cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SOLITONS IN TWO-DIMENSIONAL ANTI-DE SITTER SPACE

Soliton solutions in a scalar field theory defined on an AdS1+1 background space-time are investigated. An analytic soliton solution is obtained in a polynomial model, and the classical soliton mass is calculated. The fluctuation spectrum around the soliton solution is determined, and the one-loop quantum correction to the soliton mass is computed in the semi-classical approximation.
Opioid Tapering in Children A Review of the Literature

PURPOSE To synthesize and critically analyze literature related to pediatric opioid withdrawal. DESIGN Critical review of literature related to pediatric opioid tapering and withdrawal. METHODS Studies published in peer-reviewed journals were systematically searched using Cochrane, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsychINFO. Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed and analyzed for themes and similarities. FINDINGS The majority of published research has focused on the episodic nature of withdrawal symptoms during opioid tapering. Only 1 study produced a valid and reliable pediatric opioid withdrawal symptom assessment-instrument and 1 study produced a valid and reliable pediatric opioid and benzodiazepine symptom assessment instrument. One study conducted in an adult and pediatric population analyzed the effect of the use of an opioid taper algorithm on occurrence and nature of opioid withdrawal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The scope of research on pediatric opioid withdrawal is limited. Studies examining the effect of an opioid taper algorithm on incidence of withdrawal symptoms in children are sorely needed. Further validation of the 2 withdrawal assessment tools for children is warranted.
Recent Advances in Brassinosteroid Research: From Molecular Mechanisms to Practical Applications.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are now firmly established as essential regulators of plant growth and development affecting a broad spectrum of processes at the molecular, cellular and physiological levels. The pace of BR research has continued to accelerate since the discovery of BR-insensitive and -deficient mutants in the mid 1990’s and progress in understanding mechanistic details of both BR signal transduction and biosynthesis has been particularly dramatic. Studies on the effect of BRs on whole plant physiology, including stress adaptation, continue to build on early experiments in numerous crop species while integrating the advances made in BR molecular genetics in Arabidopsis. The ability to manipulate endogenous BR levels in mutant plants affected in BR biosynthetic genes and/or in transgenic plants with altered expression levels of these genes, has allowed testing for causal relationships in BR action that were previously only inferred by application of exogenous BR to wild-type plants. The discovery of specific inhibitors of BR biosynthesis that phenocopy BR-deficient mutants has greatly facilitated these types of studies and has
Biomarker Measurements of Concurrent Exposure to Multiple Environmental Chemicals and Chemical Classes in Children

Concern is mounting that children from disadvantaged, low-income neighborhoods are likely to be both more exposed to chemical hazards and more susceptible to related adverse health effects. This article reports measurements of >75 individual biomarkers spanning 7 chemical/pollutant classes in blood and urine from more than 100 children living in a socioeconomically disadvantaged and ethnically diverse area of south Minneapolis, MN. Results indicate that a significant proportion of children in the study were at the high end of the exposure distribution compared to national reference ranges for a variety of environmental chemicals and/or their metabolites, including phthalates, organochlorine pesticides, organophosphate pesticides, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, and volatile organic compounds. In addition, levels of cotinine in urine indicate that more than half the children were regularly exposed to environmental tobacco smoke, with the upper 10th percentile exposed to relatively high concentrations.
Pyrene derivatives as fluorescent probes of conformation near the 3' termini of polyribonucleotides.

When pyrene butyric acid hydrazide or pyrene acetic acid hydrazide is attached to single-strand RNA 3′ termini a red shift in absorbance and substantial hypochromicity are observed. A strong induced CD is seen and the fluorescence intensity is quenched by an order of magnitude. In double-stranded samples, a further 10-fold quenching of fluorescence is seen. Several lines of evidence suggest that the residual fluorescence of pyrene butyric acid hydrazide-duplex conjugates arises from a minor species. The most likely possibility is dye reacted at a site other than the 3′ end. Some indication exists that 3′-attached pyrene may perturb the relative stability of nearby duplex. Within the limits of this reservation, it appears that 3′-pyrene conjugates may be rather useful for detecting the existence of duplex regions accessible to a dye at the 3′ end of complex RNAs.
Direct Static Strain Measurement Utilizing Signal Fading and Spectrum Analysis in a Fibre Optic Interferometric Sensor

Abstract An accurate linear method of static phase shift measurement in a fibre optic interferometric strain sensor, based on the concurrent utilization of signal fading, photovoltage spectrum analysis and the arctangent function, is presented. The static phase shift is superimposed on a controlled dynamic phase modulation derived from an optical phase modulator in one arm of the interferometer. Good agreement is demonstrated between the phase shift obtained through experiment and that from the theoretical expression. This detection scheme has wide applications to static and dynamic phase shift measurements in fibre optic interferometric sensors, and to optical interferometry in general.
Impact of telomerase status on canine osteosarcoma patients.

