cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Singulair (montelukast) treatment for capsular contracture.

Background: Capsular contracture (CC) is one of the most common complications of breast augmentation surgery. Leukotrienes are implicated in the inflammatory cascade and have been postulated to be involved in the formation of CC. Therefore, leukotriene antagonists Accolate and Singulair have been prescribed by plastic surgeons off-label to treat and prevent CC. To date, there are no studies investigating the efficacy of Singulair on CC. Objectives: The authors retrospectively review a series of patients treated with Singulair to determine whether it improves CC after breast implant surgery. Methods: Nineteen patients treated with Singulair by the senior surgeon (NH) after implant placement from March 2006 to November 2009 were included in this study. Follow-up on Singulair efficacy was obtained by a combination of office chart review and standardized telephone questionnaire. Results were characterized as complete improvement, improvement, no change, or worse. Results: Seventeen patients presented with CC resulting from a variety of breast operations. Two patients who had a history of recurrent CC were prescribed Singulair prophylactically immediately after surgery. Twenty-one breasts with existing CC were included in the total. Two (11%) patients became worse, three (16%) patients had no change, five (26%) improved, seven (37%) completely improved, and two (11%) were prevented from having CC formation. Conclusions: Our preliminary study shows that Singulair improves CC. Breasts with mild CC (Baker score < III) appeared to have better improvement with Singulair compared to those with more severe contracture (Baker score III and IV). Singulair is well tolerated with minimal side effects and can be administered to patients after breast implant surgery to improve CC.
Endogenous proprietary costs through firm interdependence

Abstract In the preceding paper Darrough and Stoughton suggest that firm interdependence, modelled as an entry game among firms in a product market, can yield endogenous proprietary costs. This allows the costs associated with the dissemination of information about the firm to depend upon the information's content in some direct way. My comments focus on: first, the structure of the game, which emphasizes the potential for full disclosure; second, the extent to which the entry game exaggerates the usefulness of ‘bad news’; and third, their suggestion that more competition among firms implies more, and not less, disclosure, an observation seemingly contrary to Verrecchia (1983).
Tocopherol Succinate: Modulation of Antioxidant Enzymes and Oncogene Expression, and Hematopoietic Recovery

Purpose: A class of naturally occurring isoforms of tocopherol (tocols) was shown to have varying degrees of protection when administered before radiation exposure. We recently demonstrated that {alpha}-tocopherol succinate (TS) is a potential radiation prophylactic agent. Our objective in this study was to further investigate the mechanism of action of TS in mice exposed to {sup 60}Co {gamma}-radiation. Methods and Materials: We evaluated the effects of TS on expression of antioxidant enzymes and oncogenes by quantitative RT-PCR in bone marrow cells of {sup 60}Co {gamma}-irradiated mice. Further, we tested the ability of TS to rescue and repopulate hematopoietic stem cells by analyzing bone marrow cellularity and spleen colony forming unit in spleen of TS-injected and irradiated mice. Results: Our results demonstrate that TS modulated the expression of antioxidant enzymes and inhibited expression of oncogenes in irradiated mice at different time points. TS also increased colony forming unit-spleen numbers and bone marrow cellularity in irradiated mice. Conclusions: Results provide additional support for the observed radioprotective efficacy of TS and insight into mechanisms.
The effects of hypophysectomy upon the endogenous levels of cyclic AMP during forelimb regeneration of adult newts (Notophthalmus viridescens)

Cyclic AMP is believed to play a role in limb regeneration. Using high pressure liquid chromatography, endogenous levels of cyclic AMP in regenerating tissues of normal and of hypophysectomized adult newts were estimated. In normally regenerating limbs, cyclic AMP levels were depressed 7 days after amputation and were elevated at 14 and 21 days. In contrast, limb tissues of hypophysectomized newts displayed elevated cyclic AMP levels at 7, 14 and 21 days after amputation. A correlation exists between depressed levels of cyclic AMP and the occurrence of dedifferentiation and elevated levels of cyclic AMP and morphogenesis. Although elevated cyclic AMP levels later in regeneration might influence morphogenesis, depressed levels of cyclic AMP alone appear inadequate to account for dedifferentiation.
Expression profile of eukaryotic translation factors in human cancer tissues and cell lines

Several studies have demonstrated the overexpression of certain eukaryotic translation factors in human cancer cell lines and in malignant tissues. In this study, with human cancer cell lines derived from lungs, breast, prostate, and skin, we have examined the expression profile of 36 translation factors consisting of 27 initiation factors, 8 elongation factors, and 1 termination factor. Translation initiation factors 2C2 and 4E1 and translation elongation factors 1A2 and 1delta were found overexpressed (2- to 2000-fold) in many of the cancer cell lines compared to their corresponding normal cell lines. Among the translation factors analyzed, translation elongation factor 1A2 exhibited the most significant alteration in expression: 10- to 2000-fold overexpression was noticed in nine out of ten cancer cell lines analyzed. Whether the overexpression of translation elongation factor 1A2 can be used as a potential tumor marker was tested with the cancer profiling array (BD Biosciences, Palo Alto, CA) consisting of 241 paired cDNA samples generated from 13 different cancer/noncancer tissue types. Overexpression of translation elongation factor 1A2 was noticed in several tumor tissue samples, most notably in the human colon cancer samples which exhibited at least a twofold overexpression among 35% of the samples analyzed. Besides colon, tumor samples derived from lungs, kidney, rectum, and ovary also exhibited more than a twofold overexpression of translation elongation factor 1A2 in at least 20% of the samples analyzed. These results indicate that human carcinogenesis is often associated with alterations in the expression of various translation factors especially the overexpression of eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A2.
Thermal Transport Across Carbon Nanotube Connected by Molecular Linkers

