cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A nonradioactive method for isolating complementary DNAs endocing calmodulin-binding proteins

Calmodulin labeled with125I or34S has been used to screen expression libraries to isolate cDNAs encoding calmodulin-binding proteins (CBPs) from several eukaryotic systems. The use of radiolabeled calmodulin has, however, several disadvantages. We have developed a nonradiactive method to isolate cDNAs for CBPs using biotinylated calmodulin. Screening of a cDNA library in an expression vector with biotinylated calmodulin resulted in the isolation of cDNAs encoding CBPs. Avidin and biotin blocking steps, prior to incubation of the filters with biotinylated calmodulin, are found to be essential to eliminate the cDNAs that code for biotin-containing polypeptides. The cDNA clones isolated using this nonradioactive method bound calmodulin in a calcium-dependent manner. The binding of biotinylated calmodulin to these clones was completely abolished by ethylene glycolbis(\-aminoethylether)-N,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), a calcium chelator. Furthermore, the isolated cDNAs were confirmed by probing the clones with35S-labeled calmodulin. All the isolated clones bound to radiolabeled calmodulin in the presence of calcium but not in the presence of EGTA. The method described here is simple, fast, and does not involve preparation and handing of radiolabeled calmodulin. All the materials used in this method are commercially available; hence, this procedure should be widely applicable to isolate cDNAs encoding CBPs from any eukaryotic organism.
Shrinkage estimation for the difference between a control and treatment mean

Estimation for the difference between a control and treatment mean in the one-way model when it is suspected but uncertain that the two mean values are equal is studied. A preliminary-test (pre-test) estimator and a shrinkage estimator after pre-test are proposed. Both the optimal level of significance for the pre-test estimator and optimal value of shrinkage coefficient for the pre-test shrinkage estimator are obtained on the basis of a regret function. The pre-test estimator performs better than the pre-test shrinkage estimator over a small region around the origin; however, the pre-test shrinkage estimator performs better than the pre-test estimator outside the dominance region, and the dominance region of the pre-test shrinkage estimator is larger than that of the pre-test estimator. Therefore, if the performance outside the dominance region and the size of dominance region are taken into account for comparison, then the pre-test shrinkage estimator is preferable to the pre-test estimator.
Early detection of harmful alcohol consumption: Comparison of clinical, laboratory, and self-report screening procedures.

This report describes the conceptual and empirical basis for the development of a screening instrument to identify persons with potentially harmful alcohol consumption. As part of a larger project sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), alcoholic (N = 65) and nonalcoholic (N = 187) research volunteers completed a battery of assessments that included laboratory tests, a physical examination, a diagnostic interview, personality measures, and two standard self-report screening questionnaires. The data were analyzed to evaluate the validity of diagnostic measures that could subsequently be used to develop a briefer screening test. The results of a construct validity analysis indicated that the new diagnostic measures correlated well with generally accepted alcoholism screening tests (the MAST and MacAndrew scales) and with measures of hypothetical vulnerability (e.g., sociopathy and childhood problems). Analysis of discriminant validity indicated that alcohol-specific self-report measures differentiated well between male risk groups, but were less effective in identifying high risk females. In general, alcohol-specific measures differentiated best, followed by clinical and laboratory tests and vulnerability assessments. It is concluded that no single procedure is universally suitable for the early identification of harmful drinkers. The design of a screening test will depend on the purpose of screening, the groups to be identified, the resources available and the level of cooperation to be expected from the population screened.
Parallel implementation of dynamic simulation to filamentary composite structures with general rate dependent damping

Abstract In the present study, we propose to implement the dynamic viscoelastic finite element algorithm in a scalable distributed parallel environment using a generic message passing library such as PVM. The conjugate gradient algorithm are used for the solution of the system of the equations. Various mesh sizes were considered. The problem is decomposed into a number of regions and is solved in an equal number of processors. The performance of a PVM master/slave visco-elastic finite element program is evaluated on the CM-5.
Interpretation of Temperature Data during Acidizing Treatment of Horizontal Wells for Stimulation Optimization

Optimum fluid placement is crucial for successful acid stimulation treatments of long horizontal wells where there is a broad variation of reservoir properties along the wellbore. Various methods have been developed and applied in the field to determine the fluid placement and effectiveness of the diversion process, but determining the injection profile during the course of matrix acidizing still remains a challenge. Recently, distributed temperature sensing technology (DTS) has enabled us to observe the dynamic temperature profile along the wellbore during acid treatments. Quantitative interpretation of dynamic temperature data can provide an invaluable tool to assess the effectiveness of the treatment as well as optimize the treatment through on-the-fly modification of the treatment parameters such as volume, injection rate and diversion method.
Eliminating second-hand smoke from Mexican-American households: Outcomes from Project Clean Air–Safe Air (CASA)