Background: We demonstrated previously that canine osteosarcoma (OSA) cell lines and samples from clinical patients are predominantly telomerase positive. In contrast, the majority of OSA samples from human patients appear to be telomerase negative, maintaining telomere length by an alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. The purpose of the current study was to examine the telomerase status of a large number of OSA samples from dogs and determine if telomerase status can serve as a prognostic factor. Hypothesis: The majority of clinical canine OSA appendicular lesions will be telomerase positive, and telomerase positivity will negatively impact disease outcome. Animals: Sixty-seven dogs with appendicular OSA presenting to the Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center for treatment. Methods: The Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol was performed on tissue samples from primary canine appendicular OSA to determine the presence of telomerase activity. Telomere restriction fragment (TRF) analysis was utilized to determine telomere length and detect ALT. Outcome data were obtained in a retrospective manner and correlated with telomerase status. Results: Seventy-three percent of canine OSA samples were telomerase positive. Telomerase status did not have an impact on disease-free interval or survival time. Nine of 10 telomerase-negative samples examined were consistent with an ALT phenotype, based on TRF analysis. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the majority of canine OSA are telomerase positive, suggesting that telomerase may be a valuable target for canine OSA therapy. Additionally, telomerase status does not appear to be a prognostic factor in canine OSA.
Constraining the neutron-proton effective mass splitting in neutron-rich matter

Within Bombaci's phenomenological single-nucleon potential model we study the neutron-proton effective mass splitting ${m}_{n}^{*}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{m}_{p}^{*}$ in neutron-rich matter. It is shown that an effective mass splitting of ${m}_{n}^{*}l{m}_{p}^{*}$ leads to a symmetry potential that is inconsistent with the energy dependence of the Lane potential constrained by the nucleon-nucleus scattering experimental data.
The preparation and characterization of AlPO4 thin films via laser ablation of AlPO4-H4

Abstract An excimer laser (KrF, 248 nm) was used to deposit well-dispersed thin films of aluminum phosphate onto a titanium nitride substrate from an AlPO 4 -H 4 target. It was found that laser ablation of AlPO 4 -H 4 results in AlPO 4 cristobalite or aluminum orthophosphate as well as AlPO 4 tridymite and amorphous materials depending upon the conditions. The effects of laser power, substrate distance, atmosphere, and temperature on thin-film formation were studied. Low substrate temperatures and pulse energies between 50 mJ and 100 mJ resulted in growth of AlPO 4 cristobalite or aluminum orthophosphate. Low laser-power density and high substrate temperatures produced AlPO 4 tridymite on the substrate TiN surface. These first examples of laser-ablated AlPO 4 films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy.
Prospective randomised trial of povidone-iodine, alcohol, and chlorhexidine for prevention of infection associated with central venous and arterial catheters

Abstract More than 90% of all intravascular device-related septicaemias are due to central venous or arterial catheters. To assess the efficacy of cutaneous antisepsis to prevent catheter-associated infection, we prospectively studied three antiseptics for disinfection of patients' central venous and arterial catheter insertion sites in a surgical intensive care unit. 668 catheters were randomised to 10% povidone-iodine, 70% alcohol, or 2% aqueous chlorhexidine disinfection of the site before insertion and for site care every other day thereafter. Chlorhexidine was associated with the lowest incidence of local catheter-related infection (2·3 per 100 catheters vs 7·1 and 9·3 for alcohol and povidone-iodine, respectively, p=0·02) and catheter-related bacteraemia (0·5 vs 2·3 and 2·6). Of the 14 infusion-related bacteraemias (4 due to contaminated infusate or catheter hub, 10 due to infected catheters), 1 was in the chlorhexidine group and 13 were in the other two groups (odds ratio 0·16, p=0·04). We conclude that use of 2% chlorhexidine, rather than 10% povidone-iodine or 70% alcohol, for cutaneous disinfection before insertion of an intravascular device and for post-insertion site care can substantially reduce the incidence of device-related infection.
Low irradiances affect abscisic acid, indole-3-acidic acid, and cytokinin levels of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) tissues

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants were grown under four irradiance levels: 1,400, 400, 200, and 100 micromol m-2 s-1. Leaves and roots were sampled before, during, and after the boot stage, and levels of abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), zeatin, zeatin riboside, dihydrozeatin, dihydrozeatin riboside, isopentenyl adenine, and isopentenyl adenosine were quantified using noncompetitive indirect ELISA systems. Levels of IAA in leaves and roots of plants exposed to 100 micromol m-2 s-1 of irradiance were 0.7 and 2.9 micromol kg-1 dry mass (DM), respectively. These levels were 0.2 and 1.0 micromol kg-1 DM, respectively, when plants were exposed to 1,400 micromol m-2 s-1. Levels of ABA in leaves and roots of plants exposed to 100 micromol m-2 s-1 were 0.65 and 0.55 micromol kg-1 DM, respectively. They were 0.24 micromol kg-1 DM (both leaves and roots) when plants were exposed to 1,400 micromol m-2 s-1. Levels of isopentenyl adenosine in leaves (24.3 nmol kg-1 DM) and roots (29.9 nmol kg-1 DM) were not affected by differences in the irradiance regime. Similar values were obtained in a second experiment. Other cytokinins could not be detected (<10 nmol kg 1 DM) in either experiment with the sample sizes used (150-600 mg DM for roots and shoots, respectively).
Increases in alcohol and marijuana use during the transition out of high school into emerging adulthood: The effects of leaving home, going to college, and high school protective factors.