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been reported to have excellent thermal and mechanical properties over the past two decades. However, the practical application of CNT-based technologies has been limited, due to the inability to transform the excellent properties of single CNTs into macroscopic applications. CNT network structure connects CNTs and can be possibly scaled up to macro-scale CNT-based application. In this paper, nonequilibrium molecular dynamics is applied to investigate thermal transport across two CNTs connected longitudinally by molecular linkers. We show the effect of different types and lengths of molecular linkers on interfacial thermal conductance. We also analyze the density of vibrational normal modes to further understand the interfacial thermal conductance between different molecular linkers and CNTs. These results provide guidance for choosing molecular linkers to build up large-scale CNT-based network structures.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
A feminist naturalized philosophy of science

Building on developments in feminist science scholarship and the philosophy of science, I advocate two methodological principles as elements of a naturalized philosophy of science. One principle incorporates a holistic account of evidence inclusive of claims and theories informed by and/or expressive of politics and non-constitutive values; the second takes communities, rather than individual scientists, to be the primary loci of scientific knowledge. I use case studies to demonstrate that these methodological principles satisfy three criteria for naturalization accepted in naturalized philosophy of science, and allow for the differential assessment of episodes in which values and sociopolitical factors inform, or contribute to the adoption of, theories for which there is sufficient evidential warrant — and episodes in which such factors inform, or contribute to the adoption of, theories for which there is not. I contend that in terms of their empirical and normative import, these principles constitute a further naturalization of the philosophy of science.
Formulas for the expansion of the Kronecker products S m,n ⊗S 1 p-r ,r and S 1 k ,2 l ⊗S 1 p-r ,r

Abstract The Kronecker product of two homogeneous symmetric polynomials P1 and P2 is defined by means of the Frobenius map F by the formula P 1 ⊗ P 2 = F (( F −1 P 1 )( F −1 P 2 )) . When P1 and P2 are Schur functions SI and SJ respectively, then the resulting product SI ⊗ SJ is the Frobenius characteristic of the tensor product of the irreducible representations of the symmetric group corresponding to the diagrams I and J. Taking the scalar product of SI ⊗ SJ with a third Schur function SK gives the so called Kronecker coefficient CIJK=〈SI ⊗ SJ, SK〉 which gives the multiplicity of the representation corresponding to K in the tensor product. In this paper, we give an explicit formula for CIJK where K is an arbitrary shape, J is a hook shape, and I is either a shape with two parts or a shape whose largest part is of size 2.
Chloroplast biogenesis 30. Chlorophyll(ide) (E459F675) and chlorophyll(ide) (E449F675) the first detectable products of divinyl and monovinyl protochlorophyll photoreduction

Abstract When the heterogeneous protochlorophyll(ide) [Pchl(ide)] pool of etiolated cucumber cotyledons was converted into a chlorophyll(ide) [Chl(ide)] α pool by a very brief illumination, two red shifted Chlides, with an emission maximum at 675 nm in ether at 77K and Soret excitation maxima at about 459 and 449 nm respectively, were formed. Likewise two red shifted Chlorophylls (Chls) with an emission maximum at about 673 nm in ether at 77K, and Soret excitation maxima at about 458 and 448 nm respectively were also formed. It is suggested that Chlide α (E459F675) and Chlide α (E449F675) where E refers to the Soret excitation maximum and F to the red emission maximum in ether at 77K are identifiable with divinyl (DV) and monovinyl (MV) Chlide respectively and probably represent the first detectable photoproducts of Pchlide photoreduction. Likewise it is suggested that Chl a (E458F673) and Chl a (E448F673) are identifiable with DV and MV Chl a respectively and probably represent the first detectable photoproducts of Pchlide ester photoreduction. These Chl(ide) a intermediates appear to be converted during subsequent reactions into the blue shifted Chl a chromophoric species that constitute the Chl a pool of green plants.
Mechanism of blockade of pituitary activation in the rat by morphine, atropine and barbiturates.

