cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wave arrival detection in acoustic well logs via the wigner distribution and generalized Allan Variance

Some of the first acoustic well logs were done in the 1950s by Vogel [l]. The tool (commonly called a sonde) used for these logs consisted of one transmitter and one or two receivers. At that time only a rudimentary knowledge of the acoustics of the borehole was known; however, it was known that the compressional wave in the formation would be the first to effect the received signal. Using this fact, the logs were developed to measure the compressional wave travel time through the formation. The present-day sonde employs two transmitters and two receivers, in order to obtain a more accurate measure of compressional travel times. It is apparent that compressional travel time is only a part of the information that is available from the acoustic log. Observing the time trace produced at a receiver, several different occurrences can be seen. These occurrences are the results of various wave types, including the compressional wave, the shear wave, and others. The characteristics of the various waves and how they relate to the surrounding formation is the subject of a great deal of research. A relationship between acoustic travel times and the porosity of the rock formation has been found. Also the ratio of the shear and compressional wave velocities can be related to the lithology of the surrounding formation. This paper explores techniques for the detection and measurement of the compressional and shear waves. First the Generalized Allan Variance is used to detect the compressional wave. The detection of the shear wave is complicated by the trailing end of the compressional wave, which covers the shear wave arrival. The arrival of the shear wave can be detected by applying nonstationary spectral analysis to the wavetrain and identifying the spectral character associated with the wave arrival. A second technique for measuring the shear wave velocity involving the processing of wavetrains from multiple receivers is described.
Bowel lengthening for short gut syndrome

A technique has been utilized that decreases the diameter of the intestine by one-half and doubles the length. In this procedure, no absorptive surface is sacrificed and no obstructing segments are interposed. Our experience demonstrates the feasibility of dividing the small bowel longitudinally and maintaining vascular integrity and peristaltic function. Further investigation in its clinical application appears indicated.
Malaria: immunity, vaccination and immunodiagnosis.

Immunite naturelle, immunite acquise, reponse humorale, immunite cellulaire, reponse immunologique a des antigenes paludeens definis, immunisation et vaccination, immunodiagnostic, isolement des anticorps, isolement des antigenes
Facile method to prepare smooth and homogeneous polymer brush surfaces of varied brush thickness and grafting density.

This Article describes a facile method to prepare smooth and homogeneous polymer brush surfaces of variable grafting density from a solid surface by combining Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) deposition with surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). This method is successfully demonstrated by the preparation of thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) brush surfaces on smooth silicon and quartz substrates. With the custom-synthesized inert diluent whose chemical structure, except end-functionality, is the same as that of the reactive initiator, smooth and chemically homogeneous mixed monolayers of initiators and inert diluents are immobilized on a solid surface by LB deposition, allowing the further variation of the grafting density of PNIPAM brushes grafted from the initiator monolayers of varied initiator coverage. With the optimized molar ratio of deactivator, Cu(II) in the Cu(I)-ligand catalyst complex, the brush thickness of PNIPAM brushes at varied grafting density is cont...
Topiramate in the Treatment of Comorbid Night Eating Syndrome and PTSD: A Case Study

Comorbid chronic sleepwalking with night eating syndrome and posttraumatic stress disorder were treated with topiramate for eight months in an obese 40-year-old woman. Central nervous system side effects of word-finding and memory difficulties were managed with dosage adjustments to a final dose of 100 mg HS. Treatment led to resolution of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, night eating episodes, and sleepwalking episodes, with a weight loss of 70 pounds.
Gains from Diversification

By now it has been firmly established that, under a variety of circumstances, risk averters should follow a policy of diversifying their investments. Several different theorems dealing with the conditions for diversification have recently appeared in the literature; for example [2], [3], [6]. The most general of these results says that if n assets are independently distributed, have equal means, and positive finite variances, the optimal portfolio for each risk averter includes some positive amount of each asset. The attractiveness of this theorem derives from the fact that optimality follows despite only weak conditions imposed on the distributions. The disadvantage is that it cannot identify any specific diversified portfolio which all risk averters would prefer to specialized ones. For unanimous ranking of portfolios stronger conditions are required, such as those used in the diversification theorems given in [2], [3]. For example, when two assets are identically distributed, any mixture of the two assets is preferred to a specialized portfolio by every risk averter. And in the case where the joint distribution of the individual assets is symmetric, the portfolio with an equal amount of each asset is the optimal portfolio for every risk averter. In this paper we consider the case where risk averters unanimously judge a particular asset to be superior to all other assets. Somewhat surprisingly, it turns out that risk averters will unanimously prefer certain diversified portfolios to specializing in the superior asset. This result holds if and only if the independently distributed prospects have equal means and the same range.
QSAR study of ortho-phenylphenol leukotriene B4 receptor antagonists

