cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social-emotional delays at 2 years in extremely low gestational age survivors: correlates of impaired orientation/engagement and emotional regulation.

Abstract Background Premature infants are less socially and emotionally competent at school age than infants born at term. Aims To evaluate the correlates of social and emotional delays at 2 years of age among prematurely born children. Study design This is a prospective cohort study. Subjects 904 children born at Outcome measures The Bayley Behavior Rating Scale (BRS), a neurological examination, and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II). Results Fully 31% of children had a non-optimal (14%) or questionable (17%) (NO/Q) BRS score for Emotional Regulation (ER), and 27% had a non-optimal (13%) or questionable (14%) score for Orientation/Engagement (O/E). Children with NO/Q scores on ER and O/E were more likely than others to have MDI and PDI scores Conclusions Over 25% of children born extremely premature exhibit socio-emotional delays during developmental assessment at age 2 years. Antecedents of these delays include sociodemographic characteristics, as well as those common antecedents of other impairments commonly observed among extremely preterm infants.
Chromatin remodeling in mammalian zygotes

With sperm-egg fusion at the time of fertilization the gamete nuclei are remodeled from genetically quiescent structures into pronuclei capable of DNA synthesis. Features of this process that are critical to insure the genetic integrity of the zygote and the success of subsequent embryonic development include: oocyte responses that prevent polyspermy; completion of the 2nd meiotic division by the oocyte; exchange of proteins in the sperm nucleus; and, remodelling of the oocyte chromosomes and sperm nucleus into functional pronuclei. Elucidation of the biological and molecular mechanisms underlying zygote formation and chromatin remodeling should enhance our understanding of the potential vulnerability of the zygote to toxicant-induced damage.
Arnoldi versus nonsymmetric Lanczos algorithms for solving matrix eigenvalue problems

We present theoretical and numerical comparisons between Arnoldi and nonsymmetric Lanczos procedures for computing eigenvalues of nonsymmetric matrices. In exact arithmetic we prove that any type of eigenvalue convergence behavior obtained using a nonsymmetric Lanczos procedure may also be obtained using an Arnoldi procedure but on a different matrix and with a different starting vector. In exact arithmetic we derive relationships between these types of procedures and normal matrices which suggest some interesting questions regarding the roles of nonnormality and of the choice of starting vectors in any characterizations of the convergence behavior of these procedures. Then, through a set of numerical experiments on a complex Arnoldi and on a complex nonsymmetric Lanczos procedure, we consider the more practical question of the behavior of these procedures when they are applied to the same matrices.
Immunochemical Identification of the Glycine Receptor/Cl−Channel in Porcine Sperm

Abstract Cl−flux is essential for the mammalian sperm acrosome reaction (AR), a required fertilization event involving fusion of sperm head membranes. Our previous inhibitor studies suggested the involvement of a glycine receptor/Cl−channel (GlyR) in the zona pellucida-initiated mammalian sperm AR. Here, using a monoclonal antibody specific for the α (48-kDa) and β (58-kDa) subunits of the rat spinal cord GlyR (mAb GlyR4a), we provide the first direct evidence for GlyR in mammalian sperm. Immunofluorescence studies with mAb GlyR4a detected immunoreactivity on the porcine sperm periacrosomal plasma membrane, a site supporting GlyR involvement in the AR. In Western immunoblotting studies, mAb GlyR4a bound specifically to porcine sperm proteins of 49.2 ± 2.2 kDa and 58.0 ± 2.7 kDa. This is the first direct demonstration of both α and β subunits of GlyR in a nonnervous system cell.
Imaging mass spectrometry in transmission geometry

Imaging mass spectrometry has been used to provide information on the spatial distribution of lipids,[1,2] peptides[3] and proteins,[4] as well as pharmaceuticals[5] and metabolites[6,7] directly from biological tissue sections. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry has been successful in investigating protein changes corresponding to several diseases, including Alzheimer’s,[8] Parkinson’s,[9,10] and cancer.[11-13] Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has been used to map the distribution of cancer agents[14] and lipids[15] with high sensitivity and spatial resolution, although its mass range is limited by extensive molecular fragmentation.[16] Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), an ambient ionization method, shows promise in the imaging of living tissue without sample preparation,[17,18] but its spatial resolution is currently limited.[19] Common to all surface imaging methods is the ablation from the front side, also referred to as reflection geometry, with the laser beam, cluster beam or liquid stream at an angle to the plane of the surface. Pairing the sensitivity and specificity of mass spectrometry (MS) with imaging techniques has the potential to provide information on the chemical composition of surfaces at the subcellular dimension, but necessitates the development of methods combining high-throughput analysis and high sensitivity with high spatial resolution.
The quantitation of oxalate in amniotic fluid by ion-chromatography

