cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Induction of humoral immune tolerance to major histocompatibility complex antigens by transfusions of UVB-irradiated leukocytes.

To determine whether immune tolerance to donor major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens can be induced by transfusions of UVB-irradiated leukocytes, studies were conducted in inbred strains of mice with well-characterized MHC antigens. CBA mice with H-2k phenotype and BALB/c mice with H-2d phenotype were used as recipients and donors, respectively. Humoral immune tolerance is defined as absence of antibody response after challenge with transfusions of untreated donor leukocytes. It was found that transfusions of purified peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes irradiated with 1,200 mJ/cm2 UVB not only prevented allo-immunization but also induced humoral immune tolerance to donor class-I and -II MHC antigens in all recipient mice. Donor plasma and platelets interfered with the induction of this tolerance. The tolerance induction by UVB-irradiated leukocytes is dose-dependent. Four weekly transfusions of 2 x 10(5) leukocytes were required to ensure tolerance induction in all mice. The results of a long-term follow-up study showed that the induced tolerance is long-lasting and can withstand repeated challenges by untreated donor leukocytes. Recipient mice tolerant to H-2d antigens also became tolerant to H-2b, H-2r, and H-2n MHC antigens but did not have impaired antibody responses to antigens unrelated to donor leukocytes. Adoptive transfer experiments showed the development of negative regulatory cells in spleens of the tolerized mice. In view of recent feasibility of using UVB-irradiated human platelet concentrates for prevention of HLA alloimmunization, the findings of this study support that UVB- irradiated donor leukocytes could have potential, important clinical application in transplantation medicine.
Bacteriophage T7 DNA packaging. II. Analysis of the DNA sequences required for packaging using a plasmid transduction assay.

Recombinant plasmds carrying a bacteriophage T7 origin of DNA replication and sequences from the T7 concatemer junction are efficiently packaged into transducing particles during phage infection. With some constructs, as many as 50 transducing particles are produced per infected cell. We have used this plasmid packaging system to determine which T7 DNA sequences are required for the processing and packaging of the plasmid concatemers and to investigate the effects of altering the spacing and orientation of the required sequences. An origin of T7 DNA replication is essential for high-efficiency transduction, presumably to form the plasmid concatemers that are the substrates of the packaging reaction. In addition, two short sequences from the concatemer junction are required, one flanking the site where the right end of T7 DNA is formed (pacR) and the other flanking the site for formation of the left end (pacL). The spacing between pacR and pacL is not important, but the sequences must be positioned in the same orientation on the plasmid. With certain deletions of pacL, the specificity of end formation is reduced but the efficiency of packaging is near normal. Plasmids that contain only one of the two pac sites are packaged at about 10% of the efficiency of those with both sites. The residual packaging of these plasmids results from regeneration of the other packaging site by recombination with T7 phage DNA. To function in plasmid packaging, the sequences from the concatemer junction must be positioned on the plasmid in the same orientation relative to the T7 replication origin as is found in T7 DNA. This apparently results from a requirement for transcription through these sequences in the rightward direction from the T7 promoter that is associated with the replication origin. Such transcription from another T7 promoter (Φ10), that is not itself a replication origin, allows packaging when the origin is in the opposite orientation.
Questions That Won't Go Away in Participatory Research

Ethical issues are intrinsic to conducting research regarding society and natural resources, but they often become poignant when engaging in Participatory Action Research. We compiled common and persistent challenges into a list of “Questions That Won't Go Away” or “QTWGAs” that are relevant to people interested in conducting participatory research to benefit communities. We discuss these questions in the context of previously published literature and share examples from the experience of graduate student Fellows who conducted research with various communities around the United States. The questions serve to stimulate ongoing reflection about the process of participatory research, which may help reconcile expectations and improve research outcomes for both practitioners and communities.
Characterization of a novel synapse-specific protein. I. Developmental expression and cellular localization of the F1-20 protein and mRNA

A molecular description of the nerve terminal will be required to understand synaptic function fully. The goals of this study were to contribute toward such a description by characterizing a novel synapse- specific protein. A monoclonal antibody library was screened for antibodies to synaptic proteins. The antibodies were then used to isolate cDNA clones by expression screening. Here we report a detailed characterization of the protein reactive with monoclonal antibody F1– 20. Immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses revealed that the F1– 20 protein is synapse associated. Western blot analyses revealed that the F1–20 protein is a brain-specific polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight on SDS-PAGE of 190,000 Da. Northern blot analyses indicated that probes generated from an F1–20 cDNA clone hybridize to a single brain-specific mRNA of approximately 4.8 kilobases. In situ hybridization experiments demonstrated that F1–20 mRNA expression is neuronal specific. Northern and Western blot analyses indicated that F1– 20 mRNA levels increase abruptly at postnatal day 4 and protein levels increase abruptly at postnatal day 7. This corresponds to a period of active synaptogenesis and synaptic maturation in the mouse CNS. We characterized the neuroanatomical distribution of the F1–20 protein by immunohistochemistry, and of the F1–20 mRNA by in situ hybridization. We found that the F1–20 mRNA and protein are expressed nonuniformly in brain. Variation in the expression of the F1–20 protein is complex and reveals patterns also exhibited by probes directed against other synapse-associated molecules. The highest levels of F1–20 protein are found in the cortically organized regions of the brain. The highest levels of F1–20 mRNA are found in long-distance projection neurons. There is also variation in the expression of F1–20 mRNA between different classes of large output neuron, as well as extensive variation in the expression of F1–20 mRNA between different nuclear groups.
Signal subspace fusion of uncalibrated sensors with application in SAR, diagnostic medicine and video processing