Abstract QSAR models for a series of o-phenylphenol LTB 4 receptor antagonist have been developed with regression analysis. These models related specific features, electronic, size and shape, of the substituent with biological activity. The models have predictive value and may be useful in assisting future synthetic direction within this series of compounds.
Simultaneous DPTV/PLIF measurements of a turbulent jet

Simultaneous measurements of instantaneous velocity and concentration fields were performed using digital particle tracking velocimetry and planar laser- induced fluorescence for a turbulent jet at a Reynolds number of 3000. The measurements of mean velocity, turbulent stresses, mean concentration, concentration variance, and turbulent flux of tracer all collapse onto self-similar profiles in the far field of the jet. The measurements showed excellent agreement with previous point velocity and concentration measurements. It is concluded that the system is an effective means of measuring the velocity and concentration distributions and turbulent characteristics.
Atrioventricular valve regurgitation at diagnosis in single-ventricle patients: does it affect longitudinal outcomes?

Introduction Significant atrioventricular valve regurgitation at diagnosis in single-ventricle patients has been associated with mortality and morbidity. However, longitudinal data on the effect of valve regurgitation at diagnosis on outcomes in the era of surgical valve interventions are scarce. Materials and methods This is a retrospective review of single-ventricle patients admitted to a regional centre from 2005 to 2008. Data were reviewed from birth to 18 months, and association of atrioventricular valve regurgitation at diagnosis with mortality and morbidity was evaluated. Results A total of 118 patients were studied, 73% with a single right ventricle. At diagnosis, 37 patients (31%) had mild, 5 (4%) had mild to moderate, and 4 (3%) had ≥ moderate atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Moderate or greater valve regurgitation was associated with mortality (HR 5.51, 95% CI 1.24–24.61, p = 0.025), and all four patients with ≥ moderate valve regurgitation died. However, valve regurgitation was not associated with mortality for left ventricle patients. In all, 12 patients (10%) had surgical atrioventricular valve interventions. There were no independent predictors of valve intervention, and no patient having an intervention had > mild valve regurgitation at diagnosis. There was no association between valve regurgitation and days of hospitalisation or chest tube drainage. Conclusion Significant atrioventricular valve regurgitation at diagnosis remains a risk factor for mortality in single-ventricle patients, although it may be less important for single left ventricle patients. However, it is not associated with increased morbidity or surgical atrioventricular valve intervention in survivors. Reliably predicting surgical atrioventricular valve intervention remains a challenge in single-ventricle patients.
Laser Deposition of In Situ Ti – TiB Composites

Due to their enhanced mechanical properties and potentially wide applicability, there is considerable interest in the development of metal-matrix composites consisting of titanium borides in a titanium alloy matrix. Despite the development of a variety of different processing routes for these composites, there are relatively few ones capable of processing a fully dense, near-net shape component with a relatively fine dispersion of boride precipitates. This paper will discuss the in situ laser deposition of Ti-TiB composites using the laser engineered net-shaping (LENS™) process from a blend of elemental titanium (or titanium alloy) and boron powders. The microstructure of the LENS™ deposited Ti-TiB composite has been compared with that of a conventionally cast in situ composite of the same composition. The conventionally cast composite exhibits a significantly coarser scale microstructure. Thus, the ability to produce a fine dispersion of TiB precipitates in dense Ti-TiB composites of near-net shape using LENS™ processing can be attributed to the rapid solidification effects during such processing.
UVA generates pyrimidine dimers in DNA directly.

There is increasing evidence that UVA radiation, which makes up ∼95% of the solar UV light reaching the Earth's surface and is also commonly used for cosmetic purposes, is genotoxic. However, in contrast to UVC and UVB, the mechanisms by which UVA produces various DNA lesions are still unclear. In addition, the relative amounts of various types of UVA lesions and their mutagenic significance are also a subject of debate. Here, we exploit atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging of individual DNA molecules, alone and in complexes with a suite of DNA repair enzymes and antibodies, to directly quantify UVA damage and reexamine its basic mechanisms at a single-molecule level. By combining the activity of endonuclease IV and T4 endonuclease V on highly purified and UVA-irradiated pUC18 plasmids, we show by direct AFM imaging that UVA produces a significant amount of abasic sites and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). However, we find that only ∼60% of the T4 endonuclease V-sensitive sites, which are commonly counted as CPDs, are true CPDs; the other 40% are abasic sites. Most importantly, our results obtained by AFM imaging of highly purified native and synthetic DNA using T4 endonuclease V, photolyase, and anti-CPD antibodies strongly suggest that CPDs are produced by UVA directly. Thus, our observations contradict the predominant view that as-yet-unidentified photosensitizers are required to transfer the energy of UVA to DNA to produce CPDs. Our results may help to resolve the long-standing controversy about the origin of UVA-produced CPDs in DNA.
Iontophoretic transport of acetate and carboxylate ions through hairless mouse skin. A cation exchange membrane model