Abstract Exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) is a major public health problem and a risk factor for morbidity and mortality. The objective of this randomized trial was to estimate the impact of a culturally-sensitive intervention to reduce SHS exposure in Mexican-American households. Method A total of 91 households (with a child under 18 years of age and two adults, one of whom was a smoker) were recruited from a population-based cohort of Mexican-American households and randomized to receive the experimental intervention (EI; n = 47) or standard care (SC; n = 44). Of these, 74 households (83%) provided baseline, 6-month, and 12-month survey and nicotine monitor data (EI, n = 39; SC, n = 35). The EI materials, designed to increase the participants' likelihood of adopting a smoke-free indoor home air policy, included one culturally-appropriate bilingual comic book for children and two fotonovelas for adults. Results Ambient nicotine levels significantly decreased over the 12 study months (F = 13.6, DF = 147; p p p Conclusion Our low-cost intervention impacted SHS-related knowledge and exposure among Mexican Americans. This culturally-appropriate intervention has the potential to decrease SHS-related health problems in the target population substantially.
Experiments characterizing the interaction between two sprays of electrically charged liquid droplets

Experiments were conducted to characterize the interaction between two sprays of electrically charged ethanol droplets. The micrometer-size droplet sprays were generated electrohydrodynamically by applying a high positive voltage to two adjacent parallel needles that were located above a distant, electrically grounded funnel. The resultant droplet axial and lateral velocity components and diameter were measured as a function of needle spacing and applied voltage using a Phase Doppler Particle Analyzer. Data were acquired at two axial positions below the needles' tips, for two needle spacings, four applied voltages and at a single flow rate.
Embedded system design of an advanced illumination measurement system for highways

Roadway illumination is a vital component of safety while driving during the night. There are regulations in place to ensure all publicly maintained roads are properly lit, but the validation process is too time consuming, costly, and dangerous for adequate data collection studies. This work is aimed toward remedying this problem by creating an Advanced Lighting Measurement System (ALMS) capable of recording illumination readings while traveling at normal driving speeds. This solution is based on the Arduino Uno development board, a cost effective yet powerful microcontroller. The proposed embedded system consists of Ariduino Uno microcontroller, Distance measurement instrument, USB module, event logger, GPS module, light meters, and microSD module. This work involves collecting data along 100 centerline miles of Florida roadways and converting the resulting illumination readings into GIS format, allowing them to be included in the roadway database of the Florida Department of Transportation. By including this data the FDOT will be able to repair poorly lit corridors and will be aware of possible safety concerns. The illumination values recorded by the ALMS have been validated and verified as an accurate replacement for conventional lighting measurements. The system requires minimal user interaction and rapidly speeds up illumination measurement along highways.
Extrathalamic Modulation of Cortical Function

Abstract : The goal of the proposed studies is to characterize the effects of noradrenergic (NA) afferents on cortical information processing. our previous studies indicate that the primate locus coeruleus (LC) system, originating in the pontine brainstem, innervates neocortex more densely than previously thought, exhibiting highly specific patterns in terms of the regional and laminar distribution of its axons. our previous neurophysiological observations suggest that this system imposes state-related modulatory effects on thalamo- cortical and cortico-cortical systems. The proposed studies have the following Specific Aims: (1) To examine, in monkeys, the effects of manipulating the LC-NA system on ERPs, EEG characteristics, and associated behaviors in operant paradigms that utilize visual or auditory cues; (2) To correlate the activities of individual monkey LC-NA neurons with cortical neuronal activity and the measures utilized in Aim 1; (3) To extend our preliminary observation that activation of the LC by local drug infusion, in halothane-anesthetized rats, produces EEG signs of cortical and hippocampal activation; (4) To examine the relationship between the intensity of LC neuronal activity and rates of norepinephrine release in neocortex and hippocampus by performing microdialysis in these forebrain terminal regions in anesthetized rats during manipulation of LC activity.
Influence of interpregnancy interval on birth timing

Objective To assess the influence of inadequate birth spacing on birth timing distribution across gestation. Design Population-based retrospective cohort study using vital statistics birth records. Setting Ohio, USA. Study Population Singleton, non-anomalous live births ≥20 weeks to multiparous mothers, 2006–2011. Methods Birth frequency at each gestational week was compared following short IPIs of <6, 6–12 and 12–18 months versus referent group, normal IPI ≥18 months. Main outcome measures Frequency of birth at each gestational week; preterm <37 weeks; <39 and ≥40 weeks. Results Of 454 716 births, 87% followed a normal IPI ≥18 months, 10.7% had IPI 12–18 months and 2.2% with IPI <12 months. The risk of delivery <39 weeks was higher following short IPI <12 months, adjOR (odds ratio) 2.78 (95% CI 2.64, 2.93). 53.3% of women delivered before the 39th week after IPI <12 months compared with 37.5% of women with normal IPI, P < 0.001. Likewise, birth at ≥40 weeks was decreased (16.9%) following short IPI <12 months compared to normal IPI, 23.2%, adjOR 0.67 (95% CI 0.64, 0.71). This resulted in a shift of the frequency distribution curve of birth by week of gestation to the left for pregnancies following a short IPI <12 months and 12–18 months compared to, birth spacing ≥18 months. Conclusions While short IPI is a known risk factor for preterm birth, our data show that inadequate birth spacing is associated with decreased gestational age for all births. Pregnancies following short IPIs have a higher frequency of birth at all weeks of gestation prior to 39 and fewer births ≥40 weeks, resulting in overall shortened pregnancy duration.
An active set RQP algorithm for engineering design optimization

