cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxicity and mitogenicity of adenosine triphosphate in the cochlea.

Abstract Evidence is accumulating to indicate that extracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) may function as a neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, cytotoxin and mitogen. Many of the cells in the cochlea have ATP receptors, however, their function is unknown. The purpose of the present study was to test whether ATP may act as a cytotoxin in the cochlea. ATP was applied to acutely isolated outer hair cells (OHCs) and their shape changes monitored. In addition, ATP was applied into the cochlea by perfusion of the perilymph compartment for 2 h and the animals allowed to survive 3–4 weeks post drug application. At this time, sound-evoked cochlear potentials and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were monitored and the cochleas evaluated histologically. Results indicate that when applied to isolated OHCs, ATP (3–30 mM) induced a bleb formation in the infracuticular region of the cell that burst within a few minutes. Short OHCs were more sensitive to this effect of ATP than long OHCs. 3–4 weeks after the perilymph perfusion of ATP (60 mM; 2 h) cochlear potentials and DPOAEs were abolished, and histologically, cells in the organ of Corti and the stria vascularis were found to have been destroyed. In addition, there was loss of spiral ganglion cells and proliferating connective tissue filled varying proportions of the scala tympani and vestibuli. Application of sodium gluconate, a control, at the same concentrations had no effect either on the isolated OHCs or when applied in vivo. Results suggest that extracellular ATP or a metabolic product may act as a cytotoxin to some epithelial and neural elements in the cochlea and possibly as a mitogen to mesenchymal cells or fibrocytes.
Ontogenetic transitions in the psychopharmacological response to serotonergic manipulations.

The effects of various doses of the serotonergic agonist quipazine and antagonist methysergide on mouthing behavior under both low and high baseline mouthing conditions (i.e., in the absence and presence of milk, respectively) was examined in deprived and non-deprived rat pups at 3–4, 10–11 and 16–17 days postnatally. Quipazine was observed to induce an increase in mouthing in neonatal rat pups, both increases and decreases in mouthing at 10–11 days of age, while exerting a depressant effect on mouthing at 16–17 days postnatally. Methysergide conversely depressed mouthing at the two earlier testing periods, while having little effect on this behavior at 16–17 days postnatally. These ontogenetic transitions in the influence of serotonergic manipulations on mouthing are reminiscent of the ontogenetic reversal previously reported to occur in the influence of serotonergic manipulations on suckling (Ristine and Spear 1984). These developmental discontinuities in the serotonergic system may provide an excellent model system for the investigation of neural mechanisms mediating age-specific behaviors and their ontogenetic decline.
Characterization of abiotic stress-responsive Arabidopsis thaliana RD29A and RD29B genes and evaluation of transgenes

Abiotic stresses have adverse effects on plant growth and productivity. The homologous RD29A and RD29B genes are exquisitely sensitive to various abiotic stressors. Therefore, RD29A and RD29B gene sequences have potential to confer abiotic stress resistance in crop species grown in arid and semi-arid regions. To our knowledge, no information on the physiological roles of the proteins encoded by RD29A and RD29B are available in the literature. To understand how these proteins function, we used reverse genetic approaches, including identifying rd29a and rd29b T-DNA knockout mutants, and examining the effects of complementing transgenes with the genes under control of their native promoters and chimeric genes with the native promoters swapped. Four binary vectors with the RD29A and RD29B promoters upstream of the cognate RD29A and RD29B cDNAs and as chimeric genes with noncognate promoters were used to transform rd29a and rd29b plants. Cold, drought, and salt induced both genes; the promoter of RD29A was found to be more responsive to drought and cold stresses, whereas the promoter of RD29B was highly responsive to salt stress. Morphological and physiological responses of rd29a and rd29b plants to salt stress were further investigated. Root growth, and photosynthetic properties declined significantly, while solute concentration (Ψπ), water use efficiency (WUE) and δ13C ratio increased under salt stress. Unexpectedly, the rd29a and rd29b knockout mutant lines maintained greater root growth, photosynthesis, and WUE under salt stress relative to control. We conclude that the RD29A and RD29B proteins are unlikely to serve directly as protective molecules.
Optimal technology choice in a dynamic-stochastic environment

Abstract The issue of technology management has become particularly relevant to operations planners as a result of the introduction of new, computer-aided process technologies in recent years. At the same time, the fields of economics and management science have developed a number of models and paradigms for technology management and equipment replacement. In this article we present a model structure that builds on this theory and that is directed toward providing insights into the particular issues associated with fixed versus variable cost trade-offs. A fairly general, dynamic, stochastic model is presented. This model links production planning with technology selection in a direct manner. The model computes optimal production plans in the face of uncertain demand in the course of evaluating the costs and benefits of each technology alternative. The key result of the article concerns conditions for the optimality of moves to lower variable cost technologies.
Updated global data set tracks sea ice from 1850 to 2007

For more than a century and a half, scientists, sailors, pilots, and others have collected measurements of everything from sea ice extent to temperature to atmospheric pressure, using a range of procedures, tools, and techniques. To reconstruct a clear global picture and create the long-term data sets that underlie much of modern climate science, researchers need to bring these parts together, correcting for biases and gaps in the data.
Understanding the relationship between rhetorically-based learning modules and communication skills improvement in a global technical writing course