Abstract As models for transdermal iontophoretic drug delivery, carboxylate anions were electrochemically driven from aqueous solutions across excised hairless mouse skin into aqueous buffer solutions. The flux of 14C-anions was measured. Using [14C]acetate, the flux increased as the current increased, as the acetate concentration in the donor solution increased, as the pH of the donor solution decreased, or if the donor solution was not stirred. The composition of the receptor solution had little effect on the acetate flux, as did turning the skin backwards. Under the same conditions, a comparison of the efficiencies of carboxylate delivery showed acetate > hexanoate > dodecanoate. Acetate delivery through the perfluorosulfonic acid cation-exchange membrane, Nafion, was studied for comparison. The mouse skin results are interpreted in terms of iontophoretically driven acetate delivery through essentially aqueous pathways with similarities to transport through cation-exchange membranes.
Moisture and soil texture effects on soil CO2 efflux components in southeastern mixed pine forests

Abstract Monitoring soil CO 2 efflux rates and identifying controlling factors, such as forest composition or soil texture, can help guide forest management and will likely gain relevance as atmospheric CO 2 continues to increase. We examined soil CO 2 efflux and potential controlling factors in managed mixed pine forests in southwestern Georgia. Soil CO 2 efflux was monitored periodically in two stands that differed in soil texture in 2001 and 2002, and in six additional stands in 2003. We also monitored controlling factors: soil temperature, moisture, organic layer mass, and A layer depth. Soil moisture and CO 2 efflux varied with soil texture differences among the stands. As expected, soil temperature had a strong influence on soil CO 2 efflux. Soil moisture, organic layer mass, and A layer depth also were correlated with soil CO 2 efflux during periods of water stress, but these relationships differed with soil texture. Forest management activities can alter components of soil CO 2 efflux, including soil carbon pools, temperature, and moisture; understanding the underlying variation of these components and resultant CO 2 efflux over soil types can help guide management toward desired forest carbon balance trends in southeastern mixed pine forests.
Kinetic and mechanistic characterization of the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a glycolytic protein responsible for the conversion of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P), inorganic phosphate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate (1,3-BPG) and the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). Here we report the characterization of GAPDH from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). This enzyme exhibits a kinetic mechanism in which first NAD+, then G3P bind to the active site resulting in the formation of a covalently bound thiohemiacetal intermediate. After oxidation of the thiohemiacetal and subsequent nucleotide exchange (NADH off, NAD+ on), the binding of inorganic phosphate and phosphorolysis yields the product 1,3-BPG. Mutagenesis and iodoacetamide (IAM) inactivation studies reveal the conserved C158 to be responsible for nucleophilic catalysis and that the conserved H185 to act as a catalytic base. Primary, solvent and multiple kinetic isotope effects revealed that the first half-reaction is rate limiting and utilizes a step-wise mechanism for thiohemiacetal oxidation via a transient alkoxide to promote hydride transfer and thioester formation.
Sacral neuromodulation in diabetic patients: success and complications in the treatment of voiding dysfunction.

Aims We compared success rates, subsequent complications, and possible indications for success of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for urinary voiding dysfunction in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Methods Thirty-two diabetic patients (mean age 61.8 years, range 27-83) with urge incontinence, urgency-frequency syndrome, and/or urinary retention refractory to non-surgical treatment were retrospectively evaluated along with 211 non-diabetic patients (mean age 54.1 years, range 20-86) with similar symptoms. All patients who experienced >or=50% reduction in urinary symptoms following a 7- to 21-day test period went on to permanent SNM device implantation. Results No significant difference was found with respect to successful conversion rates from the test period to permanent implantation between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Long-term success rates at a mean followup of 29.3 months following permanent device implantation for diabetic patients were 69.2% of those with urge incontinence, 85.7% of those with urgency-frequency, and 66.7% of those with urinary retention. The non-diabetic cohort had success rates of 67.0% for urge incontinence, 67.8% for urgency/frequency, and 58.2% for urinary retention (P = 0.823, 0.157, and 0.631, respectively). No patient experienced intraoperative complications. Nine of 24 (37.5%) devices were explanted postoperatively in diabetic patients compared with 36 of 141 (25.5%) in non-diabetic patients (P = 0.224). The number of explants due to infection was higher in diabetic patients (16.7%) versus non-diabetic patients (4.3%; P = 0.018). Conclusions No difference in long-term success rates was seen in diabetic patients when compared with similar, non-diabetic patients. Diabetic patients did, however, have a higher incidence of device explantation due to infection.
Abstract A29: MIF controls human myeloid-derived immunosuppressive phenotype/function in melanoma educated CD14+ monocytes