PITUITARY activation, resulting in the release of ovulating hormone (LH or gonadotrophin), occurs in the female rat on the day of proestrus. Under controlled lighting conditions the activation process transpires between 2–4 p.m. and it may be interrupted by such seemingly unrelated agents as barbiturate anesthetics (Everett and Sawyer, 1950), anticholinergic and antiadrenergic agents (Everett et al., 1949; Sawyer et al., 1950, 1951) and the analgesic drug, morphine (Barraclough and Sawyer, 1955). Blocking nervous activity at presumably different sites, these effective agents have, by their multiplicity, made it difficult to analyze the process of neurogenic stimulation of the adenohypophysis. It should be emphasized, however, that a wide variety of other nerveblocking agents are ineffective in preventing the release of ovulating hormone in the rat (Sawyer, et al. 1950, 1951), and that some of the effective agents have blocked the process in other “spontaneously” ovulating forms such as the hen (Zarrow and...
Disease-causing missense mutations in human DNA helicase disorders

Helicases have important roles in nucleic acid metabolism, and their prominence is marked by the discovery of genetic disorders arising from disease-causing mutations. Missense mutations can yield unique insight to molecular functions and basis for disease pathology. XPB or XPD missense mutations lead to Xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne's syndrome, Trichothiodystrophy, or COFS syndrome, suggesting that DNA repair and transcription defects are responsible for clinical heterogeneity. Complex phenotypes are also observed for RECQL4 helicase mutations responsible for Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, Baller-Gerold syndrome, or RAPADILINO. Bloom's syndrome causing missense mutations are found in the conserved helicase and RecQ C-terminal domain of BLM that interfere with helicase function. Although rare, patient-derived missense mutations in the exonuclease or helicase domain of Werner syndrome protein exist. Characterization of WRN separation-of-function mutants may provide insight to catalytic requirements for suppression of phenotypes associated with the premature aging disorder. Characterized FANCJ missense mutations associated with breast cancer or Fanconi anemia interfere with FANCJ helicase activity required for DNA repair and the replication stress response. For example, a FA patient-derived mutation in the FANCJ Iron-Sulfur domain was shown to uncouple its ATPase and translocase activity from DNA unwinding. Mutations in DDX11 (ChlR1) are responsible for Warsaw Breakage syndrome, a recently discovered autosomal recessive cohesinopathy. Ongoing and future studies will address clinically relevant helicase mutations and polymorphisms, including those that interfere with key protein interactions or exert dominant negative phenotypes (e.g., certain mutant alleles of Twinkle mitochondrial DNA helicase). Chemical rescue may be an approach to restore helicase activity in loss-of-function helicase disorders. Genetic and biochemical analyses of disease-causing missense mutations in human helicase disorders have led to new insights to the molecular defects underlying aberrant cellular and clinical phenotypes.
Matrix-Isolation FTIR Studies and Theoretical Calculations of Hydrogen-Bonded Complexes of Imidazole. A Comparison between Experimental Results and Different Calculation Methods

The hydrogen bond interaction between water and imidazole was investigated with the matrix-isolation FTIR spectroscopy coupled to ab initio calculations performed with the RHF and MP2 methods and the parametrized DFT method with the B3LYP hybrid functional. The 6-31G** and 6-31++G** basis sets were used in the calculations. Evaluation of the accuracy of the three methods and the two basis sets was made for noncomplexed imidazole. All three of the methods gave geometries for imidazole in good agreement with the experimental structure. Also, all three levels of theory with both basis sets gave similarly accurate vibrational frequency predictions for monomeric imidazole with a best mean deviation for the DFT/B3LYP/6-31++G** method. The assignment of the matrix spectra of the two isomeric H-bond complex species, NH···OH2 and N···HOH, was performed by comparison with the theoretically predicted IR frequencies and intensities and was further assisted by asymmetrical deuteration experiments. The MP2 and DFT meth...
PATHOLOGY OF DISULFIRAM NEUROPATHY

Bouldin T.W., Hall CD & Krigman M.R.1980 Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology 6, 155–160 Case report. Pathology of disulfiram neuropathy The pathological changes in a sural nerve biopsy from a 42-year-old woman with disulfiram-induced peripheral neuropathy were assessed by quantitative light microscopy, electron microscopy, and the study of teased nerve fibres. The nerve had a marked loss of myelinated fibres; of the remaining myelinated fibres some were undergoing Wallerian-type axonal degeneration. Large myelinated fibres were preferentially involved. Primary demyelination, remyelination, and evidence of regeneration were not present. Because of the marked differences between the pathological findings in disulfiram neuropathy and carbon disulfide neuropathy, it is concluded that carbon disulfide is not responsible for the neurotoxic effect of disulfiram.
Are innate immune signaling pathways in plants and animals conserved

Although adaptive immunity is unique to vertebrates, the innate immune response seems to have ancient origins. Common features of innate immunity in vertebrates, invertebrate animals and plants include defined receptors for microbe-associated molecules, conserved mitogen-associated protein kinase signaling cascades and the production of antimicrobial peptides. It is commonly reported that these similarities in innate immunity represent a process of divergent evolution from an ancient unicellular eukaryote that pre-dated the divergence of the plant and animal kingdoms. However, at present, data suggest that the seemingly analogous regulatory modules used in plant and animal innate immunity are a consequence of convergent evolution and reflect inherent constraints on how an innate immune system can be constructed.
Net flux of nutrients across splanchnic tissues in wethers consuming bermudagrass or ryegrass—wheat hay supplemented with rumen undegradable protein