As several US institutions are attempting to enhance students' communication skills within science-based curricula either by focusing on the development of a single technical communication course, or by introducing an aspect of communication (such as oral communication) across several courses, there is a need for studies which will identify instructional methods and strategies which can benefit students. This paper describes the results of a recent analysis of student performance in a technical communication course where students were exposed to learning modules focused on instruction and application of discipline and genre-specific component skills. We argue that instruction based on well-designed learning objectives within the presentation, practice, and production stages can not only lead to an awareness of, but improve written and oral communication skills in classrooms and professional settings.
Opportunities for Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics in Biotechnology: Some Examples

Because of its generality, thermodynamics is applicable to all substances, including biomacromolecules. To illustrate how thermodynamics can contribute to biotechnology, each of six examples gives a brief summary of pertinent, previously published research. Each example indicates that familiar concepts in chemical engineering thermodynamics can be applied to contribute toward solution of a practical problem. These examples are discussed here to encourage thermodynamically oriented chemical engineers to devote their talents toward helping to advance industrial biotechnology.
704-6 Chronic Exercise Training Restores Endothelium-mediated Control of Epicardial Coronary Artery During Development of Heart Failure in Awake Dogs

The beneficial effects of exercise training (EX) in patients with heart failure have been reported but the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the potential beneficial effects of chronic EX on endothelium-mediated dilation of epicardial coronary artery in awake dogs during development of heart failure. Dogs were chronically instrumented for measurements of left ventricular pressure, aortic pressure, and epicardial coronary artery diameter (CD, sonomicrometer) and for chronic pacing. The dogs were allowed to recover and experiments were performed in conscious state. Dogs were cardiac paced (210 b/min for 3 weeks and 240 b/min for the 4th week), and were trained to run on a treadmill two hours/day at speed of 5,8 ± 2.2 kms/hour (one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon) during this 4 week pacing period. Experiments were performed before and after this 4 wk period. Following release of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 second coronary artery occlusion, CD dilated 4.2 ± 1.0%, 5.63 ± 1.4%,5.94 ± 1.5%, 6.74 ± 1.0% and 7.04 ± 1.2% vs 4.35 ± 1.0%,5.55 ± 1.3%, 5.85 ± 0.82%, 6.23 ± 0.61% and 6.36 ± 0.61% (p g 0.05) before and after EX plus pacing, respectively. The responses of CD to acetylcholine at doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1,5, 10 and 20 μg/kg were also preserved: 2.22 ± 1.3%, 2.76 ± 1.8%,4.26 ± 1.7%,6.59 ± 1.32%, 7.15 ± 1.21%, 7.64 ± 1.15% vs 257 ± 1.6%, 2.28 ± 0.99%, 4.37 ± 1.89%, 6.37 ± 0.85%, 6.72 ± 0.97%, 6.82 ± 0.51%, respectively (p g 0.05). Nitroglycerin-induced dilation of CD was not altered. In contrast, endothelium-mediated vasodilation is enhanced after chronic EX in normal dogs and is eliminated in dogs with pacing-induced heart failure. Thus, chronic EX protected endothelium-mediated dilation of epicardial coronary artery during development of heart failure. This might be due to EX normalized production of endothelial-derived relaxing factor.
Incorporation of CpG Oligonucleotide Ligand into Protein-Loaded Particle Vaccines Promotes Antigen-Specific CD8 T-Cell Immunity

The development of multicomponent biotherapeutic carriers is an important challenge in the field of drug delivery, particularly in the area of protein-based vaccines. While the delivery of protein antigens to antigen presenting cells (APCs) is crucial for this type of vaccination, the incorporation of additional adjuvants may be just as important in order to generate more potent immune responses. This article presents the synthesis and biological evaluation of carrier particles that both deliver a protein payload to APCs and display receptor ligands for the enhancement of APC immunostimulation. Particles displaying CpG oligonucleotide ligands for Toll-like receptor 9 were synthesized. The addition of CpG DNA to the particles led to a 45-fold increase in the secretion of interleukin-12, a cytokine that aids in T-cell activation, and a significant increase in the expression of costimulatory molecules by APCs. Moreover, vaccination with particles containing both ovalbumin (OVA) and CpG DNA induced a superior OVA-specific CD8 T-cell response in vivo, as measured by increased OVA-specific CD8 T-cell proliferation, secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine IFN-gamma, and the induction of OVA-specific cytotoxicity.
Comparison between preconsultation ultrasonography and office surgeon-performed ultrasound in patients with thyroid cancer.