Tumors suppress the host immune system by employing a variety of cellular immune modulators such as regulatory T cells, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Recently, MDSCs have been recognized as critically important cellular immune modulators that serve to suppress both innate and adaptive immune responses in a wide variety of human malignancies. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is one the oldest cytokine activities described and is an important determinant of both innate and adaptive immune responses. Recent studies by our group revealed that MDSCs isolated from melanoma-bearing MIF-deficient mice are substantially less immunosuppressive than those isolated from MIF wildtype mice and these phenotypes correspond to significantly reduced primary and metastatic melanoma growth and progression. Importantly, 4-iodo-6-phenylpyrimidine (4-IPP – our previously discovered small MIF inhibitor) fully recapitulates MIF-deficiency in vitro and in vivo and serves to attenuate MDSC immunosuppression and melanoma disease progression in mice. To investigate whether MIF participates in human melanoma-induced MDSC differentiation and/or suppressive functions, an in vitro MDSC induction model was established using normal, primary human monocytes co-cultured with human melanoma cell lines in the presence or absence of the MIF antagonist, 4-IPP. Our studies suggest that the induction of CD14+/CD33+/HLADRlo/- myeloid-suppressive cells recently shown to represent the bulk of immunosuppressive activity in late stage melanoma patients is largely dependent on MIF. Importantly, small molecule inhibition of MIF in these MDSC-like cells almost completely abolishes their ability to suppress proliferation and IFN-gamma production by autologous T cells. Further, MIF-dependent suppressive activity of MDSCs is regulated via an NADPH oxidase induced ROS-mediated signaling mechanism. Finally, we demonstrate that small molecule inhibitors of MIF attenuate the suppressive properties of circulating CD14+/HLADRlo/- MDSCs isolated from stage III/IV melanoma patients confirming MIF as a critical mediator of MDSC-dependent immunosuppression in patients with advanced stage melanoma. These studies using human, clinically relevant experimental melanoma models lend strong support to the rationale that therapeutic inhibition of MIF in human melanoma MDSCs is a novel and clinically viable approach to enhancing anti-tumor T cell immunity in advanced melanoma patients. Citation Format: Kavitha Yaddanapudi, Beatriz E. Rendon, Gwyneth J. Lamont, John W. Eaton, Robert A. Mitchell. MIF controls human myeloid-derived immunosuppressive phenotype/function in melanoma educated CD14+ monocytes. [abstract]. In: Abstracts: AACR Special Conference on Cellular Heterogeneity in the Tumor Microenvironment; 2014 Feb 26-Mar 1; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A29. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.CHTME14-A29
Human Neutrophils Employ the Myeloperoxidase-Hydrogen Peroxide-Chloride System to Oxidize α-Amino Acids to a Family of Reactive Aldehydes MECHANISTIC STUDIES IDENTIFYING LABILE INTERMEDIATES ALONG THE REACTION PATHWAY

We have recently demonstrated that neutrophils oxidize nearly all of the amino acids commonly found in plasma to a corresponding family of aldehydes in high yield. The reaction is mediated by hypochlorous acid (HOCl), the major oxidant generated by the myeloperoxidase-H2O2-Cl−system of phagocytes. We now present evidence for the underlying mechanism of this reaction, including the structural requirements and reaction intermediates formed. Utilizing mass spectrometry and isotopically labeled amino acids, we rule out hydrogen atom abstraction from the α-carbon as the initial event in aldehyde formation during amino acid oxidation, a pathway known to occur with ionizing radiation. Aldehyde generation from amino acids required the presence of an α-amino moiety; β- and e-amino acids did not form aldehydes upon oxidation by either the myeloperoxidase system or HOCl, generating stable monochloramines instead. UV difference spectroscopy, high pressure liquid chromatography, and multinuclear (1H,15N) NMR spectroscopy established that the conversion of α-amino acids into aldehydes begins with generation of an unstable α-monochloramine, which subsequently decomposes to yield an aldehyde. Precursor product relationships between α-amino acid and α-monochloramine, and α-monochloramine and aldehyde were confirmed by high pressure liquid chromatography purification of the reaction intermediate and subsequent 1H and 15N NMR spectroscopy. Collectively, these results detail the chemical mechanism and reaction intermediates generated during conversion of amino acids into aldehydes by myeloperoxidase-generated HOCl.
Increased neurotrophin production in a Penicillium chrysogenum-induced allergic asthma model in mice.

