimulate your interest. "Try it; you'll like it!"
Update in Infectious Diseases

This year's Update in Infectious Diseases focuses on the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), hepatitis B, respiratory viruses, antibiotic resistance, and vaccination. In the past year, we hea...
the aesthetic of the sublime: an interpretation of Rawa shell valuable symbolism

An examination of shell objects and their presentation, exchange, and roles in ritual self-decoration among Papua New Guinea Rawa speakers relates them to a sublime aesthetic combination of pleasure and pain involving an indigenous ethos of pathos and sorrow and a sense of the inadequacy of symbolic shell images to convey the ideal concepts they embody. This sense is exacerbated in a colonial context, and the analysis of the sublime shows shells to be simultaneously repositories of indigenous meaning and influenced by colonial processes. In Melanesia the sublime is thus a colonially situated, corporeally located phenomenon of present absence. [shells, Melanesia, aesthetics, self-decoration, exchange, colonialism, change]
ACP Journal Club. Weekly INR self-testing did not reduce stroke, major bleeding, or death more than monthly clinic testing.

Source Citation Matchar DB, Jacobson A, Dolor R, et al. Effect of home testing of international normalized ratio on clinical events. N Engl J Med. 2010;363:1608-20. 20961244
Did Isaiah Foretell Jewish Blindness and Suffering for not Accepting Jesus of Nazareth as Messiah? A Medieval Perspective

The First Testament is the ground on which Jews and Christians historically and theologically stand. Even though they share the same biblical text, the interpretation of these Scriptures has served as one of the main dividing points between the two faith communities in history, especially in the Middle Ages. This division becomes apparent when one examines the way medieval Christians interpreted a biblical text such as the Book of Isaiah. An examination of the use of Isaiah by Alfonso de Espina, a fifteenth-century Franciscan, will show how medieval Christians found in these pages not only a confirmation of Christian truth claims but also passages that supported their negative thoughts and actions toward Jews. The purpose of this article is to show how a certain type of exegesis can lead to anti-Judaism.
Effect of hydrolysis of lactose and sucrose on firmness of ice cream

Abstract Ice cream mixes were treated enzymatically with combinations of lactase (EC 3.1.1.12) and invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) to cause 0–78% hydrolysis of lactose and 0–50% hydrolysis of sucrose. While the action of the invertase was limited principally to sucrose, the lactase enzyme caused hydrolysis of both lactose and sucrose. Relative firmness (hardness) of the ice cream was measured in the temperature range of −15 to −18°C and was assessed by the work expended by penetrating the frozen ice cream to a depth of 10 mm with a cylindrical probe of diameter 7 mm, travelling at 20 mm/min. Hydrolysis of lactose and sucrose increased the sweetness but decreased the freezing point of the mix and the firmness of the finished product. Within the hydrolysis range achieved (0–59.3% of the total saccharides), organoleptic properties and melt-down characteristics were not significantly impaired.
Specific heat of CsNiF3: Evidence of spin solitons?☆

Abstract Recent specific heat measurements on CsNiF3 at temperatures between 4.3 and 7.25 K and in fields up to 1 T give evidence for nonlinear excitations of the one-dimensional spin chains. The observed field dependence is in qualitative agreement with predictions based on classical soliton theory but quantitative comparisons indicate the need for a more complete model.
Crop residues for energy: Comparative costs and benefits for the farmer, the energy facility, and the public

Abstract The costs of using crop residues for energy are classified according to whether they are cash or opportunity costs, direct or indirect consequences of residue use, incurred immediately or deferred over an extended period, and borne by the farmer or energy user as private entrepreneurs or by society as a whole. Estimates of some of these costs are given for maize residue in the North Central United States, including collection and transportation costs, nutrient losses, and erosion-related yield losses. Other costs, including loss of soil organic matter and off-site damage, are described qualitatively. The value of crop residues in ethanol production and as a power plant boiler fuel are estimated. This value is comparable to the immediate, direct costs of residue removal (collection and transportation). Therefore a farmer who chooses to sell residues at this price, without taking account of the remaining costs, is not receiving adequate compensation. In addition, such a transaction would entail further social costs. The need to reconcile soil conservation incentives and subsidies for renewable energy is discussed in the light of this finding.
Travellers in Britain: a minority and the state