Objective: This study examined the effects of leaving home and going to college on changes in the frequency of alcohol use, heavy episodic drinking, and marijuana use shortly after leaving high school. We also examined how protective factors in late adolescence predict post-high school substance use and moderate the effects of leaving home and going to college. Method: Data came from subjects (N = 319; 53% male) interviewed at the end of 12th grade and again approximately 6 months later, as part of the Raising Healthy Children project. Results: Leaving home and going to college were significantly related to increases in the frequency of alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking from high school to emerging adulthood but not to changes in marijuana use. Having fewer friends who used each substance protected against increases in the frequency of alcohol use, heavy episodic drinking, and marijuana use. Higher religiosity protected against increases in alcohol-and marijuana-use frequency. Higher parental monitoring protected against increases in heavy episodic drinking and moderated the effect of going to college on marijuana use. Lower sensation seeking lessened the effect of going to college on increases in alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking. Conclusions: To prevent increases in substance use in emerging adulthood, interventions should concentrate on strengthening prosocial involvement and parental monitoring during high school. In addition, youths with high sensation seeking might be targeted for added intervention. Language: en
Non-Manhattan layout extraction algorithm

Automated publishing requires large databases containing document page layout templates. The number of layout templates that need to be created and stored grows exponentially with the complexity of the document layouts. A better approach for automated publishing is to reuse layout templates of existing documents for the generation of new documents. In this paper, we present an algorithm for template extraction from a docu- ment page image. We use the cost-optimized segmentation algorithm (COS) to segment the image, and Voronoi decomposition to cluster the text regions. Then, we create a block image where each block represents a homo- geneous region of the document page. We construct a geometrical tree that describes the hierarchical structure of the document page. We also implement a font recognition algorithm to analyze the font of each text region. We present a detailed description of the algorithm and our preliminary results.
Notes on factorial invariance

Lawley's selection theorem is applied to subpopulations derived from a parent in which the classical factor model holds for a specified set of variables. The results show that there exists an invariant factor pattern matrix that describes the regression of observed on factor variables in every subpopulation derivable by selection from the parent, given that selection does not occur directly on the observable variables and does not reduce the rank of the system. However, such a factor pattern matrix is not unique, which in turn implies that if a simple structure factor pattern matrix can be satisfactorily determined in one such subpopulation the same simple structure can be found in any subpopulation derivable by selection. The implications of these results for “parallel proportional profiles” and “factor matching” techniques are discussed.
NON-PLANAR 3D CRACK GROWTH BY THE EXTENDED FINITE ELEMENT AND LEVEL SETS- PART II: LEVEL SET UPDATE

We present a level set method for treating the growth of non-planar three-dimensional cracks.The crack is defined by two almost-orthogonal level sets (signed distance functions). One of them describes the crack as a two-dimensional surface in a three-dimensional space, and the second is used to describe the one-dimensional crack front, which is the intersection of the two level sets. A Hamilton–Jacobi equation is used to update the level sets. A velocity extension is developed that preserves the old crack surface and can accurately generate the growing surface. The technique is coupled with the extended finite element method which approximates the displacement field with a discontinuous partition of unity. This displacement field is constructed directly in terms of the level sets, so the discretization by finite elements requires no explicit representation of the crack surface. Numerical experiments show the robustness of the method, both in accuracy and in treating cracks with significant changes in topology. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The life history of Cardiodectes medusaeus (Wilson), a copepod parasite of lanternfishes (Myctophidae)

ABSTRACT Five postembryonic stages of the parasitic copepod Cardiodectes medusaeus (Wilson) were recovered from the mantle cavities of seven species of pelagic gastropods collected off southern California. Adult parasites and several transforming specimens were recovered from seven genera of lanternfishes (Myctophidae) from the same locality. Recovery of both larvae and adults permitted a detailed study of the life history of C. medusaeus. After hatching, freeswimming copepodids enter the mantle cavity of a gastropod intermediate host and anchor to the mantle tissue by means of a frontal filament. Development through three chalimus stages and copulation between adult males and preadult females occur in the intermediate host. After copulation, adult males die and only postmated females leave the gastropod and enter a fish host. Differential growth of the parasite's body results in the development of an attachment organ which grows into the host's bulbus arteriosus and a trunk which penetrates the host's body wall at the isthmus. The developmental stages from gastropod hosts collected off California are compared to the larvae of Cardiodectes sp. found in Janthina globosa Swainson from the West Indies. All known host and locality records for C. medusaeus are included.
Transverse target spin asymmetry in inclusive DIS with two-photon exchange