Neurotrophins, including nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin (NT)-3, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many features and symptoms of asthma. The role of neurotrophins in fungal allergic asthma, however, is unknown. Repeated pulmonary challenge with Penicillium chrysogenum extract (PCE) induces dose-dependent allergic asthma-like responses in mice. The aim of this study was to investigate whether neurotrophins are involved in the PCE-induced allergic airway response in mice. Mice were exposed to 10, 20, 50, or 70 μg PCE by involuntary aspiration 4 times over 1 mo. Bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected immediately before and after the final exposure. The levels of NGF, NT-3, and NT-4 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The lungs were fixed and processed for immunohistochemical examination of NGF production. PCE-exposed mice had dose-dependent increases in NGF, NT-3, and NT-4 in both BALF and sera. Exposures ...
Hydrogen tunneling in enzyme reactions

Primary and secondary protium-to-tritium (H/T) and deuterium-to-tritium (D/T) kinetic isotope effects for the catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde by yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (YADH) at 25 degrees Celsius have been determined. Previous studies showed that this reaction is nearly or fully rate limited by the hydrogen-transfer step. Semiclassical mass considerations that do not include tunneling effects would predict that kH/kT = (kD/kT)3.26, where kH, kD, and kT are the rate constants for the reaction of protium, deuterium, and tritium derivatives, respectively. Significant deviations from this relation have now been observed for both primary and especially secondary effects, such that experimental H/T ratios are much greater than those calculated from the above expression. These deviations also hold in the temperature range from 0 to 40 degrees Celsius. Such deviations were previously predicted to result from a reaction coordinate containing a significant contribution from hydrogen tunneling.
Relationships between Bulb Size, Apex Size and Flowering in Bulbous Iris cv. Ideal

Large, retarded bulbs of the Iris cv. Ideal flower readily after exposure to appropriate preplanting conditions, whereas smaller bulbs flower with decreased frequency. Flower initiation occurs when apices from large, retarded bulbs are cultured on either Murashige-Skoog medium supplemented with gibberellic acid, or on the same medium without gibberellic acid on which scales from large bulbs have been incubated. Since floral initiation seldom occurs in explants from small bulbs, it is likely that reduced flowering of small bulbs relates in part to characteristics of the apical meristem. Apical dome diameter is one characteristic of retarded (and freshly dug) bulbs that is positively correlated with bulb size. However, whereas prolonged storage at retarding temperature increases the frequency of flowering of smaller bulbs, there is not a concomitant increase in apical dome diameter. Moreover, the ratio of apical dome diameter to bulb size in freshly dug bulbs does not increase measurably with later digging date indicating that apical dome size is not correlated with bulb maturity.
The Federal Response to Child Abuse and Neglect.

Addressing the problem of child maltreatment is a high priority for the Clinton administration. Guided by the principles of safety, permanency, and the child's well-being, the Administration on Children and Families (ACF) has made great strides in improving the lives of maltreated children. Critical programs administered by ACF include the Adoption and Safe Families Act, Community-Based Family Resource and Support Program grants, Children's Justice Act programs, and Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act research and demonstration projects. Projects serve both to expand existing programs and to develop innovative approaches. ACF has also sponsored several multidisciplinary national conferences designed to generate a sense of shared responsibility and a renewed commitment to solving problems of child abuse and neglect. Language: en
Ketoconazole inhibition and glucocorticoid action in the human lymphoblastic leukemia cell line CEM-C7.

Abstract The antifungal drug, ketoconazole, was reported to antagonize the induction of the enzyme tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) by glucocorticoids in hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells, and to compete with glucocorticoids for binding to the glucocorticoid receptor. Since glucocorticoids inhibit the growth of the human leukemia cell line CEM-C7, ketoconazole might be expected to reverse this inhibition. Unexpectedly, ketoconazole inhibited CEM-C7 cell growth without utilizing glucocorticoid receptors. This was confirmed by ketoconazole inhibition of the growth of a receptor-less subline of CEM-C7 cells which are insensitive to glucocorticoids. Ketoconazole competed with triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for binding to the glucocorticoid receptor in cell-free supernatant prepared from CEM-C7 cells, but this was greatly reduced if ketoconazole and TA were incubated with intact cells prior to preparation of the cell-free supernatant. Ketoconazole inhibited induction by TA of the enzyme glutamine synthetase only at concentrations of 45–90 μM. We conclude that ketoconazole antagonism of glucocorticoid activity in CEM-C7 cells is probably not of pharmacologic significance due to the large concentrations required, and its reduced interaction with receptors in intact cells. The growth inhibitory activity of ketoconazole may be of interest in cancer chemotherapy.
Topographic intermingling of striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons in the rhesus monkey.