This paper addresses the problem of fusing the information content of two uncalibrated sensors. This problem arises in registering images of a scene when it is viewed via two different sensory systems, or detecting change in a scene when it is viewed at two different time points by a sensory system, or via two different sensory systems or observation channels. We are concerned with sensory systems which have not only a relative shift, scaling and rotational calibration error, but also an unknown point spread function (that is time-varying for a single sensor, or different for two sensors). By modeling one image in terms of an unknown linear combination of the other image, its powers and their spatially-transformed (shift, rotation and scaling) versions, a signal subspace processing is developed for fusing uncalibrated sensors. The proposed method is shown to be applicable in moving target detection (MTD) using monopulse synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with uncalibrated radars. Results are shown for video, magnetic resonance images of a human brain, moving target detector monopulse SAR, and registration of SAR images of a target obtained via two different radars or at different coordinates by the same radar for automatic target recognition (ATR).
Initial evaluation of the forward-viewing echoendoscope prototype for performing fine-needle aspiration, Tru-cut biopsy, and celiac plexus neurolysis.

Background and Aims: A forward-viewing echoendoscope (FV-CLA) has been recently developed for performing interventional endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). The role of FV-CLA in performing standard EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA), Tru-cut biopsy (TCB), and celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) is unknown. Our aims were to evaluate the feasibility of the FV-CLA for performing EUS-guided FNA/TCB and CPN. Methods: In this prospective study conducted over a 3-month period, 30 patients were evaluated with the FV-CLA. Procedures performed were FNA in 28 lesions, TCB in one, and CPN in five patients. Results: EUS-guided FNA was undertaken at the following sites: mediastinum (n = 3), liver (n = 2), retroperitoneal mass (n = 2), pancreas head/uncinate (n = 9), pancreas body (n = 6), pancreas tail (n = 4), and perigastric lymph node (n = 2). The median size of the lesions was 37 × 34 mm. A median of two passes was performed (range: 1–7). Final cytopathology diagnosed malignancies in 21 patients, with adenocarcinoma suspected for one.TCB of a mediastinal lymph node revealed lymphoma. FNA was benign in six patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for a malignancy diagnosis was 96% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87–96%), 100% (95% CI, 70–100%), 100% (92–100), and 86% (60–86%), respectively. CPN was successful in all five patients. It was easier to deploy the needle from the echoendoscope at all locations, including the duodenum, and irrespective of the site of the lesion. Conclusions: The initial evaluation and safety profile of the FV-CLA echoendoscope for performing standard FNA/TCB and CPN appear to be favorable. The narrow image does not preclude basic therapeutic maneuvers. A major advantage appears to be easy needle deployment at any site within reach of the echoendoscope.
CLE and RGF Family Peptide Hormone Signaling in Plant Development

Since the discovery of Systemin in tomatoes in 1991, many additional peptide hormones have been discovered in plants. Plant peptide hormones typically start as small precursor proteins (~100a.a.), which include N-terminal secretory or anchor sequences, and are post-translationally processed into a smaller hormonally active peptide (on the range of 5–18a.a.). To date, peptide hormones have been shown to have diverse functions in plants, including nearly every aspect of development and morphogenesis. Here, we discuss recent reports regarding the CLV3/ESR-RELATED (CLE) and ROOT GROWTH FACTOR (RGF) families of peptide hormones.
Adenosine triphosphate: Continuous measurement in mitochondrial suspensions by firefly luciferase luminescence

Summary Firefly luciferase reacts with ATP to form light. Addition of the enzyme system to suspensions of mitochondria or submitochondrial vesicles permits continuous observation of ATP synthesis by the increasing luminescence. Kinetic analysis demonstrates that quantitative estimates of ATP concentration can be made at any time during the experiment by adding ATP standard. This method can be adapted to monitor ATP content in other biological systems.
The Moral Status of Deprogramming

ABSTRACT In this paper I examine some of the issues surrounding the moral status of the therapy known as ‘deprogramming’. I argue against the extreme view that all deprogrammings are morally impermissible. In certain instances deprogramming is morally justified because it is quite capable of restoring the conditions needed for the exercise of autonomy. The view of autonomy I am following is that constructed by Gerald Dworkin, wherein two conditions must be met in describing a person as autonomous—authenticity and procedural independence. Autonomy of another type, described by Dworkin as authenticity plus substantive independence, may be lost by persons involved in cults but in those instances deprogramming as reconstructed in this paper is not a morally justified measure.
Surface enrichment of Li on LiF single crystal after cleaving or under electron bombardment