Abstract Calcium oxalate is the predominant constituent of most kidney stones. The rare genetic disorder, primary hyperoxaluria, is characterized by the continuous excessive synthesis and urinary excretion of oxalic acid, leading to stone formation and renal insufficiency. The earliest measurement of oxalate in suspected cases of primary hyperoxaluria is advantageous and would lend support for continued analysis and eventual confirmation of the disease. Therefore, we quantitated oxalate levels in amniotic fluid (AF) using medium pressure ion-exchange chromatography. The mean concentration of oxalate in amniotic fluid was 1.67 mg/1 ± 0.8 (SD); (range 0.64 to 5.11 mg/l). The mean oxalate/creatinine ratio (O/C) was 0.23 ± 0.11 (SD); (range 0.07 to 0.53.) This ratio is similar to that found in the urine of infants less than 1 year (0.19 ± 0.10; n = 17). There was no significant difference between males and females in oxalate concentration or O/C ratio. Regression analysis showed no significant correlation of fetal age with oxalate, O/C or creatinine. Studies in 13 sets of di-amnionic twins showed no statistical difference in oxalate or O/C between twin A and B. This study demonstrates the ability to accurately quantitate oxalate in amniotic fluid by ion-chromatography, and suggests that this may have a potential application in the initial screening process for the prenatal detection of primary hyperoxaluria.
Differentiating Mildly Handicapped, Low-Achieving, and Regular Education Students A Curriculum-Based Approach

Issues of accuracy of classification practices for mildly handicapped students remain paramount in the public schools. This study investigates academic performance differences between students receiving special education services for the mildly handicapped, low-achieving students receiving Chapter 1 services, and regular education students. All students were in grades 4, 5, and 6. These groups are compared on curriculum-based measures of reading, spelling, written expression, and math. Consistent differences are obtained with the results discussed in terms of alternative identification practices for mildly handicapped students.
Latino, Asian, and black segregation in U.S. metropolitan areas: Are multiethnic metros different*

This study examines 1990 residential segregation levels and 1980-1990 changes in segregation for Latinos, Asians, and blacks in U.S. metropolitan areas. It also evaluates the effect of emerging multiethnic metropolitan area contexts for these segregation patterns. While black segregation levels are still well above those for Latinos and Asians, there is some trend toward convergence over the decade. More than half of the areas increased their Latino segregation levels over the 1980s, and almost three-fourths increased their Asian segregation levels. In contrast, black segregation levels decreased in 88% of metropolitan areas. Multiethnic metropolitan area context is shown to be important for internal segregation dynamics. Black segregation levels are lower, and were more likely to decline in multiethnic metropolitan areas and when other minority groups grew faster than blacks. Latino segregation was also more likely to decline in such areas, and declines in both Latino and Asian segregation were greater when other minority groups were growing. These findings point up the potential for greater mixed-race and mixed-ethnicity coresidence in the neighborhoods of multiethnic metropolitan areas.
Platelet size and kinetics in hereditary and acquired thrombocytopenia.

Abstract Measurements of platelet size and life-0 span were obtained to classify a variety of thrombocytopenic states. The mean size index in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was significantly increased, whereas platelets in the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome were small. The platelet defect in a family characterized by thrombocytopenia, sex-linked recessive inheritance, small platelet size and shortened platelet life-span closely resembled that of the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome, but only mild eczema was present and immunologic abnormalities were absent. In a second family, thrombocytopenia was associated with increased platelet size suggesting a young cell population similar to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. However, autologous platelet life-span was normal. Size measurements are thus useful in the classification of thrombocytopenias. Although in acquired conditions increased platelet size suggests a young platelet population, in hereditary disease platelet size is determined more by the nature of the in...
Modeling of storage properties of higher-level languages

The role of storage in the characterization of higher-level programming languages is discussed. Assignment, in particular, has significantly different meaning in different languages, which can hardly be understood without reference to an underlying model of storage. A general storage model is sketched which can be specialized to a model of ALGOL 68 or of PL/I storage. The same model is used to discuss language features allowing highly flexible data structures.
Vacuolar H+-ATPase Is Expressed in Response to Gibberellin during Tomato Seed Germination

Completion of germination (radicle emergence) by gibberellin (GA)-deficient (gib-1) mutant tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seeds is dependent upon exogenous GA, because weakening of the endosperm tissue enclosing the radicle tip requires GA. To investigate genes that may be involved in endosperm weakening or embryo growth, differential cDNA display was used to identify mRNAs differentially expressed in gib-1 seeds imbibed in the presence or absence of GA(4+7). Among these was a GA-responsive mRNA encoding the 16-kD hydrophobic subunit c of the V(0) membrane sector of vacuolar H(+)-translocating ATPases (V-ATPase), which we termed LVA-P1. LVA-P1 mRNA expression in gib-1 seeds was dependent on GA and was particularly abundant in the micropylar region prior to radicle emergence. Both GA dependence and tissue localization of LVA-P1 mRNA expression were confirmed directly in individual gib-1 seeds using tissue printing. LVA-P1 mRNA was also expressed in wild-type seeds during development and germination, independent of exogenous GA. Specific antisera detected protein subunits A and B of the cytoplasmic V(1) sector of the V-ATPase holoenzyme complex in gib-1 seeds only in the presence of GA, and expression was localized to the micropylar region. The results suggest that V-ATPase plays a role in GA-regulated germination of tomato seeds.
Oxidation of Zircaloy by steam

