cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 are variable in breast cancer and benign stem/progenitor cell populations.

Estrogen receptor positive breast cancers have high recurrence rates despite tamoxifen therapy. Breast cancer stem/progenitor cells (BCSCs) initiate tumors, but expression of estrogen (ER) or progesterone receptors (PR) and response to tamoxifen is unknown. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) may influence tumor response to therapy but expression in BCSCs is also unknown. BCSCs were isolated from breast cancer and benign surgical specimens based on CD49f/CD24 markers. CD44 was measured. Gene and protein expression of ER alpha, ER beta, PR, IL-6 and IL-8 were measured by proximity ligation assay and qRT-PCR. Gene expression was highly variable between patients. On average, BCSCs expressed 10-106 fold less ERα mRNA and 10-103 fold more ERβ than tumors or benign stem/progenitor cells (SC). BCSC lin-CD49f−CD24−cells were the exception and expressed higher ERα mRNA. PR mRNA in BCSCs averaged 10-104 fold less than in tumors or benign tissue, but was similar to benign SCs. ERα and PR protein detection in BCSCs was lower than ER positive and similar to ER negative tumors. IL-8 mRNA was 10-104 higher than tumor and 102 fold higher than benign tissue. IL-6 mRNA levels were equivalent to benign and only higher than tumor in lin-CD49f−CD24−cells. IL-6 and IL-8 proteins showed overlapping levels of expressions among various tissues and cell populations. BCSCs and SCs demonstrate patient-specific variability of gene/protein expression. BCSC gene/protein expression may vary from that of other tumor cells, suggesting a mechanism by which hormone refractory disease may occur.
THE US NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Abstract The formation of national committees for psychological science is an important movement both for the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS) and for the psychological communities of several countries. This is an account for the formation and activities of the US National Committee for the IUPsyS (USNC/IUPsyS). The National Academy of Sciences, USA, was the first academy or similar organization to become a national member of IUPsyS, and the USNC is the first national committee to implement the membership of an academy or similar body in IUPsyS. The history of the USNC/IUPsyS will be told within the context of the larger movement.
Interaction of electromagnetic waves with periodic gratings: Enhanced fields and the reflectivity

We present results of calculations of the reflectivity of diffraction gratings of sawtooth profile, and of electric fields near such gratings. We employ a method based on the use of the extinction theorem, and the grating amplitude is not assumed small. This approach also allows one to calculate the electric fields within the selvedge region of the grating. We place emphasis on frequency regimes where the grating couples an incoming photon to a surface polariton on the grating. The implications of our results for the study of optical interactions on surfaces are discussed.
Aerosol Fluorescence Spectrum Analyzer for Rapid Measurement of Single Micrometer-Sized Airborne Biological Particles

ABSTRACT We report the operation of an aerosol analyzer capable of measuring the fluorescence spectra of single micrometer-sized bioaerosol particles as they flow through the instrument. Particles entrained in an airstream initially traverse a cw (continuous wave) (488 nm) “trigger” laser beam where their elastic scattering and total fluorescence is measured with photomultipliers. When the elastic scattering and/or fluorescence signals exceed preset levels, a 266 nm UV “probe” laser is triggered to fire and illuminate preselected particles downstream from the trigger laser. The UV laser-excited spectra of particles are measured with the instrument's image-intensified CCD detector that is gated to be on when the probe laser fires. We demonstrate the ability of the instrument to capture the fluorescence spectra of single micrometer-sized airborne biological particles. Such spectra should be useful in differentiating between biological and nonbiological aerosols and in partially characterizing airborne biolo...
Benefits of term delivery in infants with antenatally diagnosed gastroschisis.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that term gestation offers the best outcome. The relationship between gestational age and the extent of bowel injury in fetuses with gastroschisis is a matter of debate. Early delivery and cesarean delivery have been recommended to limit intestinal damage, but their benefits are unclear. METHODS: Data on all patients with gastroschisis seen at our institution from 1991 through 2001 were included. Patients were compared based on gestational age: less than 35 weeks, 35–37 weeks, and term (more than 37 weeks) with regard to age at definitive closure, age at first and full feedings, and hospital stay. Statistical significance (P RESULTS: Of the 57 patients, 19.3%, 43.8%, and 36.9% were born at less than 35 weeks, 35–37 weeks, and more than 37 weeks, respectively. Age at definitive closure was significantly higher at 35–37 weeks (5.9 ± 4.6 days) than at more than 37 weeks (1.5 ± 2.3 days) and less than 35 weeks (2.6 ± 2.5 days) (P CONCLUSION: Based on a homogeneous cohort of patients in whom gastroschisis was diagnosed antenatally, term delivery results in earlier closure of the defect and shorter time to full feedings. The benefit of early delivery postulated by others cannot be substantiated.
Developmental expression of the amphioxus Tbx1 / 10 gene illuminates the evolution of vertebrate branchial arches and sclerotome