This article explores the developing relations between Travellers and the British state in the context of the expansion of welfare provision. Using four case studies it highlights the key characteristics of Traveller-state relations: the lack of a unified response to Travellers by the state; how Travellers were simultaneously seen as an important target for welfare provision and less entitled to its benefits; and that settlement and assimilation were the motivating factors for schemes. It goes on to show that these trends were the result of three factors: the dominance of stereotypes surrounding Travellers; the structure of the state; and the agency of Travellers themselves.
Advanced rail clamp networks for ESD protection

A new, area efficient, boosted and distributed active MOSFET rail clamp network for I/O pad ESD protection is presented. In addition, a compact new rail clamp trigger circuit with high resistance to false triggering is introduced.
Severless Search and Authentication Protocols for RFID

With the increasing popularity of RFID applications, different authentication schemes have been proposed to provide security and privacy protection to users. Most recent RFID protocols use a central database to store the RFID tag data. An RFID reader first queries the RFID tag and returns the reply to the database. After authentication, the database returns the tag data to the reader. In this paper, we proposed a more flexible authentication protocol that provides comparable protection without the need for a central database. We also suggest a protocol for secure search for RFID tags. We believe that as RFID applications become widespread, the ability to search for RFID tags will be increasingly useful
O(18) Revived: Splitting the Spinor

Abstract We propose an O(18) theory which is perturbatively unifiable and which accounts for the absence of right-handed families in the low-energy world. The theory predicts a fourth left-handed family as well as four right-handed families at energies near the weak scale. It also implies the existence of eight light neutrinos, all of which contribute to the width of the Z 0 . Cosmological arguments suggest that four of these neutrinos should have masses between 2 and 35 GeV, and that the other four should be much lighter. They also suggest the existence of a doubly charged scalar φ ++ and a singly charged scalar φ + . Dramatic signatures include the production of four right-handed charged leptons and eight right-handed quarks, Z 0 → v′ R + v ′ R → v R γ +_ v R γ , and e + e − → φ ++ + φ −− . The lightest right-handed charged quark should be surprinsingly long-lived (τ⪸10 −2 sec ) for a particle of mass ≅ 100 GeV.
0610009K11Rik, a testis-specific and germ cell nuclear receptor-interacting protein

Using an in silico approach, a putative nuclear receptor-interacting protein 0610009K11Rik was identified in mouse testis. We named this gene testis-specific nuclear receptor-interacting protein-1 (Tnrip-1). Tnrip-1 was predominantly expressed in the testis of adult mouse tissues. Expression of Tnrip-1 in the testis was regulated during postnatal development, with robust expression in 14-day-old or older testes. In situ hybridization analyses showed that Tnrip-1 is highly expressed in pachytene spermatocytes and spermatids. Consistent with its mRNA expression, Tnrip-1 protein was detected in adult mouse testes. Immunohistochemical studies showed that Tnrip-1 is a nuclear protein and mainly expressed in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation analyses showed that endogenous Tnrip-1 protein can interact with germ cell nuclear receptor (GCNF) in adult mouse testes. Our results suggest that Tnrip-1 is a testis-specific and GCNF-interacting protein which may be involved in the modulation of GCNF-mediated gene transcription in spermatogenic cells within the testis.
Effects of ionizing radiation on epoxy, graphite fiber, and epoxy/graphite fiber composites. Part II: Radical types and radical decay behavior

Electron spin resonance (ESR) investigations of line shapes and radical decay behavior have been made on an epoxy based on tetraglycidyl diaminodiphenyl methane (TGDDM)/diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS), T-300 graphite fiber, and T-300/5208 (graphite fiber/epoxy) composites after irradiation with Co60 γ-radiation or 0.5 MeV electrons. Two kinetically distinct radical species are found in the irradiated epoxy as the temperature is raised beyond 120 K following irradiation of samples at 77 K with Co60 γ. One has been termed a fast-decaying species and the other a slow-decaying species. The ratio of fast-decaying/slow-decaying radicals increases as the decay temperature rises. The fast-decaying radicals at room temperature are attributed largely to alkyl type radicals residing in regions of relatively low crosslink density, while the long-lived radicals are attributed to radicals residing in the highly crosslinked regions of the epoxy. A large concentration (ca. 1020 to 1021 spins/g) of unpaired electrons was found in unirradiated graphite fiber which masked the ESR spectral change in irradiated composites.
Immunosuppression induces transcription of murine cytomegalovirus glycoprotein H in the eye and at non-ocular sites.