Abstract The oxidation of Zircaloy by steam and by steam-hydrogen mixtures was studied experimentally from 1100–1600°C using the continuously-recording gravimetric method. Parabolic kinetics based on oxygen diffusion in the solid were followed at low temperatures but steam starvation, nonisothermal behavior, and finite medium effects dominated at temperatures above about 1500°C. The effect of high dilution of the steam by hydrogen was to accelerate oxidation initially because of the heat released by hydrogen absorption in the metal. At high temperatures, oxygen uptake kinetics were nonparabolic and required analysis by a fundamental diffusion model in which the initial effects are incorporated.
Solving the finite-difference non-linear Poisson-Boltzmann equation

The Poisson–Boltzmann equation can be used to calculate the electrostatic potential field of a molecule surrounded by a solvent containing mobile ions. The Poisson–Boltzmann equation is a non-linear partial differential equation. Finite-difference methods of solving this equation have been restricted to the linearized form of the equation or a finite number of non-linear terms. Here we introduce a method based on a variational formulation of the electrostatic potential and standard multi-dimensional maximization methods that can be used to solve the full non-linear equation. © 1992 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Development Methods and a Scenegraph Animation API for Cluster Driven Immersive Applications

This paper presents a scenegraph animation application programming interface (API), known as the Animation Engine, which was constructed for software developers to easily perform smooth transitions and manipulations to scenegraph nodes. A developer can use one line of code to enter the property, end state and number of frames to describe the animation, then the Animation Engine handles the rest in the background. The goal of the Animation Engine is to provide a simple API that integrates into existing applications with minimal effort. Additionally, techniques to improve virtual reality (VR) application performance on a large computer cluster are presented. These techniques include maintaining high frame rates with 4096 × 4096 pixel textures, eliminating extraneous network traffic and reducing long model loading time. To demonstrate the Animation Engine and the development techniques, an application known as the Virtual Universe was created. The Virtual Universe, designed to run in a six walled CAVE, allows users to freely explore a set of space themed environments. The architecture and development techniques for writing a stable immersive VR application on a large computer cluster, in addition to the creation of the Animation Engine, is presented in this paper.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Photochemical Functionalization of Diamond Films

We report a new scheme for attachment of functionalized organic molecules to polycrystalline diamond films. In this scheme, ultraviolet light is used to cause a local reaction between a hydrogen-terminated diamond surface and organic molecules present as a thin overlayer liquid film. Comparison of functionalized alkenes and alkanes shows that alkenes attach more efficiently. By attaching organic molecules with suitable protecting groups and then deprotecting after attachment to the surface, it is possible to prepare diamond surfaces terminated with carboxylic acid groups or with primary amine groups. These functional groups may serve as an attractive starting point for further chemical modification of diamond surfaces.
Perturbation of a chemisorbed CO molecule by physisorbed Xe

Abstract The interaction between physisorbed Xe and chemisorbed CO has been studied by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS), work function shift (Δφ) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). It is found that the coadsorption of physisorbed Xe significantly affects the vibrational frequency of the CO. This is accompanied by an enhanced binding of Xe to the surface. Xe induces as much as a 55 cm−1 redshift in the CO vibrational frequency, and a 60% attenuation in the integrated CO band intensity. The redshift in CO vibrational frequency is primarily correlated with work function variations caused by coadsorbed Xe, but an additional effect due to CO layer compression caused by Xe has also been observed to produce a small blueshift. It has also been found that in Xe + CO layers, Xe exhibits a dipole moment, μXe = 0.57 D, which is independent of Xe coverage below θXe = 0.15, suggesting that Xe-Xe depolarization effects are small in the mixed layer. The interactions observed here are purely physical in character and form a basis for the interpretation of coadsorption effects which involve stronger chemical interactions added to physical effects.
Infrared chemiluminescence studies of the Li/I2 system in the 10–30 μm wavelength range

Abstract Conditions for the observation of infrared chemiluminescence (IRCL) from the reaction Li + I 2 → LiI + I \ gD H in the 10–30 μm wavelength range for millimole per second flows were studied. The Li/I 2 system is possibly unique in that the phase diagrams of Li and LiI are almost identical in the pressure-temperature range of interest. This situation permitted keeping both reactants and products of the reaction in the vapor phase to preclude rapid condensation which can quench any IRCL that might be present. For the conditions of the experiment, the LiI could be characterized with a Boltzmann distribution with a vibrational temperature T v of 10 4 K and a rotational temperature T R of 900 K, leading at best to a small partial inversion system.
Inclusion of ethyl nitrite in the insufflating gas can obviate the decreased tissue perfusion caused by prolonged carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum

Abstract Introduction: Prolonged periods of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum (CO2-PNP) may produce intra-abdominal tissue ischemia and subsequent post-operative organ dysfunction. In a preliminary study we recently determined that ethyl nitrite (ENO), a nitric oxide congener, could improve liver blood flow during insufflation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the ability of ENO to attenuate the reduced tissue perfusion produced by prolonged CO2-PNP. Methods: The study was conducted on appropriately anesthetized adult swine. Animals in the control group were insufflated with CO2 while experimental animals received CO2 plus a fixed concentration of ENO. PNP was maintained at a pressure of 15 mm Hg for 240 min during which respiration was actively managed to maintain end-tidal CO2 below 32. The microsphere technique was used to quantitate tissue perfusion before and during PNP. Differences in flow within each treatment group are expressed as percent of baseline. Results: A total of 23 pigs were studied. Changes in splanchnic perfusion are presented in the table. For the CO2 alone group, reductions in vascular flow were noted after 60 min and flow remained depressed for the duration of the study. When ENO was included in the insufflation gas, perfusion significantly improved. Tissue perfusion (% of baseline) CO2 alone (n = 11) CO2 + ENO (n = 12) Region 180 min 240 min 180 min 240 min Right hepatic 58 ± 16 72 ± 25 93 ± 8 97 ± 11 Portal venous inflow 81 ± 8 85 ± 9 122 ± 9 131 ± 9 Kidney cortex 69 ± 5 76 ± 6 85 ± 5 93 ± 5 Kidney medulla 65 ± 6 74 ± 8 77 ± 4 82 ± 6 Spleen 48 ± 8 47 ± 9 78 ± 9 85 ± 9 Conclusions: The data indicate that during prolonged CO2-PNP, ENO can effectively attenuate decreases (and in some areas increase) tissue perfusion within the peritoneal cavity. The dose-dependent effects of ENO and the implications of this finding on post-insufflation organ function are the foci of ongoing research.
The carbohydrate-sesquiterpene interface. directed synthetic routes to both (+)- and (-)-fomannosin from D-glucose.

An enantiodivergent strategy for the total chemical synthesis of both naturally occurring (+)-fomannosin (1) and its (−)-antipode (ent-1) from α-d-glucose has been developed and successfully implemented. The key steps in the overall pathway include the following: (i) application of the zirconocene-mediated ring contraction of vinyl furanosides for the construction of highly substituted cyclobutanols; (ii) the use of ring-closing metathesis to form the pendant five-membered ring; (iii) making recourse to a monothio malonic ester to allow for chemoselective reduction to sensitive lactone intermediate 45; (iv) hydroxyl-directed dihydroxylation with OsO4 to generate 48; and (v) sequential elimination via a cyclic sulfite and a cyclobutyl triflate. The bridge between the enantiomeric series consisted of a six-step linkup involving the structural modification of 22 so as to generate ent-30b. Optical activity was fully preserved throughout.
The Geometry of Separation Boundaries: Four-Component Mixtures

The determination of distillation boundaries for four-component mixtures that exhibit azeotropy is studied. It is shown that these distillation boundaries correspond to local maxima in surface areas under conditions of Levi-Civita parallelism. An extension of the optimization methodology given in Lucia and Taylor is used to determine local maxima in surface areas by repeatedly computing maximum line integrals or distances in one spherical coordinate over a set of initial conditions that span the range of the second spherical coordinate. An optimization formulation that defines the determination of local maxima in surface areas subject to residue curve and stable node constraints is given. Numerical measurement of surface areas is accomplished using a triangulation procedure. Several numerical examples of varying complexity involving four-component mixtures that exhibit azeotropes are presented to show the efficacy of the proposed optimization methodology. Geometric illustrations are used throughout to highlight key features of our methodology for determining distillation boundaries in four-component mixtures. 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 53: 1770–1778, 2007
A comparison of propylthiouracil versus methimazole in the treatment of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy

Objective: Our purpose was to demonstrate that propylthiouracil and methimazole are equally effective and safe in the treatment of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy. Study Design: Between 1974 and 1990 records were available on 185 pregnant patients with a history or diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Ninety-nine patients were treated with propylthiouracil and 36 with methimazole. The response to therapy was compared with respect to the time to normalization of the free thyroxine index and the incidences of congenital anomalies and hypothyroidism. Results: The time to normalization of the free thyroxine index was compared in the two groups by means of survival analysis. The median time to normalization of the free thyroxine index on propylthiouracil and methimazole was 7 and 8 weeks, respectively ( p = 0.34, log-rank test). The incidence of major congenital malformations in mothers treated with propylthiouracil and methimazole was 3.0% and 2.7%, respectively. No neonatal scalp defects were seen. One infant was overtly hypothyroid at delivery. Conclusion: Propylthiouracil and methimazole are equally effective and safe in the treatment of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy.
The crystal structure of a 3D domain-swapped dimer of RNase A at a 2.1-Å resolution