We have isolated an amphioxus T-box gene that is orthologous to the two vertebrate genes, Tbx1 and Tbx10, and examined its expression pattern during embryonic and early larval development. AmphiTbx1/10 is first expressed in branchial arch endoderm and mesoderm of developing neurulae, and in a bilateral, segmented pattern in the ventral half of newly formed somites. Branchial expression is restricted to the first three branchial arches, and disappears completely by 4 days post fertilization. Ventral somitic expression is restricted to the first 10–12 somites, and is not observed in early larvae except in the most ventral mesoderm of the first three branchial arches. No expression can be detected by 4 days post fertilization. Integrating functional, phylogenetic and expression data from amphioxus and a variety of vertebrate model organisms, we have reconstructed the early evolutionary history of the Tbx1/10 subfamily of genes within the chordate lineage. We conclude that Tbx1/10-mediated branchial arch endoderm and mesoderm patterning functions predated the origin of neural crest, and that ventral somite specification functions predated the origin of vertebrate sclerotome, but that Tbx1 was later co-opted during the evolution of developmental programs regulating branchial neural crest and sclerotome migration.
A Note on Income Inequality in East and Central Europe

This paper examines the proposition that the transition process to a capitalist economic system in Eastern and Central European nations has introduced greater income inequality than in long-time capitalist nations at similar stages of development. In the empirical analysis, I use comparable inequality data from the Luxembourg Income Study, hold constant a number of general causal determinants of inequality, and show that such inequality in Eastern and Central Europe is significantly less than in nations where capitalism has long held sway.
Transmembrane transforming growth factor-α tethers to the PDZ domain-containing, Golgi membrane-associated protein p59/GRASP55

Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) and related proteins represent a family of transmembrane growth factors with representatives in flies and worms. Little is known about the transport of TGF-α and other transmembrane growth factors to the cell surface and its regulation. p59 was purified as a cytoplasmic protein, which at endogenous levels associates with transmembrane TGF-α. cDNA cloning of p59 revealed a 452 amino acid sequence with two PDZ domains. p59 is myristoylated and palmitoylated, and associates with the Golgi system, where it co-localizes with TGF-α. Its first PDZ domain interacts with the C-terminus of transmembrane TGF-α and select transmembrane proteins. p59 is the human homolog of GRASP55, which is structurally related to GRASP65. GRASP55 and GRASP65 have been shown to play a role in stacking of the Golgi cisternae in vitro. C-terminal mutations of transmembrane TGF-α, which decrease or abolish the interaction with p59, also strongly impair cell surface expression of TGF-α. Our observations suggest a role for membrane tethering of p59/GRASP55 to select transmembrane proteins, including TGF-α, in maturation and transport to the cell surface.
Beyond easy answers: facing the entanglements of violence and psychosis.

Edited byMona M. Shattell, RN, PhDDePaul University, School of Nursing, Chicago, Illinois, USAEdited byMichelle Cleary, RN, PhDSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney, Sydney,...
Vibration control of band saws: theory and experiment.

Active vibration control is a key to the improvement of the cutting performance and productivity of band saws. In this paper a new method is presented for active control of band saw vibration. The transfer function of a closed-loop system consisting of the band saw, a feedback control law and the dynamics of the sensing and force actuation devices is derived. Analysis of the root loci of the closed-loop system gives two stability criteria. Stabilizing controller design is carried out for both collocation and dislocation of the sensors and actuators. It is found that vibration in all the modes can be damped through use of only one sensor and one actuator and that the control algorithms presented are realizable in practice. The theory presented is experimentally verified.
Assessment of passive safety system performance under gravity driven cooling system drain line break accident

Abstract A generation III+ Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) which relies on natural circulation has evolved from earlier BWR designs by incorporating passive safety features to improve safety and performance. Natural circulation allows the elimination of emergency injection pump and no operator action or alternating current (AC) power supply. The generation III+ BWR's passive safety systems include the Automatic Depressurization System (ADS), the Suppression Pool (SP), the Standby Liquid Control System (SLCS), the Gravity Driven Cooling System (GDCS), the Isolation Condenser System (ICS) and the Passive Containment Cooling System (PCCS). The ADS is actuated to rapidly depressurize the reactor leading to the GDCS injection. The large amount of water in the SP condenses steam from the reactor. The SLCS provides makeup water to the reactor. The GDCS injects water into the reactor by gravity head and provides cooling to the core. The ICS and the PCCS are used to remove the decay heat from the reactor. The objective of this paper is to analyze the response of passive safety systems under the Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA). A GDCS Drain Line Break (GDLB) test has been conducted in the Purdue University Multi-Dimensional Integral Test Assembly (PUMA) which is scaled to represent the generation III+ BWR. The main results of PUMA GDLB test were that the reactor coolant level was well above the Top of Active Fuel (TAF) and the reactor containment pressure has remained below the design pressure. In particular, the containment maximum pressure (266 kPa) was 36% lower than the safety limit (414 kPa). The minimum collapsed water level (1.496 m) before the GDCS injection was 8% lower than the TAF (1.623 m) but it was ensured that two-phase water level was higher than the TAF with no core uncovery.
The niobium(V) sulfato species

