cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seminal fluid protein depletion and replenishment in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster : an ELISA-based method for tracking individual ejaculates

In many species, seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) affect female post-mating behavioral patterns, including sperm storage, egg laying, feeding, and remating. Yet, few studies have investigated the patterns of allocation, depletion, and replenishment of SFPs in male animals, despite the importance of these proteins to male and female reproductive success. To investigate such SFP dynamics, it is necessary to have a sensitive method for quantifying SFP levels in males and mated females. We developed such a method by adapting the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using anti-SFP antibodies. Here, we first use two Drosophila melanogaster SFPs (ovulin and sex peptide) to demonstrate that ELISAs provide accurate measures of SFP levels. We find that, consistent with previous data from Western blotting or immunofluorescence studies, levels of both ovulin and sex peptide decline in the mated female with time since mating, but they do so at different rates. We then use ELISAs to show that males become depleted of SFPs with repeated matings, but that previously mated males are able to transfer “virgin” levels of SFPs after 3 days of sexual inactivity. Finally, we demonstrate that ELISAs can detect SFPs from wild-caught D. melanogaster males and, thus, potentially can be used to track mating patterns in the wild. This method of measuring SFP dynamics can be used in a wide range of species to address questions related to male reproductive investment, female mating history, and variation in female post-mating behavioral changes.
A FREE‐RESPONSE DESCRIPTION APPROACH TO THE ANALYSIS OF PERSON‐SITUATION INTERACTION12

A report on the utilization of a free-response description approach to address the following question: In what ways does an individual remain stable and in what ways vary as a function of which situational characteristics? Each of four subjects generated a list of situations in his current life which he then rated on lists of situation traits, feelings, and behaviors which also were generated by the individual subject. For each subject the data were factor analyzed to determine groups of situations which were distinctive in terms of the feelings and behaviors associated with them. It was suggested that the personality of each individual could be understood in terms of the pattern of stability and change, in feelings and behaviors, in relation to defined groups of situations. It was also suggested that the approach utilized might serve as the basis for the future development of a taxonomy of situations and behaviors in situations.
Anteroventral third ventricle lesion suppresses fever, but not stress-induced hyperthermia in rats

Body core temperature (Tco) of unrestrained rats was monitored to compare the effects of electrolytic lesion of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region on stress-induced hyperthermia or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fever. We found that stress-induced hyperthermia was not significantly reduced by AV3V lesion, whereas pyrogen-induced fever was significantly lower in rats in which the lesion completely ablated the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT), located in the AV3V region. The results indicate that although the central neural elements producing both stress- and pyrogen-induced elevations in Tco may be prostaglandin related, stress hyperthermia is not activated by mechanisms in the OVLT region, as is fever induced by LPS.
MR signal intensity of gray matter/white matter contrast and intracranial fat: effects of age and sex

Abstract Signal intensity (SI) values of gray- and white-matter brain regions of interest (ROIs) were obtained from T 2 - and proton density-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images of 58 normal subjects aged 22–82 years (31 females, 52.3±18.8 years; 27 males, 54.1±18.1 years). Sampled ROIs included the caudate, putamen, thalamus, orbitofrontal gyrus, gyrus rectus, uncus, frontal white matter, anterior and posterior corpus callosum, cranial–cervical junction fat, and retroorbital fat. Effects of age and sex on SI were examined using repeated-measures analysis of covariance. For both T 2 - and proton density-weighted acquisitions, a significant inverse relationship between age and SI was observed for the ratio of all summed gray-matter ROIs divided by summed white-matter ROIs. This relationship was additionally observed for ratios of both subcortical gray/white matter and cortical gray/white matter. Females compared with males had significantly lower cortical gray/white matter ratios on T 2 -weighted scans. Differences in SI were observed between cranial–cervical junction fat and retroorbital fat on both acquisitions, with females showing significantly higher values for cranial–cervical junction fat and males showing higher values for retroorbital fat. Implications for brain morphometry, the use of fat as a reference standard, and other issues in neuroimaging are discussed.
Suppression of the two-neutrino double-beta decay by nuclear-structure effects

The nuclear matrix element for 2ν double-beta decay is calculated within the quasiparticle random-phase approximation. It is shown that the decay matrix element passes through zero as a function of the strength gpp of the particle-particle component of the spin-isospin polarization force, neglected previously. The analysis of electron capture/β+ decay rates for semimagic neutron-deficient nuclei suggests values for gpp in the very vicinity of this zero, which gives rise to long lifetimes. The qualitative features of nuclear ββ decay are illustrated with the example of an exactly soluble model.
Sub-grid Scale Modeling: Correct Models and Others