The dimer of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) discovered by Crestfield, Stein, and Moore in 1962 has been crystallized and its structure determined and refined to a 2.1-A resolution. The dimer is 3D domain-swapped. The N-terminal helix (residues 1-15) of each subunit is swapped into the major domain (residues 23-124) of the other subunit. The dimer of bull seminal ribonuclease (BS-RNase) is also known to be domain-swapped, but the relationship of the subunits within the two dimers is strikingly different. In the RNase A dimer, the 3-stranded beta sheets of the two subunits are hydrogen-bonded at their edges to form a continuous 6-stranded sheet across the dimer interface; in the BS-RNase dimer, it is instead the two helices that abut. Whereas the BS-RNase dimer has 2-fold molecular symmetry, the two subunits of the RNase A dimer are related by a rotation of approximately 160 degrees. Taken together, these structures show that intersubunit adhesion comes mainly from the swapped helical domain binding to the other subunit in the "closed interface" but that the overall architecture of the domain-swapped oligomer depends on the interactions in the second type of interface, the "open interface." The RNase A dimer crystals take up the dye Congo Red, but the structure of a Congo Red-stained crystal reveals no bound dye molecule. Dimer formation is inhibited by excess amounts of the swapped helical domain. The possible implications for amyloid formation are discussed.
Numerical investigation of two-dimensional thermally assisted ductile regime milling of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite bioceramic material

This study investigates the effects of different variables (preheating temperature, edge radius, and rake angle) on ductile regime milling of a bioceramic material known as nanohydroxyapatite (nano-HAP) using numerical simulation. Commercial software AdvantEdge FEM Version 6.1 is used to conduct the simulation of 2D milling mimicked by orthogonal machining with varying uncut chip thickness. Thermal boundary conditions are applied to approximate preheating of the work material. Based on the pressure-based criterion for ductile regime machining (DRM), the dependence of critical depth of cut on cutting conditions is investigated. It is found that as uncut chip thickness decreases, the critical depth of cut decreases. In addition, the critical depth of cut increases as the negativity of rake angle and/or preheating temperature increase.
A Climatology of Heat Units for the Northeastern USA and Southeastern Canada

Information concerning the frequency of seasonal and monthly heat unit accumulations is essential in a variety of applications ranging from the selection of crop varieties to the scheduling of crop management practices. More importantly, differences in heat unit calculation methods and temperature observations practices between the USA and Canada have impeded the transfer of knowledge regarding variety trials across the border. Recently, a regionwide climatology of heat unit statistics has been developed for the northeastern USA and southeastern Canada. Using a high-quality set of climatic data, this climatology depicts the regional distribution of seasonal heat units for five percentile levels (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th) and three calculation methods (base 50, 50-86 method, and corn heat units [CHU]). In addition, median monthly heat unit accumulations and median days until corn (Zea mays L.) emergence and the five-leaf stage in corn are also presented. This study details the procedures used in developing the climatology. In particular, efforts to assure the comparability of heat unit accumulations derived from different observation times and practices are discussed. The resulting heat unit maps across the USA indicate a general northeast-southwest alignment of the heat unit isopleths. This pattern mirrors the orientation of the Atlantic Coast and Appalachian Mountains. In Canada, a similar isopleth pattern is indicated in the interlake region of Ontario. Comparing heat unit accumulations across the U.S.-Canadian border, suggests that crop varieties (particularly corn and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]) bred to meet maturity requirements in southern Ontario, can supplement varieties currently grown across much of New York, northwestern Pennsylvania, and parts of central New England.
Examining The benefits of variable impedance actuation

Variable impedance actuators provide the ability to robustly alter interaction impedances mechanically, without bandwidth, power, and stability limitations. They can achieve the physical benefits of an elastic transmission and also recover characteristics of traditionally controlled, inelastic motors. We review previously explored benefits of variable impedance actuators for energetic tasks and impact safety. We then focus on benefits in low frequency force interactions. We examine impedance and force dynamic ranges and illustrate how they are significantly increased by physical impedance variation. Theoretical analysis is confirmed by experiments on a 1-DOF testbed with three impedance settings.
Massenspektrometrie und ihre Anwendung auf strukturelle und stereochemische Probleme, CXXXV. Fragmentierungsverhalten und Synthese von α‐Hydrindanonen und deuterierten Analoga

Das massenspektrometrische Fragmentierungsverhalten von α-Hydrindanonen mit und ohne angularer Methylgruppe wird durch Deuterium-Markierung sowie hochauflosende Massenspektrometrie untersucht. Dabei zeigt sich eine weitgehende Ubereinstimmung mit den Fragmentierungen der im Ring C und D analog gebauten 17-Ketosteroide.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in pregnancy: a review of published experiences and clinical considerations.

Symptomatic biliary disease during pregnancy may have serious consequences for both the mother and the fetus. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was felt initially to be contraindicated in pregnancy, but clinical experience accumulated since 1991 has been extremely favorable. Specialists in the areas of anesthesiology, obstetrics and laparoscopic surgery should continue to carefully monitor and analyze practices and outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy during pregnancy. At the present time, there is no consensus regarding several management issues, such as optimal pressure limits for insufflation. Nevertheless, the reported results are quite encouraging and may foretell an improvement in patient care for this special population as dramatic as that achieved by laparoscopic cholecystectomy in others.
The effect of various hydrocolloids on some physical properties of extruded corn grits