In these studies, DNA PCR was used to identify sites of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) latency after inoculation of virus into the supraciliary space of the eye. Reverse transcription (RT) PCR for an immediate early gene and a late gene was used to identify putative sites of virus reactivation after methylprednisolone (steroid)-induced immunosuppression. Ten weeks after inoculation of 5 × 102 PFU of MCMV, BALB/c mice were immunosuppressed by intramuscular injection of steroid. Control mice were infected but not immunosuppressed. Two weeks after initiation of immunosuppression, mice were sacrificed. DNA and RNA extracted from homogenized tissues were amplified for immediate early gene 1 (IE1) and late gene, glycoprotein H (gH), DNA and mRNA by PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. Replicating virus was detected in homogenized ocular and non-ocular tissues by plaque assay. In the latently infected PBS-treated control group, viral DNA was detected in the inoculated eye and in several non-ocular tissues; IE1 mRNA was found in most of the DNA-positive tissues, while gH mRNA was amplified only in a few of the MCMV DNA-positive tissues from a single mouse. After immunosuppression, viral DNA and IE1 mRNA were detected at a higher frequency in various tissues of steroid-treated mice. gH mRNA was detected in a significantly higher number of the inoculated eyes, salivary glands and other non-ocular tissues of steroid-treated mice. After immunosuppression, low titers of infectious virus were recovered from the salivary glands of steroid-treated mice, but infectious virus was not recovered from the inoculated eye of either steroid-treated or non-immunosuppressed mice. The DNA PCR results suggest that after inoculation of 5 × 102 PFU of MCMV into the supraciliary space of euthymic BALB/c mice, virus becomes latent in the inoculated eye, salivary gland and other extraocular tissues. The RT-PCR results suggest that latent MCMV can be reactivated in multiple tissues by immunosuppression.
The Identification of Gut Neuroendocrine Tumor Disease by Multiple Synchronous Transcript Analysis in Blood

Gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are increasing in both incidence and prevalence. A delay in correct diagnosis is common for these lesions. This reflects the absence of specific blood biomarkers to detect NENs. Measurement of the neuroendocrine secretory peptide Chromogranin A (CgA) is used, but is a single value, is non-specific and assay data are highly variable. To facilitate tumor detection, we developed a multi-transcript molecular signature for PCR-based blood analysis. NEN transcripts were identified by computational analysis of 3 microarray datasets: NEN tissue (n = 15), NEN peripheral blood (n = 7), and adenocarcinoma (n = 363 tumors). The candidate gene signature was examined in 130 blood samples (NENs: n = 63) and validated in two independent sets (Set 1 [n = 115, NENs: n = 72]; Set 2 [n = 120, NENs: n = 58]). Comparison with CgA (ELISA) was undertaken in 176 samples (NENs: n = 81). 51 significantly elevated transcript markers were identified. Gene-based classifiers detected NENs in independent sets with high sensitivity (85–98%), specificity (93–97%), PPV (95–96%) and NPV (87–98%). The AUC for the NEN gene-based classifiers was 0.95–0.98 compared to 0.64 for CgA (Z-statistic 6.97–11.42, p,0.0001). Overall, the gene-based classifier was significantly (x 2 = 12.3, p,0.0005) more accurate than CgA. In a sub-analysis, pancreatic NENs and gastrointestinal NENs could be identified with similar efficacy (79– 88% sensitivity, 94% specificity), as could metastases (85%). In patients with low CgA, 91% exhibited elevated transcript markers. A panel of 51 marker genes differentiates NENs from controls with a high PPV and NPV (.90%), identifies pancreatic and gastrointestinal NENs with similar efficacy, and confirms GEP-NENs when CgA levels are low. The panel is significantly more accurate than the CgA assay. This reflects its utility to identify multiple diverse biological components of NENs. Application of this sensitive and specific PCR-based blood test to NENs will allow accurate detection of disease, and potentially define disease progress enabling monitoring of treatment efficacy.
Functional Behaviour of Nondeterministic Programs

The functional behavior of a deterministic program is a function f:D→D, where D is some set of states for the computation. This notion of functional behaviors can be extended to nondeterministic programs using techniques from linear algebra. In particular, the functional behavior of a nondeterministic program is a linear transformation f:A→A, where A is a free semiring module. Other notions from linear algebra carry over into this setting. For example, weakest preconditions and predicate transformers correspond to well-studied concepts in linear algebra. Finally, we consider multiple-input and multiple-output programs. The functional behavior of a nondeterministic program with multiple inputs and outputs is a linear transformation f:⊗ m A→⊗ n A, where ⊗ x A is an iterated tensor product of the semiring module A. This is in contrast to the deterministic case, where such a program is a function f:D m →D n , using the Cartesian products D m and D n .
The effect of immature adult-born dentate granule cells on hyponeophagial behavior is related to their roles in learning and memory