One approach to studying turbulent convection in stars is through the use of large computers with a technique called Large Eddy Simulation (LES). Since no computer presently available, or even projected in the foreseeable future, can resolve all of the scales that characterize a fully developed turbulent flow, the LES technique resolves the largest scales, while it models the "unresolved" scales with a sub-grid scale (SGS) model. In the astrophysical literature, two such models have been used. It is the purpose of this paper to show that the first of the SGS models (1) contradicts Galilei invariance, (2) employs an incorrect timescale (Eulerian instead of Lagrangean), (3) contradicts the Kolmogorov inertial law and the Richardson diffusion law, (4) misinterprets dynamical and kinematic effects, and (5), from the numerical view point, gives rise to a turbulent viscosity much larger than it ought to be. The second SGS model has none of the above problems, the only shortcoming being its incompleteness, since it was originally devised for shear rather than buoyancy dominated flows. Thus, it must be improved—a process that present knowledge of turbulence allows us to carry out quite systematically. In conclusion, the first SGS should be avoided, while the second should be used and improved.
The effect of interfacility transfer on outcome in an urban trauma system.

Background Transporting all trauma patients to regional trauma centers is inefficient; however, the bypass of nearer, nondesignated hospitals in deference to regional trauma centers decreases mortality in the severely injured. One approach to improving efficiency is to allow the initial assessment of selected patients at lower level (Level III/IV) designated centers. We set out to evaluate whether patients initially assessed at these centers and then transferred to a Level I facility were adversely affected by delays to definitive care. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study in which the primary exposure being evaluated is initial assessment at a Level III or IV trauma center before transport to a Level I center in an urban setting. The outcomes in this transfer cohort were compared with outcomes in patients transported directly from the scene to a Level I center (direct cohort). The outcomes of interest were mortality, length of stay, and hospital charges. Multivariate analyses were used to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics across these two cohorts. Results Crude length of stay was comparable, whereas mortality was lower and charges were 40% higher in the transfer cohort (n = 281) compared with the direct cohort (n = 4,439). After adjusting for confounders, mortality and length of stay were similar and total charges were significantly greater in the transferred patients. Conclusion Interfacility transfers in a mature urban trauma system do not appear to impact on clinical outcome. However, transfer patients use significantly greater resources as measured by hospital charges. This effect is likely because of the nature of their injuries or, alternatively, delays in reaching definitive care.
Modeling words by normal interval type-2 fuzzy sets

In this paper, we propose a new method-the HM method-to model words by normal IT2 FSs, using data intervals that are collected from a group of subjects. The HM method uses the same bad data processing, outlier processing and tolerance limit processing to pre-process the data intervals, as is used in the Enhanced Interval Approach (EIA); it then uses a new confidence-interval-based reasonable interval test to keep only those data intervals that share a common interval. In the Fuzzy Set Part, the common overlap is first determined for a group of data intervals; the IT2 FS model for a word is then determined from the remaining data intervals that exclude the overlap. The HM method has a new way to establish if a word should be modeled as a left shoulder, interior or right shoulder IT2 FS. The resulting IT2 FSs have both normal lower and upper membership functions (MFs), which makes them unique among IT2 FS word models. We also compare the IT2 model obtained from the HM method with those from the EIA using Jaccard's similarity measure.
The effects of methamphetamine and pentobarbital on the running memory span

The effects of two drugs on the running memory span were tested in 18 young men who served as their own control under double blind conditions. Each of the three treatments-methamphetamine, pentobarbital, and saline placebo-was administered intravenously and repeated in a balanced design. Ss were tested on strings of digits, varying in length from 8 to 20 items, the first eight presented at the rate of one item per second, another eight at the rate of one every four sec. The instruction was to reproduce the last five items in the original order. Performance at the slower rate confirms the conclusion of an earlier experiment, conducted at the rate of one digit per two sec., i.e., that pentobarbital narrows and methamphetamine exerts no detectable effect on the running digit span. No significant drug effects were found at the fast rate of presentation. It is proposed that two components determine the running digit span; one involves shifts of attention as the input changes, the other its organization, rehearsal, and other strategies by which the information is stored and made available for recall. Pentobarbital, in the dose used and under the conditions of this study, impairs the latter and does not affect the former.
The formation and annealing of circumstellar dust, as gauged by IRAS low-resolution spectra and the microwave maser chronology

By comparing IRAS mean colors and LRS spectral differences in a large sample of Mira variables with the chronological sequence for development of microwave maser emission among such stars, it appears possible to describe a dust grain formation and annealing sequence. The early time spectra are dominated by aluminum oxides, which are then overrun by the emergence of silicates. Rather than the growth of silicate mantles on aluminate cores, this sequence is interpreted as a simple result of the higher electron affinity of aluminum for oxygen, resulting in an initial abundance of AlO bonds in the underoxidized grains. Once all the Al becomes fully oxidized, the relative abundances of Al and Si dictate that the AlO signature will be swamped by the growth of the SiO stretching fundamental. The correlations among the proposed dust chronology, the increasingly thick circumstellar envelopes, and the light curve asymmetries of Mira variables are instructive for understanding the evolutionary changes occurring in such stars.
Hydrogen bonding effects on amine rotation rates in crystalline amino acids