We study the transverse target spin dependence of the cross section for inclusive electron-nucleon scattering with unpolarized beam. Such dependence is absent in the one-photon exchange approximation (Christ-Lee theorem) and arises only in higher orders of the QED expansion, from the interference of one-photon and absorptive two-photon exchange amplitudes as well as from real photon emission (bremsstrahlung). We demonstrate that the transverse spin-dependent two-photon exchange cross section is free of QED infrared and collinear divergences. We argue that in DIS kinematics the transverse spin dependence should be governed by a ``partonlike'' mechanism in which the two-photon exchange couples mainly to a single quark. We calculate the normal spin asymmetry in an approximation where the dominant contribution arises from quark-helicity flip due to interactions with nonperturbative vacuum fields (constituent quark picture) and is proportional to the quark transversity distribution in the nucleon. Such helicity-flip processes are not significantly Sudakov-suppressed if the infrared scale for gluon emission in the photon-quark subprocess is of the order of the chiral symmetry breaking scale, ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{\mathrm{chiral}}^{2}\ensuremath{\gg}{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}_{\mathrm{QCD}}^{2}$. We estimate the asymmetry in the kinematics of the planned Jefferson Lab Hall A experiment to be of the order ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$, with different sign for proton and neutron. We also comment on the spin dependence in the limit of soft high-energy scattering.
A Field Study of Activity Patterns of Thomomys bottae

Activity of pocket gophers, Thomomys bottae, which were tagged with radioactive gold wires, was distributed throughout the 24-h day but was significantly more common between 1600-2000 h. Pocket gophers spent 15 h/day in underground nest chambers at depths of 40 cm. The remainder of the day was spent in activities in the general burrow system at depths <20 cm. The duration of resting and activity bouts averaged 40 and 26 min, respectively, but varied with time of day. No relationship between timing or location of activities and soil or air temperature was evident. Mean burrow system area was 107 m/sup 2/, but 90% of all activity occurred within an area of 4 m/sup 2/. Gophers moved within their burrows at rates of 1.1 m/min active (<600 m/day), and did not burrow extensively. 31 references, 3 figures, 2 tables.
Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for cushing disease: techniques, outcomes, and predictors of remission.

BACKGROUND The efficacy of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) for Cushing disease has not been clearly established. OBJECTIVE To assess efficacy of a pure endoscopic approach for treatment of Cushing disease and determine predictors of remission. METHODS A prospectively acquired database of 61 patients undergoing ETS was reviewed. Remission was defined as postoperative morning serum cortisol of <5 μg/dL or normal or decreased 24-hour urine-free cortisol level in follow-up. RESULTS Overall, hypercortisolemia resolved in 58 of 61 patients (95%) by discharge. Tumor size did not predict resolution of hypercortisolemia at discharge (microadenomas [97%], magnetic resonance imaging-negative Cushing [100%], macroadenomas [87%]). At 2- to 3-month evaluations, 45 of 49 patients (91.8%) were in remission. Fifty patients were followed for at least 12 months (mean, 28 months; range, 12-72). Forty-two (84%) achieved remission from a single ETS. In these patients, there was no significant difference in remission rates between microadenomas (93%), magnetic resonance imaging-negative (70%), and macroadenomas (77%). Patients with history of previous surgery (n = 14, 23%) were 9 times less likely to achieve follow-up remission (P = .021). In-house cortisol level of <5.7 μg/dL provided the best prediction of follow-up remission (sensitivity 88.6%, specificity 83.3%). Postoperative diabetes insipidus occurred transiently in 7 patients (9%) and permanently in 3 (5%). One patient experienced postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak that resolved with further surgery. CONCLUSION ETS for Cushing disease provides high rates of remission with low rates of complications regardless of size. Although patients with a history of previous surgery are less likely to achieve remission, the majority can still achieve remission following treatment.
An open trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy for compulsive hoarding