Crossbred wethers (14, 37 ± 1.5 kg BW and 10 months old) were used in a 21-day experiment (2 × 2 factorial) to determine effects of dietary grass source (tropical vs temperate) on response to rumen undegradable protein supplementation in oxygen consumption by, and net flux of N fractions across, the portal-drained viscera and liver. Bermudagrass (B; 73.1% NDF and 6.2% CP) or ryegrass-wheat (RW; 65.9% NDF and 8.9% CP) hay was supplemented with 53 g day−1 (DM) of soybean meal (S) or 53 g day−1 (DM) of soybean meal plus 70 g day−1 (DM) of a mixture of feedstuffs high in rumen undegradable protein (SR; 46.6% com gluten, 26.7% feather and 26.7% blood meals). Digestible energy intake (9.1, 10.0, 11.3 and 12.1 MJ day−1) was greater (P < 0.01) for RW than for B, and N intake was 12.5, 21.5, 16.5 and 25.3 g day−1 (SE 1.08) for B-S, B-SR, RW-S and RW-SR, respectively. Splanchnic energy use as a percentage of DE intake was less (P = 0.03) for RW vs B (21.4 vs 27.8%). Supplementation with Sr increased (P = 0.04) alpha-amino N release by the portal-drained viscera (6.6, 22.0, 9.8 and 20.6 mmol h−1) and hepatic uptake (10.9, 25.6, 11.2 and 14.3 mmol h−1 for B-S, B-SR, RW-S and RW-SR, respectively; SE 2.29). Supplementation with Sr increased (P < 0.01) hepatic urea N release (26.7, 48.4, 29.0 and 41.8 mmol h−1) and ammonia N uptake (17.3, 29.7, 23.3 and 26.6 mmol h−1 for B-S, B-SR, RW-S and RW-SR, respectively) more (interaction; P = 0.09 and 0.08, respectively) with B than with RW. In conclusion, these results indicate that DE intake and splanchnic energy consumption for tropical and temperate grasses may influence metabolic fate of rumen undegradable protein N and, thus, impact potential performance benefits of supplementation. Also, unless forage intake is changed, any improvements in animal performance with rumen undegradable protein supplementation would be through increased N absorption without change in energy available to peripheral tissues, regardless of grass source.
A new species of Munromyia Bezzi (Diptera: Tephritidae) reared from Chionanthus battiscombei (Oleaceae) in northern Kenya.

Munromyia marsabitensis sp. nov. is described from the isolated mountains of Marsabit in northern Kenya. It can be distinguished from the two known congeners by the thoracic and abdominal colour patterns, structure of the male and female terminalia, and host plants. Larvae are seed predators, developing within the green, aborted fruits of Chionanthus battiscombei. Over 70% of sampled fruits (n = 74) were infested with larvae, but nearly all of the individually infested fruits (96.1%) produced only one adult tephritid. Bactrocera biguttula, but not M. marsabitensis, was reared from ripe fruits of the same plant.
Systemic and mucosal immune responses of pigs to parenteral immunization with a pepsin-digested Serpulina hyodysenteriae bacterin.

Abstract Serpulina hyodysenteriae infection of pigs, swine dysentery, causes a mucohemorrhagic diarrhoea resulting in significant economic losses to swine producers. The pathogenesis of this disease is poorly understood. Regardless, commercial vaccines have been developed and are in use. Thus, the present study was designed to examine cellular immune responses induced by parenteral S. hyodysenteriae vaccination. Significant antigen-specific interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and blastogenic responses were detected from peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from vaccinated pigs. However, poor IFN-γ responses were detected from colonic lymph node lymphocytes from these same pigs despite significant antigen-specific blastogenic responses. In addition, peripheral blood IFN-γ responses were diminished by either in vitro depletion of CD4 expressing cells or by in vitro treatment with porcine IL-10. Colonic lymph node IFN-γ responses were not inhibited by treatment with porcine IL-10. Vaccination also resulted in increased percentages of both mucosal and peripheral blood CD8 single positive cells with concurrent decreases in percentages of CD4 single positive cells as compared to percentages of these same populations from non-vaccinated pigs. In conclusion, these studies show that parenteral S. hyodysenteriae vaccination results in cellular immune responses detectable both peripherally (systemic immunity) as well as at the site of infection (mucosal immunity). However, it appears that regulatory mechanisms affecting IFN-γ production in response to S. hyodysenteriae antigen differ between peripheral and colonic compartments.
Population characteristics of Macrobrachium rosenbergii fed diets containing different protein sources under coolwater conditions in earthen ponds