Rates of rotation for amines in a variety of crystalline environments are reported, and the trends are explained in terms of the strengths of local hydrogen bonding interactions. Proton spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) and deuterium broad-line NMR spectra have been measured for D-, DL- and L- aspartic acid, two polymorphs of glycine, alanine, and leucine in the temperature range from -40 to 110 degrees C. The energy barriers for amine rotation are 27 +/- 2 kJ mol-1 for D- or L-aspartic acid and 22 +/- 2 kJ mol-1 for DL-aspartic acid; these energies are slightly lower than the previously reported value for the L from based on direct proton T1 measurements at 60 MHz. The values for the alpha and gamma forms of glycine were 24 +/- 2 and 30 +/- 2 kJ mol-1 respectively, that for L-alanine was 40 +/- 2 and that for L-leucine was 49 +/- 3 kJ mol-1. These are all in rough agreement with previously reported values (although the differences for the polymorphs of glycine and for L- vs. DL-aspartic acid were not reported). Crystal structures of these amino acids indicate differences in hydrogen bonding environments around the R-NH3+ groups that are probably responsible for the different activation barriers. A molecular mechanics calculation of the rotation energy barriers for L- and DL-aspartic acid based on the crystal structures gave satisfactory agreement with experimental results if a uniform (and arbitrarily chosen) dielectric constant of 2.5 was assumed. Differences between L- and DL-aspartic acids and between two polymorphs of glycine were well represented qualitatively. Including additional neighboring molecules not involved in the hydrogen bonding or including periodic boundary conditions to describe the crystal packing did not significantly affect these results. If vacuum dielectric constants are used, the barriers are uniformly overestimated, and if the experimental macroscopic dielectric constant values are used, the barriers are generally underestimated. Dielectric constants differ substantially from one amino acid to another and significantly affect the estimated barriers; in fact, the bulk dielectric constants appear to be the major difference between the highest and the lowest values. The difficulty of accurately including dielectric relaxation into molecular mechanics calculations resulted in the disagreement between experimental measurements and theoretical calculations.
Undifferentiated Spondyloarthritis: Recent Clinical and Therapeutic Advances

The spondyloarthropathies comprise a large clinical spectrum of disorders that include well-defined clinical disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis and less well-defined disorders such as undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, which refers to patients with inflammatory back pain not fulfilling classification criteria for ankylosing spondylitis and without radiologic evidence of sacroillitis. These disorders share clinical and genetic features and are linked by their association with HLA-B27 and by the presence of enthesitis as the basic pathologic lesion. The prevalence of the entire group ranges between 0.6% and 1.9%. This article reviews the recent advances in our understanding of the clinical spectrum, pathogenesis, genetics, and management of undifferentiated spondyloarthritis.
Worm Grunting, Fiddling, and Charming—Humans Unknowingly Mimic a Predator to Harvest Bait

Background For generations many families in and around Florida's Apalachicola National Forest have supported themselves by collecting the large endemic earthworms (Diplocardia mississippiensis). This is accomplished by vibrating a wooden stake driven into the soil, a practice called “worm grunting”. In response to the vibrations, worms emerge to the surface where thousands can be gathered in a few hours. Why do these earthworms suddenly exit their burrows in response to vibrations, exposing themselves to predation? Principal Findings Here it is shown that a population of eastern American moles (Scalopus aquaticus) inhabits the area where worms are collected and that earthworms have a pronounced escape response from moles consisting of rapidly exiting their burrows to flee across the soil surface. Recordings of vibrations generated by bait collectors and moles suggest that “worm grunters” unknowingly mimic digging moles. An alternative possibility, that worms interpret vibrations as rain and surface to avoid drowning is not supported. Conclusions Previous investigations have revealed that both wood turtles and herring gulls vibrate the ground to elicit earthworm escapes, indicating that a range of predators may exploit the predator-prey relationship between earthworms and moles. In addition to revealing a novel escape response that may be widespread among soil fauna, the results show that humans have played the role of “rare predators” in exploiting the consequences of a sensory arms race.
Are ethics and managed care strange bedfellows or a marriage made in heaven

1a marriage of expedience or necessity between business and medicine. Others go so far as to see it as a deal with the devil in which cost, not outcome, has become the bottom line. 2 According to this view, managed care is by its very nature evil, and physicians cannot function in such systems without sacrificing their integrity. Many physicians and ethicists view the managed-care revolution as a demise of medical morality because they equate medical ethics with the preservation of autonomy: both the patient’s and the physician’s. We believe that, rather than making medicine less “ethical”, managed-care systems have the potential to show us the moral limitations of fee-for-service physician autonomy while helping us develop more socially responsible models. 3
Insomnia in adult survivors of childhood cancer: a report from project REACH