The topography and interrelationship of striatofugal neurons have been examined using a double retrograde tracing paradigm to label striatopallidal and striatonigral neurons in the same neostriatum. The rostral globus pallidus and the rostral substantia nigra in the same hemisphere were injected simultaneously with fluorescent tracers in three monkeys. In addition, the caudal globus pallidus and the caudal substantia nigra were injected separately in a fourth and fifth monkey with a fluorescent dye and wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP), respectively. Digitized plots of fluorescent dye-labeled neurons revealed that large numbers of striatonigral projection neurons lie within both neostriatal nuclei, i.e., the caudate and putamen. Similarly, neurons innervating the globus pallidus were found in both caudate and putamen. The distribution of retrogradely labeled neurons observed was consistent with the topography of striatofugal projections that has been described previously, i.e., the rostrocaudal and mediolateral axes of the neostriatum are preserved in the striatopallidal and striatonigral projections (e.g., Szabo, '62, '67, 70, '72) and the dorsoventral axis is inverted in the projection of the neostriatum onto the nigra but not in the striatopallidal projection (Nauta and Domesick, '79; Gerfen, '85). Analysis of cases in which striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons were present in large numbers within the same region of the neostriatum disclosed that the two populations are intermingled such that small clusters of striatopallidal neurons are surrounded by striatonigral neurons and vice versa. The clustered arrangement of striatofugal neurons observed in the fluorescent cases was unambiguous in a case in which HRP was injected into the caudal substantia nigra. In this case, both anterogradely labeled terminals and retrogradely labeled neurons exhibited a striking, compartmental-like distribution in the posterior putamen. Our observations indicate that the matrix compartment of the neostriatum is comprised of a patchwork of interposed clusters of nigral and pallidal efferent neurons. We hypothesize that these clusters of efferent neurons may direct interdigitated cortical inputs into distinct nigro-and pallido-thalamic pathways. In view of the parallel nature of processing throughout the basal ganglia, it appears that convergence of these segregated nigral and pallidal loops must occur at the cortical level where prefrontal and premotor targets of the basal ganglia are interconnected via corticocortical projections (Selemon and Goldman-Rakic, '88).
Collaborative Planning by Metropolitan Planning Organizations A Test of Causal Theory

More than twenty years of case study research have produced a rich theoretical framework for understanding the outcomes that can be achieved through effective collaborative planning and the starting conditions, process characteristics, and participant attributes and behaviors that can facilitate achieving those outcomes. Multivariate modeling of collaborative development of draft long-range transportation plans by the technical advisory committees of 88 U.S. metropolitan planning organizations supports nearly all of the hypotheses that have emerged from this case study literature. In this context, however, while consensus building best practices contribute significantly to success, formal consensus-based decision making emerges as not critical.
Epimorphin-induced MET sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to platinum.

Distinctive genotypic and phenotypic features of ovarian cancer via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) have been correlated with drug resistance and disease recurrence. We investigated whether therapeutic reversal of EMT could re-sensitize ovarian cancer cells (OCCs) to existing chemotherapy. We report that epimorphin, a morphogenic protein, has pivotal control over mesenchymal versus epithelial cell lineage decision of the putative OCCs. Exposure to epimorphin induced morphological changes reminiscent of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), but in a dose dependent manner, i.e., at 10 µg/mL of epimorphin cells obtain a more mesenchymal-like morphology while at 20 µg/mL of epimorphin cells display an epithelial morphology. The latter changes were accompanied by suppression of mesenchymal markers, such as vimentin (~8-fold↓, p<0.02), Twist1 (~7-fold↓, p<0.03), dystroglycan (~4-fold↓, p<0.01) and palladin (~3-fold↓, p<0.01). Conversely, significant elevations of KLF4 (~28-fold↑, p<0.002), β-catenin (~6-fold↑, p<0.004), EpCAM (~6-fold↑, p<0.0002) and occludin (~15-fold↑, p<0.004) mRNAs as part of the commitment to the epithelial cell lineage were detected in response to 20 µg/mL of exogenous epimorphin. Changes in occludin mRNA levels were accompanied by a parallel, albeit weaker expression at the protein level (~5-fold↑, p<0.001). Likewise, acquisition of epithelial-like properties, including mucin1, CK19, and β-catenin gene expression, was also obtained following epimorphin treatment. Further, MMP3 production was found to be reduced whereas laminin secretion was strongly amplified upon epimorphin-induced MET. These results suggest there is a dosage window for actions of epimorphin on cellular differentiation, wherein it can either suppress or enhance epithelial differentiation of OCCs. Importantly, induction of epithelial-like phenotypes by epimorphin led to an enhanced sensitivity to carboplatin. Overall, we demonstrate that epimorphin can revert OCCs away from their mesenchymal phenotype and toward an epithelial phenotype, thereby enhancing their sensitivity to a front-line chemotherapeutic agent.
Evidence of convergent character displacement in release vocalizations of Bufo fowleri and Bufo terrestris (Anura; Bufonidae)