Cervical ultrasonography (US) is mandatory before surgery for thyroid cancer and recommended for thyroid nodule evaluation. Therefore, most patients undergo thyroid ultrasound before surgical evaluation. Several US findings are critical for adequate surgical planning but they are often not mentioned on preconsultation US. The goal of this study is to compare the preconsultation US findings with surgeon-performed US (SUS) and describe the changes in management as a consequence of SUS findings in patients with thyroid cancer. The charts of 194 consecutive patients with thyroid cancer (2007–2013) from a single institution were reviewed. Preconsultation US and SUS reports were available for 136 patients. Mention of nodes, local invasion, thyroid nodule features/location, and presence of intrathoracic extension was recorded and changes in preoperative and/or operative management based on SUS findings were described. From 136 patients with the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, SUS changed the management of 61 (45 %) patients by identifying preoperatively central and/or lateral node metastasis, indicating preoperative biopsy of suspicious thyroid lesions/nodes, and pointing out thyroid intrathoracic extension. When compared to SUS, the preconsultation US failed to mention node status in 101 (74 %) patients, suspicious nodule features in 60/111 (54 %) patients with suspicious lesions, bilateral thyroid lesions in 19/88 (22 %) patients with bilateral nodules, local invasion in 5/5 (100 %), and intrathoracic extension in 5/5 (100 %) cases. Surgeon-performed US changed the operative management of patients with thyroid cancer by demonstrating additional and distinct information compared to preconsultation US in almost half of the patients. Ultrasound is more accurate and critical in the evaluation of patients with thyroid cancer when performed by the surgeon.
Engineering of bacterial strains and vectors for the production of plasmid DNA

The demand for plasmid DNA (pDNA) is anticipated to increase significantly as DNA vaccines and non-viral gene therapies enter phase 3 clinical trials and are approved for use. This increased demand, along with renewed interest in pDNA as a therapeutic vector, has motivated research targeting the design of high-yield, cost-effective manufacturing processes. An important aspect of this research is engineering bacterial strains and plasmids that are specifically suited to the production of plasmid biopharmaceuticals. This review will survey recent innovations in strain and vector engineering that aim to improve plasmid stability, enhance product safety, increase yield, and facilitate downstream purification. While these innovations all seek to enhance pDNA production, they can vary in complexity from subtle alterations of the host genome or vector backbone to the investigation of non-traditional host strains for higher pDNA yields.
The use of angiodynography to quantify blood flow in the canine aorta

Previous attempts to quantify blood flow by means of ultrasound have been hampered by inaccurate diameter measurements and failure to account for the parabolic nature of the cross-sectional velocity profile. Angiodynography (ADG) provides a B-mode image of vessel walls, and the outer flow envelope is constantly monitored to provide phasic diameter measurements throughout the cardiac cycle. Frequency shifts are color-coded to provide a real-time visual display of varying velocity patterns across the vessel lumen throughout the cardiac cycle as well as calculation of average flow velocity and mean blood flow. Simultaneous flow values obtained with ADG were compared with electromagnetic flow probe (EMF) measurements in 12 open-chest dogs. Flow was varied with volume administration and exsanguination, and 201 data points were obtained. The average flow determined by EMF was 2.0 +/- 0.9 L/min compared with 2.04 +/- 0.71 L/min for ADG. The correlation coefficient was 0.88, the y-intercept was close to zero, and the slope approached unity, confirming the ability of ADG to accurately determine volume blood flow rather than merely to establish a flow trend. It is concluded that ADG offers an accurate way of quantifying volume blood flow.
Computing cumulative measures of stiff Markov chains using aggregation

An aggregation method for computing transient cumulative measures of large, stiff Markov models is presented. The method is based on classifying the states of the original problem into slow, fast-transient, and fast-current states. The authors aggregate fast-transient states and fast-recurrent states so that an approximate value to the desired cumulative measure can be obtained by solving a nonstiff set of linear differential equations defined over a reduced subset of slow states only. Several examples are included to illustrate how stiffness arises naturally in actual queuing and reliability models, and to show that cumulative measures provide a better characterization of the time-dependent system behavior. >
Buffer capacity of cotton cells and effects of extracellular pH on growth and somatic embryogenesis in cotton cell suspensions

This research was designed to: a) characterize the normal pH changes that occur when cotton cell are grown in culture; b) determine if cotton cells can regulate the pH of their extracellular medium; and c) explore the effects of starting pH on cellular differentiation in culture, including formation of somatic embryos. When an aliquot of cotton cell suspension culture (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv Coker 312) was inoculated into fresh Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium at pH 4.5, the pH stabilized near 5.5 during the log phase of growth and then rose to pH 7.25. Cotton cells actively adjust medium with initial pH between 3 and 8 to near pH 5.5 in the early culture period. By acid/base titration, it has been shown that living cotton cells increase the buffer capacity of water and MS medium. Therefore, the metabolic activity of living cells accounts for the adjustment and stabilization of pH during the log phase of growth. The starting pH of the culture medium affects longterm viability, growth, and differentiation of the cells; pH 3 to 5 is best for cell viability, pH 3 to 4 enhances cell elongation; and pH 4, 7, or 8 stimulates somatic embryogenesis. Cultured cotton cells and the pH of their extracellular medium are in a complex, interactive relationship.
Cosmic-string traveling waves

We find the metric, scalar, and gauge fields for a traveling wave on a strongly gravitating cosmic string. This solutiom is found by applying a transformation to the corresponding solution for a long straight static string. Limiting cases of the solution are examined and found to agree with previous results.
Extracellular Movement of Signaling Molecules