Purpose Insomnia is a common problem affecting cancer survivors even years after completion of therapy. Childhood cancer survivors may be at particular risk due to vulnerability to the effects of treatment and medical late effects which impact normal sleep development. Using an indicator of clinically significant insomnia (sleep efficiency), we examined a group of adult survivors of childhood cancer to (1) describe clinical insomnia rates, (2) identify physical and psychological correlates of insomnia, and (3) investigate the frequency with which sleep issues were evaluated during a cancer survivorship medical visit.
Surface Displacements due to a Steadily Moving Point Force

Closed-form expressions are obtained for the normal surface displacements due to a normal point force moving at constant speed over the surface of an elastic half-space. The Smirnov-Sobolev technique is used to reduce the problem to a linear superposition of two-dimensional stress and displacement fields.
Gradient and alternating diameter nanopore templates by focused ion beam guided anodization

Ordered arrays of anodic alumina nanopores with uniform pore diameters have been fabricated by self-organized anodization of aluminum. However, gradient or alternating diameter nanopore arrays with designed interpore distances have not been possible. In this study, focused ion beam lithography is used to fabricate hexagonally arranged concaves with different diameters in designed arrangements on aluminum surfaces. The patterns are then used to guide the further growth of alumina nanopores in the subsequent oxalic acid anodization. Gradient and alternating nanopore arrangements have been attained by FIB patterning guided oxalic acid anodization. The fundamental understanding of the process is discussed.
Four parameters of information processing in the Cochlea

Es wurden die mikrophonische Potentiale und Summierungspotentiale der Ohrschnecke mit elementar-akustischen Signalen (Wellenpaketen) untersucht. Offenbar wird zu einem Gesamtbild der Ohrschneckenpotentiale eine Vier-Parameter-Analyse der akustischen Signale benotigt.
Hematopoietic stem cell repopulating ability can be maintained in vitro by some primary endothelial cells

Objective Murine hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) reside primarily in bone marrow but freely circulate throughout the systemic circulation with retention of transplantable hematopoietic repopulating ability. The mechanisms maintaining HSC potential during systemic circulation remain elusive. We hypothesized that vascular endothelial cells (EC) play an important role in maintaining circulating HSC repopulating ability. Methods Using Tie2-green fluorescence protein transgenic mice, we have isolated primary EC populations derived from several nonhematopoietic organs and cocultured bone marrow Sca1 + c-Kit + lin − cells for 7 days in the presence or absence of growth factors. Results All cocultures promoted the growth of hematopoietic progenitor cells at day 7 of coculture in the presence of added growth factors. Compared to fresh sorted cells, brain and heart EC monolayers significantly increased, lung and liver EC monolayers maintained, and kidney EC monolayer markedly decreased the number of colony-forming unit-spleen day-8 colonies in the 7-day cocultures. HSC competitive repopulating unit activity was maintained during the heart and liver EC 7-day cocultures but was lost in the kidney EC coculture in vitro. Conclusion These results demonstrate that some but not all primary EC isolated from nonhematopoietic organs support HSC function ex vivo.
The many π-meson problem. II

Abstract Previous work on Nπ-states with I ≦ 1 is extended to general values of the isotopic spin. If the maximum allowed I is greater than one, two new features arise which have no counterpart for I ≦ 1. (1) There exist interference effects for states with different I but with the same symmetry. (2) For N ≧ 6 multiple occurrence of a given I can take place for given symmetry. The maximum multiplicity is equl to ( I 2 ) + 1 . These two complications make the practical analysis of Nπ-states considerably more involved for Imax > 1. It is shown that the charge branching ratios for all states with the same I and the same symmetry are the same for each separate occurrence. Two general identities are derived which relate certain branching ratios for different N and different symmetries. Branching ratio tables are given for I = 2, N = 2–6. In the Appendix a complete characterization is given of the set of linearly independent tensors that can be constructed from N 3-vectors. The general specification is: total angular momentum, symmetry, and “residual symmetry.” The latter is redundant whenever multiple occurrence cannot take place.
The structure and mechanical properties of river and lake ice

The purpose of this paper is to relate the mechanical behaviors of seasonal lake and river ice to their grain structures. It is shown that for the lake ice the grain structure, and resulting mechanical properties, vary through the thickness of the ice and depend on the proximity to the shores and water inlets. The mechanical behavior of this natural ice is compared to that of S2 ice under similar loading conditions both in terms of strength and fracture mode. We conclude that while fracture models and strengths inferred from tests performed on laboratory-grown S2 ice can be used to provide strength estimates for accretion river ice, their use for the bulk of most lake ice covers is problematic due to microstructural differences between the two kinds of ice.
Genetic structure and division of labor in honeybee societies

Recent studies have demonstrated a genotypic component to the division of labor among worker honeybees. However, these studies used artificially-selected strains of bees or colonies derived from queens that were instrumentally inseminated with the semen from very few males. We present evidence for genotypic variability among groups of workers performing tasks in colonies with naturally-mated queens. These results demonstrate that genetic structure is a level of social organization in honeybees.
Indirect measurement of aneurysm wall thickness using digital stethoscope.