Abstract A review of the literature dealing with the nature of sulfuric acid solutions of Nb(V) sulfato species, the use of these solutions in syntheses, and with compounds postulated and isolated from such solutions has been presented. Our results confirm the isolation of the white solid, Nb 2 O 3 (SO 4 ) 2 , but with a different density and decomposition temperature than previously reported. Also an isomer of this compound, blue in color, was made which probably contains a pyrosulfate group. A new species, (NbO) 5 (OH) 12 (HSO 4 ) 3 · n H 2 SO 4 (where n = 0–3), was isolated and its reaction with certain organic bases, alcohols, and acetic acid, determined and described.
The role of visualization in understanding a complex forest simulation model

Ecological research is changing as scientists confront the complexities of natural and human-influenced ecosystems. Early ecological research was dominated by the concepts of equilibrium and determinism [30]. Ecosystems were thought to be stable "super-organisms," fine-tuned by thousands of years of mutual adaptation. In such a world, ecosystems can be completely described with static measures of equilibrium population densities. Although this view has been challenged since its inception, it is only in the past 25 years that it has been displaced as the dominant paradigm in ecology. Today, ecologists describe ecosystems as a dynamic collection of individuals responding in different ways to local interactions, broad-scale environmental change and frequent accidents of history [18, 23, 30]. Although the behavior of the ecosystem is partially understandable from population densities, ecosystem dynamics are variable and complex.Ecologists use an increasingly sophisticated toolbox of techniques to characterize these complex dynamics. Field surveys and laboratory experiments measure the responses of individuals under varied conditions. Thus the mean response as well as the variance in response can be estimated. Improved statistical analyses allow ecologists to describe spatial structure, temporal dynamics and complex spatio-temporal patterns. Finally, mathematical models are being developed that can simulate the complex local interactions of thousands of individuals in a dynamic, heterogeneous environment [9, 17, 34].Improvements in computer hardware and software have facilitated this shift toward increasing complexity. Today, ecologists are seldom limited by hardware, and software to acquire, store and analyze data has improved dramatically in the past decade. In addition, computational models of ecological systems are becoming common [14]. Models are tools to express our understanding of mechanisms governing the structure and function of ecological communities [20]. Models can also be used to make predictions, determine the robustness of these predictions, reveal system properties and highlight weaknesses in our knowledge [8, 25]. Complex ecological models have several important drawbacks including the need for huge amounts of input data, propagation of errors and difficulty interpreting the often voluminous model output [10, 11, 13]. As a result, increased model complexity and detail may not lead to increased understanding [10, 16, 22].
Four peptides decrease the number of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells.

Background Long-acting natriuretic peptide, vessel dilator, kaliuretic peptide and atrial natriuretic peptide are four peptide hormones synthesized by the same gene. Their main known biologic properties are sodium and water excretion and blood pressure lowering in both animals and humans. Methods and materials These four peptide hormones, each at their 1-µm concentrations, were evaluated for their ability to decrease the number and/or proliferation of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells in culture at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Results Vessel dilator, long-acting natriuretic peptide, kaliuretic peptide and atrial natriuretic peptide decreased the number of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells in culture by 65% (P < 0·001), 47% (P < 0·01), 37% (P < 0·05) and 34% (P < 0·05), respectively, within 24 h. This decrease was sustained without any proliferation of the cancer cells occurring in the 3 days following this decrease in number. The mechanism of these peptide hormones’ decrease in cancer cell number and antiproliferative effects was a 83% (P < 0·001) or greater inhibition of DNA synthesis but not owing to enhanced apoptosis, i.e. programmed cell death. The two known mediators of these peptide hormones’ mechanism(s) of action, i.e. cyclic GMP and prostaglandin E2, inhibited DNA synthesis in these adenocarcinoma cells by 51% and 23%, respectively. Conclusions Four peptide hormones significantly decrease the number of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells within 24 h and inhibit the proliferation of these cells for at least 96 h. Their mechanism of doing so is via inhibition of DNA synthesis mediated in part by cyclic GMP.
Vive la resistance

In vitro evolution experiments reveal that single mutations in three genes can increase the ability of E. coli to survive ionizing radiation by a factor of 1000.
SP1 transcription factors in male germ cell development and differentiation

Transcription factor SP1 is a zinc finger protein that has been implicated in regulating the expression of several genes involved in cellular differentiation and embryonic development. The zinc finger region of SP1 transcription factors binds to GC or GT-box elements present in the promoters of a number of male germ cell target genes that are developmentally expressed during spermatogenesis. The glutamine and serine/threonine-rich regions of the SP1 proteins recruit co-regulatory factors to the multi-protein preinitiation complex that are important for mediating transcriptional activation in male germ cells. Studies in our laboratory have identified several alternatively spliced transcripts encoding SP1 isoforms that display stage and cell-type-specific expression profiles in differentiating germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium of the testis. This review summarizes the expression patterns and functional significance of these SP1 transcription factor variants during spermatogenesis.
Sensitivity of prefrontal cortex to changes in target probability: a functional MRI study.

