cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of moderate prenatal alcohol exposure on histaminergic neurons, histidine decarboxylase levels and histamine H2 receptors in adult rat offspring

Abstract We have reported that moderate prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) elevates histamine H3 receptor-mediated inhibition of glutamatergic neurotransmission in dentate gyrus (DG), and that the H3 receptor antagonist ABT-239 ameliorates PAE-induced deficits in DG long-term potentiation. Here, we investigated whether PAE alters other markers of histaminergic neurotransmission. Long-Evans rat dams voluntarily consumed either a 0% or a 5% ethanol solution 4 h each day throughout gestation. Young adult female offspring from each prenatal treatment group were used in histidine decarboxylase (HDC) immunohistochemical studies of histamine neuron number in ventral hypothalamus, quantitative Western blotting studies of HDC expression in multiple brain regions, radiohistochemical studies of H2 receptor density in multiple brain regions, and in biochemical studies of H2 receptor-effector coupling in dentate gyrus. Rat dams consumed a mean of 1.90 g of ethanol/kg/day during pregnancy. This level of consumption did not affect maternal weight gain, offspring birth weight, or litter size. PAE did not affect the number of HDC-positive neurons in ventral hypothalamus. However, HDC expression was reduced in frontal cortex, dentate gyrus, and cerebellum of PAE rats compared to controls. Specific [125I]-iodoaminopotentidine binding to H2 receptors was not altered in any of the brain regions measured, nor was basal or H2 receptor agonist-stimulated cAMP accumulation in DG altered in PAE rats compared to controls. These results suggest that not all markers of histaminergic neurotransmission are altered by PAE. However, the observation that HDC levels were reduced in the same brain regions where elevated H3 receptor-effector coupling was observed previously raises the question of whether a cause-effect relationship exists between HDC expression and H3 receptor function in affected brain regions of PAE rats. This relationship, along with the question of why these effects occur in some, but not all brain regions, requires more-detailed investigation.
Correction for Mattingly et al., "Multiple Environmental Factors Influence the Importance of the Phosphodiesterase DipA upon Pseudomonas aeruginosa Swarming".

Volume 84, no. 7, e02847-17, 2018, [https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02847-17][1]. Page 1: This article was published on 19 March 2018 without Nydia Morales-Soto's name in the byline. The byline was updated in the version posted on 18 July 2018. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1128/AEM.02847-17
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in the Setting of Electroconvulsive Therapy in a Patient with an Unsecured Cerebral Aneurysm: A Case Report and Review of the Literature (P1.226)

Objective: NA Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is widely viewed as a safe and effective treatment for major depression (MDD). There are reports of lobar and subdural hemorrhages associated with ECT, but there are no reported cases of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Design/Methods: NA Results: Case Details: The patient is an 84-year-old woman with recurrent, refractory MDD, hypertension, and a known, unsecured, 1.9 cm anterior cerebral artery aneurysm. She underwent 10 sessions of right unilateral ECT. During each case, she received esmolol, succinylcholine, remifentanil, and methohexital. During the last case, she had peri-ictal blood pressures up to 207/89. Two days later, she developed a headache with rapid progression to coma, loss of brainstem reflexes, and extensor posturing. Head CT showed Hunt and Hess grade 5 and modified Fisher grade 4 SAH, which was confirmed to be aneurysmal on subsequent CT angiography. Unfortunately, continued bleeding was noted on repeat CT and after discussion with her family, she was extubated and died shortly thereafter. Discussion: This is the first case, to our knowledge, of an aneurysmal SAH occurring during the course of ECT. It is possible that ECT was not a causal factor in the rupture of the aneurysm, given that the five-year cumulative rupture rate for an aneurysm of this size and location is 14.5%; however, the time course suggests that this did not occur by chance. Electroconvulsive therapy is associated with activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which results in an ictal surge in blood pressure leading to increased aneurysm wall stress. This may increase the risk of aneurysm rupture associated with ECT. Conclusions: This report adds much needed information that can be incorporated into the risk-benefit analysis in patients with unsecured cerebral aneurysms who are candidates for ECT. Study Supported by: Drs. Dunn and Gugger have nothing to disclose Disclosure: Dr. Gugger has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dunn has nothing to disclose.
Tradeoffs between growth rate and water-use efficiency in seedlings of native perennials but not invasive annuals