Abstract Objective: No existing in vivo technique can measure aneurysm wall thickness for evaluation of rupture risk. Intracranial aneurysms produce bruits at a special range of frequency that are highly influenced by the wall thickness. Understanding of the mechanism that generates bruits may allow us to learn aneurysm behavior non-invasively. Methods: A new theory was proposed to account for an interaction between an aneurysm and its parent vessel. Four patients with ophthalmic aneurysms were studied with a digital electronic stethoscope before and after endovascular treatment. Energy spectra of bruits were obtained from digital recording at both eyes. Change of energy spectra was used as an objective indication for aneurysm bruits. Additional four cases were obtained from a previous report. Results: Aneurysm bruits are affected by both aneurysm size and wall thickness. These sounds disappear after coil embolization and parent artery occlusion, but not by stenting. Both large and small aneurysms generat...
Screening metal–organic frameworks for selective noble gas adsorption in air: effect of pore size and framework topology

The adsorption of noble gases and nitrogen by sixteen metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) was investigated using grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation. The MOFs were chosen to represent a variety of net topologies, pore dimensions, and metal centers. Three commercially available MOFs (HKUST-1, AlMIL-53, and ZIF-8) and PCN-14 were also included for comparison. Experimental adsorption isotherms, obtained from volumetric and gravimetric methods, were used to compare krypton, argon, and nitrogen uptake with the simulation results. Simulated trends in gas adsorption and predicted selectivities among the commercially available MOFs are in good agreement with experiment. In the low pressure regime, the expected trend of increasing adsorption with increasing noble gas polarizabilty is seen. For each noble gas, low pressure adsorption correlates with several MOF properties, including free volume, topology, and metal center. Additionally, a strong correlation exists between the Henry's constant and the isosteric heat of adsorption for all gases and MOFs considered. Finally, we note that the simulated and experimental gas selectivities demonstrated by this small set of MOFs show improved performance compared to similar values reported for zeolites.
SELF-DIFFUSION IN COPPER

The self-diffusion coefficient of copper has been determined by tracer techniques through the use of a precision grinder and a precision lathe. The temperature dependence over the range 685-1062\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C is given by $D=0.468\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}\frac{47140}{\mathrm{RT}})$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/sec.
High-performance optical input servovalve

In support of the Fly-by-Light Advanced Systems Hardware (FLASH) Program, Moog has developed and continues to refine a high performance optical input servovalve. This servovalve features no external electrical connections, with all control inputs commanding the valve via an optical fiber. This valve has already demonstrated dynamic and static performance that exceeds most aerospace servovalve requirements, requiring less than 100 milliwatts of optical input power.
Ownership changes, accounting practice and the redefinition of the corporation

Abstract This paper examines the role of accounting in facilitating and legitimating the conglomerate movement in American business during the 1960s. We argue that the profileration of conglomerate mergers contributed to a reconceptualization of the corporation that emphasized its financial rather than its productive capacities. This conception of the firm has now been institutionalized; its logic motivates the takeovers and restructuring that characterize contemporary business. Our case illustrates the rhetorical power of accounting as a symbolic system for legitimating new corporate forms and practices.
Gender, Power, and the Denial Of Intimacy in Chinese Studies and Beyond

This article identifies and critically examines four recurring concerns in writings on Chinese gender and sexuality: (1) Emphasis on extreme cases of women's suffering to produce a more dramatic effect. (2) Focus only one gender's perspective and disregard of the role of social class. (3) De-emphasis on men's place within the subjective domain and overlooking how emotional bonds unite couples. (4) Depiction of the erotic as simply the manifestation of prevailing sexual ideology, which encourages viewing male/female interaction as an exercise in power and dominance, and discourages interpretation of the erotic as an aesthetic experience.
Detection of large expansions in myotonic dystrophy type 1 using triplet primed PCR