Electrophysiological studies suggest sensitivity of the prefrontal cortex to changes in the probability of an event. The purpose of this study was to determine if subregions of the prefrontal cortex respond differentially to changes in target probabilities using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Ten right-handed adults were scanned using a gradient-echo, echo planar imaging sequence during performance of an oddball paradigm. Subjects were instructed to respond to any letter but “X”. The frequency of targets (i.e., any letter but X) varied across trials. The results showed that dorsal prefrontal regions were active during infrequent events and ventral prefrontal regions were active during frequent events. Further, we observed an inverse relation between the dorsal and ventral prefrontal regions such that when activity in dorsal prefrontal regions increased, activity in ventral prefrontal regions decreased, and vice versa. This finding may index competing cognitive processes or capacity limitations. Most importantly, these findings taken as a whole suggest that any simple theory of prefrontal cortex function must take into account the sensitivity of this region to changes in target probability. Hum. Brain Mapping 13:26–33, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF 47.XXY BOYS AND 47,XXX GIRLS FOLLOWED FROM BIRTH

Identifying which children with sex chromosome abnormalities are at risk for aberrant development is important. To this end the following were identified at birth: 16 47,XXY (ages 2-12), and 11 47,XXX (ages 5-12) and are being followed with regular examinations. Sibs are intrafamily controls. 47,XXY Boys: a) Mean birth weight at 40 weeks gestation is 3.12 kg. (below the mean for the normal population). b) Heights fall within the normal range compared with siblings and general population. However there is a growth spurt between 3 and 7 years of age. c) Penile size is normal and testicular size in 60% is on the lower limits of normal. d) Head circumferences are within normal range but distribution is skewed to the left. e) The most common minor congenital malformation is clinodactyly (8). 47,XXX Girls: a) Mean birth weight at 40 weeks gestation is 3.09 kg. (below the mean for the normal population), b) Height is within normal limits. c) Head circumferences are all within normal limits with only two above the 50th percentile. d) Common minor congenital malformations are clinodactyly (8) and epicanthic folds (4). These 47,XXY boys have small but normal testes from infancy and an early growth spurt. Both groups have head circumferences less than the 50th percentile. The significance of these results in determining the future development of these children is not yet obvious.
Selective and Cell-Active Inhibitors of the USP1/ UAF1 Deubiquitinase Complex Reverse Cisplatin Resistance in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Summary Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) have in recent years emerged as a promising therapeutic target class. We identified selective small-molecule inhibitors against a deubiquitinase complex, the human USP1/UAF1, through quantitative high throughput screening (qHTS) of a collection of bioactive molecules. The top inhibitors, pimozide and GW7647, inhibited USP1/UAF1 noncompetitively with a K i of 0.5 and 0.7 μM, respectively, and displayed selectivity against a number of deubiquitinases, deSUMOylase, and cysteine proteases. The USP1/UAF1 inhibitors act synergistically with cisplatin in inhibiting cisplatin-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell proliferation. USP1/UAF1 represents a promising target for drug intervention because of its involvement in translesion synthesis and Fanconi anemia pathway important for normal DNA damage response. Our results support USP1/UAF1 as a potential therapeutic target and provide an example of targeting the USP/WD40 repeat protein complex for inhibitor discovery.
Seasonal Phenology and Monitoring of the Non-Native Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Soybean

The introduction of an invasive species into an agroecosystem can alter both the interspecies dynamics and existing management practices. In the area of introduction, seasonality of Halyomorpha halys (Stal) in soybean fields was investigated by comparing monitoring efficiency of sweep net sampling and two sizes of pyramid traps baited with aggregation compound methyl (E,E,Z) 2,4,6-decatrienoate in 2006–2007. The large pyramid trap caught significantly higher densities of H. halys than the small pyramid trap and the sweep net samples each year. Adult males and females were detected in significantly higher densities in the large pyramid trap than other life stages. The pyramid traps caught H. halys adults and nymphs earlier than sweep net samples, during the R3 and R4 phenological stages of soybean growth. Peak abundances in the pyramid traps occurred during the R5–R6 stages, while the sweep samples were highest during the R6 stage. Soybean is sensitive to stink bug feeding damage from the R3–R6 stages. The occurrence of H. halys in soybean coincides with soybean's critical growth stage. H. halys has become the dominant stink bug species in the crop, indicating that damage thresholds need to be determined.
Chronic diarrhea associated with hypogammaglobulinemia and enteropathy in infants and children.