Abstract The build-up of an excess metal layer on the surface of LiF(100), after cleaving or due to electron irradiation, is examined by monitoring the neutral atom and molecule emission during sputter depth profiling. At room temperature the Li enrichment on the surface saturates at an electron fluence of 2.5 × 10 15 electrons cm 2 at 500 eV energy. In addition, lesser enrichment of the crystal surface by Li after cleavage without electron irradiation was observed, which also reappears after removal by moderate sputtering by a 3 keV ion beam. Enrichment is attributed to the difference in the formation energies of cation and anion vacancies. The time constants for the build up of the metal layer at room temperature for the unirradiated but cleaved crystal and the cleaved crystal exposed to the saturation dose of electrons are 2 and 40 min, respectively.
Functional Outcome, Quality of Life, and Complications After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis in Selected Septuagenarians

PURPOSE: Concerns about morbidity and functional outcome have lead some authors to suggest that ileal pouch-anal anastomosis should not be performed in older patients. This article evaluates the outcome of selected septuagenarians undergoing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis at this institution. METHODS: Seventeen of 1,911 patients undergoing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis were older than the age of 70 at the time of surgery. Functional outcome, quality of life, and manometric data were assessed prospectively, whereas complications were assessed by chart review. RESULTS: There was one mortality related to sepsis after small-bowel obstruction and one reoperation at 18 months for pelvic abscess. Minor complications occurred in five patients. Median (interquartile range) quality of life and health and levels of energy and happiness (scored out of 10) were 9 (7–10), 9 (7–10), 8 (5–10), and 9.5 (7–10), respectively. Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 quality of life scores were not different from those for the healthy population older than 65 years. There was complete continence in 38 percent, rare incontinence in 12 percent, and some incontinence in 50 percent. Nobody was usually or always incontinent. Overall, 82 percent would undergo pouch surgery again, and 89 percent would recommend it to others. CONCLUSIONS: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is an acceptable surgical option for selected healthy, motivated septuagenarians with ulcerative colitis who are eager to preserve fecal continence.
Analyzing bivariate ordinal data using a global odds ratio

Abstract A moment method is proposed for regression analysis of bivariate ordered categorical data using the global odds ratio as the measure of association. For modeling the margins, this method utilizes the stochastic ordering implicit in the data. This method allows for covariate effects in modeling the association between responses. An application of the proposed model is illustrated using the ophthalmological data from the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy for identifying risk factors among younger onset diabetics. This model is also extended to a longitudinal data setting with more than two repeated measures.
Differential scanning calorimetry: Fundamental overview

This paper discusses the fundamentals of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) including functions and outputs of a Differential Scanning Calorimeter along with common uses in academia and industry.
Flat field errors and intra-pixel sensitivities for non-redundant aperture masking interferometry on JWST NIRISS

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is equipped with a 7-hole non-redundant mask on the Near IR Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS). Flat field error is likely to limit the contrast of this imaging mode. This can be mitigated by placing calibrator and target on the same pixel. Image plane modeling, using measured intra-pixel sensitivities, enables us to determine the target and calibrator placements to a fraction of a pixel. This is helpful given the barely Nyquist pixel scale on NIRISS and non-uniform sensitivity within the pixel. We discuss the effects of coarse sampling and varied intra-pixel response across the detector on the contrast of JWST AMI. We additionally explore the combination of the sub-Nyquist sampled F277W filter with the mask. Using the F277W filter with NRM will expand the planet formation science possible for JWST.
Identification of a cell type-specific silencer in the first exon of the His-1 gene.

The His-1 gene is developmentally expressed in the murine choroid plexus but is silenced in the adult brain. To test the hypothesis that the gene contains cis-acting elements that contribute to this repression, we have analyzed segments of the proximal promoter for negative regulatory sequences by transient transfection analysis. The activity of the proximal promoter was moderately influenced by positively and negatively acting sequences located from 2335 to 2168 and 2617 to 2335, respectively. A strong His-1-positive regulatory element (HPRE, 118 to 129) was essential for maximal promoter activity and could also enhance the activity of the heterologous SV40 promoter in an orientation-dependent manner. The HPRE contains homology to the neuronal restrictive silencer element (NRSE) but interacted with nuclear proteins that were distinct from the NRSE-binding factor (NRSF). By contrast, a potent negative regulatory sequence (HNRE) was identified in the first exon that repressed either the His-1 or SV40 promoters by greater than 80%. This negative regulatory sequence interacted with nuclear proteins from cells that contain a silent His-1 gene but showed no interaction with nuclear proteins from cells that actively transcribe the endogenous gene. HNRE-mediated repression was orientation independent; most of this activity was mapped to a minimal 26-bp sequence. These findings suggest that the first exon of the His-1 gene contains a cell type-specific silencer that contributes to the regulation of His-1 transcription.
Efficient analysis of dynamic response of linear systems