Abstract The population structure and weight distribution of Macrobrachium rosenbergii raised in monoculture and fed diets containing different protein sources in earthen ponds under coolwater conditions were studied. Prawns weighing 0.5 (±0.3 g) were stocked into nine 0.02-ha ponds at 4/m2 and fed at body-weight-dependent rates for 110 days. At harvest, percentage distribution by number and weight of three male morphotypes (blue claw, orange claw, and small male) and two of the three female morphotypes (berried and open) were not significantly affected by diet. The percent contribution of virgin females by weight was significantly higher in prawns fed a diet containing 15% fish meal than in prawns fed a diet containing 7.5% fish meal. The male female ratio ranged from 2.5 to 5.3 among treatments and averaged 3.0 overall. Combined data collected from all 9 ponds indicate percentage contribution of biomass by small males was low (1.1%) and by orange claw males was high (71.0%). Among harvested prawns, >88% exceeded 30 g and 96% exceeded 20 g wet weight. These results differ markedly from those of previous studies conducted in areas with higher mean water temperatures. Pond water temperatures in this study were apparently high enough to support rapid growth but below that necessary to stimulate reproductive changes within individuals in the population, thereby disrupting the development of a population structure normally encountered in harvested populations.
Intimate valence alternation pairs in amorphous SiO2

Abstract The intrinsic bonding defects in a-SiO 2 are qualitatively similar to the VAP's in a chalcogenide glass; however, they do not exhibit a negative effective correlation energy. Relaxations at the C 1 − (1T) and C 3 + (3T) centers are related to the electronic structure. Finally, the bonding model provides an excellent description of the defects at the Si/SiO 2 interface.
When and how does autism begin

Jones and Klin recently found that the well-known decreased fixations to eyes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not present throughout infancy; instead a decline in eye fixations between 2 and 6 months predicts diagnosis. This decline is the earliest behavioral pattern linked to autism to date.
Homocysteine: a new cardiac risk factor?

Elevated plasma homocysteine levels have recently been implicated as a new risk factor for coronary artery disease. In this Article, homocysteine metabolism, secondary causes of elevated plasma homocysteine, and the potential mechanism of vascular damage in hyperhomocysteinemia are briefly reviewed. The current clinical evidence implicating hyperhomocysteinemia as a risk factor for coronary artery disease, as well as the data regarding the effects of B vitamin supplementation on homocysteine concentrations, are also reviewed. The current recommendation of the authors is to treat patients with known coronary artery disease or those who are considered to be at high risk for coronary artery disease with 400 μg of folate supplementation. Until prospective clinical trial data become available, this approach appears to be a safe and effective way to approach this patient population.
Signal processing for biologically inspired sensors

Pores or channels with diameters in the range of nanometers up to micrometers can be used as Coulter counting apertures to detect particles and organic molecules such as proteins. Coulter counting is performed by applying a constant potential across a nano- or micropore while recording the drop in ionic current upon passage of a molecule. Looking at the shape and duration of these current pulses enables us to estimate the size as well as the concentration of these molecules. Discrimination between different analytes can be performed by extracting appropriate features from the Coulter signals (events) and using them for classification. The challenge in being able to identify particular analytes is that a drop in current can also be caused by a molecule bouncing off the pore wall rather than moving through the micropore. Such drops are called non-events and can be discriminated from the events using Support Vector Machines. In this paper, we consider the amplitude of the current drop and the duration of the current pulse as features to determine if an event occurred. The proposed approach uses the Dirichlet process mixture model to cluster the data in the feature domain as the type of the events in the signal record is unknown. Results obtained show that the Dirichlet process mixture model accurately finds the types of events and their count for each signal record.
Mass-separated ion source

Abstract A mass-separated ion source can eliminate the need for large mass separation units energetic ion beam system. The performance of a Colutron mass separated ion source employing a small Wein ( E × B ) velocity filter as the mass separation element, an einzel lens for focusing, and hohot-cathode, electron- bombardment ion source was studied. Mass separation and focusing capabilities were determined by mass spectra and ion image converter measurements. Emittance and perveance measurements of the total unit were made. The unit was operated with H 2 , He, H 2 O, Kr, and with BN in a charge holder in an H 3 discharge (to study boron beams). Nearly parallel, μA-beams of masses up to about 12 amu and diameters from 3 to 5 mm were well resolved.
Skeletal muscle: A paradigm for testing principles of bioenergetics

Muscular activity converts chemical energy into useful work and metabolism restores muscle to its original state. This essay explores the organization and interactions of the regulatory system(s) which allow this energy balance to occur. The term “energy balance” is used in a biochemical rather than a thermodynamic sense—concerned not with deductions from the physical principles of thermodynamics, but rather with those enzymatic processes which nature evolved and which operate at remarkably fixed stoichiometry. Energy balance is a statement of conservation of energy put into biochemical observables.31P NMR spectroscopy is one of the most useful techniques for investigating these questions quantitatively under physiological conditionsin vivo. The author (1) describes the rules or principles of biochemical energy balance; (2) discusses sample results from human muscle to demonstrate its use in studying this class of questions; (3) presents a simple model of integrated cellular respiration to demonstrate its sufficiency to account for the main observations.
Preference after training with differential changeover delays