In order to define the gastrointestinal manifestations and small intestinal structure and function in a group of infants with chronic nonspecific diarrhea and hypogammaglobulinemia, we retrospectively identified 55 such patients from a population of 518 children evaluated for chronic diarrhea over a 6-year span (10.6%). All patients had IgG levels 2.0sd or more below the mean values for age. Patients with biochemical evidence of protein loss (enteropathy or nephropathy) were excluded. There was a 50% incidence of small intestinal mucosal injury among these patients, with a spectrum of morphological findings ranging from healing enteritis to severe active enteritis. Carbohydrate malasorption, and infection withGiardia lamblia orClostridium difficile occurred in 34% and 24% of patients tested, respectively. These structural, functional, and infectious complications were all statistically more common in patients than in a control group of children with chronic diarrhea, normal growth, and normal immunoglobulin levels. This study suggests that immunoglobulin determination, in children who would otherwise carry a diagnosis of chronic nonspecific diarrhea, identifies a group with hypogammaglobulinemia, having an increased incidence of treatable intestinal dysfunction or infection, and a spectrum of small intestinal histologic abnormalities.
Evaluating Biodegradation as a Primary and Secondary Treatment for Removing RDX (Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) from a Perched Aquifer

ABSTRACT Ground water beneath the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) Pantex Plant is contaminated with the high explosive RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine). The authors evaluated biodegradation as a remedial option by measuring RDX mineralization in Pantex aquifer microcosms spiked with 14C-labeled RDX (75 g soil, 15 ml of 5 mg RDX/L). Under anaerobic conditions and constant temperature (16°C), cumulative 14CO2 production ranged between 52% and 70% after 49 days, with nutrient-amended (C, N, P) microcosms yielding the greatest mineralization (70%). The authors also evaluated biodegradation as a secondary treatment for removing RDX degradates following oxidation by permanganate (KMnO4) or reduction by dithionite-reduced aquifer solids (i.e., redox barriers). Under this coupled abiotic/biotic scenario, we found that although unconsumed permanganate initially inhibited biodegradation, > 48% of the initial 14C-RDX was recovered as 14CO2 within 77 days. Following exposure to dithionite-reduced solid...
A high-energy Compton polarimeter for the POET SMEX mission

The primary science goal of the Polarimeters for Energetic Transients (POET) mission is to measure the polarization of gamma-ray bursts over a wide energy range, from X rays to soft gamma rays. The higher-energy portion of this band (50 - 500 keV) will be covered by the High Energy Polarimeter (HEP) instrument, a non-imaging, wide field of view Compton polarimeter. Incident high-energy photons will Compton scatter in low-Z, plastic scintillator detector elements and be subsequently absorbed in high-Z, CsI(Tl) scintillator elements; polarization is detected by measuring an asymmetry in the azimuthal scatter angle distribution. The HEP design is based on our considerable experience with the development and flight of the Gamma-Ray Polarimeter Experiment (GRAPE) balloon payload. We present the design of the POET HEP instrument, which incorporates lessons learned from the GRAPE balloon design and previous work on Explorer proposal efforts, and its expected performance on a two-year SMEX mission.
Self-management in the classroom: Self-imposed response cost versus self-reward

The effects of self-imposed fines were contrasted with effects of self-administered rewards on academic and social classroom behavior. Within the context of a classroom token economy, baseline assessments were followed by the first self-management phase during which children either fined or rewarded themselves contingent upon academic performance. After a period of program withdrawal, children who had self-rewarded then self-imposed response cost and vice versa. Results showed that, during self-management phases relative to baselines, participants (a) improved their reading rates (increase in number of reading papers attempted=58%), (b) engaged in less disruptive behavior (decline =34%), (c) maintained accurate work on reading papers, and (d) generalized performance increments to workbook reading (but only during the first half of the experiment). Both self-management procedures were effective, although self-reward improved reading rates and workbook performance to a somewhat greater extent.
A cross-polarization—magic-angle sample spinning n.m.r. study of several crystal forms of lactose

Abstract Five different crystalline forms of lactose were investigated by cross-polarization—magic-angle sample spinning (CP—MAS) 13 C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. Both the anhydrous β-lactose and the α-lactose monohydrate structures are known, and the CP—MAS n.m.r. data are in agreement with those structures. The structure of the stable, anhydrous α-lactose has not been reported. The CP—MAS n.m.r. results indicate that the crystal must have two or more lactose molecules per unit cell. The chemical shifts measured for two mixed crystals having α:β ratios of 5:3 and 4:1 are a direct observation of the fact that both materials are real mixed crystals rather than glasses or physical mixtures of crystals of pure α- and β-lactose. The chemical shifts also indicate that the lactose molecules in both mixed crystals are in environments similar to the crystalline environment of the stable, anhydrous α-lactose.
Promotion of neuronal survival in vitro by thermal proteins and poly(dicar☐ylic) amino acids