Summary Fourteen hydrocolloids including Methocels (A4M, E4M, F4M and K4M), locust bean, guar, agar, arabic, alginate, tragacanth, carrageenan, xanthan, pectin, and gelatin gums were extruded at levels of 0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0% with corn grits in a Brabender Model PL-V500 extruder at barrel temperatures of 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150°C with a 1:1 screw operating at 100 rpm. Resulting products were evaluated for density, breaking strength and water absorption. Significant differences were found as influenced by hydrocolloid type/amount and extrusion temperature. In general, hydrocolloid additions significantly increased product density and either increased or decreased breaking strength and water absorption.
Interference between Visuospatial Dual Tasks and the Effects of Training

The mechanisms involved in reducing interference in visuospatial dual tasks were investigated. Three computerized visuospatial tasks, bargraphs, dot clusters, and occlusions (Boles, 1991, 1992, 1996) comprised the dual tasks. To compare the roles of automaticity and encapsulation, one group practiced dual tasks drawing upon separate processes while another practiced dual tasks drawing upon the same process. The results suggest automaticity plays a larger role in reducing interference than encapsulation. They also support the existence of resource training, in which practicing a mental resource in one task shows transfer to another task using the same resource.
Repeated social defeat increases the bactericidal activity of splenic macrophages through a Toll-like receptor-dependent pathway

Phagocytes of the innate immune system, such as monocytes/macrophages, represent a first line of defense against invading microorganisms. Psychological stress is often thought to suppress the functioning of these cells, in part due to the immunosuppressive activity of stress-induced glucocorticoid hormones. However, exposure to the stressor social disruption (SDR) has been shown to increase cytokine production by monocytes/macrophages and to reduce their sensitivity to corticosterone. Thus, it was hypothesized that splenic monocytes/macrophages from socially stressed mice would be primed to be more physiologically active than cells from nonstressed controls. Flow cytometry was used to demonstrate that exposure to SDR significantly increased the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4 on the surface of splenic macrophages. In a follow-up experiment, exposure to SDR also increased the ability of these macrophages to kill Escherichia coli ex vivo and in vivo. However, SDR failed to increase the bactericidal activity of splenic macrophages from C3H/HeJ mice, which lack functional TLR4. In mice with functional TLR4, the stress-induced increase in bactericidal activity was associated with a significant increase in macrophage gene expression for inducible nitric oxide synthase and subunits of the NADPH oxidase complex, which are responsible for generating reactive nitrogen and oxygen intermediates, respectively. This stress-induced increase in gene expression was not evident in the TLR4-deficient mice. These data indicate that SDR increases TLR expression, which in turn enhances the bactericidal activity of splenic macrophages, in part by increasing pathways responsible for reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediate production.
The singular linear-quadratic regulator problem and the Goh-Riccati equation

Feedback control for the singular linear-quadratic regulator problem is studied by means of several quite different techniques but from the single perspective of the Goh-Riccati equation. The equation is a variant of the standard Riccati equation which follows from applying Goh's transformation to the singular problem to obtain a nonsingular problem. The Goh-Riccati equation is derived by means of four distinct methods, namely, Goh's transformation, perturbation methods, generalized Legendre-Clebsch conditions, and fixed-structure optimization. >
Perceptual Gap Detection is Mediated by Gap Termination Responses in Auditory Cortex

Summary Background: Understanding speech in the presence of background noise often becomes increasingly difficult with age. These age-related speech processing deficits reflect impairments in temporal acuity. Gap detection is a model for temporal acuity in speech processing in which a gap inserted in white noise acts as a cue that attenuates subsequent startle responses. Lesion studies have shown that auditory cortex is necessary for the detection of brief gaps, and auditory cortical neurons respond to the end of the gap with a characteristic burst of spikes called the gap termination response (GTR). However, it remains unknown whether and how the GTR plays a causal role in gap detection. We tested this by optogenetically suppressing the activity of somatostatin- or parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory interneurons, or CaMKII-expressing excitatory neurons, in auditory cortex of behaving mice during specific epochs of a gap detection protocol. Results: Suppressing interneuron activity during the postgap interval enhanced gap detection. Suppressing excitatory cells during this interval attenuated gap detection. Suppressing activity preceding the gap had the opposite behavioral effects, whereas prolonged suppression across both intervals had no effect on gap detection. Conclusions: In addition to confirming cortical involvement, we demonstrate here for the first time a causal relationship between postgap neural activity and perceptual gap detection. Furthermore, our results suggest that gap detection involves an ongoing comparison of pre- and postgap spiking activity. Finally, we propose a simple yet biologically plausible neural circuit that reproduces each of these neural and behavioral results.
CORTIN, VITAL HORMONE OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX*

The cortex of the adrenal gland produces a hormone which is essential to life. Without it appetite fails, weight is lost and marked muscular weakness develops ultimately leading to prostration and death. We have already described a method by which a dilute solution of this hormone can be prepared (1). The method is limited because the sodium chloride content determines the degree of concentration. An acidulated extract is saturated with NaCL. The hormone is carried down with the resulting precipitate. Ethyl alcohol (80 per cent) dissolves the hormone but coagulates the protein in this precipitate. The alcohol is removed by distillation in vacuo. Water is added to the residue to make the NaCL isotonic with the body fluids. Recognizing the limitation which the employment of NaCL put upon our product, we have been working on the use of solvents and are finally ready to report a satisfactory process.
A Dyadic Approach Applying a Developmental-Conceptual Model to Couples Coping With Chronic Illness