Extracellular signaling molecules have crucial roles in development and homeostasis, and their incorrect deployment can lead to developmental defects and disease states. Signaling molecules are released from sending cells, travel to target cells, and act over length scales of several orders of magnitude, from morphogen-mediated patterning of small developmental fields to hormonal signaling throughout the organism. We discuss how signals are modified and assembled for transport, which routes they take to reach their targets, and how their range is affected by mobility and stability.
Efficient Construction of the Oxatricyclo[6.3.1.00,0]dodecane Core of Komaroviquinone Using a Cyclization/Cycloaddition Cascade of a Rhodium Carbenoid Intermediate

The rhodium(II)-catalyzed cyclization/cycloaddition cascade of a o-carbomethoxyaryl diazo dione is described as a potential route to the oxatricyclo[6.3.1.00,0]dodecane substructure of the icetexane diterpene komaroviquinone. The initially formed carbonyl ylide dipole prefers to cyclize to an epoxide at 25 °C but can be induced to undergo cycloaddition across the tethered π-bond at higher temperatures.
Time and Context During Hypnotic Involvement

Abstract A recent conceptualization of hypnosis suggests that hypnotized Ss should show a disruption in episodic memory which would reflect a diminished awareness of duration and sequence. Specifically, the predictions were that hypnotized Ss would exhibit less accurate estimates of duration, and less sequence in their recall of activities, than would nonhypnotized Ss. The empirical task consisted of giving Ss the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C (Weitzenhoffer & Hilgard, 1962), either with the induction (hypnosis condition), or without the induction (control condition). Prior to the termination of the scale, Ss were asked to recall the activities they had performed and the time that had elapsed since they began the scale. Hypnotized Ss (N = 10) were significantly less sequential in their recall of activities, and less accurate in their estimations of the passage of time, than were nonhypnotized Ss (N = 10). These results suggest that persons who respond to hypnosis are less concerned with t...
Is meconium-stained amniotic fluid in near-term infants associated with increased rates of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes?

WITH INCREASED RATES OF ADVERSE MATERNAL AND NEONATAL OUTCOMES? SUSAN TRAN, ANJALI KAIMAL, MICHAEL KUZNIEWICZ, AARON CAUGHEY, University of California, San Francisco, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, San Francisco, California, University of California, San Francisco, Pediatrics, San Francisco, California OBJECTIVE: To evaluate neonatal and maternal outcomes in near-term pregnancies complicated by meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study of 3,480 deliveries between 32-0/7 and 36-6/7 weeks gestation. Neonatal outcomes included: Apgar scores, intensive care nursery (ICN) admission, sepsis, meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Maternal outcomes included: endomyometritis, postpartum hemorrhage, blood transfusion, operative vaginal delivery, and cesarean delivery. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: MSAF was associated with an increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes except RDS when compared to pregnancies with clear amniotic fluid in the bivariate analyses (Table). No differences were found in maternal outcomes, except for an increased risk of maternal transfusion in the MSAF group. Adjusting for ethnicity, maternal age, gestational age, birthweight, antenatal corticosteroid administration, year of delivery, and cesarean section, MSAF remained associated with increased risks of 5 minute Apgar score !7, sepsis, and maternal blood transfusion, and a decreased risk for RDS (Table). CONCLUSION: We found that MSAF occurring at 32 – 36-6/7 weeks’ gestation was only associated with 5 minute Apgar score !7 when controlling for potential confounding variables. MSAF in these near-term infants was inversely associated with RDS. This is consistent with the findings that with increasing gestational ages, rates of MSAF tend to increase, while rates of RDS tend to decrease. These findings differ somewhat in comparison to term infants with MSAF, suggesting that meconium passage at these earlier gestational ages may represent a different pathophysiologic process.
Right ventricular volume analysis by angiography in right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Imaging of the right ventricle (RV) for the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is commonly performed by echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Angiography is an alternative modality, particularly when MRI cannot be performed. We hypothesized that RV volume and ejection fraction computed by angiography would correlate with these quantities as computed by MRI. RV volumes and ejection fraction were computed for subjects enrolled in the North American ARVC/D Registry, with both RV angiography and MRI studies. Angiography was performed in the 30° right anterior oblique (RAO) and 60° left anterior oblique (LAO) views. Angiographic volumes were computed by RAO view and two-view (RAO and LAO) formulae. 17 subjects were analyzed (11 men and 6 women), with 15 subjects classified as affected, and two as unaffected by modified Task Force criteria. The correlation coefficient of MRI to the two-view angiographic analysis was 0.72 (P = 0.003) for end-diastolic volume and 0.68 (P = 0.005) for ejection fraction. Angiographically derived volumes were larger than MRI derived volume (P = 0.009) and with the slope in a linear relationship equal to 0.8 for end diastolic volume, and 0.9 for RV ejection fraction (P < 0.001), computed by the two view formula. End-diastolic volumes and ejection fractions of the RV obtained by dual view angiography correlate with these quantities by MRI. RV end-diastolic volumes are larger by RV angiography in comparison with MRI.
Consistency of time dilation in temporal profiles and spectra of gamma-ray bursts