Abstract Evaluating molecules for their ability to promote and growth of neurons, we tested thermal proteins on cultures of dissociated fetal rat forebrain neurons. (Thermal proteins are polyamino acids formed when mixtures of amino acids with minimal proportions of glutamic or aspartic acid are heated). Thermal proteins, added to low-density cultures in serum-free medium, stimulated neurite outgrowth and induced the formation of neuronal networks which survived for 6–10 days. Neurons in control cultures failed to grow and degenerated completely within 2–4 days. Effective concentrations (EC 50 ) of thermal proteins ranged from 3 to 100 μg/ml. They were equally effective when present in the medium during the culture time or after precoating of the culture dishes. A single preparation which contained only aspartic and glutamic acid was effective, and similar survival promoting actions were then found for polyglutamic acid and mixed polyamino acids containing glutamic or aspartic acid. Thermal proteins and polyglutamic acid acted in a specific manner since, under the same experimental conditions, many control peptides, proteins and growth hormones failed to promote survival of neurons. Furthermore, their effects were antagonized by heparin, but not heparan sulfate nor chondroitin sulfate. These findings suggest that sequences of successive dicar☐ylic amino acid residues are able to promote survival and neurite elongation of cultured neurons and that such sequences are responsible for the survival promoting action of thermal proteins. They invite the speculation that sequences of successive dicar☐ylic amino acids, which occur in many proteins and show a high degree of evolutionary conservation, may have functional role in molecular recognition processes during neuronal development.
Exact formulas for the buddy system

The statistical pairing of blocks of memory on the bottom level of the buddy system is studied. It is shown that the probability that k pairs of cells have one cell in use and that l pairs of cells have both cells in use is given by a rational function of @r, the ratio of the request rate for cells to the decay rate for cells in use. The values of the denominator, the leading and trailing coefficients of the numerator, and a common factor of the coefficients of the numerator are given.
Time-dependent increase in basic fibroblast growth factor protein in limbic regions following electroshock seizures

Abstract Brief experimentally induced seizures have been shown to increase the expression of mRNA encoding basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) in specific brain regions. However, the extent to which this change in mRNA affects the expression of FGF-2 protein in these brain regions has not been examined. In the present study, we exposed rats to brief non-injurious seizures to determine whether this treatment would lead to an increase in FGF-2 protein expression in selected brain regions. Because initial results indicated that the elevation of FGF-2 protein was not significant following acute seizure exposure, we examined both acute and chronic seizure treatment to determine whether FGF-2 protein expression could be increased under conditions of repeated seizures. Brief limbic seizures were induced by minimal electroconvulsive shock (ECS) given as daily treatments for 1 (acute) or 7 (chronic) days. FGF-2 protein was measured in hippocampus, rhinal cortex, frontal cortex, and olfactory bulb at 20, 48, and 72 h following the last seizure. No significant increases in FGF-2 protein were observed in any region following acute ECS. In the chronic ECS-treated groups, significantly elevated FGF-2-like immunoreactivity was found in the frontal and rhinal cortex as compared with the same regions from both control and acute ECS animals. Increases after chronic ECS were maximal at 20 h, and remained significantly elevated as long as 72 h. These increases were predominantly observed for the 24-kDa and 22/22.5-kDa FGF-2 isoforms. Because chronic ECS, which has been shown to be protective against neuronal cell death, induced significantly more FGF-2 immunoreactivity than did acute ECS, we suggest that FGF-2 expression may be an important substrate for the neuroprotective action of non-injurious seizures. A prolonged induction of the high molecular weight isoforms of FGF-2, as occurs after chronic ECS, may selectively reduce the vulnerability of certain brain regions to a variety of neurodegenerative insults.
Binding of an antagonistic monoclonal antibody to an intact and fragmented EGF-receptor polypeptide☆

A murine monoclonal antibody (No. 425) raised against human A431 carcinoma cells specifically immunoprecipitates the 170,000 molecular weight epidermal growth factor (EGF)-receptor from extracts of A431 cells as well as from extracts of human placenta and cultured fibroblasts, but does not recognize the murine receptor. Binding to the external domain of the human EGF-receptor was indicated by indirect immunofluorescent staining of fixed nonpermeable cells. The antibody binds to both glyco- and aglycoreceptor forms, indicating that the epitope is a part of the polypeptide chain. Binding of the antibody to the receptor is conformation dependent; i.e., denatured receptors lacking EGF-binding activity are not recognized by the antibody. The results of antibody binding studies indicate that the epitope is closely linked to the EGF binding active site, and is common to both high- and low-affinity EGF-receptors. Interaction of this epitope with the antibody inhibits EGF binding and bioactivity, and triggers receptor down-regulation, but does not generate EGFlike kinase-stimulatory or mitogenic responses either in vitro or in vivo. The antibody was tested for its ability to bind to domain-sized fragments of the 170-kDa EGF-receptor. It can recognize both the proteolytically generated 110-kDa EGF binding peptide, and a soluble 100-kDa EGF-receptor secreted by A431 cells. This indicates that the epitope recognized this antibody retains its conformation after proteolytic separation of the EGF binding domain from the rest of the receptor molecule.
Passive learning: a marker for the academically at risk.