The aim of the present study was to provide preliminary data on the efficacy of a new cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for compulsive hoarding. Fourteen adults with compulsive hoarding (10 treatment completers) were seen in two specialty CBT clinics. Participants were included if they met research criteria for compulsive hoarding according to a semistructured interview, were age 18 or above, considered hoarding their main psychiatric problem, and were not receiving mental health treatment. Patients received 26 individual sessions of CBT, including frequent home visits, over a 7-12 month period between December 2003-February 2005. Primary outcome measures were the Saving Inventory-Revised (SI-R), Clutter Image Rating (CIR), and Clinician's Global Impression (CGI). Significant decreases from pre- to post-treatment were noted on the SI-R and CIR, but not the CGI-severity rating. CGI-Improvement ratings indicated that at mid-treatment, 40% (n=4) of treatment completers were rated "much improved" or "very much improved;" at post-treatment, 50% (n=5) received this rating. Adherence to homework assignments was strongly related to symptom improvement. CBT with specialized components to address problems with motivation, organizing, acquiring and removing clutter appears to be a promising intervention for compulsive hoarding, a condition traditionally thought to be resistant to treatment.
Arming of Macrophages with Lymphocytes from Mice Immunized with Tumor Tissue

C57BL/6 macrophages are rendered specifically cytotoxic (“armed”) by incubation with spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice sensitized in vivo with allogeneic P-815 mastocytoma cells. Data are presented which suggest that the cytotoxic activity of the macrophages is not due to the adherence of sensitized lymphocytes. The results indicate that it is the T-lymphooyte which is primarily involved in arming. Furthermore it is the cytotoxic and not the proliferating T-cell which is responsible for arming.
Engaging computer science in traditional education: the ECSITE project

Engaging Computer Science in Traditional Education (ECSITE, pronounced "excite") is a 5-year program that began in 2009 to bring computer science into traditional K-12 classrooms. Rather than seeking to draw students into computing courses, we bring computing into the courses that students are already taking. To date, these have included art, biology, health education, mathematics, and social studies courses as well as a Native American focus program. Middle school and high school students are introduced to computational thinking and computer science concepts including algorithms, graph theory, and simulations in interdisciplinary contexts, mirroring the ways in which computing technologies are utilized in research and industry. Teachers report that students increase their understanding and perception of computer science, and that participating K-12 teachers increase their knowledge about computing and will continue to include the computational curriculum after their involvement with ECSITE.
Qualification of an Automotive-Grade, State-of-the-Art ASIC for Natural Space Applications

An ASIC capable of performance appropriate for processor replication and Time-Triggered Gigabit Ethernet applications was needed for the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) avionics suite. Innovative test methodologies were utilized, and favorable results obtained.
Expression of fibrillarin in bovine oocytes and preimplantation embryos developing in vitro

Studies in somatic cells have demonstrated the participation of some defined nucleolar specific proteins in pre-rRNA synthesis and processing. Fibrillarin, a 34 kd protein localized to the dense fibrillar component of the nucleolus, is involved in the earliest cleavage step of pre-rRNA processing. Expression of fibrillarin has not been characterized during the course of bovine preimplantation development. Specific aims of this study were to characterize the expression of fibrillarin in bovine oocytes and preimplantation embryos developing in vitro. Oocytes and embryos were labeled with an anti-fibrillarin primary antibody and an FITC-conjugated goat antihuman secondary antibody and dual stained with Hoechst 33342 DNA dye. In germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes, obtained from 2 to 6 mm follicles, fibrillarin appeared as several large distinct fluorescent spheres within the nucleoplasm, but was not strictly localized to the nucleolus. Fibrillarin was not detected in metaphase oocytes. Expression of fibrillarin was first detected in embryos at the pronucleate stage, appearing as small spots or distinct fluorescent spheres randomly distributed within the nucleoplasm; this pattern persisted in 2- and 4-cell stage embryos. Beginning at the 8-cell stage, fibrillarin signals appeared as distinct fluorescent rings encapsulating each nucleolus. From the 16-cell through the blastocyst stage, a branching immunofluorescent pattern was observed in association with fully reticulated nucleoli. Expression of fibrillarin was absent in 8-cell, but not pronucleate stage embryos cultured with alpha-amanitin, indicating that fibrillarin is initially recruited from maternal stores in pronucleate stage embryos, but then subsequently transcribed beginning at the 8-cell stage, coincident with the onset of nucleolar, transcription. Results from this study provide further insight into the organization and development of the embryonic nucleolus during bovine preimplantation development, and may have important implications for assisted reproductive technologies, including nucleus transfer.
MOCUM solutions to the 2-D hexagonal HTTR benchmark problems

The 2-D hexagonal HTTR benchmark problems were calculated by MOCUM code, whose fundamental methodologies are method of characteristics and unstructured meshing. MOCUM multiplication factors, fuel block and fuel pin fission rates, burnable poison and control rod absorption rates of three control rod configurations were compared with MCNP5 reference solutions. Excellent agreements were achieved. Maximum keff and reaction rate different among three cases are 0.01% and 0.26%, respectively. Sensitivity studies on parameter impacts are also presented. These benchmark problems are insensitive to the number of azimuthal angles. Small zone size is required for modeling the strong absorbers. Leonard type polar angles perform better than the Gauss–Legendre polar angles. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Adulthood olanzapine treatment fails to alleviate decreases of ChAT and BDNF RNA expression in rats quinpirole-primed as neonates