After reviewing briefly a recently proposed procedure for evaluating the dynamic transient response of a classically damped linear system from its corresponding steady-state response, a modified procedure is presented which also appears to be highly efficient for non-classically damped systems of the type encountered in studies of soil-structure interaction. The concepts involved are developed by reference to viscously damped single-degree-of-freedom systems, and numerical solutions are included to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed procedure and its superiority over the classical Discrete Fourier Transform approach.
Dielectronic Recombination Rate Coefficients for H-like through Ne-like Isosequences of Mg, Si, S, Ar, Ca, Fe, and Ni

We present distorted-wave calculations and analytic fits to the dielectronic recombination (DR) rate coefficients of H-like to Ne-like isosequences of seven abundant astrophysical elements, including Mg, Si, S, Ar, Ca, Fe, and Ni. Both ΔN = 0 (low-temperature) and ΔN > 0 (high-temperature) DR channels are included for L-shell ions. Values of ΔN > 0 DR for less abundant ions between Mg and Ni are also obtained through interpolation along the isosequences. Interpolation is not performed for ΔN = 0 DR, since such rate coefficients are not smooth along the isosequences in general. Comparison is made with existing theoretical and experimental results, and collisional ionization equilibria resulting from the current DR rate coefficients are presented.
SU‐FF‐J‐116: Registration of X‐Ray Portal Images with 4DCT DRRs for Patient Setup Verification

Purpose: To provide a noninvasive method for both setup verification of 4DCT treatment planning and isocenter positioning shifts for treatment delivery. Method and Materials: A ten phase 4DCT treatment planning study of the patient was acquired using a respiratory gating system. When the patient was on the treatment couch, multiple on board x‐ray images were taken in the anterior‐posterior (AP) and lateral directions. An intensity based rigid registration algorithm was applied to obtain optimal shifts in the x, y and z directions. First, a digitally reconstructed radiograph(DRR) using ray‐casting algorithm was computed from one of the ten phases of the 4DCT. The correlation coefficient (CC) between the DRR and the x‐ray image was then calculated. The 4DCT volume was shifted and new DRRs were generated until the maximum CC value was reached through an optimization process. This procedure was repeated for all ten 4DCT phases. Results: Registration of each phase of the 4DCT with the x‐ray image provided ten maximum CC values. These values exhibited a single maximum at the phase corresponding to the breathing phase when the x‐ray image was taken. The corresponding isocenter positioning shifts for treatment delivery were also obtained. The robustness of our algorithm was demonstrated by registering x‐ray images taken at five random phases to 4DCT. The resulting isocenter shifts were consistent between all phases. The standard deviations of the shifts determined for the AP x‐rays were 2 mm (lateral), 5 mm (anterior‐posterior), and 2 mm (superior‐inferior). Conclusion: Using only the RPM system, one cannot be certain that the internal anatomy is consistent between 4DCT acquisition and any particular treatment day. Our noninvasive method accounts for internal organ motion and may be used for daily 4DCT treatment setup verification and isocenter positioning.
How Psychotherapists Handle Difficult Clients: Lessons for Librarians

Summary Although librarians occasionally encounter difficult patrons in the course of their work, psychologists work with difficult clients much more frequently. This raises an interesting question-how is it that psychologists are able to manage these trying individuals, and in some instances even help them improve? This study attempts to answer that question by investigating how psychotherapists define, cope with, and treat difficult patients. It explains the psychology of difficult clients, techniques psychologists useinworking with them, and how these might be utilized by librarians. The importance of seeing difficult clients as a means of personal growth is also emphasized.
Tasting Food, Tasting Freedom: Excursions Into Eating, Culture, and the Past

Tasting Food, Tasting Freedom: Excursions Into Eating, Culture, and the Past. Sidney W. Mintz. Boston: Beacon Press, 1996. xix. 149 pp., Index, works cited, notes.
The use of biologically based modeling in risk assessment.

Abstract Technological advances are rapidly leading toxicology and risk assessment to an age where there are advantages of routine use of biologically based modeling as an adjunct to laboratory experiments will be compelling. The biologically based model, a formal representation of the system being studied, serves both the experimentalist and the risk assessor. Benefits of its development include identification of data gaps, optimization of experimental design and, with sufficient validation, quantitative extrapolations between routes of exposure, species and doses. This article focuses on the role of biologically based modeling in support of the dose–response assessment component of risk assessment. The problem of uncertainty in dose–response assessment and the role of mechanistic studies combined with modeling to efficiently reduce uncertainty are discussed. The need for close cooperation between experimentalists, modelers, and risk assessors to achieve this efficiency is emphasized. A model for formaldehyde is briefly described to illustrate key issues.
Mineral mapping in the Pyramid Lake basin: hydrothermal alteration, chemical precipitates and geothermal energy potential.