Anuran release vocalizations prevent prolonged amplexus of males by conspecific and heterospecific males, whereas advertisement vocalizations potentially act as a premating isolation mechanism. Selection favouring prompt release during heterospecific amplexus should result in convergent character displacement in release vocalizations. Conversely, selection should produce divergent character displacement in advertisement vocalizations. I examined call properties important to mate recognition from release and advertisement vocalizations of allopatric and sympatric populations of Bufo fowleri and B. terrestris to determine whether the two calls exhibit opposing patterns of character displacement. Results indicated convergent character displacement in the periodicity of release vocalizations (a measure equal to the inverse of pulse rate and an estimate of release vibration rate). The periodicity of advertisement vocalizations was significantly displaced from the allopatric character state resulting in greater divergence in sympatry. However, this parameter was already largely divergent in allopatry and, therefore, results were not consistent with the pattern expected for divergent character displacement. The dominant frequency of sympatric advertisement vocalizations was not significantly displaced from allopatry. Results for advertisement vocalizations provided evidence that convergence of release vocalizations was not the result of hybridization. There was no evidence that clinal variation accounted for displacement of call characteristics. Convergent character displacement in the periodicity of release vocalizations may facilitate interspecific communication during heterospecific amplexus, whereas divergent advertisement vocalizations promote species isolation.  2001 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
New practices in computational modeling.

In this issue of Clinical Cancer Research, Hu et al. (1) present a specific physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study of doxorubicin in the dog, in which the investigators have improved a few critical elements of the traditional physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic
K317, R319, and E320 within the proximal C‐terminus of the bradykinin B2 receptor form a motif important for phospholipase C and phospholipase A2 but not connective tissue growth factor related signaling

We showed previously that large domain exchanges between the bradykinin B2 (BKB2) and angiotensin II type 1a (AT1a) receptors can result in functional hybrids. However, when we proceeded to exchange the entire bradykinin B2 receptor (BKB2R) C-terminal tail with the AT1aR C-terminus, the hybrid, while continuing to bind BK and be endocytosed as wild type (WT) BKB2R, lost much of its ability to activate phosphatidylinositol (PI) turnover or the release of arachidonic acid (ARA). In this study, we constructed chimeric receptors within the proximal C-terminus between the BKB2R and AT1aR or bradykinin B1 receptor (BKB1R). The mutant and WT receptor cDNAs were stably transfected into Rat-1 cells. Also, point mutations were generated to evaluate the role of the individual residues within this region. These chimeric studies revealed that the proximal portion of the BKB2R C-tail is crucial for G protein-linked BKB2R functions. This region could not be swapped with the AT1aR to obtain a BK activated PI turnover or ARA release. Further studies demonstrated that the distal portion (325–330) of this region is exchangeable; however, the middle portion (317–324) is not. Small motif exchanges within this section identified the KSR and EVY motifs as crucial for Gαq, Gαi related signaling of the BKB2R. Point mutations then showed that the charged amino acids K317, R319, and E320 are the residues critical for linking to PI turnover and ARA release. However, these proximal chimeras showed normal receptor uptake. Interestingly, while apparently not activating G protein-linked signaling, the proximal tail AT1aR exchange mutant and the entire C-terminus exchange hybrid continued to cause a substantial bradykinin effected increase in connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA level, as WT BKB2R. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Repeatability and consistency of female preference behaviours in a northern swordtail, Xiphophorus nigrensis

Informative and reliable measures of mate choice are essential for accurately identifying female preference patterns across species. Here we identify female receptivity behaviours in mate choice experiments in a species of northern swordtails, Xiphophorus nigrensis, and quantify repeatability and consistency of different female preference indexes (association time and receptivity behaviour). We first identified receptivity behaviour by examining female behaviours towards males in both viewing-only (barrier) and free-ranging (barrier-free) trials. Receptivity behaviours were identified as behaviours that females displayed in the barrier-free environment preceding putative copulation events. Female glide response was significantly correlated with association time in the barrier trials, and was also the most frequently displayed female behaviour in both barrier and barrier-free trials. A second experiment examined the consistency and repeatability of these preference indexes in X. nigrensis females for large versus small males on three different days. Repeatability (intraclass correlation, r) and individual consistency (coefficient of variation) for each preference index (association time and glides) were compared across 15 females. Females showing the strongest preference for males also displayed the greatest consistency in behavioural responses across trials. Repeatability estimates were much higher for association time (r = 0.322) than they were for glides (r = −0.088). Overall, our results indicate that while both glides and association time identify preferences across females, association time represents a more consistent and repeatable estimate of preference.
In‐Depth Look: Anti‐TNF‐α Therapies

Today, anti -tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) drugs are being successfully used in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Crohn's disease. In later years, research showed that TNF-α is involved in the progression of cancer in many other ways besides causing cancer-associated cachexia. Anti-TNF-α therapy aiming to block TNF-α, directly or indirectly, is now being investigated for treatment as well as for supportive care in cancer patients. Currently, it appears to be one of the promising approaches in resistant and nonresistant tumors as well as for cancer-associated cachexia. This chapter will review some of the approaches being exploited to block TNF-α and the anti-TNF-α drugs that have made it to clinical trials or have been approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for anticancer therapy. Keywords: anti -tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) drugs; rheumatoid arthritis (RA); Crohn's disease; cancer-associated cachexia
Test Anxiety Interventions for Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Treatment Studies from 2000–2010