Neonatal quinpirole (dopamine D(2)/D(3) agonist) treatment to rats has been shown to increase dopamine D(2) receptor sensitivity throughout the animal's lifetime. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were neonatalally treated with quinpirole (1 mg/kg) from postnatal days (P) 1-21 and raised to adulthood. Beginning on P62, rats were administered the atypical antipsychotic olanzapine (2.5 mg/kg) twice daily for 28 days. Starting 1 day after the end of olanzapine treatment, animals were behaviorally tested on the place and match-to-place version of the Morris water maze (MWM) over seven consecutive days, and a yawning behavioral test was also performed to test for sensitivity of the D(2) receptor 1 day following MWM testing. Similar to results from a past study, olanzapine alleviated cognitive impairment on the MWM place version and increases in yawning produced by neonatal quinpirole treatment. Brain tissue analyses showed that neonatal quinpirole treatment resulted in a significant decrease of hipppocampal ChAT and BDNF RNA expression that were unaffected by adulthood olanzapine treatment, although adulthood olanzapine treatment produced a significant increase in cerebellar ChAT RNA expression. There were no significant effects of drug treatment on NGF RNA expression in any brain area. These results show that neonatal quinpirole treatment produced significant decreases of protein RNA expression that is specific to the hippocampus. Although olanzapine alleviated cognitive deficits produced by neonatal quinpirole treatment, it did not affect expression of proteins known to be important in cognitive performance.
Information Transduction Capacity of Noisy Biochemical Signaling Networks

Molecular noise restricts the ability of an individual cell to resolve input signals of different strengths and gather information about the external environment. Transmitting information through complex signaling networks with redundancies can overcome this limitation. We developed an integrative theoretical and experimental framework, based on the formalism of information theory, to quantitatively predict and measure the amount of information transduced by molecular and cellular networks. Analyzing tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling revealed that individual TNF signaling pathways transduce information sufficient for accurate binary decisions, and an upstream bottleneck limits the information gained via multiple integrated pathways. Negative feedback to this bottleneck could both alleviate and enhance its limiting effect, despite decreasing noise. Bottlenecks likewise constrain information attained by networks signaling through multiple genes or cells.
Personality Variables in Alcohol Abuse in College Students

The relationship between specific personality variables and alcohol abuse in college students were examined. Ninety-seven undergraduate college students were administered the trait portions of the ...
Inching toward the Metric System.

The metric system is a standard topic of biology courses and textbooks. However, despite our efforts to teach students this information, most students (and citizens) remain ignorant of and resistant to the system. This is unfortunate because it leaves the United States at the edge of mathematical literacy and "out of step" with the rest of the world-indeed, Burma, Liberia and the United States are the only countries that haven't converted to the metric system. There are several reasons for this; for example, conversion will be costly and require retraining the workforce and the public. Furthermore, U.S. citizens are accustomed to setting standards rather than conforming to those set by other countries. Finally, many people oppose change, no matter its benefits. These lobbies, combined with those of "metric-phobes" and math anxiety, have consistently hindered the United States' conversion to the metric system. There are many benefits to converting to the metric system. For example, metric measurements are easily understood, readily interconverted, involve only a few units (approximately 10, compared to more than 50 in the English system), are taught quickly and are based on reproducible phenomena. Furthermore, converting to the metric system will facilitate business with our metric trade partners. In light of these benefits, the Omnibus Trade Act of 1988 established the metric system as the preferred measurement system for U.S. trade and commerce, and federal agencies have until 1992 to incorporate the metric system into their business dealings. Thus, the metric system is finally coming to the United States. However, in the meantime we'll continue to be somewhat confused-we'll purchase milk in gallon containers and soda pop in 2-liter bottles, and we'll watch 10-kilometer (i.e., "10k") races and football games involving "first and ten" yardage. Biology teachers will play an important role in training students to use the metric system. To do this, we'll have to routinely use metric measurements in all our lectures and discussions, and encourage students to do the same. We'll have to do more than merely teach students how to use exponents or have them memorize suffixes and prefixes; we'll have to show students the metric system is an interesting and preferred system. We can do this in several ways. We can tell students that businesses wanting government contracts will soon be required to use the metric system. And, we can make the metric system "come alive" for our students by showing it is interesting and has a colorful history. Students will embrace the system more readily if they view it not merely as a foreign and mathematically different system, but as an interesting tool that will help them function in society. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview and description of the metric system, especially the International System of Units. The history of metric measurement is fascinating-you'll see, for example, that implementing the system involved spies, legislatures and even beheadings.
Adaptive hyperspectral imaging with a MEMS-based full-frame programmable spectral filter