Geothermal resources exist on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Lands (PLPTL) in northwestern Nevada. We compiled numerous indicators of these resources into a geographic information system along with concurrent investigative results. This effort required acquisition and analysis of spaceborne multispectral and airborne hyperspectral remote sensing data for early-stage geothermal exploration. We identified minerals such as alunite, kaolinite, and montmorillonite through analysis of hyperspectral data indicating regions of hydrothermally altered rock associated with areas of geothermal potential. Tertiary volcanic and granitic rocks also contain these indicator minerals. Quaternary environments displayed gypsum-bearing evaporite crusts that we postulate were deposited by sulfate-rich thermal waters. Throughout the PLPTL, tufa towers and tufa shoreline deposits are extensively distributed as remnants of paleo-lake Lahontan. Based on measured spectra of calcium carbonate, we mapped tufa towers elucidating the strike direction of associated faults. Additionally, we correlated remotely-derived maps of shoreline tufa deposits with climate-related changes in lake level. Our mapping results helped guide detailed exploration efforts to areas with the most geothermal potential.
Quantum statistics of stimulated Raman scattering in optically-pumped Rb vapor

With broad-band optical pumping of Rb 87, we observed stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) between hyperfine ground states, and measured the photon number statistics. Several signal strength dependent factors are also analyzed.
Seaweed resources of North America and their utilization

From the coasts of Nova Scotia, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, California and Lower California, seaweeds are harvested that yield agar, algin, carrageenin and iridophycin for industrial use.
Relativistic many-body methodology of electric dipole oscillator strengths with application to Tl + 6 s 2 →6s6p

A systematic way of simultaneously handling relativistic and many-body effects for electric dipole transition probabilities is introduced. Relativistic many-body wave functions are generated using a relativistic configuration-interaction (RCI) approach, where the virtual space is represented by screened hydrogenic functions whose effective charges are determined during the RCI process. It is shown that the number of ``parents'' that must be kept in a first-order wave function may be minimized, using a procedure called reduce. The relativistic form of the first-order theory of oscillator strengths is used to determine which configurations are crucial. Application is made to the ${\mathrm{Tl}}^{+}$ 6${s}^{2}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6s6p $^{1}$,3${\mathrm{P}}_{1}$ transitions for which both nonorthonormality and core excitation effects are found to be crucial. For the allowed transition, our results (length and velocity) are in excellent agreement with experiment.
Effect of chlorphentermine on the pulmonary disposition of norepinephrine in the isolated perfused rabbit lung

Cblorphentermine (CP) has been noted to cause primary pulmonary hypertension both clinically and experimentally. It was postulated that CP might affect the pulmonary clearance of endogenous vasoactive substances such as norepinephrine (NE). The uptake and metabolism of 14C-NE were followed in artificially ventilated isolated perfused rabbit lung preparations using a constituted perfusate with initial NE concentrations of 5 μg/100 ml. Perfusate samples were analyzed for total radioactivity, metabolites, and parent compound. Preloading the lungs with 0.25 mM CP significantly increased the concentration of total radioactivity, deaminated products, and decreased the concentration of normetanephrine in the perfusate. In addition, the accumulation of total radioactivity in the lung tissue after 60 min of perfusion was significantly decreased in CP-treated lungs. The proportion of deaminated metabolites in the lung tissue was slightly decreased while the percent of normetanephrine, and parent compound were signi...
Reliability of negative BOLD in ipsilateral sensorimotor areas during unimanual task activity

Research using functional magnetic resonance imaging has for numerous years now reported the existence of a negative blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response. Based on accumulating evidence, this negative BOLD signal appears to represent an active inhibition of cortical areas in which it is found during task activity. This particularly important with respect to motor function given that it is fairly well-established that, in younger adults, the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex exhibits negative BOLD during unimanual movements in fMRI. This interhemispheric suppression of cortical activity may have useful implications for our understanding of both basic motor function and rehabilitation of injury or disease. However, to date, we are aware of no study that has tested the reliability of evoked negative BOLD in ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex in individuals across sessions. The current study employs a unimanual finger opposition task previously shown to evoke negative BOLD in ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex across three sessions. Reliability metrics across sessions indicates that both the magnitude and location of ipsilateral sensorimotor negative BOLD response is relatively stable over each of the three sessions. Moreover, the volume of negative BOLD in ipsilateral cortex was highly correlated with volume of positive BOLD activity in the contralateral primary motor cortex. These findings show that the negative BOLD signal can be reliably evoked in unimanual task paradigms, and that the signal dynamic could represent an active suppression of the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex originating from the contralateral motor areas.
Electrooptic properties of transparent ferroelectric glass&#8212;Ceramic systems