Abstract Optimum design of complex engineering systems needs a globally and superlinearly convergent (robust and efficient) algorithm using active set strategy. Such an algorithm based on extensions of Pshenichny's linearization method is derived in the paper. In the original method, a linearized subproblem with a quadratic step-size constraint is used to compute a direction of design change. No second-order information is computed or approximated for use in the direction finding problem. Therefore, the rate of convergence is only linear. In the paper, we propose to incorporate a variable metric W which is a positive-definite approximation to the Hessian of the Lagrange function. This gives local superlinear rate of convergence to the algorithm. Some other computational improvements are discussed and incorporated. The proposed improvements appear to be quite simple. They are, however, quite significant for applications to engineering design problems. This is explained and several small-scale problems are solved using a program based on the modified algorithm. Results are compared to Pshenichny's original algorithm. The modified algorithm is considerably more efficient compared to the previous algorithm. It also appears to be quite robust, though more extensive testing is needed on a wider range of problems.
Employee demographics and job training satisfaction: the relationship between dimensions of diversity and satisfaction with job training

Human resource development professionals serve many diverse populations of learners in the workplace. They do so with limited resources which leads to a dilemma: How to most effectively and efficiently meet the needs of all learners in the workplace, given the different job duties, backgrounds, skills and abilities of each learner. This empirical study examines job training satisfaction among customer and technical service employees in nine different organizations in the US and Canada. The study concluded that there were no differences in job training satisfaction when examined with dimensions of diversity such as age groups, gender and race/ethnicity. There were differences in job training satisfaction, however, when examined with job type, job status, and job tenure.
Effect of cobalt and morphogenic autoregulatory substance (MARS) on morphogenesis ofCandida albicans

Abstract Candida albicans yeast cells produce a factor, designated morphogenic autoregulatory substance (MARS), which suppresses yeast-to-mycelial conversion under conditions that support germination. In experiments designed to characterize MARS, the effect of various metals on MARS activity was tested. Cobalt but not zinc, iron, or other metals enhanced the ability of MARS to inhibit germination. Furthermore, uptake of cobalt by cells exposed to MARS was enhanced over cells in control medium if the cells were first incubated in a medium containing MARS for several hours prior to addition of cobalt to the medium. Uptake of zinc under similar conditions was not affected by MARS. The enhanced uptake of cobalt by MARS-exposed cells appears to be related to germination because such enhancement did not occur in strains of yeasts incapable of germination even in the absence of MARS.
Triplet−triplet absorption and phosphorescence of aminodiazines

Abstract A variable-temperature flash photolysis study of 2-aminopyrimidine and aminopyrazine indicates that triplet-triplet absorption occurs at 490 nm for the former and at 370 nm with a weaker band at 560 nm for the latter. Their excited state properties relative to those of 2-aminopyridine are explained in terms of electronic state shifts resulting from addition of a second ring nitrogen atom in the monoazine. CNDUV99 calculations performed on these molecules predict the lowest excited singlet to be n,π and the lowest excited triplet to be π-,π. Other predictions supported by experimental results include (i) a decreasing energy splitting, S 1 (n,π)-T 2 (π,π), as one proceeds from 2-aminopyridine to 2-aminopyrimidine to aminopyrazine and (ii) correct ordering of the triplet state energies as observed in phosphorescence.
Abstract CT332: Biomarker analysis predicts antitumor activity of Ipilimumab therapy in patients with refractory metastatic melanoma

Background: Ipilimumab (Ipi) improves survival of patients (pts) with advanced melanoma. It is unknown which biomarkers predict antitumor activity. Methods: 81 pts with advanced melanoma who had failed to at least one prior systemic treatment were included in the Ipi Expanded Access Program (EAP) (Table 1). All pts received induction therapy with Ipi 10 mg/kg i.v. q 3 weeks x4 doses. At week 24, pts without progressive disease or toxicity received maintenance therapy with Ipi q 12 weeks. Pertinent biomarkers (CTLA-4, PD-1, PD-L1, pAKT, pS6, fas-l, Ki67, and BRAF V600E) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry on pre-treatment tumor specimens and results were correlated with clinical outcomes. Results: Median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 3.7 and 10.6 mos. Higher stages, ECOG (1 and 2), elevated LDH, and low absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) at baseline were associated with poor survival. Of the 71 pts with progression, 32 received alternative treatment and 39 did not; the OS from the time of disease progression was 17 and 2.6 mos, respectively. Increased CTLA-4 in tumor (p=0.003) and TILs (p=0.02) correlated with poor OS. pS6 expression in TILs (p=0.04), high pAkt in tumor (p=0.03) correlated with poor PFS. Low CTLA-4 (p=0.05) and pAkt (p=0.04) expression in tumor cells correlated with better outcome. High CTLA-4 expression in TILs associated with poor OS (p=0.003) in pts who received alternative treatment post-ipi. Conclusions: High CTLA-4 expression in tumor & TILs as well as activated Akt pathway in tumor cells correlated with poor clinical outcome. High CTLA-4 expression in TILs correlated with poor survival in pts received alternative therapy after Ipi. Analyses of biomarkers predict antitumor activity of Ipi. Citation Format: Nitin Chakravarti, Isabella C. Glitza, Van A. Trinh, Roland L. Bassett, Wen-Jen Hwu, Victor G. Prieto. Biomarker analysis predicts antitumor activity of Ipilimumab therapy in patients with refractory metastatic melanoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr CT332. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-CT332
Oligomycin Inhibition of Phosphate Uptake and ATP Labeling in Excised Maize Roots