High-stakes tests have played an increasingly important role in how student achievement and school effectiveness are measured. Test anxiety has risen with the use of tests in educational decision making. Students with high test anxiety perform poorly on tests when compared to students with low test anxiety. School psychologists can play an important role as experts both in tests and measurement and mental health in providing consultation and treatment for students with test anxiety. This article describes the results of a systematic literature review of the last 10 years of test-anxiety interventions. Results indicate that there are few studies that have examined test-anxiety interventions with elementary and secondary school students. However, techniques including biofeedback, behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, priming competency, and mixed approaches have demonstrated promising results. Suggestions are made for school psychologists for the delivery of evidenced-based test anxiety interventions.
Instruction scheduling for low power on dynamically variable voltage processors

Low power design has become an essential ingredient of modern VLSI design. In this paper, we consider low power design at the circuit and behavioral levels, and in particular, scheduling operations on dynamically variable voltage functional units. Previous attempts did not consider instruction latencies and pipelining effects in scheduling. We propose a timing-constrained and a resource-constrained instruction scheduling algorithm for low power on pipelined functional units considering instruction latencies. Experimental results from scheduling the operations of a digital lattice filter demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm.
“Seeing” and “Hearing” in a Deaf–Blind World: Laura Bridgman’s Legacy (Review Essay)

Books reviewed in this article: Ernest Freeberg, The Education of Laura Bridgman: The First Deaf and Blind Person to Learn Language Elisabeth Gitter, The Imprisoned Guest: Samuel Howe and Laura Bridgman, the Original Deaf–Blind Girl
Physical activity and risk of inflammatory bowel disease: prospective study from the Nurses’ Health Study cohorts

Objective To examine the association between physical activity and risk of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Simple Mean-Field Theory for a Zero-Temperature Fermionic Gas at a Feshbach Resonance

We present a simple two-channel mean-field theory for a zero-temperature two-component Fermi gas in the neighborhood of a Feshbach resonance. Our results agree with recent experiments on the bare-molecule fraction as a function of magnetic field [Partridge et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 020404 (2005)]. Even in this strongly coupled gas of $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$, the experimental results depend on the structure of the molecules formed in the Feshbach resonance and, therefore, are not universal.
A mid year comparison study of career satisfaction and emotional states between residents and faculty at one academic medical center

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's (ACGME) new requirements raise multiple challenges for academic medical centers. We sought to evaluate career satisfaction, emotional states, positive and negative experiences, work hours and sleep among residents and faculty simultaneously in one academic medical center after implementation of the ACGME duty hour requirements. Residents and faculty (1330) in the academic health center were asked to participate in a confidential survey; 72% of the residents and 66% of the faculty completed the survey. Compared to residents, faculty had higher levels of satisfaction with career choice, competence, importance and usefulness; lower levels of anxiousness and depression. The most positive experiences for both groups corresponded to strong interpersonal relationships and educational value; most negative experiences to poor interpersonal relationships and issues perceived outside of the physician's control. Approximately 13% of the residents and 14% of the faculty were out of compliance with duty hour requirements. Nearly 5% of faculty reported working more than 100 hours per week. For faculty who worked 24 hour shifts, nearly 60% were out of compliance with the duty-hour requirements. Reasons for increased satisfaction with career choice, positive emotional states and experiences for faculty compared to residents are unexplained. Earlier studies from this institution identified similar positive findings among advanced residents compared to more junior residents. Faculty are more frequently at risk for duty-hour violations. If patient safety is of prime importance, faculty, in particular, should be compliant with the duty hour requirements. Perhaps the ACGME should contain faculty work hours as part of its regulatory function.
Simulation of Human Motion Data using Short-Horizon Model-Predictive Control

Many data-driven animation techniques are capable of producing high quality motions of human characters. Few techniques, however, are capable of generating motions that are consistent with physically simulated environments. Physically simulated characters, in contrast, are automatically consistent with the environment, but their motions are often unnatural because they are difficult to control. We present a model-predictive controller that yields natural motions by guiding simulated humans toward real motion data. During simulation, the predictive component of the controller solves a quadratic program to compute the forces for a short window of time into the future. These forces are then applied by a low-gain proportional-derivative component, which makes minor adjustments until the next planning cycle. The controller is fast enough for interactive systems such as games and training simulations. It requires no precomputation and little manual tuning. The controller is resilient to mismatches between the character dynamics and the input motion, which allows it to track motion capture data even where the real dynamics are not known precisely. The same principled formulation can generate natural walks, runs, and jumps in a number of different physically simulated surroundings.