If gamma-ray bursters are at cosmological distances-a possibility suggested by their isotropic distribution and spatial inhomogeneity-then the temporal profiles and spectra of more distant sources will be time dilated compared to those of relatively nearby sources. Analyses of bright and dim Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) gamma-ray bursts yield a relative time-dilation factor of 2.3 on timescales of pulses and event durations. We redshift the spectra of time intervals near the intensity peaks of the bright sample on a trial grid and compare with spectra of the dim sample. A redshift factor of order two-with wide latitude permitted-brings the spectra of the two brightness groups into alignment. Thus there is coarse agreement with the time-dilation factor found in the temporal domain.
Rayleigh-Bénard convection and turbulence in liquid helium

Recent advances in the understanding of Rayleigh-B\'enard convection and turbulence are reviewed in light of work using liquid helium. The discussion includes both experiments which have probed the steady flows preceding time dependence and experiments which have been directed toward understanding the ways in which turbulence evolves. Comparison is made where appropriate to the many important contributions which have been obtained using room-temperature fluids, and a discussion is given explaining the advantages of cryogenic techniques. Brief reviews are given for recent experimental investigations of convection in $^{3}\mathrm{He}$-$^{4}\mathrm{He}$ mixtures---in both the superfluid and the normal states---and investigations of convection in rotating layers of liquid helium.
How well do children estimate the time it takes to cross a road? A risk factor for pedestrian injury

Background Pedestrian injuries are the sixth leading cause of death in US children ages 6-9. Several developmental components contribute to pedestrian safety, including cognitive and perceptual skills which are needed to attend to traffic, process perceived information, and decide when to cross safely. One underexplored aspect of cognitive-perceptual skill is children's judgments of the time needed to traverse a street. Pedestrians must accurately estimate the time needed to cross the street in order to judge whether a traffic gap offers sufficient time for safe crossing. Aims/Objective/Purpose This study examined accuracy of children's crossing time estimates. Methods As part of a pedestrian safety study, 194 participants ages 6-9 completed two tasks. First, they walked a distance of 25 feet as if they were crossing a real street (four trials). Second, while next to a crosswalk adjacent to an elementary school, participants estimated the time it would take to cross the 32.5-foot street (five trials). Walking time was adjusted for the 32.5-foot distance, and trial averages were used for analyses. Results/Outcomes Children estimated they could cross the street faster (M=5.32 s, SD=3.14) than they actually walked (M=7.28, SD=1.37), t(192)=−8.28, p Significance/Contribution to the Field Results indicate that underestimation of the time needed to cross streets may contribute to child pedestrian injuries. Consideration of children's ability to judge the time required to cross streets accurately may be a valuable addition to the development of effective pedestrian safety training programmes. This is an abstract of a presentation at Safety 2012, the 11th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, 1-4 October 2012, Michael Fowler Center, Wellington, New Zealand. Full text does not seem to be available for this abstract.
Prandtl-number dependence of interior temperature and velocity fluctuations in turbulent convection.

Temperature and vertical velocity fluctuations are measured in turbulent Rayleigh-Benard convection at the center of an approximately unit aspect ratio container of cylindrical cross section. Our measurements show that the Rayleigh-number scaling exponent gamma of the interior temperature fluctuations (i.e., sigma(T)/deltaT approximately Ragamma) is a strong and nontrivial function of the Prandtl number in the range 2.9<Pr<12.4. Other measurements at constant Ra=2.0 x 10(9) show that the interior turbulent fluctuations decrease significantly with increasing Pr; the temperature and velocity fluctuations decrease by about approximately 45% and approximately 68% over our range in Pr.
Hyperfractionated total body irradiation for bone marrow transplantation: I. early results in leukemia patients☆☆☆

Abstract Bone marrow transplantation following cytoreduction with total body irradiation and cyclopbospbamide has previously been shown to be of value in treating refractory leukemias. Major problems, however, have been fatal interstitial pneumonitis and leukmmac relapse. In an attempt to minimize these problems, we initiated a new hyperfractionsted regimen for total body irradiation, with partial long sparing. From May, 1979 throughJuly, 1980, we treated 48 leukemia patients according to this regimen, varying in age from 1.5 to 42 years old (mead age: 18 y). Analysis in September, 1980, with follow-up from 2–16 mos, showed that we have a significantly reduced incidence of interstitial pneumonitis compared with single dose (1000 rad) irradiation (33 vs 70%), as well as decreased deaths attributable to interstitial pneumonitis (23 vs 50%). This is reflected in the survival curves, with loss of the early drop in survival previously observed with single dose irradiation. One year actuarial survival was 65% for acute lympbocytic leukemia (n - 16) and 72% for acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (n - 29). This compares with only 17% for acute non-lympbocytic leukemia patients (n = 12) on our previous single dose regimen. Age was: also found to be an important parameter for both survival and interstitial pneumonitis.
On the purification and kinetics of rat liver thetin-homocysteine transmethylase.