ATP labeling by newly absorbed (32)P in excised maize roots was reduced 34% by the presence of oligomycin during a 4-min uptake period with no reduction in rate of phosphorus absorption. Longer exposure to oligomycin, during pretreatment periods or longer uptake periods, reduced phosphorus absorption and further reduced ATP synthesis. In these tissues it appears that oligomycin inhibits ATP production at the mitochondria, that ATP is the energy source for phosphorus uptake at the plasmalemma, and that a depletion in the ATP supply causes a reduced rate of uptake.
The Use of Guar Meal in Chicken Rations

Abstract Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonalobus), a drought resistant legume is widely cultivated in India and Pakistan for feeding cattle. The endosperm of the guar seed is a rich source of a galactomannan polysaccharide called guar gum. Guar meal is obtained after the mechanical separation of the endosperm from the hulls and germ of the ground seeds. On analysis, it contains: moisture, 12%; fat, 4%; crude protein, 45%; fiber, 6%; and ash, 4.5% and should be a source of well-balanced protein, rich in lysine and sulfur-amino acids (Ramakrishnan, 1957). However, a series of experiments carried out in our laboratories indicated that the incorporation of as little as 7.5 guar meal in chicken rations caused a significant depression in growth. Also, a major part of this inhibition could be attributed to the presence of guar gum in the guar meal (Kratzer and Vohra, 1963). This report describes methods developed for overcoming the growth inhibitory…
Activation of bovine immunodeficiency-like virus expression by bovine herpesvirus type 1

Abstract Bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) is a recently identified lentivirus that infects cattle. The virus has structural and genetic similarities to human HIV. The present study demonstrates that BIV can be activated by bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), a pathogen frequently associated with cattle diseases. Activation of BIV expression can be detected as increased BIV reverse transcriptase activity, increased in the number of syncytia induced by BIV, and increased in the steady state level of BIV-specific RNA upon BHV-1 super-infection. Additional transactivation studies using the BIV-LTR (long terminal repeat) were conducted. The BIV-LTR was linked to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene (CAT) and transfected into bovine cell cultures in order to quantitate the levels of BIV-LTR expression. When the transfected cells were infected by BHV-1, there was an increase in CAT expression, indicating transactivation of the BIV-LTR by BHV-1. Most of the transactivation activities were abolished with an LTR construct that has deleted the NF-κB-like sequence located in the U3 region of the LTR. In order to further demonstrate that activation of the BIV-LTR involves factors that may bind to the LTR sequences, gel retardation assays were carried out using the BIV-LTR U3 region as probe. Our results showed that BHV-1 infection resulted in an induction of factor(s) that binds to the NF-κB-like sequence on the BIV-LTR. This suggests that transactivation of BIV by BHV-1 may be mediated by a bovine NF-κB-like protein that binds to the target sequence in the BIV promoter region.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN IMMUNE SYSTEM COMMON TO CERTAIN EXTERNAL SECRETIONS

The γ1A present in saliva and colostrum exists largely in the form of higher polymers, the major component of which has a sedimentation coefficient of 11S. The 11S γ1A in these fluids differs from the polymers found in normal and myeloma sera both immunologically and by the fact that their sedimentation coefficients are unaffected by disulfide bond reduction in the absence of urea. However, like other γ-globulins the 11S γ1A molecules consist of multiple polypeptide chains linked by disulfide bonds. Local synthesis of γ1A in the salivary gland has been shown by fluorescent and autoradiographic studies, although the fraction of the total salivary γ1A which is derived from local production is uncertain. No evidence of transport of intravenously administered I131-labeled 7S γ1A from serum to saliva was obtained. Immunological specificity has been demonstrated in the salivary and colostral γ1A. Whether that portion of the γ1A which is immunologically specific is a piece incorporated during the local synthesis of γ1A in the gland or is added by the epithelial cell in the process of transport remains to be determined. Antibody activity (isohemagglutinins) have been demonstrated in saliva and colostrum and have been shown to be of the γ1A-type. In both of these fluids activity is associated primarily with γ1A-polymers of 11S and 18S sizes. There appears to be an immunological system which is characteristic of certain external secretions. Its properties including the local production of a distinctive type of antibody separate it from the "systemic" system responsible for the production of circulating antibody. This system may play a significant role in the body's defense mechanisms against allergens and microorganisms.
Synthesis of 14C‐labeled octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine (HMX)