Rapidly programmable spatial light modulation devices based on MEMS technology have opened an exciting new arena in spectral imaging: rapidly reprogrammable, high spectral resolution, multi-band spectral filters that enable hyperspectral processing directly in the optical hardware of an imaging sensor. Implemented as a multiplexing spectral selector, a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) can independently choose or reject dozens or hundreds of spectral bands and present them simultaneously to an imaging sensor, forming a complete 2D image. The result is a high-speed, highresolution, programmable spectral filter that gives the user complete control over the spectral content of the image formed at the sensor. This technology enables a wide variety of rapidly reprogrammable operational capabilities within the same sensor including broadband, color, false color, multispectral, hyperspectral and target specific, matched filter imaging. Of particular interest is the ability to implement target-specific hyperspectral matched filters directly into the optical train of the sensor, producing an image highlighting a target within a spectrally cluttered scene in real time without further processing. By performing the hyperspectral image processing at the sensor, such a system can operate with high performance, greatly reduced data volume, and at a fraction of the cost of traditional push broom hyperspectral instruments. Examples of color, false color and target-specific matched-filter images recorded with our visible-spectrum prototype will be displayed, and extensions to other spectral regions will be discussed.
Non-integrable variants of Boussinesq equation with two solitons

Abstract Three variants of the Boussinesq equation, namely, the (2 + 1)-dimensional Boussinesq equation, the (3 + 1)-dimensional Boussinesq equation, and the sixth-order Boussinesq equation are studied. The Hirota bilinear method is used to construct two soliton solutions for each equation. The study highlights the fact that these equations are non-integrable and do not admit N-soliton solutions although these equations can be put in bilinear forms.
Disappearance of Exercise-Induced ST-Segment Depression Associated with Transient Left Anterior Hemiblock

To our knowledge, this is the first case reported of total disappearance of exercise-induced ST-segment depression in the presence of transient left anterior hemiblock at peak exercise. An unusual paradoxic increase in T-wave amplitude was also noticed. The significant ST-segment displacement reappeared when the transient left anterior hemiblock disappeared during the recovery phase. Based on current review, the presence of transient left anterior hemiblock during exercise seems to correlate well with the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery disease. Therefore, the presence of transient left anterior hemiblock during exercise with either normalization of exercise-induced ST-segment depression or paradoxic increase in T-wavse amplitude at peak level may be a useful end-point to stop the test for patients who do not reach 2 mm ST-segment depression or who remain asymptomatic.
Mechanistic Studies on the Aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolytica : A Two-Metal Ion Mechanism for Peptide Hydrolysis

The aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolytica (AAP) is uncompetitively inhibited by fluoride ion at pH 8.0 with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 30 mM. Thus, fluoride inactivates AAP only after subs...
Modeling of hydronic radiant cooling of a thermally homeostatic building using a parametric cooling tower

Abstract A case is made that while it is important to mitigate dissipative losses associated with heat dissipation and mechanical/electrical resistance for engineering efficiency gain, the “architect” of energy efficiency is the conception of best heat extraction frameworks—which determine the realm of possible efficiency. This precept is applied to building energy efficiency here. Following a proposed process assumption-based design method, which was used for determining the required thermal qualities of building thermal autonomy, this paper continues this line of investigation and applies heat extraction approach investigating the extent of building partial homeostasis and the possibility of full homeostasis by using cooling tower in one summer in seven selected U.S. cities. Cooling tower heat extraction is applied parametrically to hydronically activated radiant-surfaces model-buildings. Instead of sizing equipment as a function of design peak hourly temperature as it is done in heat balance design-approach of selecting HVAC equipment, it is shown that the conditions of using cooling tower depend on both “design-peak” daily-mean temperature and the distribution of diurnal range in hourly temperature (i.e., diurnal temperature amplitude). Our study indicates that homeostatic building with natural cooling (by cooling tower alone) is possible only in locations of special meso-scale climatic condition such as Sacramento, CA. In other locations the use of cooling tower alone can only achieve homeostasis partially.
Zircon U-Pb ages of super-units in the Coastal batholith, Peru: Implications for magmatic and tectonic processes