The electrooptic and ferroelectric properties of glass-ceramic systems containing Na 0.5 K 0.5 NbO 3 and BaTiO 3 as the crystalline phases are presented. Domain activity is observed by dielectric and optical hysteresis measurements, although it becomes significant only at the larger crystallite size. Thus, the samples transmit light to only a small extent. Bistable optical switching has been achieved with 105V/cm, 100-µs duration pulses. The ratio of transmission measured between crossed polarizers is 2:1.
Drugs, biogenic amine targets and the developing brain

Defects in the development of the brain have a profound impact on mature brain functions and underlying psychopathology. Classical neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, glutamate and GABA, have pleiotropic effects during brain development. In other words, these molecules produce multiple diverse effects to serve as regulators of distinct cellular functions at different times in neurodevelopment. These systems are impacted upon by abuse of a variety of illicit drugs, neurotherapeutics and environmental contaminants. In this review, we describe the impact of drugs and chemicals on brain formation and function in animal models and in human populations, highlighting sensitive periods and effects that may not emerge until later in life.
Effects of lysozyme on competence for Bacillus subtilis transfection.

Abstract Interactions between lysozyme and populations of Bacillus subtilis which are capable of absorbing high-molecular-weight DNA were studied using bacteriophage O29 DNA. 1. 1. Competence (the ability to absorb DNA) is lost when the lysozyme treatment is extensive enough to convert the cells to protoplasts. However, partial degradation of the cell wall may actually increase the level of competence. The expression of incorporated DNA is not affected in protoplasts. 2. 2. In addition to the ability of lysozyme to alter competence by degrading the cell wall, it can also inactivate DNA. Centrifugation in alkaline sucrose and response to lysozyme inhibitors suggest that the DNA inactivation is not due to nuclease activity. Inactivation of biological activity may be due to binding between DNA and lysozyme since it is reversed by increasing the ionic strength of the medium or denaturing the enzyme.
Transcription of endogenous and injected cytoskeletal actin genes during early embryonic development in Xenopus laevis.

Abstract The transcriptional regulation of a cytoskeletal actin gene during Xenopus laevis embryonic development has been investigated. New transcripts of this gene begin to accumulate at approximately the mid-gastrula stage, between 12 and 16 hours after fertilization, replenishing maternal supplies of this transcript. To study the molecular processes which act to determine the timing of transcriptional activation of this gene, a gene-injection assay was devised, utilizing a cloned copy of the gene which has been marked by a small DNA insertion. Accurately-initiated transcripts of the injected gene accumulate in concert with those of the endogenous gene, showing that injected genes can undergo developmental regulation. As little as 485 nucleotides of upstream sequence is sufficient for proper temporal control of activation of an injected gene. The results presented here demonstrate the feasibility of a microinjection assay for the identification of regulatory gene sequences and transacting regulatory factors in amphibian embryos. Such an assay will be useful in achieving an understanding of general transcriptional control mechanisms acting in early development, and should also provide a means to study certain aspects of long-standing developmental problems, such as cytoplasmic localization and embryonic induction.
Morel-lavallee seroma: a review of two cases in the lumbar region in the adolescent

Morel-Lavallee seroma (MLS) is a lesion that develops after blunt closed soft tissue trauma and after surgical procedures particularly in the pelvis and abdomen. We describe two cases of MLS occurring in the lumbar spinal region in adolescent males who sustained blunt pelvic and abdominal trauma. Imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis of the MLS lesion and is essential in differentiating delayed MLS from lesions such as abscess, posttraumatic meningocele, and more sinister entities such as soft tissue sarcomas. MLS in the lumbar spinal region in adolescents has not been previously reported in the literature, and our aim is to describe the imaging characteristics of these lesions. Case reports
Tight bounds for the first order Marcum Q-function

In this paper, we develop new bounds for the first order Marcum Q-function, which are extremely tight and tighter than any of the existing bounds to the best of our knowledge. The key idea of our approach is to derive refined approximations for the 0th order modified Bessel function in the integration region of the Marcum Q-function. The new bounds are very tight and can serve as an effective means in bit error rate (BER) performance analysis for non-coherent demodulation in digital communication. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta) on the soil porosity of small microcosms

Tunneling and burrowing activities of soil organisms affect structure and porosity of soils, but the role of enchytraeids as a soil burrowing organism is unclear. This study was initiated to evaluate the effect of enchytraeids on soil porosity in two soils with different texture and similar, low organic matter contents. In small microcosms, the burrowing activities of Enchytraeus minutus were followed during a 51 day period. The microcosms consisted of two glass plates with a bottom of plaster of Paris and sides of Plexiglas. Sieved (<1 mm), enchytraeid-free soil was added between the glass plates and two litter placement treatments were simulated by the addition of rye to the surface or by incorporating it into the soil. The soil in the microcosms was wetted from the bottom through the capillary action of the plaster and soil. Twenty enchytraeids were added to the microcosms and every 17 days the distribution of pores was determined under a stereomicroscope by a point counting technique and with image analysis. At least 65% of the enchytraeids survived in the microcosms, and in the surface litter treatments, the population expanded. Enchytraeids increased porosity in the microcosms at 17 days. At later times the porosity of the microcosms decreased to levels below the starting values. This decrease in porosity was attributed to consolidation of the soils as a result of overburden pressure and destabilization of soil aggregates caused by the egestion of the soil by enchytraeids. Porosity estimates by image analysis were much lower than by point counting, but a strong correlation was found between the two.
Orthogonal polynomials whose zeros are dense in intervals