The 14C-uniformly labeled (UL) explosive, octahydro-1,3,5,7,-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) was synthesized in 40% yield by nitrolysis of 14C-labeled hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine) in the presence of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate as catalyst. The labeled hexamine was synthesized in 77% yield from 14C-labeled formaldehyde and ammonium hydroxide. The specific activity of 14C-labeled HMX was 0.24 mCi/mmol, a total of 58 μCi was prepared. The radiochemical purity of the labeled substance was 95% by HPLC-Liquid scintillation counting and 98% HPLC-UV at 232 nm. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incorporation of the amino acid analog tryptazan into the protein of Escherichia coli.

Abstract A tryptophan-requiring mutant of Escherichia coli , depleted of tryptophan, approximately doubles its protein and nucleic acid if the amino acid analog tryptazan is present. This effect is shown to be due to the ability of the organism to incorporate relatively large amounts of the analog into its proteins in place of tryptophan.
The Implementation of Slab Geometry for Membrane-Channel Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Slab geometric boundary conditions are applied in the molecular dynamics simulation of a simple membrane-channel system. The results of the simulation were compared to those of an analogous system using normal three-dimensional periodic boundary conditions. Analysis of the dynamics and electrostatics of the system show that slab geometric periodicity eliminates the artificial bulk water orientational polarization that is present while using normal three-dimensional periodicity. Furthermore, even though the water occupancy and volume of our simple channel is the same when using either method, the electrostatic properties are considerably different when using slab geometry. In particular, the orientational polarization of water is seen to be different in the interior of the channel. This gives rise to a markedly different electric field within the channel. We discuss the implications of slab geometry for the future simulation of this type of system and for the study of channel transport properties.
COADS Release 2 data and metadata enhancements for improvements of marine surface flux fields

Abstract The Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (COADS) has been updated through a cooperative U.S. project since 1981, including vital international contributions. Quality controlled marine surface observations from ships have been supplemented in more recent years to include moored environmental buoys, drifting buoys, and near-surface measurements from oceanographic profiles. The data set now covers 142 years, 1854–1995. Monthly statistics of pseudo-fluxes and basic marine variables are calculated for each year using observed data falling within 2° latitude × 2° longitude boxes (1°×1° summaries are also available for 1960-93). Enhancements in data and metadata planned by the year 2000 as part of COADS Release 2 (∼ 1820–1997) will concentrate on the basic observational records. In addition to new data sources, which will augment flux estimates through expanded coverage, planned enhancements include: a) usage of selected metadata from WMO Pub. No. 47 (ship instrumentation history) to improve the observational records back to about 1973; b) improvements in the reliability of the wind speed (“estimated/measured”) indicator; and c) bias adjustments of wind speed Beaufort estimates and anemometer measurements.
Use of Primitive Derived Cotton Accessions for Agronomic and Fiber Traits Improvement: Variance Components and Genetic Effects

Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is cultivated in warmer climates throughout the world. The genetic base of modern upland cultivars is narrow. As yield and fiber quality traits are improved, the genetic base should be extended by the incorporation of new germplasm into cultivars. In this study, 114 day-neutral derived primitive accessions were crossed to two cultivars, Stoneville 474 and SureGrow 747 (female parents). In a 2-yr study, parents and F2 hybrids were evaluated in field plots where agronomic and fiber traits were measured. An extended additive-dominance genetic model was used, and the data were analyzed on the basis of the mixed model approach. Dominance effects were the primary genetic effects controlling agronomic and fiber traits, while additive effects were small for most of these traits. Consequently, strong heterosis in some F1 and F2 hybrids for most traits would be expected. The genetic resources from the primitive accessions, determined on the basis of cluster analyses, did not show any consistent pattern for collection location or taxonomic classification. Even though dominance effects were the most common for traits measured, results indicate that these day-neutral derived primitive accessions provide genes with significant additive effects for fiber quality traits, while the additive effects for yield improvement was not significantly decreased. Thus, these derived germplasm accessions can provide favorable gene resources for developing high yielding cultivars or hybrids with improved fiber quality.
Tetrafunctional initiators for cationic polymerization of olefins