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant neuromuscular disease caused by expansion of a CTG trinucleotide repeat in the DMPK gene. Methodology for genetic testing of DM1 is currently not optimal, in particular for the early-onset patients in pediatric populations where large expanded (CTG)n alleles are usually common. Individuals who are homozygous for a normal allele and individuals who are heterozygous for one normal and one large expanded allele are indistinguishable by conventional PCR, as both generate a single product of the normal allele. Thus, reflex Southern blot has often been needed to distinguish these cases. With the aim to decrease the need for reflex Southern blot tests, a novel, single-tube CTG repeat primed PCR technology was designed to distinguish the true homozygous patients from the individuals whose large alleles are missed by conventional PCR. The method utilizes two gene-specific primers that flank the triplet repeat region and a third primer set complementary to the repeated region to detect the large alleles. Compared to traditional PCR, this novel Triplet-repeat Primed PCR can detect the presence of large expanded alleles with demonstrating a ladder pattern. Using this single-step protocol, 45 specimens were tested. The alleles with sizes ≤ 85 repeats were determined by the gene specific primers. 13 abnormal alleles, which missed by the conventional PCR, were successfully detected by the Triplet-repeat Primed PCR. All the abnormal alleles were confirmed and measured by Southern Blot analysis. In summary, optimized TP-PCR can accurately detect the presence of the large expanded alleles. With the ability to distinguish the true homozygous patients from the false negative homozygous individuals, the application of the optimized TP-PCR can significantly reduce the need of Southern Blot tests.
Imidazenil: a potent and safe protective agent against diisopropyl fluorophosphate toxicity

Convulsions are major and life-threatening signs of organophosphate (OP) nerve agents induced neurotoxicity. Thus, early intervention with anticonvulsant drugs to control seizure propagation and the consequent irreversible neuronal damage that may occur during OP exposure is essential. Diazepam is the standard anticonvulsant used in the therapeutic management of OP poisoning. However, its use has been associated with several unwanted effects including, sedation, amnesia, and in the large doses used for such treatment, respiratory depression. Moreover, protracted administration of diazepam has been associated with tolerance and dependence liabilities. In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety of diazepam (full allosteric modulator of GABA action) to that of imidazenil (partial, selective allosteric modulator of GABA action) as preventive treatment against diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP)-induced convulsions and mortality. Our results show that imidazenil is more potent and efficacious than diazepam in protecting rats against DFP-induced convulsions and death. Moreover, imidazenil was effective at doses (1 and 0.5 mg/kg) we have previously shown to be devoid of sedation, amnesia, respiratory depression, or tolerance and/or dependence. In contrast, diazepam was effective at doses (5 and 2.5 mg/kg) that produce sedation, amnesia, and ataxia. Furthermore, the combination of imidazenil with atropine was more potent and efficacious than that with diazepam.
Endoscopic approach to benign biliary obstruction

Abstract During the past 30 years, the endoscopic approach to benign biliary strictures (BBS) became the preferred “mini-invasive” treatment modality for benign diseases. Endoscopic plastic or metallic stenting, and balloon dilation represent the gold standard treatment for BBS. Side-by-side insertion of multiple plastic stents is a very effective treatment option for BBS following cholecystectomy or liver transplantation. This strategy has a low recurrence rate on long-term follow-up, with better results than fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FC-SEMS). FC-SEMS seems to have an advantage and higher stricture resolution rate in patients with BBS secondary to chronic pancreatitis. Dilation of dominant biliary strictures in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis has a lower rate of infective complications than the stenting treatment. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography represents a safe and effective approach to BBS, with a very high success rate, especially when such cases are managed in a multidisciplinary setting.
Modeling postfire conifer mortality for long-range planning

A model is presented for predicting mortality of conifers after wildfire. The model requires stand data inputs and is linked with a mathematical fire behavior model that calculates fireline intensity. Fraction of crown volume killed is calculated for each species in a stand based on mensurational data. Duration of lethal heat at the base of trees is calculated from fuel consumption and burning time values. Fraction of crown volume killed and the ratio of critical time for cambial kill to duration of lethal heat are independent variables in a function that calculates probability of mortality. The model produces reasonable estimates of stand mortality for fire and site characteristics found in the northern Rocky Mountains, USA. It has a broad resolution appropriate for use in fire management planning and has potential applications for coniferous forests throughout the United States.
Rapidity dependence of pion elliptic flow

This paper shows the preliminary results on charged hadron and identified pion elliptic flow obtained by BRAHMS during the RHIC RUN 4 of AuAu at s NN = 200 GeV . It is shown that the dependence of the elliptic flow on transverse momentum is quite large at both mid- and forward rapidities. The p T differential v 2 is found to have a very small dependence on pseudorapidity.
Electron transfer properties of non‐alternant, substituted compounds related to fluoranthene. Experimental determination and theoretical modeling of electrochemical oxidation and reduction potentials in non‐aqueous solution

The oxidation and reduction potentials of a series of related even non-alternant derivatives of 7,14-disubstituted acenaphth[1,2-k] fluoranthenes, and also fluoranthene, 7,10-diphenylfluoranthene and 8,9-dihydrodiindeno[1,2-j;2′,1′-] fluoranthene, were determined in organic solvents by cyclic voltammetry. The effects of steric hindrance on conjugation of the substituents with the central polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon nucleus were evaluated. The semi-empirical molecular orbital calculation programs OMEGAMO, Extended Huckel, AM1 and PM3 were used to obtain optimal geometries and calculated HOMO and LUMO energies. As a further refinement, COSMO solvation was included in the AM1 calculations. The redox properties were correlated with data derived from the various semi-empirical calculations and the quality of these correlations is discussed. Inclusion of solvation energies in the computed molecular orbital energies results in a significant improvement in the correlation between observed and calculated oxidation potentials. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonhistone chromatin proteins HMG-14 and HMG-17 bind preferentially to single-stranded DNA.