Abstract 1. 1. Thetin-homocysteine transmethylase has been purified 60-fold from rat liver. 2. 2. Inhibition studies indicate separate sites of attachment of the two substrates on the enzyme, while other kinetic studies suggest that the system involves either a compulsory pathway (steady-state kinetics) or a random sequence (equilibrium treatment) of enzyme-substrate binding. 3. 3. The heat of activation at 37 ° and certain kinetic parameters of the system have been evaluated.
Quantitative and dynamic aspects of a mixed seagrass meadow in Papua New Guinea

Aspects of production and biomass were studied from November 1981 to November 1982 in six seagrass species which together from the mixed seagrass meadows in Papua New Guinea. These species, viz. Thalassia hemprichi (Ehrenb.) Aschers., Cymodocea serrulata (R.Br.) Aschers. et Magnus, Cymodocea rotundata Ehrenb. et Hempr. ex Aschers., Syringodium isoetifolium (Aschers.) Dandy, Halodule uninervis (Forssk.) Aschers. and Halophila ovalis (R.Br.) Hook. f. have been previously studied in monospecific seagrass beds. Thalassia hemprichii was the dominant species, followed by Syringodium isoetifolium. These two species were present in all samples and evenly distributed. Cymodocea serrulata and C. rotundata were recorded in 91 and 86%, respectively, of the quadrats sampled. The density, however, varied considerably. Shoots of the remaining two species were found in < 50% of the samples. The percentage presence increased when below-ground plant parts were taken into account. Significant differences in the shoot density were only found in Syringodium isoetifolium. The distribution of the five other species remained unchanged during the year. Annual mean shoot density amounted to 860 for Thalassia hemprichii, 2100 for Syringodium isoetifolium, 200 for Cymodocea serrulata, 250 for C. rotundata and 54 for both Halodule uninervis and Halophila ovalis. All species reached their maximum density from September to November. The mean aboveground production was 3.9 g ash-free dry weight (ADW) m−2 day−1, of which 64% was contributed by Thalassia hemprichii. Syringodium isoetifolium, which had the highest shoot density, contributed only 17%. The plastochrone interval of the leaves (PIL) was constant in all species and the mean ranged from 10.1 to 11.1 days. The PIL was virtually the same in this mixed meadows as in monospecific seagrass beds. Furthermore, the above-ground relative growth rate was constant during the year. Thalassia hemprichii was the most productive seagrass (mean 0.043 day−1), whereas the lowest mean relative production was observed for Syringodium isoetifolium (0.030 day−1). Total mean production was 6.4 g ADW m−2 day−1, of which 39% was contributed by the vertical axes, the rhizomes and the roots. The caloric production efficiency of the meadows was 0.58% of the total insolation at the water surface. Thalassia hemprichii was, because of its morphology, the stable element in the meadow. All other species were present at all times and exhibited a continuative process of recolonization.
CTS 2014 keynotes

These keynotes discusses the following: What Makes Distance Work?; The Experimentalist's Manifesto: A Challenge for Social and Collaborative Computing; Computing and Design; and Talking in the Zooniverse: A Collaborative Tool for Citizen Scientists.
NMR Characterization of the Structural Effects of Charge Repulsion in an Antibiotic Peptide Model

Due to the decreasing effectiveness of common antibiotics, there is an overwhelming need for new antibiotics. One promising avenue is peptide antibiotics, which are generally helical and cationic. We are investigating peptide antibiotic models composed of the hydrophobic dialkylated amino acid Aib (α-aminoisobutyric acid), which imparts a strong 310-helical bias due to steric hindrance at the α-carbon. Cationicity is achieved by insertion of lysine residues. Previous studies have shown that insertion of adjacent neutral monoalkylated amino acids into an Aib sequence creates a region of reduced steric hindrance, allowing hydrogen-bonding solvents to disrupt the hydrogen bond that spans the insertion region, ultimately creating a kink in the helix. Separation of the monoalkylated residues by one turn leaves the helix undistorted. However, some studies suggest that insertion of charged residues one turn apart may distort helical structure. We report here the 3D NMR structural characterization of a model antibiotic peptide composed primarily of Aib, with two lysine residues placed one turn apart. Spectra were obtained in DMSO-d6 solution. Backbone and sidechain 1H and 13C resonances were assigned using natural abundance HSQC and CO-selective HMBC spectra. 1-D temperature dependence of amide chemical shifts indicated a 310-helical conformation with all intrahelical hydrogen bonds intact. Homonuclear ROESY crosspeaks were used to obtain 46 distance constraints, which together with the temperature data were used to calculate the structure using Xplor-NIH. The generated structure is fully 310-helical with a slight bend away from the charged face, likely due to charge repulsion. Thus, placement of charged amino acids has a small but noticeable effect on the structures of helical peptides even in a strongly hydrogen-bonding solvent. Our results indicate that the placement of cationic residues should be considered carefully in antibiotic peptide design.
BLOOD DESTRUCTION DURING EXERCISE : III. EXERCISE AS A BONE MARROW STIMULUS.