3,3′,5,5′-Tetrakis(2-chloro-2-propyl)biphenyl (biphenyl tetracumyl chloride, BPTCC) and 1,3-bis[3,5-bis(2-chloro-2-propyl)phenoxy]propane (diphenoxypropane tetracumyl chloride, DPPTCC) were synthesized as initiators for quasiliving cationic polymerization of isobutylene (IB). In the synthesis of BPTCC, tetrafunctionality was achieved via the coupling of dimethyl 5-bromoisophthalate (DMBI) using nickel dibromide bis(triphenylphosphine) and zinc in the presence of a base; in the synthesis of DPPTCC, two equivalents of dimethyl 5-hydroxyisophthalate were linked via reaction with 1,3-dibromopropane in the presence of potassium carbonate. Both initiators were used to initiate the polymerization of IB under quasiliving cationic polymerization conditions. PIB initiated from BPTCC revealed a chain end/molecule value (as determined by 1H-NMR) of 3.85, verifying the nearly exclusive production of 4-arm polyisobutylene (PIB). GPC analysis revealed a narrow peak representing the target four-arm PIB, with a slight shoulder at high elution volumes (low molecular weights). GPC analysis of the PIB initiated by DPPTCC revealed multimodal distributions, suggesting the formation of two-, three-, and four-arm star polymers during the polymerization. This behavior was attributed to Friedel–Crafts alkylation of the initiator core after the addition of one IB unit, which was activated by the electron-donating oxytrimethyleneoxy linking moiety. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5942–5953, 2004
Intraventricular orexin-A improves arousal and early EEG entropy in rats after cardiac arrest.

Abstract The recovery of arousal after cardiac arrest (CA) is associated with evolution from electroencephalographic (EEG) burst-suppression to continuous activity. Orexin-A elicits arousal EEG during anesthetic burst-suppression. We hypothesized that orexin-A would improve arousal and EEG entropy after CA. Eighteen Wistar rats were subjected to 7-minute asphyxial CA and resuscitation. Rats were divided into treatment (n = 9) and control (n = 9) groups. Twenty minutes after resuscitation, the treatment group received 0.1 mL of 1 nM orexin-A intraventricularly, while controls received saline. EEG was quantified using Information Quantity (IQ), a measure of entropy validated for detection of burst-suppression and arousal patterns. IQ values range from 0 to 1.0. Arousal was quantified using the neurological deficit scale (NDS). The ischemic neuronal fraction of hippocampus CA1 and cortex was histologically determined. Baseline and post-resuscitation characteristics were similar between the groups. The NDS score (mean ± SD) at 4 h was higher in the orexin-A group compared to controls (57.3 ± 5.8 vs. 40.7 ± 5.9, p
Sociality effects on the production of laughter.

Abstract Certain facial displays (typically the human smile) have been found to vary with a situation's sociality. Because the facial display that accompanies laughter is under less voluntary control, it is a stronger test of sociality effects. Participants (N = 162) were videotaped watching a humorous videoclip in 1 of 3 conditions: alone, in a same-sex dyad with a stranger, or in a same-sex dyad with a friend. The frequency and time spent laughing were significantly greater in one or both dyadic conditions than in the alone condition, although no differences existed for self-reported evaluations of the videoclip's funniness or amusement felt. When the self-report measures were controlled for, the dyads of strangers (compared with the alone condition) were associated with the frequency of laughter. Although the results provide further support for sociality effects, the situational demands faced by participants may be a better predictor of facial displays than level of sociality.
LAND USE AND SUMMER BIRD POPULATIONS IN NORTHWESTERN GALICIA, SPAIN

Summary Summer bird populations were studied in ten sites: two heathlands, two maritime pine Pinus pinaster plantations, one, four, seven and 13-year-old eucalypt Eucalyptus globulus plantations, one climax oak Quercus robur woodland, and a farmland area in northwestern Galicia, Spain. The farmland and oak wood contained the greatest number of species (24 and 17 respectively) while the one and four-year-old eucalypt stands contained the fewest species (four and six respectively). Avian density was highest in the oak wood (93 birds/ 10 ha) and lowest in a heathland site, the four and one-year-old eucalypt stands (26,13, and seven bird/10 ha respectively). The wren was the most widespread and dominant species occurring in all study areas except the one-year-old eucalypt stand. Mean bird species diversity for the four eucalypt stands was significantly lower than mean bird species diversity for the other wooded habitats. The avian communities of the heathlands, maritime pine and eucalypt plantations, in contrast to the oak wood and farmland, show an excessively high dominance of one species. Using avian dominance as a biological index of habitat perturbation suggests that over half the landscape (4000 km2) in northwestern Galicia is suffering from chronic stress. The newest stress to the avifauna in a long history of land exploitation by man is the importation and cultivation on grand scale of eucalypts. Balancing this tendency, traditional, small-scale farming on the mountainous terrain leads to the development of many tiny parcels whose average size is 0.28 ha; this in turn creates much ‘edge’ in hedgerow which serves to maintain a relatively rich avian species diversity in farmland.
Biophysical characterization of reaginic and blocking sera.