Abstract Proteins extracted from chicken erythrocyte chromatin with 0.35 M NaCl were subjected to sequential chromatography on columns containing immobilized double-stranded and single-stranded DNA's. Two-dimensional electrophoresis of protein fractions revealed that HMG-14 and HMG-17 are among the proteins that are retained by the single-stranded DNA column in 0.2 M NaCl/l mM Tris-Cl (pH 7.5) after having failed to be retained by the double-stranded column under the same conditions. That suggests that those two proteins possess preferential affinity for single-stranded DNA. Further evidence for that was provided by chromatography of purified HMG-14 and of purified HMG-17 on single-stranded and double-stranded DNA columns. We discuss the possible relevance of our results to suggested functions of HMG-14 and HMG-17.
Anistropic diffusion in oriented systems improved approximations for molecular dynamics

Abstract The influence of resorting potential parity on anistropic diffusion models describing molecular reorientational in biomembranes has lead to a comparison of the decay rates from existing first-order, single exponential approximations, to the short-time limit decay rates obtained from the numerically evaluated multi-exponential correlation functions. For high molecular order, 〈D (2) 00 (Ω)〉 ⩾0.6, the decay rates from single exponential approximations characterize the multi-exponential correlation functions well. At reduced molecular ordering 〈D (2) 00 (Ω)〉
Demonstrations of a generation effect in context memory.

Generation often leads to increased memorability within a laboratory context (see, e.g., Slamecka & Graf, 1978). Of interest in the present study is whether the benefits of generation extend beyond item memory to context memory. To investigate this question, in three experiments, we asked subjects to remember in which of two contexts they had read or generated words. In Experiment 1, the contexts were two different rooms; in Experiment 2A, the contexts were two different computer screens; in Experiment 2B, the contexts were different perceptual characteristics of the to-be-remembered words. In all experiments, subjects were better at remembering the context of generated words than of read words.
AXOGENESIS IN THE HUMAN FETAL AUDITORY SYSTEM, DEMONSTRATED BY NEUROFILAMENT IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY

Morphological, electrophysiological and behavioral evidence indicates that the onset of rapid, synchronized conduction of auditory impulses occurs in the human brainstem during the 28th–29th fetal weeks. This implies that axonal connections in the brainstem auditory pathway are generated prior to this time. In order to investigate the sequence of axogenic events in the human brainstem pathway, we employed immunohistochemical techniques and an antibody to neurofilament protein. Immunostaining for axonal neurofilaments in an age-graded series of fetal brains demonstrates that a small number of cochlear nerve axons have invaded the ventral cochlear nucleus by the 16th fetal week. By this same time point, a limited number of trapezoid body-lateral lemniscus axons have reached the superior olivary complex and inferior colliculus. Between gestational weeks 16 and 26, there is marked expansion and collateralization of the ascending pathway from cochlear nerve to inferior colliculus. By week 26, ascending axons have begun to form plexuses of terminal neuropil within all of the brainstem auditory nuclei. Beginning in week 22, there is development of commissural axons (dorsal commissure of the lateral lemniscus and commissure of the inferior colliculus) and descending projections (descending collicular axons and olivocochlear bundle). This early establishment of a mature pattern of axonal connections presumably forms the basis for the appearance of myelin, acousticomotor reflexes and recordable brainstem responses by fetal week 29.
Mechanisms of Thyroid Hormone Action on the Insulin- Like Growth Factor System: All Thyroid Hormone Effects are Not Growth Hormone Mediated*