Consider a sequence of manic polynomials {P,(X)} defined by a recurrence of the form P,(x) = (x 4 ~,-l(X) 4i~n-‘&>9 12 = 1, 2, 3,... P-l(X) = 0, ~o(x> = 1, c, real, /\n+1 > 0 (n > 1). U-1) It is well known (Favard [6]) that (1.1) is sufficient (as well as necessary) for {P,(X)} to be an orthogonal sequence with respect to a real distribution d+(x) on the real line. That is, there is a bounded, nondecreasing function # with an infinite spectrum (= support of d+(x)) such that
Group G streptococcal endocarditis and bacteremia

This report describes fifteen recent cases of group G streptococcal bacteremia in patients with acute illnesses. Seven patients had acute endocarditis (47 percent). Four deaths occurred, and four patients had significant clinical complications during prolonged stormy courses. This series indicates a relatively high incidence of infective endocarditis in patients with group G streptococcal bacteremia, which is at variance with recent reports. Group G streptococcal bacteremia (with or without endocarditis) is a serious infection that often follows a hectic course with significant morbidity and mortality. The need for prompt recognition and aggressive treatment of this infection is underscored.
Thermal decomposition of alkyl ammonium ions and its effects on surface polarity of organically treated nanoclay

The surface free energy and surface polarity of organically modified montmorillonite clay change when exposed to elevated temperatures. This was verified in this study using contact angle measurements and Wu's harmonic-mean equation. It was observed that the surface polarity of organically modified clay measured from the values of contact angle of water and diiodomethane reduced significantly owing to thermal degradation of the organic modifier of clay, the latter was confirmed by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. As a consequence, nonpolar polymer, polypropylene (PP), was found to spread more on heat treated surface of organically modified clay than a polar polymer, polyamide 6 (PA6). The ramification of these phenomena on blending of PP, PA6, and organically modified clay is discussed.
Identification of norepinephrine in bovine oviductal fluid by high performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract The final stages of sperm maturation, fertilization and early embryonic development take place in the microenvironment of the oviduct and are essential for successful reproduction in mammals. Although catecholamines have been shown to have beneficial effects on mammalian gametes in vitro , identification of catecholamines in native bovine oviductal fluid has not been studied. The objective of this research was to identify catecholamines in bovine oviductal fluid and to determine whether concentrations of catecholamines change with stage of the estrous cycle. Oviductal fluid was collected via indwelling oviductal cannulae and assayed for the presence of catecholamines by high performance liquid chromatography. Norepinephrine was the only catecholamine detected, in concentrations ranging from 0.828 ng/ml – 1117 ng/ml. The presence of norepinephrine in oviductal fluid corresponded to a period of time just prior to, during, and after ovulation, when serum progesterone levels were low. This was a consistent finding in ODF collected from normally cycling cows. Potential functions of norepinephrine in oviductal fluid include regulation of fluid formation, induction of capacitation and the acrosome reaction in spermatozoa, and cleavage of the early embryo.
Impact of surgeon volume on patient safety in laparoscopic gynecologic surgery

Abstract Objective To determine the impact of surgeon volume on patient outcomes in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. Methods We reviewed all patients who underwent a laparoscopic procedure between January 2000 and December 2008. Surgeons were divided into 3 groups based on surgical volume. The mean number of surgeries per year was calculated for each surgeon. Means were categorized into 3 groups. The low-, medium-, and high-volume surgeon groups were compared with respect to level of surgical complexity and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results The study included 829 surgeries. Low-volume surgeons (n=5) performed 5 (31.3%) low-complexity, 10 (62.5%) intermediate-complexity, and 1 (6.3%) high-complexity procedures. Medium-volume surgeons (n=6) performed 26 (11.1%) low-complexity, 203 (86.8%) intermediate-complexity, and 5 (2.1%) high-complexity procedures. High-volume surgeons (n=5) performed 47 (8.1%) low-complexity, 439 (75.8%) intermediate-complexity, and 93 (16.1%) high-complexity procedures. The distribution of surgical complexity was significantly different between the 3 groups of surgeons defined by volume ( P P =0.04). Similarly, overall complication rates ( P =0.003). Mean length of hospital stay was longer for low-volume (2.4days) than for medium-volume (1.3days) and high-volume surgeons (1.6days) ( P =0.003). Conclusion High- and medium-volume gynecologic laparoscopists performed a greater proportion of intermediate- and high-complexity procedures than did low-volume surgeons. High-volume surgeons have a lower rate of conversions, overall postoperative complications, and shorter mean length of hospital stay when compared to low volume surgeons.
Institutional Repository Access Patterns of Nontraditionally Published Academic Content: What Types of Content Are Accessed the Most?