Pigeons were trained on a multiple schedule in which each component consisted of concurrent variable-interval (VI) 30-s VI 60-s schedules. The two components of the multiple schedule differed only in terms of the changeover delays (COD): For one component short CODs were employed, and in the second component long CODs were used. After approximate matching was obtained in each component, probe tests involving new combinations of stimuli were presented (e.g., the VI 30-s schedule from each component) to determine how the different CODs affected preference. Despite shorter CODs producing higher changeover rates, the COD value had no systematic effect on preference on the probe trials. However, differences in reinforcement rate always produced preference for the schedule with the higher reinforcement rate. The results thus show that the the pattern of changeover behavior per se is not a critical determinant of choice in the probe-trial procedure.
Successful treatment of delayed splenic rupture with splenic artery embolization

THE SPLEEN IS ONE OF THE MOST commonly injured organs after blunt abdominal trauma. Although most splenic injuries are discovered after investigation of either hemodynamic instability or suspected abdominal injury during the initial patient evaluation, occult injuries that present with delayed splenic rupture occur in a small percentage of patients.1 The occurrence of “overwhelming postsplenectomy infection” (OPSI) and its associated high mortality have prompted surgeons to preserve the spleen either by using operative techniques or with nonoperative management. Recently, several reports have described splenic artery embolization (SAE) as an adjunct to the nonoperative management of selected blunt splenic injuries,2,3 but the role of SAE in patients whose nonoperative management fails or who present with delayed rupture has not been defined. This report presents a patient with delayed splenic rupture who was treated successfully with SAE.
Excitatory and inhibitory interactions in the olfactory bulb involving dendrodendritic synapses between mitral cells and granular cells.

Evoked responses to repetitive antidromic LOT stimulation have been used to determine relations indicative of excitatory and inhibitory interactions between two cellgroups in the olfactory buld. Correlation coefficients were measured in individual and successive responses for component 1, measuring mitral cell activity and component 2, measuring the depolarization of granular terminals in the external plexiform layer. At some frequencies of stimulation alternation of responses occured and a high degree of negative correlation was measured between successive responses, which indicates that alternation is due to inhibition of bulbar origin. In individual responses of the alternating series a high degree of positive correlation was measured between components 1 and 2. Since inhibition, which causes the alternation of component 1 should not effect the mitral cell axon collaterals in antidromic stimulation, the positive correlation between components 1 and 2 provides evidence for a dendrodendritic activation path between mitral cells and granular cells. A negative correlation between the second component of individual responses in the alternating series (R 1) and the first and second components of the following responses (R 2) provides supportive evidence for an inhibitory action of component 2, or the reciprocal synapses between granular cell terminals and mitral cell dendrites.
OUTGROUPS AND ONTOGENY

— Common themes in some recent expositions of character phylogeny are attempts to prove that outgroup comparison is a method of the greatest generality, and that the ontogenetic criterion reduces to outgroup comparison. Another common theme is that pattern cladistics is wrongheaded in suggesting that ontogenetic data have a unique value for studies of character phylogeny. Analysis of particular examples that have been offered as proof of the themes shows them to be flawed and without significance. Arguments against pattern cladistics and the relevance of ontogeny stem from a concern for ideological purity and not for objective appraisal of relevant evidence.
Plumage Variation, Plasma Steroids and Social Dominance in Male House Finches

In male House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus), the extent and color of plumage varies depending on access to carotenoid pigments. "Colorful" males exhibit extensive red pigmentation, while less colorful (i.e., "drab") males exhibit carotenoid pigmentation over a smaller percentage of their plumage, pigmentation of a color besides red (e.g., yellow, gold, orange, or pink), or both. One explanation for maintenance of plumage variation is that it reliably reflects social status, allowing males to correctly assess their status in relation to others and avoid or minimize costly fights. Social relationships may also be related to endogenous factors, such as circulating levels of the hormones testosterone and corticosterone. High levels of testosterone may promote or facilitate increased aggression, and stress associated with receiving aggression from individuals of higher status may increase adrenal activity and secretion of corticosterone. We examined the relationship between plumage variability, steroid hormones, and social status in captive male House Finches during the non-breeding period in: (1) groups of males in which individuals varied by age, size, and plumage, and (2) pairs (dyads) of males matched for several measurable parameters except plumage. Testosterone and social status were not related in males competing in either groups or dyads, and levels of testosterone were routinely low. Corticosterone and status were not related in groups but, in dyads where subordinate individuals had little chance of escaping aggression from more dominant birds, subordinates exhibited significantly greater levels of corticosterone. Although drab males tended to achieve higher status than colorful males in both experiments, which is consistent with previous studies on free-living individuals, we could not reject the null hypothesis that plumage and status were unrelated. We conclude that dominance relationships among male House Finches during the non-breeding season may not be related to testosterone, but they are reflected by levels of corticosterone in some circumstances. Additionally, colorful plumage appears to be a poor predictor of high social status among male House Finches during the non-breeding season.
The nitrogen budget of a pine forest under free air CO2 enrichment.