Normal somatic growth requires that both the thyroid hormone axis and GH axis be intact. Thyroid hormone stimulates GH secretion, and many thyroid hormone actions on the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system can be explained by this mechanism. We have previously described distinct changes in IGF binding protein (IGFBP) expression in experimental hypothyroidism in the rat; these changes could be completely corrected by thyroid hormone replacement. To see if the effects of thyroid hormone on IGFBP expression are, in fact, indirect GH effects, we rendered both newborn and adult rats hypothyroid with methimazole treatment, and investigated whether we could correct the resulting IGF and IGFBP changes with GH replacement. The prolonged high expression of serum IGFBP-2 and liver IGFBP-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) during the perinatal period in hypothyroid rat pups could not be normalized by GH therapy, although serum IGF-I values (reduced to 54% of control levels in the hypothyroid animals) were brought up to control level. In adult hypothyroid rats, serum IGF-I concentrations (51% of control levels), were increased up to 79% of control levels, but not totally corrected, by GH therapy. Reduced IGFBP-3 expression (80% of control serum and 50% of control liver mRNA levels) in adult hypothyroid animals was normalized by GH, but there was no correction of the reduced IGFBP-4 serum levels (50% of control levels). Hepatic mRNA levels for the type 1 and 2 IGF receptors were not altered by hypothyroidism, or by thyroid or GH replacement. Somatic growth in hypothyroid pups and adults was only partially corrected by GH therapy. We conclude that GH treatment of hypothyroid animals normalized serum IGF-I levels in the hypothyroid rat pup, but did not correct their prolonged IGFBP-2 expression. In the mature animal, serum IGF-I levels were partially corrected and IGFBP-3 levels were normalized by GH, but no change could be induced in the reduced serum IGFBP-4 levels. All the above changes were normalized by thyroid hormone replacement. Thus, the effects of thyroid hormone on serum IGF levels and IGFBP-3 expression seem to be mediated indirectly via GH. The effects on IGFBP-2 ontogeny, and IGFBP-4 expression in the mature animal, however, are either direct thyroid hormone effects, or mediated by some other route, independent of GH, IGFs, or IGF receptors.
Sustained GM-CSF and PEI condensed pDNA presentation increases the level and duration of gene expression in dendritic cells

Current techniques to educate dendritic cells (DCs) ex vivo for immunotherapy are plagued by inefficient protocols and DC modifications are often transient and lost upon transplantation. This study investigated the role of sustained presentation of GM-CSF and PEI condensed pDNA (PEI-DNA) on gene transfer and long-term gene expression. Appropriate GM-CSF signaling during DC transfection promoted PEI-DNA uptake, although high cytokine concentrations induced intercellular DNA degradation, indicating the need for controlled presentation. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds that continuously stimulated DCs with both GM-CSF and PEI-DNA led to a 20-fold increase in gene expression, and high levels of expression persisted for a period of 10 days, in vitro. These results encourage the exploitation of biomaterials and GM-CSF to develop novel delivery vectors for genetically modified DCs or to genetically program host DCs in situ for vaccination and the treatment of autoimmunity.
Metabolism of Parathion by Two Species of Rhizobium

Parathion incubated with cultures of Rhizobium japonicum and R. meliloti was metabolized primarily by nitro-reduction; 85% of the initial parathion was reduced to amino parathion. About 10% of the parathion was hydrolyzed to O,O -diethyl phosphorothioic acid (DEPT A) Both amino parathion and DEPT A have negligible toxicity compared with parathion. Reduced glutathione enhanced the production of DEPTA, whereas NADPH2 was without effect. No paraoxon was detected. Rhizobial populations decreased under the influence of parathion.
An egg injection method for assessing early life stage mortality of polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls in rainbow trout, (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

To characterize the risk that polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and biphenyls (PCBs) pose to salmonid early life stage survival, we developed a method to expose rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) eggs to graded doses of PCDD, PCDF, and PCB congeners, using 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD) as a prototype. Rainbow trout eggs were injected 24–50 h post-fertil ization with 0.2 μl of 50 mM phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes (control) or 0.2 μl of 5–7 graded doses of TCDD incorporated into 50 mM PC liposomes. Injection volume never exceeded 0.6% egg volume. Immediately following injection, the injection site was sealed with Super glue R , resulting in 92–97% of TCDD dose retained by the egg. Following both egg injection and waterborne egg exposure. TCDD toxicity in rainbow trout was manifested by half-hatching mortality but predominantly by sac fry mortality associated with hemorrhages, pericardial edema, and yolk sac edema. TCDD LD 50 s, following injection and waterborne exposure of rainbow trout eggs, were 421 (331–489) and 439 (346–519) pg TCDD/g egg (LD 50 , 95% fiducial limits), respectively. As in rainbow trout, TCDD toxicity in lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) following the same two routes of exposure was manifested by half-hatching mortality but predominantly by sac fry mortality preceded by hemorrhages and yolk sac edema. LD 50 s, based on the dose of TCDD in lake trout eggs, were 47 (21–65) and 65 (60–71) pg/g following injection and waterborne exposure, respectively. The egg injection method is ideal for assessing the relationship between early life stage mortality in rainbow trout and graded egg doses of individual PCDD, PCDF, or PCB congeners.
How well can surgeons perform colonoscopy

Background: Little recent data exist relative to the efficacy or postprocedural complications of surgeons performing diagnostic or therapeutic colonoscopy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the outcome of colonoscopy performed by surgeons.
T.V. crooks: Implications of latent role models for theories of delinquency

Reviewing the literature on the effect of television viewing on behavior, the authors suggest that if indeed the content of television programs can encourage antisocial behavior in some groups of viewers, the image of crime and characteristics of criminal actors presented on television may play an important role in the adoption of criminal behavior by lower-class adolescents. Data are presented that indicate the variance between the view of crime presented by the television media and that found in official statistics. The implications of this discrepancy for models of delinquency are discussed.