A definite increase in the percentage of reticulocytes occurs after exercise in animals previously kept to a sedentary life. Concomitant changes in the hemoglobin percentage, plasma-cell ratio, and red count offer evidence in addition to that already reported by the author of the occurrence of an increase in blood destruction under such circumstances. Replacement by transfusion of blood destroyed during exercise prevents the reticulated cell reaction. Animals rendered plethoric and then exercised show no increase in reticulated cells while the plethora persists. The fact is emphasized that exercise must be an important factor in the maintenance of an efficient hematopoietic tissue.
Rapid Analysis of Phentolamine by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

A rapid liquid chromatographic method is validated for the quantitative analysis of phentolamine. Phentolamine exists in three forms for this investigation: as a mesylate salt, hydrochloride salt, and free base. In solution, phentolamine dissociates from its salt and is chromatographed as free phentolamine. This validation confirms the analysis of each form, which is simply based upon molar mass differences encountered in weighing. As such, both the United States Pharmacopeia hydrochloride and mesylate standards are used throughout this validation to demonstrate this equivalency. The validation demonstrates that this method may be used to quantitate phentolamine, regardless of its salt form.
THE MECHANISM OF GRANULAR GROWTH OF RABBIT SEPTICEMIA BACILLUS TYPE G

The acid agglutination optimum of Microbes D and G is not independent of the nature of the buffer mixture. Glycocoll-HCl buffer mixtures cause complete flocculation at high C(H)+ (2.7 to 2.4), at which points little or no flocculation occurs with the Na lactate-lactic acid buffer series. Beef infusion has the property of broadening the acid agglutination optimum of both Microbes D and G, bacilli of rabbit septicemia. This extension is in the direction of a lower C(H)+. There is no evidence that the beef infusion has the power, per se, of agglutinating these organisms. It would seem merely to increase their sensitiveness to sedimentation in the presence of H ions. The data presented explain the mechanism of the granular growth character of Microbe G in liquid media as compared to the diffuse growth of Microbe D. Peptone (Fairchild), contrary to beef infusion, shifts the acid agglutination optimum of Microbes D and G in the direction of a higher C(H)+. Strong concentrations of peptone exhibit an inhibitory effect on the agglutination of Microbe D in the optimum zone.
Baboons eavesdrop to deduce mating opportunities

Many animals appear to monitor changes in other individuals' dominance ranks and social relationships and to track changes in them. However, it is not known whether they also track changes in very transient relationships. Rapid recognition of a temporary separation between a dominant male and a sexually receptive female, for example, should be adaptive in species where subordinate males use opportunistic strategies to achieve mating success. Dominant male baboons (Papio hamadryas ursinus) form sexual consortships with oestrous females that are characterized by mate guarding and close proximity. To assess whether subordinate males track temporary changes in the status of other males' consortships, we conducted playback experiments using a two-speaker paradigm. In the test condition, subjects heard the consort male's grunts played from one speaker and his consort female's copulation call played from a speaker approximately 40 m away. This sequence suggested that the male and female had temporarily separated and that the female was mating with another male. In a control trial, subjects heard another dominant male's grunts played from one speaker and the female's copulation call played from the other. In a second control trial, conducted within 24 h after the consortship had ended, subjects again heard the consort male's grunt and the female's copulation call played from separate speakers. As predicted, subjects responded strongly only in the test condition. Eavesdropping upon the temporal and spatial juxtaposition of other individuals' vocalizations may be one strategy by which male baboons achieve sneaky matings.
Epidemiologic Differences between United States— and Foreign-Born Tuberculosis Patients in Houston, Texas

The proportion of foreign-born tuberculosis patients in the United States is increasing. To analyze the epidemiology of tuberculosis in foreign-born people, culture-positive patients with tuberculosis in Houston, Texas, were interviewed from October 1995 through September 1998, and their isolates were molecularly characterized. Of the 1131 patients included in the study, 795 (70.3%) were US born and 336 (29.7%) were foreign born. The decrease in tuberculosis case rate among US-born people was 3.5 times that of foreign-born people. Significantly more US-born than foreign-born patients belonged to strain clusters (71.3% vs. 29.5%; ). P ! .001 Risk factors associated with strain clustering were as follows: black ethnicity, low income, and homelessness in US-born patients and homelessness in foreign-born patients. Isolates from foreign-born patients were more likely to be resistant to >1 drug (15.4% vs. 8.4%; ) and to be multidrug resistant (2.4% vs. 0.7%; ) than isolates from US-born P p .001 P p .027 patients. These observations warrant increased emphasis on this distinct subpopulation of tuberculosis patients.
Aggressively scaled ultra thin undoped HfO/sub 2/ gate dielectric (EOT<0.7 nm) with TaN gate electrode using engineered interface layer

The ultrathin HfO/sub 2/ gate dielectric (EOT<0.7 nm) has been achieved by using a novel "oxygen-scavenging effect" technique without incorporation of nitrogen or other "dopants" such as Al, Ti, or La. Interfacial oxidation growth was suppressed by Hf scavenging layer on HfO/sub 2/ gate dielectric with appropriate annealing, leading to thinner EOT. As the scavenging layer thickness increases, EOT becomes thinner. This scavenging technique produced a EOT of 7.1 /spl Aring/, the thinnest EOT value reported to date for "undoped" HfO/sub 2/ with acceptable leakage current, while EOT of 12.5 /spl Aring/ was obtained for the control HfO/sub 2/ film with the same physical thickness after 450/spl deg/C anneal for 30 min at forming gas ambient. This reduced EOT is attributed to "scavenging effect" that Hf metal layer consumes oxygen during anneal and suppresses interfacial reaction effectively, making thinner interface layer. Using this fabrication approach, EOT of /spl sim/ 0.9 nm after conventional self-aligned MOSFETs process was successfully obtained.
Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis presenting with imaging findings and clinical features mimicking Rasmussen syndrome.