The purpose of the present study was to apply Berg and Upchurch's developmental-conceptual model toward a better understanding of how couples cope with chronic illness. Specifically, a model was hypothesized in which proximal factors (relational quality), dyadic appraisal (illness interference), and dyadic coping (partner support) influence adjustment (health condition management). The study was cross-sectional and included 308 dyads in which one partner has a chronic health condition. The actor partner interdependence model shows how congruence and noncongruence in relational quality, dyadic appraisal, and dyadic coping influence dyadic adjustment.
Programmed cell death in the absence of c-Fos and c-Jun

Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is a normal process in the development of a variety of embryonic and adult tissues, and is also observed in several pathological conditions. Several recent studies, using both expression and functional assays, have implicated the transcription factor, AP-1, in the regulation of programmed cell death, and specifically implicate the genes c-fos and c-jun, as well as some other family members. If the products of the c-fos and/or c-jun genes are essential components in the cascade of events that leads to programmed cell death in mammalian cells, it follows that cell death would not occur in mice lacking functional copies of these genes. We have made use of null mutations in the c-fos and c-jun genes that were produced by gene targeting (Johnson, R.S., Spiegelman, B.M. and Papaioannou, V.E. (1992). Cell 71, 577–586; Johnson, R.S., Van Lingen, B., Papaioannou, V.E. and Spiegelman, B.M. (1993). Genes Dev. 7, 1309–1317) to investigate this possibility. Cell death was assayed using an in situ apoptosis assay in c-fos null embryos and adults, c-jun null embryos, and c-fos/c-jun double null embryos compared with control mice. The occurrence of cell death in c-fos null mice was also assessed in two experimental conditions that normally lead to neuronal cell death. The first was unilateral section of the sciatic nerve in neonates, which leads to the death of anterior horn cells of the spinal cord on the operated side. The second was a genetic cross combining the weaver mutation, which causes death of cerebellar granule cells, with the c-fos mutation. Our results show that programmed cell death occurs normally in developing embryonic tissues and adult thymus and ovary, regardless of the absence of a functional c-fos gene. Furthermore, absence of c-fos had no effect on neuronal cell death in the spinal cord following sciatic nerve section, or in heterozygous weavers9 cerebellae. Finally, the results show that programmed cell death can take place in embryos lacking both Fos and Jun.
EFFECT OF ALTERATIONS IN VENTRICULAR RATE ON CARDIAC OUTPUT IN COMPLETE HEART BLOCK.

Abstract Evidence is presented, both from a review of the literature and from original observations in this laboratory during cardiac catheterization in man, to demonstrate that the cardiac output in the majority of patients with complete heart block can be increased with increments in ventricular rate. These data, especially when considered in conjunction with the demonstrated importance of synchronous as opposed to asynchronous atrioventricular contraction, strongly suggest that synchronous P-wave pacemakers, such as the one developed by our group, are physiologically and clinically superior to idioventricular pacemakers of either the fixed or variable rate types.
Penitentiaries, Reformatories, and Chain Gangs: Social Theory and the History of Punishment in Nineteenth-century America

Introduction - Rival Theories of the Transformation of Punishment Systems and Penal Practices - The Rise and Consolidation of the Penitentiary in the Northeast - From Colonies to Early Republic: The Rise of the Penitentiary - Market Revolution and the Consolidation of the Two: Transformation of the Gender Roles and the Punishment of Women Offenders in the North - Before the Civil War: 'True Womanhood' and the 'Depraved' Female Offender - Purity Crusade, Progressivism, and the Development of Woman's Reformatories: Civil War to 1920 - Applying Theories to the Transformation of the Punishment of Women Offenders - Case Study Three: The Transformation of Criminal Punishment in the South - From Slavery to Reconstruction: Penitentiaries and Chain Gangs - Redemption and the New South: Convict Leasing and Lynching - Applying Theories to the Transformation of Punishment in the South - Conclusion: Nineteenth-Century Legacies: Understanding Today's Corrections System - Index
Molecular Characterization of the Early B Cell Response to Pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans Infection