Zircon U-Pb ages on 50 plutonic samples from super-units in the Lima, Arequipa, and Toquepala segments of the Peruvian Coastal batholith range from 188 to 37 m.y., revealing previously unrecognized Jurassic elements. The Jurassic plutons represent a distinct, time-defined, continental arc separated from the Cretaceous arc by a quiescent period of 50 m.y. Only 4 of the 50 samples have discordant zircons, and these are all from the Arequipa and Toquepala segments. This regionally limited discordance, interpreted to be due to inherited radiogenic Pb from the Precam-brian basement, suggests that there are fundamental differences in the nature of the crust beneath the Lima and the Arequipa/Toquepala segments. On a grand scale, magmatism in the Coastal batholith generally evolved through time from mafic to siliceous melts, but zircon U-Pb ages show that the occurrence of small bodies of old siliceous and young mafic rocks was also important. Close age association between all rock types raises the possibility that mantle-derived mafic magmas provided the heat that produced siliceous magmas in either the underplated wedge of the subduction complex or the lower crust throughout the period of batholith emplacement. In general, age results confirm that super-units have short time spans. For the Santa Rosa, Paccho, and Linga “super-units,” however, mapping generalizations were made in the absence of thorough isotopic age and trace-element data. Remapping of these “super-units” with supporting geochemical and geochronological studies will be required before the emplacement history of the batholith is fully understood. Dated plutons in the “Paccho super-unit” yield ages between 64.0 and 39.0 m.y. They are thus considerably younger than has been previously recognized and cannot belong to one super-unit. Their young ages also verify the eastward migration of the locus of magmatism through time. A migration rate of 1.3 mm/yr, computed for the rocks along latitude 11°08.1′S on the basis of the ∼105-m.y.-old Patap super-unit and a 61-m.y.-old pluton in the “Paccho super-unit,” suggests that the geometry of the Andean subduction zone in Peru was very stable during batholith emplacement.
Effect of density fluctuating supercritical carbon dioxide on polymer interfaces.

We investigated an effect of CO2 sorption on the compatibility of immiscible polystyrene (PS) and polybutadiene (PB) bilayers by using in situ neutron reflectivity. By labeling either polymer with ...
Circular dichroism of bilirubin-amine association complexes: insights into bilirubin-albumin binding.

Abstract Bichromophoric (4Z, 15Z)-bilirubin-IXα, the yellow-orange cytotoxic pigment of jaundice, adopts either of two intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded enantiomeric conformations that are in dynamic equilibrium in solution. The addition of optically active amines induces the pigment solutions to exhibit intense bisignate circular dichroism in the region of the bilirubin long wavelength uv-visible absorption band. The most intense circular dichroism Cotton effects, ¦Δe¦≃ 130, are induced by β-arylamines and are comparable to those exhibited by bilirubin complexes with serum albumin and other proteins. Like serum albumin and other proteins, the optically active base acts as a chiral complexation agent to induce an asymmetric transformation of bilirubin, whose induced bisignate circular dichroism Cotton effect is characteristic of exciton splitting of the component pyrromethenone chromophores. The amines thus serve as chiral templates for molecular recognition, and the complementary action of the amine complexation sites provides insight into the binding forces important in protein-bilirubin heteroassociation.
Comparison of deformation of 3 orthodontic miniplate lever arms

Introduction Deflections of the lever arms on 3 commercially available miniplates (Stryker, Kalamazoo, Mich; KLS Martin, Tuttlingen, Germany; and Synthes, West Chester, Pa) were compared to determine whether orthopedic forces produce permanent deformation. Methods Thirty-six miniplates were tested on a load frame in this ex-vivo trial. The force level at which permanent deformation occurred was measured. The arms of the miniplates were extended beyond the force level needed for orthopedic anchorage. Results Load-displacement data followed an expected trend from beam theory, where a linear region of elastic response was followed by an elastic-plastic transition to fully plastic deformation. The yield was measured at the beginning of the nonlinear response. Beam bending analysis was used to determine the yield stress of each sample and to estimate the elastic modulus. In some cases, the calculated yield stresses were higher and the modulus of elasticity was lower than the reported values for titanium. This was due to the torsion in the testing. Loads at the point of initial yielding ranged from 1280 to 3000 g, depending on the miniplate type. Stryker’s yield was statistically lower than that for KLS Martin and Synthes, which were well above the ranges needed for orthopedic forces. Conclusions All 3 miniplates were capable of withstanding orthopedic forces. The 3 brands had significant differences in modulus of elasticity values, which were lower than published values.
An electron microscopic investigation of the surface coat of visceral yolk sac endoderm cells in the guinea pig

Guinea pig visceral yolk sac endoderm cells are known to absorb proteins from the uterine lumen by the process of pinocytosis. Since previous studies have shown that the first step in protein absorption is the binding of the protein to an extracellular material on the surface of pinocytotic invaginations, it was thought that the surface coat might possess receptor sites for molecules which are subsequently absorbed. This study investigates the nature of the surface coat of the endoderm cells using ruthenium red, alcian blue/cetylpyridynium chloride-lanthanum and concanavalin A-peroxidase procedures. Results using these methods showed the presence of a surface coat on both the microvilli and pinocytotic invaginations. The coat on the pinocytotic invaginations was thicker than that on the microvilli. Concanavalin A receptor sites were separated from one another on the cell surface. Since only those pinocytotic invaginations which were open to the surface at the time of fixation would be “stained” by these methods, the procedures also show that the numerous tubules and vesicles in the apical cytoplasm do not all form an intercommunicating labyrinth open to the surface, even though most of them are part of a related functional system. The results indicate that the surface coat contains mucopolysaccharide components. In addition, concanavalin A receptor sites are present which are probably oligosaccharides associated with a glycoprotein component of the apical cell membrane.