Abstract Background Antibody mediated anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is a recently reported diagnosis of clinical importance. Recognition of the syndrome, especially in pediatric populations, is difficult and often undiagnosed and/or confused with neurological disorders with similar clinical features. Results We report a case of an 11 year old female with explosive-onset epilepsy and predominantly unilateral frontal lobe abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) neuroimaging. A diagnosis of Rasmussen syndrome (RS) was considered. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed strong positivity for NMDA receptor antibodies. Screening for occult ovarian teratoma with computed tomography (CT) and MRI initially did not demonstrate associated tumor. Treatment with steroids and plasma exchange improved her clinical course and subsequent MRI showed resolution. Conclusion NMDA receptor encephalitis has variable neuroimaging manifestations, and can mimic other entities. We emphasize the clinical syndrome of NMDA receptor encephalitis and consideration of the diagnosis in evaluating a child with explosive-onset epilepsy, unilateral imaging abnormalities, and neurocognitive decline.
A hydrogen-containing trapped hole center in magnesium oxide☆

Abstract Earlier ESR studies of X-irradiated magnesium oxide had shown the existence of centers having a positive hole trapped on an oxygen atom adjacent to a positive ion vacancy ( V 1 -centers). Some MgO samples show a qualitatively similar ESR spectrum with each line a doublet. Electronnuclear double resonance studies show unambiguously that the splitting arises from a hydrogen atom collinear with the positive hole and the vacancy. Infrared studies of unirradiated MgO had earlier shown a sharp band at 3296 cm −1 , which we observe to be shifted to 3323 cm −1 on irradiation. Decay of the 3323 cm −1 band occurs with corresponding growth of the 3296 cm −1 band and loss of the ESR signal. The 3296 cm −1 band is attributed to an OH− ion with hydrogen adjacent to the vacancy. The shift occurs when a hole is trapped on an oxygen opposite the vacancy from the hydrogen atom of OH − . We refer to the new center as the V OH − center.
Have coffee producers benefited from the new domestic cherry market? Evidence using panel data from Rwanda

The article assesses the effects of the new domestic cherry market on coffee-growing households in Rwanda using panel data. Findings from combined first differenced with instrumental variable specification and other estimation methods provide evidence that farmers who sell to the cherry market do not increase their expenditures compared to farmers selling to the traditional parchment market. The different time lags in terms of when farmers started selling to the new cherry market may explain the lack of statistically significant differences across the two groups. It is possible that farmers will adjust their expenditure patterns in subsequent periods after year-over-year market trends become more apparent to them.
MOTOR COGNITION WHAT IS IT AND IS THE CEREBELLUM INVOLVED

Motor cognition encompasses how we understand our own movement, and how movement helps us to understand the world. Here, the role of the cerebellum is discussed in two processes that could be considered aspects of motor cognition: predicting movement outcomes and understanding the meaning of movements. Recent behavioral, anatomical, and neurophysiological findings related to these processes are discussed. There are data to support a cerebellar role in predicting movement outcomes, which could be used both for motor control and for distinguishing sensory inputs due to our own movements from external influences. The data for a cerebellar role in understanding the meaning of movement are mixed, although anatomical findings suggest that it probably has some influence that bears further study.
Gender, marital status, and mental well‐being: A retest of Bernard's his and her marriages

In The Future of Marriage, Bernard (1972) states that marriage is good for men but not for women: she reports married males to be happier than unmarried males or married women, who in turn are worse off emotionally than single women. The present study tests Bernard's thesis with a multi‐item index of mental well‐being and does not substantiate the relationships stated above. However, marriage is more beneficial for men than for women in that there is a greater difference in mental well‐being between married and unmarried men than women.
The foundations: How education major influences basic science knowledge and pseudoscience beliefs

Although many pseudoscience beliefs are popular, most American research examines creation/evolution among liberal arts majors, general public adults, or, infrequently, secondary school science teachers, thus truncating the range and the populations it studies It is especially critical to study future elementary educators because of the science interest “watershed” (particularly among girls) during middle school,. Because teachers have considerable influence on youth, we studied very basic science knowledge and beliefs about extraterrestrials, magic, Biblical creation, and evolution among 540 female and 123 male education majors. Compared with other education students, future elementary educators rejected evolution, supported some form of “creationism”, were comparable on other pseudoscience topics, and accessed less science media. Religious and media variables were important predictors of creation/evolution beliefs. Implications are discussed for how faculty may address pseudoscience beliefs among education majors.