Abstract Utilizing the method of electrophoresis-convection for the fractionation and refractionation of proteins in solution, we have shown by combined electrophoretic and immunologic study that reagins and blocking antibodies are distinct physical entities. Whereas sensitizing activity migrates electrophoretically with the β-globulins of serum, blocking activity moves with the γ-globulins.
Monitoring fall foliage coloration dynamics using time-series satellite data

Fall foliage coloration is a phenomenon that occurs in many deciduous trees and shrubs worldwide. Measuring the phenology of fall foliage development is of great interest for climate change, the carbon cycle, ecology, and the tourist industry; but little effort has been devoted to monitoring the regional fall foliage status using remotely-sensed data. This study developed an innovative approach to monitoring fall foliage status by means of temporally-normalized brownness derived from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. Specifically, the time series of the MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was smoothed and functionalized using a sigmoidal model to depict the continuous dynamics of vegetation growth. The modeled temporal NDVI trajectory during the senescent phase was further combined with the mixture modeling to deduce the temporally-normalized brownness index which was independent of the surface background, vegetation abundance, and species composition. This brownness index was quantitatively linked with the fraction of colored and fallen leaves in order to model the fall foliage coloration status. This algorithm was tested by monitoring the fall foliage coloration phase using MODIS data in northeastern North America from 2001 to 2004. The MODIS-derived timing of foliage coloration phases was compared with in-situ measurements, which showed an overall absolute mean difference of less than 5 days for all foliage coloration phases and about 3 days for near peak coloration and peak coloration. This suggested that the fall foliage coloration phase retrieved from the temporally-normalized brownness index was qualitatively realistic and repeatable.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase is protective in the initiation of caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice

The effect of inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) or enhancing NO on the course of acute pancreatitis (AP) is controversial, in part because three NOS isoforms exist: neuronal (nNOS), endot...
Constitutive Activity of JNK2α2 Is Dependent on a Unique Mechanism of MAPK Activation

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are part of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family and are important regulators of cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis. Typically, a sequential series of events are necessary for MAPK activation: phosphorylation, dimerization, and then subsequent translocation to the nucleus. Interestingly, a constitutively active JNK isoform, JNK2α2, possesses the ability to autophosphorylate and has been implicated in several human tumors, including glioblastoma multiforme. Because overexpression of JNK2α2 enhances several tumorigenic phenotypes, including cell growth and tumor formation in mice, we studied the mechanisms of JNK2α2 autophosphorylation and autoactivation. We find that JNK2α2 dimerization in vitro and in vivo occurs independently of its autophosphorylation but is dependent on nine amino acids, known as the α-region. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of the α-region reveals that five specific mutants (L218A, K220A, G221A, I224A, and F225A) prevent JNK2α2 dimerization rendering JNK2α2 inactive and incapable of stimulating tumor formation. Previous studies coupled with additional mutagenesis of neighboring isoleucines and leucines (I208A, I214A, I231A, and I238A) suggest that a leucine zipper may play an important role in JNK2α2 homodimerization. We also show that a kinase-inactive JNK2α2 mutant can interact with and inhibit wild type JNK2α2 autophosphorylation, suggesting that JNK2α2 undergoes trans-autophosphorylation. Together, our results demonstrate that JNK2α2 differs from other MAPK proteins in two major ways; its autoactivation/autophosphorylation is dependent on dimerization, and dimerization most likely precedes autophosphorylation. In addition, we show that dimerization is essential for JNK2α2 activity and that prevention of dimerization may decrease JNK2α2 induced tumorigenic phenotypes.
Fluorescence for Identification of Onion Nectar in Foraging Honey Bees

Samples of returning honey bee ( Apis mellifera L.) foragers were collected at colonies located near a blooming onion ( Allium cepa L.) seed field. Honey stomach contents were examined for potassium level by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and spotted on filter paper for fluorescence analysis by long wavelength ultraviolet light. The 2 methods of analysis gave nearly identical results. The percentage of onion nectar collecting bees increased during the 4-wk period of sampling. The use of ultraviolet light also helped distinguish water from nectar.
Synthesis and behavioral evaluation of a chemical brain-targeting system for a thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue

Abstract A chemical brain-targeting system, in which a redox 1,4-dihydropyridine pyridinium function serves as a targeting moiety and a cholesteryl ester contributes to the improved penetration across the blood-brain barrier, was synthesized for a centrally active TRH analogue, pGlu-Leu-Pro-NH2. Our retrometabolic design was also based on the progenitor sequence, Glu-Leu-Pro-Gly, where the C-terminal glycine (Gly) functions as an amide precursor via peptidyl glycine α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) and glutamine (Gln) is the precursor of the N-terminal pyroglutamyl (pGlu) by glutaminyl cyclase. The molecular design included an endopeptidase (post-proline cleaving enzyme) cleavable spacer function. Treatment with the chemical targeting system significantly improved memory-related behavior, without altering thyroid function, in a passive avoidance paradigm in rats bearing bilateral fimbrial lesions.
Surgical Repair of a Thoracic Meningocele in a Foal

A 6 week old American Paint filly was admitted for evaluation of a dorsal thoracic mass suspected to be a meningocele. The diagnosis was confirmed by plain and contrast enhanced computed tomography. Surgical repair was performed by dissection of the base of the meningocele followed by ligation. No postoperative complications occurred. Contrast enhanced computed tomography was useful to confirm the diagnosis of meningocele and rule out a meningomyelocele.
Expression and localization of matrix-degrading metalloproteinases during colorectal tumorigenesis.