The neurogenesis hypothesis of depression is based on the correlation between the rate of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and the affective status of rodents. However, studies investigating the role of neurogenesis in the causation of mood regulation have reported inconsistent results. Here, we explored whether the affective state can be affected differentially by adult-born neurons with distinctive physiological characteristics at different maturation stages. We revealed that reducing the immature newborn neuron population had no effect on anxiety- or depression-like behaviors in an array of tests; however, it enhanced hyponeophagia in a novelty suppressed feeding test, but only when the novel environment was drastically different from the home cage. We further demonstrated that reducing the immature newborn neuron population led to delayed habituation to a novel environment and impaired contextual learning. Hence, rather than being directly involved in mood regulation, our studies raise the possibility that adult neurogenesis may influence hyponeophagia through its role in mnemonic processing.
Organic–inorganic interactions in petroleum-producing sedimentary basins

Petroleum deposits form as a consequence of the increased temperatures that accompany progressive burial of organic matter deep within sedimentary basins. Recent advances in petroleum geochemistry suggest that inorganic sedimentary components participate in organic transformations associated with this process. Water is particularly important because it facilitates reaction mechanisms not available in dry environments, and may contribute hydrogen and oxygen for the formation of hydrocarbons and oxygenated alteration products. These findings suggest that petroleum generation and stability is influenced by subsurface chemical environments, and is a simple function of time, temperature and the composition of sedimentary organic matter.
Kinetic mechanism of a flavonol‐ring‐B O‐glucosyltransferase from Chrysosplenium americanum

The kinetic mechanism of a flavonol-ring-B O-glucosyltransferase from Chrysosplenium americanum was investigated. Substrate interaction kinetics for the flavonol and UDPG gave converging lines, which were consistent with a sequential bireactant binding mechanism. They also showed substrate inhibition with respect to the flavonol. Intercept and slope replots were linear and gave a KA of 250 microM and a KB of 10 microM. Product-inhibition studies showed competitive inhibition between UDPG and UDP (KiQ 20 microM) and non-competitive inhibition between the flavonol substrate and its glucoside (KiP 1 mM). Kinetic patterns were consistent with an ordered bi-bi mechanism, where UDPG is the first substrate to bind to the enzyme and UDP is the final product released. The high KiP value, as compared with that of KB, indicates that the reaction is not inhibited by the glucosylated products formed and conforms with the accumulation of flavonol glucosides in C. americanum.
Robotic radical prostatectomy: advantages of an initial posterior dissection

During robotic radical prostatectomy (RRP), many surgeons currently employ the modified-Montsouris technique as initially described by Menon in 2002 with initial anterior prostate dissection. The anterior approach simulates the routine retropubic technique which open surgeons feel most comfortable with. Unfortunately, we observed early on in our experience that dissection of the seminal vesicles (SV) and vas deferens (VD) through a limited sized bladder neck posed limitations on working space and anatomic differentiation. As such, we have continued using a posterior-first dissection for several specific advantages. Herein, we describe our initial posterior dissection during RRP and discuss potential advantages of this approach, particularly for novice robotic surgeons.
Colonial urbanism and South Asian cities

In Gillo Pontecorvo's landmark 1966 film, the French colonial city of Algiers strikes a dramatic posture, split in two by a fortified barrier administered by imperial forces.1 The cordon sanitaire ...
Effect of cAMP and related compounds on newt epidermal cell migration both in vivo and in vitro.