Tradeoffs among species’ traits play an important role in shaping communities. These relationships may also mediate community response to environmental change. In plants of water-limited ecosystems, tradeoffs between growth and water use may impose an important physiological constraint within and across species. I investigated how functional traits associated with this tradeoff differ between seedlings of native perennials in California and the invasive annuals displacing them. I created plant community mesocosms of native and invasive species grown under altered N and water availability, measuring multiple plant functional traits. Natives responded positively to N and water when grown separately, but grew best under low resources when in competition with invasives. Invasives grew much larger than natives and exhibited traits associated with rapid growth. Native species also suffered a tradeoff between relative growth rate (RGR) and water-use efficiency (WUE), while nonnatives exhibited both high RGR and high WUE, especially under high resource availability. The ability to grow rapidly and use limiting resources efficiently undoubtedly contributes to the dominance of these invasive species over native seedlings. Such superior trait combinations and differences in physiological tradeoffs could explain reduced native seedling establishment and restoration success in the presence of these invasives.
Assertion and Predication

Contemporary theories of speech acts frequently invoke Wittgenstein’s favorite metaphor: to speak is to enter into a game whose rules determine which moves and counter-moves are legitimate. The opening gambit in the game of ordinary conversation is the use of an assertoric sentence by a speaker. The rules of this language-game are such that the legitimate linguistic responses to the opening move are ultimately reducible to two. The interlocutor may parry for a while by asking for clarifications, expressing doubts, and adding qualifications, but must finally either say “yes” (“That is true.”) or “no” (“That is false.”).1 According to this view, to judge is to take a stand with regard to a proposition. This definition applies both to the opening move and to the subsequent counter-moves in the game of conversation. Both the original speaker and the interlocutor take a stand with regard to a thematized propositional content. An interlocutor’s positive or negative response to a statement is obviously the taking of a position with regard to the asserted proposition. But the original assertion itself, so the argument goes, is already the taking of a position by the speaker with regard to the proposition framed in the speaker’s statement. This is because the original speaker’s assertion presupposes the possibility of its denial. In what follows, I shall trace the development of this theory to the modern dissociation of predication from pre-predicative intuitions, and contend that it does not adequately account for what actually goes on when we talk with one another.
Predictive shifts in free energy couple mutations to their phenotypic consequences

Mutation is a critical mechanism by which evolution explores the functional landscape of proteins. Despite our ability to experimentally inflict mutations at will, it remains difficult to link sequence-level perturbations to systems-level responses. Here, we present a framework centered on measuring changes in the free energy of the system to link individual mutations in an allosteric transcriptional repressor to the parameters which govern its response. We find that the energetic effects of the mutations can be categorized into several classes which have characteristic curves as a function of the inducer concentration. We experimentally test these diagnostic predictions using the well-characterized LacI repressor of Escherichia coli, probing several mutations in the DNA binding and inducer binding domains. We find that the change in gene expression due to a point mutation can be captured by modifying only the model parameters that describe the respective domain of the wild-type protein. These parameters appear to be insulated, with mutations in the DNA binding domain altering only the DNA affinity and those in the inducer binding domain altering only the allosteric parameters. Changing these subsets of parameters tunes the free energy of the system in a way that is concordant with theoretical expectations. Finally, we show that the induction profiles and resulting free energies associated with pairwise double mutants can be predicted with quantitative accuracy given knowledge of the single mutants, providing an avenue for identifying and quantifying epistatic interactions.
Inflammatory cytokines promote clonal hematopoiesis with specific mutations in ulcerative colitis patients

Epidemiological sequencing studies have revealed that somatic mutations characteristic of myeloid neoplasms can be detected in the blood of asymptomatic individuals decades prior to presentation of any clinical symptoms. This premalignant condition is known as clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP). Despite the fact these mutant clones become readily detectable in the blood of elderly individuals (∼10% of people over the age of 65), the overall rate of disease progression remains relatively low. Thus, in addition to genetic mutations, there are likely environmental factors that contribute to clonal evolution in people with CHIP. One environmental stress that increases with age is inflammation. Although chronic inflammation is detrimental to the long-term function of normal hematopoietic stem cells, several recent studies in animal models have indicated hematopoietic stem cells with CHIP mutations may be resistant to these deleterious effects. However, direct evidence indicating a correlation between increased inflammation and accelerated CHIP in humans is currently lacking. In this study, we sequenced the peripheral blood cells of a cohort of patients with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease characterized by increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This analysis revealed that the inflammatory environment of ulcerative colitis promoted CHIP with a distinct mutational spectrum, notably positive selection of clones with DNMT3A and PPM1D mutations. We also show a specific association between elevated levels of serum interferon gamma and DNMT3A mutations. These data add to our understanding of how cell extrinsic factors select for clones with specific mutations to promote clonal hematopoiesis.
The contribution of angiogenesis and inflammation to tumor cell intravasation