Elevated concentrations of atmospheric CO2 increase plant biomass, net primary production (NPP) and plant demand for nitrogen (N). The demand for N set by rapid plant growth under elevated CO2 could be met by increasing soil N availability or by greater efficiency of N uptake. Alternatively, plants could increase their nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE), thereby maintaining high rates of growth and NPP in the face of nutrient limitation. We quantified dry matter and N budgets for a young pine forest exposed to 4 years of elevated CO2 using free-air CO2 enrichment technology. We addressed three questions: Does elevated CO2 increase forest NPP and the demand for N by vegetation? Is demand for N met by greater uptake from soils, a shift in the distribution of N between plants, microbes, and soils, or increases in NUE under elevated CO2? Will soil N availability constrain the NPP response of this forest as CO2 fumigation continues? A step-function increase in atmospheric CO2 significantly increased NPP during the first 4 years of this study. Significant increases in NUE under elevated CO2 modulated the average annual requirement for N by vegetation in the first and third growing seasons under elevated CO2; the average stimulation of NPP in these years was 21% whereas the average annual stimulation of the N requirement was only 6%. In the second and fourth growing seasons, increases in NPP increased the annual requirement for N by 27-33%. Increases in the annual requirement for N were largely met by increases in N uptake from soils. Retranslocation of nutrients prior to senescence played only a minor role in supplying the additional N required by trees growing under elevated CO2. NPP was highly correlated with between-plot variation in the annual rate of net N mineralization and CO2 treatment. This demonstrates that NPP is co-limited by C availability, as CO2 from the atmosphere, and N availability from soils. There is no evidence that soil N mineralization rates have increased under elevated CO2. The correlation between NPP and N mineralization rates and the increase in the annual requirement for N in certain years imply that soil N availability may control the long-term productivity response of this ecosystem to elevated CO2. Although we have no evidence suggesting that NPP is declining in response to >4 years of CO2 fumigation, if the annual requirement of N continues to be stimulated by elevated CO2, we predict that the productivity response of this forest ecosystem will decline over time.
Protein Farnesylation Is Critical for Maintaining Normal Cell Morphology and Canavanine Resistance in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) plays important roles in the growth and differentiation of eukaryotic cells. In this paper, we report the identification of theSchizosaccharomyces pombe genecpp1 + encoding the β-subunit of FTase. The predicted amino acid sequence of the cpp1 + gene product shares significant similarity with FTase β-subunits from a variety of organisms. S. pombe FTase purified from E. coli exhibits high enzymatic activity toward the CAAXfarnesylation motif substrates (where C represents cysteine,A represents aliphatic amino acid, and X is preferentially methionine, cysteine, serine, alanine, or glutamine) while showing little preference for CAALgeranylgeranylation motif substrates (where L represents leucine or phenylalanine). cpp1 + is not essential for growth as shown by gene disruption; however, mutant cells exhibit rounded or irregular cell morphology. Expression of a geranylgeranylated mutant form, Ras1-CVIL, which can bypass farnesylation, rescues these morphological defects. We also identify a novel phenotype of cpp1 − mutants, hypersensitivity to canavanine. This appears to be due to a 3–4-fold increase in the rate of arginine uptake as compared with wild-type cells. Expression of the geranylgeranylated mutant form of a novel farnesylated small GTPase, SpRheb, is able to suppress the elevated arginine uptake rate. These results demonstrate that protein farnesylation is critical for maintaining normal cell morphology through Ras1 and canavanine resistance through SpRheb.
Mechanisms for abnormal postprandial glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes

To assess mechanisms for postprandial hyperglycemia, we used a triple-isotope technique ([\3-3H]glucose and [14C]bicarbonate and oral [6,6-dideutero]glucose iv) and indirect calorimetry to compare ...
A note in defense of personal materialism

MATERIALISTS say that if, at a given time, x and y are made up of exactly the same components, then, at that time, x and y are one and the same thing. According to personal materialists, we are always made up of exactly the same particles, cells, etc., as those which constitute our bodies. Hence, they hold, we are always one and the same as our bodies. Antimaterialists, including some who grant that we are always made up of the particles, cells, etc., which constitute our bodies, deny this. But how is the doctrine to be refuted? It is sometimes said that the following principle does the job:
Minority threat and punishment: A cross-national analysis

There has been considerable recent interest in understanding how changes within the racial and ethnic landscape contribute to both the increased segregation of minority populations and their punishment. The minority group-threat hypothesis proposes that punishment is one outcome of the regulation of groups that are racially, culturally, or ethnically different. This study examined the relationship between population heterogeneity and the use of punishment, measured in terms of abolition of the death penalty and imprisonment rates in 140 nations. Controlling for modernization, political repression, violent crime, and economic stress, the findings indicate that population heterogeneity was positively associated with imprisonment. Likewise, lesser diversity was associated with the abolition of capital punishment. Our results suggest that definitions of minority threat be expanded to include indicators of language and religion as well as race and ethnicity.
Adaptive ruled layers approximation of STL models and multiaxis machining applications for rapid prototyping