The metalloproteinase matrilysin is widely expressed in the epithelial tumor cells of malignant colorectal adenocarcinomas. Approximately 50% of benign adenomas also express low levels of matrilysin that is focally localized. The expression of stromelysin-1, stromelysin-3, and gelatinase A was observed in the stromal component of several carcinomas and was not present in adenomatous tissue. The expression of interstitial collage-nase and gelatinase B was observed in occasional adenomas and carcinomas. Stromelysin-2 transcripts were not detectable in any of the samples examined. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 gene expression was widespread and was observed in both epithelial and stromal cells of adenomas and carcinomas. These results indicate that matrilysin gene expression is an early event in colorectal tumorigenesis and that the expression of stromelysin-1, stromelysin-3, and gelatinase A is primarily a late event. The observed gene expression patterns suggest that matrilysin may participate in early events in tumor progression and that multiple members of the metalloproteinase family may work in concert to facilitate late-stage tumor invasion and metastasis. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The effect of mouse spinal cord transection on the antinociceptive response to the γ-aminobutyric acid agonists THIP (4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydroisoxazolo [5, 4-c]pyridine-3-ol) and baclofen

Abstract The antinociceptive responses to the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor agonists THIP (4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5, 4-c]pyridine-3-ol) and baclofen were examined in spinally transected mice to define the central nervous system site of action for these drugs. Nociception was assessed using a tail-immersion assay. The results indicated that spinal transection (T6–T10) completely abolished the antinociceptive responses to THIP and baclofen, attenuated those to oxotremorine and morphine, but did not reduce the response to clonidine. The results suggest that the antinociceptive responses to THIP and baclofen are mediated by an action at supraspinal sites rostral to T6.
Measures of adiposity predict interleukin-6 responses to repeated psychosocial stress.

Abstract Objective Overweight and obese individuals, who comprise approximately two-thirds of the U.S. population, are at increased risk for developing a range of diseases. This increased risk may be due in part to maladaptive stress responses within this group, including heightened low-grade inflammation and HPA axis non-habituation. In this study we tested the relationship between adiposity, plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) and HPA axis responses to repeated stress. Methods Sixty-seven healthy participants were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) on two consecutive days. We collected saliva for cortisol measurements at baseline and at 1, 10, 30, 60 and 120 min post-TSST, and blood for plasma IL-6 measurements at baseline and 30 and 120 min post-TSST. Results Stress exposure induced significant increases of cortisol and IL-6 on both days (cortisol: F = 38, p Conclusions Taken together, individuals with higher measures of adiposity showed less efficient HPA axis habituation as well as sensitization of IL-6 responses to repeated acute stress. These findings point to maladaptive stress response patterns in overweight humans, which, through exposure to higher levels of inflammatory mediators, might partially explain diseases related with overweight and/or obesity.
Sexual Assault: Determinants of Victim Disclosure

This study was designed to assess the social and attitudinal determinants of victim willingness to define and / or report a sexual assault as a rape to various groups. It was hypothesized that those incidents most closely resembling the social stereotype of rape would be most readily defined as a rape and, therefore, most likely to be reported. One hundred and twelve female undergraduate students were randomly assigned within a 2 x 2 x 2 factoral design to read a one-paragraph description of a situation involving a sexual assault and respond to a questionnaire assessing their belief that the situation was a rape and their willingness to report the event to a friend, a doctor, and/or the police. The situations were varied by having two levels of each of the three factors involved in the social stereotype of rape (prior relationship, degree of violence, and degree of victim responsibility for placing herself in the assault situation). The degree of force used was the most powerful determinant of an assault ...
Deriving a Humanistic Theory of Child Development From the Works of Carl R. Rogers and Karen Horney.

The aim of this theoretical investigation was to provide instructors at the college level with material that they might use to introduce humanistic developmental theory to students of child psychology. The study had several phases. First, the theories of child development embedded within the works of Carl R. Rogers and Karen Horney were articulated and outlined separately. Next, the highly significant structural features of the theories were synthesized to form a unified humanistic theory of child development. Finally, there was a brief discussion of the strengths and weakness of the humanistic developmental perspective derived from Rogers's and Horney's works.
Nonlinear Effects in the Critical Dynamics of Easy-Axis Ferro- and Antiferromagnets

Approximate kinetic equations have been derived for the critical dynamical variables of easy-axis ferro- and antiferromagnets. Particular attention is paid to nonlinear couplings and their influence on the dynamics of the long-wavelength fluctuations of the order parameter. The nonlinear nature of the problem is reflected in the inverse reduced-susceptibility matrix. When only the linear susceptibilities are retained the equations reduce to those of Schwabl and Michel. Including both linear and nonlinear susceptibilities leads to a number of new effects. Among these are the renormalization of the decay rates, a change below ${T}_{c}$ in the relative weights of the two central peaks in the linear dynamical susceptibility of the antiferromagnetic order parameter, and the introduction of a high-frequency background in the order-parameter power spectrum. Provided the thermodynamic scaling laws are obeyed, these effects are essentially independent of temperature. An experimental test of the theory involving measurements of the width of the imaginary part of the dynamic susceptibility of the ferromagnetic order parameter at corresponding temperatures above and below ${T}_{c}$ is proposed.