The role of B cells in host defense against fungi has been difficult to establish. We quantified and determined the molecular derivation of B-1a, B-1b, and B-2 B cell populations in C57BL/6 mice after pulmonary infection with Cryptococcus neoformans. Total B-1 and B-2 cell numbers increased in lungs and peritoneal cavity as early as day 1 postinfection, but lacked signs of clonal expansion. Labeled capsular (24067) and acapsular (Cap67) C. neoformans strains were used to identify C. neoformans-binding B cell subsets by flow cytometry. Peritoneal cavity B-1a B cells exhibited the most acapsular and capsular C. neoformans binding in C. neoformans-infected mice, and C. neoformans-selected B-1 B cells secreted laminarin- and C. neoformans-binding IgM. Single-cell PCR-based sequence analysis of B-1a, B-1b, and B-2 cell IgH V region H chain (V(H)) genes revealed increased usage of V(H)11 and V(H)12, respectively, in acapsular and capsular C. neoformans-selected B-1a cells. Germline V(H) segments were used, with capsular C. neoformans-selected cells having less junctional diversity than acapsular C. neoformans-selected cells. Further studies in B-1 B cell-depleted mice showed that these mice had higher brain and lung fungal burdens and less alveolar macrophage phagocytosis of C. neoformans than did control and B-1a B cell-reconstituted mice. Taken together, these results establish a mechanistic role for B-1 B cells in the innate B cell response to pulmonary infection with C. neoformans and reveal that IgM-producing B-1a cells, which express germline V(H) genes, bind C. neoformans and contribute to early fungal clearance. Thus, B-1a B cells provide a first line of defense during pulmonary C. neoformans infection in mice.
Polymerization activity of an alpha-like DNA polymerase requires a conserved 3'-5' exonuclease active site

Most DNA polymerases are multifunctional proteins that possess both polymerizing and exonucleolytic activities. For Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I and its relatives, polymerase and exonuclease activities reside on distinct, separable domains of the same polypeptide. The catalytic subunits of the alpha-like DNA polymerase family share regions of sequence homology with the 3'-5' exonuclease active site of DNA polymerase I; in certain alpha-like DNA polymerases, these regions of homology have been shown to be important for exonuclease activity. This finding has led to the hypothesis that alpha-like DNA polymerases also contain a distinct 3'-5' exonuclease domain. We have introduced conservative substitutions into a 3'-5' exonuclease active site homology in the gene encoding herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase, an alpha-like polymerase. Two mutants were severely impaired for viral DNA replication and polymerase activity. The mutants were not detectably affected in the ability of the polymerase to interact with its accessory protein, UL42, or to colocalize in infected cell nuclei with the major viral DNA-binding protein, ICP8, suggesting that the mutation did not exert global effects on protein folding. The results raise the possibility that there is a fundamental difference between alpha-like DNA polymerases and E. coli DNA polymerase I, with less distinction between 3'-5' exonuclease and polymerase functions in alpha-like DNA polymerases.
Gastrointestinal and Mesenteric Hemodynamic Patterns in Neurogenic Hypertensive Rabbits

Patterns of blood flow and vascular resistance in the component tissues of the splanchnic region of sinoaortic denervated (SAD) hypertensive rabbits were compared with those of normotensive sham-operated rabbits using previously described methods. SAD rabbits with high total splanchnic resistance showed significant elevations in resistance in all parts of the gastrointestinal tract and mesentery, but the magnitude of the changes compared with values for sham-operated rabbits varied from one area to another, ranging from increases of 34% in the cecum-appendix to 77% in the stomach and jejunum. Blood flow was reduced 22-42% in some areas and less in others. An aboral gradient of mean blood flow was found between and within the small and large intestines in both groups. Intestinal flow pattern differences were found in individual rabbits. We concluded that activation of the sympathetic nervous system by sinoaortic denervation exerted a variable, unpredictable degree of vasoconstrictor tone on different parts of the splanchnic bed which reflected the net result of vascular smooth muscle response to neurogenic and local regulatory factors.
SSB binds to the RecG and PriA helicases in vivo in the absence of DNA

The E. coli single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) binds to the fork DNA helicases RecG and PriA in vitro. Typically for binding to occur, 1.3 m ammonium sulfate must be present, bringing into question the validity of these results as these are nonphysiological conditions. To determine whether SSB can bind to these helicases, we examined binding in vivo. First, using fluorescence microscopy, we show that SSB localizes PriA and RecG to the vicinity of the inner membrane in the absence of DNA damage. Localization requires that SSB be in excess over the DNA helicases and the SSB C-terminus and both PriA and RecG be present. Second, using the purification of tagged complexes, our results show that SSB binds to PriA and RecG in vivo, in the absence of DNA. We propose that this may be the 'storage form' of RecG and PriA. We further propose that when forks stall, RecG and PriA are targeted to the fork by SSB, which, by virtue of its high affinity for single-stranded DNA, allows these helicases to outcompete other proteins. This ensures their actions in the early stages of the rescue of stalled replication forks.
Integrating Ontology into SBVR

The Semantics for Business Vocabulary and Business Rules (SBVR) was released in 2005 by the Object Modeling Group (OMG) as the industry standard for business semantics. However, the lack of an integrated ontology limits the reasoning ability of SBVR. The purpose of this paper is to outline the metamodel of ontology taught in the Accelerating Business Process Engineering and Systems Development with Reusable Business Knowledge course at the University of Arizona, and display how integration into the SBVR could improve future releases of the standard. As supplements to the course material, materials from three books by Amit Mitra and Amar Gupta were referenced. We will illustrate how the integration of the metamodel of ontology could enable the SBVR to reason and thus provide the requisite agility to create resilient business processes and agile automation. We will also attempt to reconcile terms and describe gaps between the models taught in the course mentioned above; as referenced to throughout this paper as AMAG models, and SBVR.