This paper presents a new method of generating adaptive ruled layers for rapid prototyping (RP) processing of complex parts. To increase the accuracy and reduce the build time, an adaptive ruled layer approximation of the stereolithography (STL) models and multiaxis path planning for rapid prototyping are proposed. In this paper, a new method of constructing ruled layers from slicing STL points is developed to approximate the STL models with better surface accuracy. A technique of surface error analysis is presented to find the maximum errors at different layers of RP parts. By finding the RP surface errors, adaptive ruled layers are generated for the RP process of the STL CAD models. Using the constructed ruled layers of the STL models, the multiaxis material removal process is integrated with traditional RP processes to achieve better surface accuracy and to reduce the total RP build time. Computer implementation and illustrative examples are presented.
Direct evidence for dual-functional cyclization of paraffins over platinum reforming catalysts

Abstract The reaction of n-heptane containing 100 ppm of sulfur using either a platinum on charcoal catalyst or an alumina catalyst produces relatively few ring hydrocarbons. The large increase in ring production observed when both catalysts are intimately mixed is good evidence that the paraffin cyclization reaction can proceed by a dual-functional mechanism.
Acyl-Phosphates Initiate Membrane Phospholipid Synthesis in Gram-Positive Pathogens

Summary It is not known how Gram-positive bacterial pathogens carry out glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) acylation, which is the first step in the formation of phosphatidic acid, the key intermediate in membrane phospholipid synthesis. In Escherichia coli , acylation of the 1-position of G3P is carried out by PlsB; however, the majority of bacteria lack a plsB gene and in others it is not essential. We describe a two-step pathway that utilizes a new fatty acid intermediate for the initiation of phospholipid formation. First, PlsX produces a unique activated fatty acid by catalyzing the synthesis of fatty acyl-phosphate from acyl-acyl carrier protein, and then PlsY transfers the fatty acid from acyl-phosphate to the 1-position of G3P. The PlsX/Y pathway defines the most widely distributed pathway for the initiation of phospholipid formation in bacteria and represents a new target for the development of antibacterial therapeutics.
Results from a survey of occupational therapy practitioners in low vision rehabilitation.

The purpose of this study was to provide practitioners working in low vision rehabilitation with a means for comparing service provision, including assessment, intervention, and program evaluation ...
Power aware interface synthesis for bus-based SoC designs

In this paper we discuss the problem of interface synthesis for a system on a chip (SoC) such that the power consumption is minimized under some given latency constraints. Since the AMBA protocol has become one of the standard interfaces for SoC cores, we develop our interface synthesis methods around the AMBA protocol. We first provide an analysis of the parameters of the AMBA bus and the communication protocols and a bus power model that will be used by various transformations. Several latency improving and power minimizing transformations are presented at the bus level. Finally, a heuristic is presented which applies the above transformations in a certain order to provide minimum power under a given latency constraint. Experimental results are reported on two example benchmarks in that show that the heuristic is able to reduce power consumption on the wires by about 28% on the average from an initial design having a single layer bus architecture.
Clonal, cultured, murine fetal liver hepatoblasts maintain liver specification in chimeric mice

Recent studies have shown a pluripotential nature of stem cells that were previously thought to be committed to specific lineages. HBC-3 cells are a clonal fetal murine hepatoblast cell line derived from an e9.5 murine embryo, and these cells can be induced to form hepatocytes and bile ducts in vitro and when transplanted into adult mouse livers. To determine whether HBC-3 cells can exhibit a pluripotential phenotype, we created chimeric mice by injection of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)–marked HBC-3 cells into wild-type or dipeptidyl dipeptidase IV (DPPIV) knockout blastocysts. Genetically labeled HBC-3 cells were identified by EGFP polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in all the major organs of many chimeric mice and visualized in chimeras as bright red DPPIV-positive cells in the DPPIV knockout chimeric mice. Strikingly, the HBC-3 cells maintained phenotypic and biochemical features of liver specification in every case in which they were identified in nonliver organs, such as brain, mesenchyme, and bone. In adult liver they were present as small foci of hepatocytes and bile ducts in the chimeras. Additional major histocompatibility complex (MHC) marker analysis and X and Y chromosome content analysis further demonstrated that HBC-3 cells did not acquire the phenotype of the organs in which they resided and that they were not present because of fusion with host cells. Conclusion: In contrast to other stem cell types, these data demonstrate that cultured murine fetal liver stem cells appear to maintain their liver specification in the context of nonliver organs in chimeric mice. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
Changes in Frequency of Precipitation Types Associated with Surface Air Temperature over Northern Eurasia during 1936–90

Abstract Potential benefits or disadvantages of increasing precipitation in high-latitude regions under a warming climate are dependent on how and in what form the precipitation occurs. Precipitation frequency and type are equally as important as quantity and intensity to understanding the seasonality of hydrological cycles and the health of the ecosystem in high-latitude regions. This study uses daily historical synoptic observation records during 1936–90 over the former USSR to reveal associations between the frequency of precipitation types (rainfall, snowfall, mixed solid and liquid, and wet days of all types) and surface air temperatures to determine potential changes in precipitation characteristics under a warming climate. Results from this particular study show that the frequency of precipitation of all types generally increases with air temperature during winter. However, both solid and liquid precipitation days predominantly decrease with air temperature during spring with a reduction in snowfal...