The effect of cyclic AMP and related compounds on both in vivo and in vitro epidermal cell migration during wound closure in the adult newt was examined. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) mand N6, O2′-didbutyryl cyclic AMP (bd-cAMP) inhibited migration both in vivo and in vitro when used with equimolar concentrations of theophylline, an inhibitor of 3′, 5′-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. Neither db-cAMP nor theophylline alone inhibited migration in vivo. Adenosine 5′ monophosphate (AMP), cyclic guanosine 3′, 5′ monophosphate (cGMP) and imidazole, a potentiator of phosphodiesterase were tested in vivo and had no effect on migration. Isoproterenol and epinephrine, which are known to stimulate adenylate cyclase, inhibited migration in vitro. Experiments using the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, suggest that cAMP could be acting partially through regulation of protein synthesis but that other factors are involved. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline had no effect on the incorporation of 3H-leucine into protein. The inhibition of migration both in vivo and in vitro provides further evidence for a role of a cAMP in the regulation of cell motility.
Encoding and recognition after traumatic brain injury: neuropsychological and functional magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Although impairment of episodic memory is common after traumatic brain injury (TBI), the complex nature of human memory suggests the need to study more than recall alone. For this reason, we are presenting an extension with additional analyses of persons reported in a previous publication (Russell, Arenth, Scanlon, Kessler, & Ricker, 2011). We examined both the encoding and recognition components of an episodic memory paradigm containing both word and letter string blocks using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neuropsychological testing. This paradigm was completed by 12 persons with complicated mild, moderate, or severe TBI and 12 matched uninjured controls. Comparisons were made between groups and stimulus types. While task behavioral performance was not significantly different between groups, imaging results showed greater activation for the TBI group during the encoding portion of the task, while the control group exhibited more activation on the recognition portion. Observed areas of ...
Effects of covert modeling and coding of modeled stimuli on assertive behavior

Abstract The present investigation examined the effects of covert modeling in developing assertive behavior and the effects of verbal coding of the modeling stimuli on treatment outcome. In a 2 × 2 design, modeling (imagining an assertive model versus imagining scenes without an assertive model) and summary coding (developing verbal codes of the modeled material versus not developing codes) were combined. The results indicated that modeling and coding enhanced behavior change across self-report inventories and a behavioral role-playing test. Superior performance on these measures was achieved by the modeling group that both imagined an assertive model and engaged in summary coding. These effects transferred to novel role-playing situations at post-treatment and were maintained at a 6-month follow-up assessment. The results suggest that coding of treatment stimuli affects acquisition and maintenance of the modeled behaviors in treatment in a way that resembles findings from laboratory research on modeling.
A knowledge-based navigation scheme for autonomous land vehicles

A knowledge-based navigation system for autonomous land vehicles (ALVs) has been developed which can successfully negotiate an obstacle and threat-laden terrain, even if nothing is known beforehand about the terrain. The ALV stores new information in its memory as it travels, has the ability to backtrack out of unexpected dead ends, and performs spontaneous decision making in the field based on local sensor readings. The optimal global route of the ALV journey is obtained using dynamic programming, and decision making is accomplished via a production rule-based system. Execution examples demonstrate the power of the prototype system to solve navigation problems. This establishes the feasibility of constructing a valid ALV by combining search techniques with artificial intelligence tools such as production rule-based systems.
Comparative antimicrobial activity of gatifloxacin tested against Streptococcus spp. including quality control guidelines and etest method validation

Gatifloxacin (formerly AM-1155 or CG 5501) is a new 8-methoxy fluoroquinolone with enhanced activity against Gram-positive cocci, especially Streptococcus pneumoniae and other streptococci. Recent clinical strains (599 isolates) were tested against gatifloxacin, three comparison fluoroquinolones, and penicillin by the reference broth microdilution, Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) and standardized disk diffusion methods (5 micrograms gatifloxacin disk). Gatifloxacin (MIC90, 0.5 microgram/ml) activity was generally comparable to that of trovafloxacin (MIC90, 0.25 microgram/ml), or sparfloxacin (MIC90, 0.5 microgram/ ml) and markedly superior to ofloxacin (MIC90, 2-4 micrograms/ml) against the streptococci. Rates of penicillin non-susceptibility were 41.9, 38.0, and 16.2% for S. pneumoniae (301 strains), viridans group streptococci (150 strains), and beta-haemolytic streptococci (148 strains). Etest results correlated well (95.7-100.0% +/- one log2 dilution) with the reference MIC results, but Etest tended to have elevated gatifloxacin MIC results compared to the broth microdilution method for the highly resistant isolates (MICs, > 2 micrograms/ml). Gatifloxacin disk zone diameters correlate well to reference MICs for all streptococci and proposed interpretive criteria (susceptible at or = 18 mm, and resistant at > or = 4 micrograms/ml or < or = 14 mm) did not produce discords between method results (absolute agreement). A nine laboratory quality control (QC) study conforming to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) Guideline M23-T3 studied S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619 and gatifloxacin. Proposed ranges for QC of NCCLS tests were 0.12-0.5 microgram/ml for the broth microdilution test and 24-31 mm for the disk diffusion method. These reported results indicate that gatifloxacin was a potent fluoroquinolone with extensive activity against streptococcal isolates. In vitro test methods to measure this activity appear accurate and comparable; and QC guidelines have been established for routine clinical laboratory use pending approval by the NCCLS and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).