The authors found that students who exhibited passive learning behavior (i.e. early and consistent signs of being disengaged during formal, curriculum-based interactive activities) were at greater risk of experiencing academic difficulty during the first two years of medical school.
Clarification and Extension of Beaver’s Definitions of Market Informational Efficiency: A Note

Beaver (1981a, 1981b) provides sound conceptual definitions of market informational efficiency. Recently, his definitions have been operationalized in experimental-markets studies dealing with market informational efficiency. Given these successes, we extend Beaver’s definitions to make apparent the relationships among the publicly available information system and the market information system and related signals. This extension provides a foundation for distinguishing between tests of semistrong-form and strong-form efficiency in the contexts of Beaver’s definitions and related experimental-markets studies. We also provide a proof which identifies the necessary and sufficient condition for the convergence of these forms of market informational efficiency.
Preliminary results with a CID-based photon counting system

A photon counting system, utilizing a CID as the imager sensor, is under development at RIT. The system integrates a programmable, DSP based driver system capable of generating fast readout and sub-array dynamic control sequences. A high speed event recognition and centroiding computation task is performed by a dedicated board, based on field programmable gate array technology, which provides the necessary spatial resolution while maintaining high data throughput capability. The system architecture is flexible and capable of handling different CID array architectures and sizes. Preliminary performance results are presented, and characteristics of CIDs, such as subarray injection, that impact the total possible throughput, and therefore, the dynamic range, are discussed.
p-adic homotopy theory

Abstract We develop a p-adic homotopy theory of simply connected spaces of finite type based on cosimplicial commutative algebras over Z p .
Pure and Utilitarian Prisoner's Dilemmas

The prisoner 's dilemma game (henceforth, PD) has acquired large literatures in several disciplines. It is surprising, therefore, that a good definition of the game is hard to find. Typically an author relates a story about captured criminals or military rivals, provides a particular payoff matrix and asserts that the PD is characterized, or illustrated, by that matrix. In the few cases in which characterizing conditions are given, the conditions, and the motivations for them, do not always agree with each other or with the paradigm examples elsewhere. In this paper we describe several varieties of PD's. In particular, we suggest there are two distinctions among PD's with philosophical significance, the pure/impure and the utilitarian/nonutilitarian distinctions. In the first section, we explain and characterize the two distinctions. In the second, we discuss an issue of moral philosophy that illustrates the significance of the former.
Extent of right and left ventricular focal wall-motion abnormalities in differentiating transient apical ballooning syndrome from apical dysfunction as a result of coronary artery disease.

Differentiating the ventricular dysfunction caused by apical ballooning syndrome (ABS) from that caused by apical involvement in an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) currently requires coronary angiography. We sought to determine if echocardiography could differentiate these two syndromes by the extent of regional left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. The location of the hinge point between normal and hypokinetic wall motion for both the RV and LV was blindly determined in 8 patients with ABS and in 16 patients with an initial ACS secondary to obstruction of the left anterior descending coronary artery and an associated apical wall-motion abnormality. The hinge point for each wall was expressed as the percent of the wall from the apex to the annulus that was akinetic and determined for the RV free wall, the interventricular septum, and the LV anterior, inferior, and lateral walls. The ABS group as compared with the ACS group had a significantly greater RV involvement (48 ± 20% vs 7.3 ± 15%, P P = .005). However, there were no differences between these groups for the other LV walls. An RV hinge point 40% from the apex was exceeded in 7 of 8 patients with ABS but in only 1 of 13 patients with ACS ( P = .0005). In conclusion, patients with ABS had significantly greater RV free wall and LV lateral wall dysfunction as compared with patients with ACS. This pattern of wall-motion abnormalities, when present, could allow for an early presumptive and noninvasive diagnosis of ABS.
Ultrasonographic abnormalities detected in the sacroiliac area in twenty cases of upper hindlimb lameness.

Summary Reasons for performing study: The pelvis is covered with extensive musculature and often presents a challenge in diagnostic imaging. Ultrasonography provides diagnostic information about soft tissue, articular cartilage and bone surfaces, although little information exists about the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the equine sacroiliac region. Objectives: To determine the clinical applicability of ultrasonographic examination in horses with sacroiliac pain. Methods: Horses presented to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital for hindlimb lameness were evaluated and lower limb lameness was ruled out with examination and local anaesthesia. Twenty cases were diagnosed with sacroiliac pain, characterised by response to palpation over the tuber sacrale. Seven of the 20 had visible a symmetry of the tuber sacrale. Ultrasonography was performed percutaneously and per rectum. Structures imaged were measured and compared to normal reference measurements. Other methods used to confirm diagnoses included thermography, scintigraphy and radiology. Results: All 20 cases with sacroiliac pain showed ultrasonographic abnormalities of the sacroiliac area. Abnormalities were detected in the dorsal sacroiliac ligaments. Ligament size was significantly different from the normal ranges (P<0.01). Malalignment of the sacroiliac area and sacral fractures were also imaged. Conclusions: Ultrasonography of the sacroiliac region aided diagnosis of ligament damage and displacement of bone surfaces; and may aid in monitoring the progression of healing. Potential relevance: Diagnostic ultrasound is readily available to most practitioners. Therefore the findings of this study show that diagnosis of sacroiliac injuries is possible in the field.
Clozapine pretreatment modifies haloperidol-elicited forebrain Fos induction: a regionally-specific double dissociation.