The authors analyze monthly Internet access to traditionally unpublished academic content in one university's institutional repository (IR). Content selected for analysis include materials supplementary to peer-reviewed publications, poster images, graduate course research papers, and presentation slides. The content types represent academic output that would not likely be otherwise collected and made freely available were it not for its availability in an IR. The average first-year access rates per month are similar across content types, and evidence of access persists over time, indicating the value of this content to others and the utility of posting nontraditional academic materials in an institutional repository.
Drug interaction software and the risk of using ceftriaxone with therapeutic hemapheresis.

In July 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a MedWatch alert regarding a potentially deadly drug interaction between ceftriaxone and calcium or calcium-containing products.[1][1] The warning, which advised against administration of these products within 48 hours of each other,
A modified Newton's method for solving trajectory optimization problems.

Modified Newton method for solution of simultaneous nonlinear equations applied to variational two point boundary value problems in trajectory optimization
Early diagenesis of fatty acids and isoprenoid alcohols in estuarine and coastal sediments

Fatty acids and isoprenoid alcohols were analyzed in river, estuarine, and coastal sediment cores: (1) to investigate the distribution of these lipids among the unbound phase. those bound or closely associated with humic substances, and those bound or closely associated with the huminkerogen and clay mineral matrix. (2) to investigate the diagenetic changes of these lipids with depth in the sediments. and (3) to obtain information on the use of these compounds as organic tracers in marine sediments. Results confirm earlier observations that fatty acids are rapidly altered in marine sediments Both the total and the individual fatty acids decrease in concentration with depth in the sediments: unsaturated acids decrease faster than saturated acids and unbound acids decrease faster than bound acids Approximately 8–62% of the fatty acids were unbound. 2–22% were associated with humic substances. and 38–86% were associated with the residual organic-mineral matrix. Qualitative differences also exist between the fatty acids associated with the unbound, humic, and residual fractions. The ratio of trans/cis geometric isomers of the fatty acids generally increases downcore. with no rearrangement of the double bond positions within the molecules. Either the cis isomer is being preferentially degraded with depth in the sediments, or there is a low temperature, clay catalyzed conversion of the cis isomers to the trans isomers occurring down the cores. Phytol was the major alcohol present in the sediments and does not appear to be altered as rapidly as the fatty acids. Less than 10% of the total phytol (PHY) plus dihydrophytol (DHP) was present as DHP and no trend could be discerned between PHY and DHP with depth or with unbound, humic, and residual material in the cores. All of the isolated DHP appeared to be present as the RRR stereoisomer. Along with the absence of phytane in the cores, this observation suggests that the reduction of phytol to dihydrophytol is microbially mediated in the upper layer of the sediment.
Squalene content of various shark livers.

SINCE the demonstration that squalene might be an important precursor to cholesterol in endogenous synthesis1–3, it was felt that it would be useful to have available an adequate supply of carbon-14-labelled squalene. It has been shown that synthetic squalene does not act as a precursor for cholesterol, whereas the biological squalene does2,4. The difference is apparently due to the high degree of stereo -specificity. It was decided, therefore, to attempt to obtain carbon-14-labelled squalene by biological synthesis. The only known adequate biological producer of squalene in the northern hemisphere is the basking shark, and since the adults are large, some being well over 30 ft. long, the difficulty of injecting carbon-14-labelled acetate in such an animal and maintaining the animal alive for three days for adequate synthesis of squalene is obvious.
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and ethanol modulation of deoxycorticosterone levels in cynomolgus monkeys

The metabolites of deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and progesterone, allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone and allopregnanolone, are potent endogenous neuroactive steroids that are increased in rodent brain and plasma after hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activation by acute stress or ethanol administration. However, little data are available for male nonhuman primates. To determine DOC concentrations in plasma samples from 11 monkeys following challenge of the HPA axis with naloxone, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), dexamethasone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) following dexamethasone pretreatment and ethanol. DOC levels were measured in monkey plasma by radioimmunoassay. DOC levels were increased after naloxone (125 μg/kg and 375 μg/kg, respectively) and CRF administration (1 μg/kg), and decreased following dexamethasone (130 μg/kg) administration. ACTH (10 ng/kg) challenge, 4–6 h after 0.5 mg/kg dexamethasone, and administration of ethanol (1.0 g/kg and 1.5 g/kg) had no effect on DOC concentrations. DOC levels were positively correlated with cortisol and ACTH levels after the naloxone (375 μg/kg), CRF, and ACTH challenges. Finally, the suppression of DOC levels measured after dexamethasone was negatively correlated with subsequent alcohol self-administration. These results suggest that DOC levels in monkeys are regulated by the HPA axis and may contribute to physiological responses following activation.