Rationale:Acute administration of typical antipsychotic drugs, such as haloperidol, results in the induction of the immediate-early gene c-fos in the dorsolateral striatum. In contrast, the atypical antipsychotic drug clozapine, which lacks significant extrapyramidal side effect liability, does not induce Fos protein in the dorsal striatum. Several studies have attempted to define the mechanisms through which typical antipsychotic drugs induce striatal Fos, often by pretreating animals with specific receptor antagonists. Despite the broad receptor profile of clozapine, there has been no study of the effect of clozapine pretreatment on haloperidol-elicited striatal Fos expression. Methods: We examined the effects of clozapine pretreatment of rats on haloperidol-elicited forebrain Fos expression, using both immunoblot and immunohistochemical methods. The effects of clozapine pretreatment were assessed in the dorsal striatum and in the different nucleus accumbens compartments, the septum, and the prefrontal cortex. Results: Clozapine pretreatment markedly decreased haloperidol-elicited striatal Fos induction and blocked haloperidol-induced catalepsy. Clozapine also attenuated haloperidol-elicited Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens, but in the prefrontal cortex and ventrolateral septum the effects of haloperidol and clozapine were additive. Conclusions: An emerging body of literature suggests a high incidence of rapid relapse in schizophrenic patients when clozapine treatment is discontinued. This psychosis is relatively resistant to haloperidol and other neuroleptics, even in patients who had previously responded well to neuroleptics. The present data may shed light on the central sites associated with and perhaps model certain aspects of the relapse associated with clozapine discontinuation.
Electronic-photonic integrated circuits in silicon-on-insulator platforms

Electronic-photonic integrated circuits (EPICs) are a promising technology for overcoming bandwidth and power-consumption bottlenecks of traditional integrated circuits. Silicon is a good candidate for building such devices, due to its high-index contrast and low propagation loss at telecom wavelengths. This work presents recent advances in demonstrating discrete components built in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platforms, around 1550 nm, that can be used as building blocks for future EPIC systems. The work covers several microring-based structures suitable for wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) applications, such as hitless single-ring filters, multi-channel second-order tunable filterbanks, reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs) with telecom-grade specifications, and dynamical slow light cells for delay lines and optical memory elements.
The solubilities of carbon, tantalum, tungsten and rhenium in liquid plutonium

Abstract The solubilities of C, Ta, W, and Re in liquid Pu have been measured individually from 700° to 950° C. At 750° C the mole fractions of the solutes were 0.0161, 0.000 850, 0.000 0720, and 0.0192, respectively. The solubilities had increased to 0.0447, 0.003 52, 0.000 379, and 0.0405, respectively, at 950° C. The data for each element were fitted to an equation of the form log 10 N x = A - BT −1 , where N x is the solubility of the element X expressed as the mole fraction and T is the temperature in °K.
Cellular and paracellular transplants for spinal cord injury: a review of the literature

Background Experimental approaches to limit the spinal cord injury and to promote neurite outgrowth and improved function from a spinal cord injury have exploded in recent decades. Due to the cavitation resulting after a spinal cord injury, newer important treatment strategies have consisted of implanting scaffolds with or without cellular transplants. There are various scaffolds, as well as various different cellular transplants including stem cells at different levels of differentiation, Schwann cells and peripheral nerve implants, that have been reviewed. Also, attention has been given to different re-implantation techniques in avulsion injuries.
Investigation of the iodine–poly(vinylpyrrolidone) interaction employed in the determination of biocidal iodine by colorimetric solid-phase extraction

Abstract Colorimetric solid-phase extraction (C-SPE) has been previously explored as a means to monitor the iodine-based disinfectant used in the water systems on board the space shuttle. This same disinfectant is baselined for eventual deployment in the US water recovery system planned for node 3 of the International Space Station (ISS). With C-SPE, the I 2 concentration is determined from the diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS) of the yellow iodine–poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) complex using the Kubelka–Munk function. However, the solution chemistry of iodine is very complex and results in a variety of inorganic species (e.g., I − , I 2 , I 3 − , HOI) that have very different biocidal capabilities. Thus, the nature of the interaction of iodine with PVP, and more specifically, the identity of the iodine species involved in the interaction, requires more elucidation. This paper reports the findings from a series of detailed experiments conducted to elicit a more complete understanding of the iodine–PVP system employed in C-SPE. The results indicate that I 2 , one of the two dominant biocidal forms of iodine, is the species responsible for the analytical signal in our C-SPE platform. These findings lay the ground work for the planned development of a multiplexed iodine determination and speciation platform for in-flight analysis of spacecraft water samples.