460 Tumor cell intravasation, the process by which cells enter the vasculature, is an understudied but rate-limiting step in metastasis. To analyze molecular mechanisms involved in tumor cell intravasation, we use a spontaneous metastasis model, where tumor cells are grafted on the CAM of the chick embryo. The majority of cells that escape from primary tumors and enter circulation are arrested in the distal CAM, the repository of intravasated cells. Disseminated human tumor cells could be identified among chicken cells by immunohistochemistry and quantified by Alu-specific qPCR. To study intravasation, two cell variants were generated from HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma, HT-lo/diss and HT-hi/diss, which exhibit 50-100-fold differential in their ability to disseminate in the chick embryo. Since intravasating cells have to initially escape from the primary tumor and then invade the stroma, we first focused on the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). We showed that certain tumor-derived MMPs, i.e. MMP-1, -2, and -9, might have protective functions in intravasation since their downregulation resulted in increased levels of dissemination. However, sensitivity of tumor cell intravasation to broad-range MMP inhibitors indicates involvement of other MMPs, most probably of host origin. Two host MMPs were previously shown to be delivered to the sites of tumor formation and angiogenesis by infiltrating leukocytes, i.e. MMP-9 by neutrophils and MMP-13 by monocytes/macrophages. These inflammatory cells could be attracted by specific growth factors and cytokines produced by tumor cells. Consistent with this notion, immunohistological analysis indicated a substantially enhanced density of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages in HT-hi/diss tumors compared to HT-lo/diss. Inflammatory leukocytes in turn, can deliver pro-angiogenic factors to facilitate intravasation via increased angiogenesis and provide the means of dissemination through leaky, newly developed blood vessels. In this regard, more lumen-containing blood vessels were found in HT-hi/diss tumors than in HT-lo/diss. In addition, in the chick embryo and mouse angiogenesis models, HT-hi/diss exhibited higher angiogenic potential than its non-intravasating HT-lo/diss counterpart. These findings prompted us to search for inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic growth factors that might contribute to the intravasation of HT-hi/diss cells. To this end, we used two partially overlapping arrays to profile cytokines and proteins that serve as activators or inhibitors of angiogenesis. By comparing conditioned media and tumor lysates from HT-lo/diss and HT-hi/diss, we identified several cytokines and growth factors differentially expressed between the cell variants. Reciprocal modulation of the expression and function of these cytokines in HT-hi/diss versus HT-lo/diss will allow us to determine their individual contribution to the process of intravasation.
Chapter 10 – SolarAnywhere Forecasting

This chapter describes, and presents an evaluation of, the forecast models embedded in the SolarAnywhere platform. The models include satellite-derived cloud-motion–based forecasts for short to medium horizons (1–5 h) and forecasts derived from NOAA’s numerical weather prediction models for long horizons up to several days ahead. In addition, the chapter describes a new high-frequency (1 min) application of the cloud-motion model for time horizons below 1 h.
Service innovation roadmaps and responsible entities learning

Service-Dominant Logic (S-D Logic) and service science provide a way for innovators and learners to look at the world differently and thereby improve quality-of-life for people over time. The continued development of service science as an emerging transdiscipline will depend on developing better measurements and tools for understanding the past and future identities, reputations, values, goals, and strategies of entities interacting to achieve outcomes. For example, Service Innovation Roadmaps (SIRs) can be thought of as an attempt to make explicit the “learning investment strategy” of responsible entities (people, businesses, regional governments) to change and become “better future version of themselves” in terms of value co-creating service interactions. In short, SIRs can help with the challenge of upskilling people in an age of accelerating technology and policy changes. All service systems, as responsible entities learning, invest in three types of activities, herein termed Run- Transform-Innovate activities. This short paper provides context for a research direction to develop further the notions of SIRs and embrace complexity economics as a tool for advancing service science.
Respiratory microbiome disruption and risk for ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infection.

BACKGROUND Ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infection (VA-LRTI) is a common among critically ill patients and has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In acute critical illness, respiratory microbiome disruption indices (MDIs) have been shown to predict risk for VA-LRTI, but their utility beyond the first days of critical illness is unknown. We sought to characterize how MDIs previously shown to predict VA-LRTI at initiation of mechanical ventilation change with prolonged mechanical ventilation, and if they remain associated with VA-LRTI risk. METHODS We developed a cohort of 83 subjects admitted to a long-term acute care hospital due to their prolonged dependence on mechanical ventilation; performed dense, longitudinal sampling of the lower respiratory tract, collecting 1066 specimens; and characterized the lower respiratory microbiome by 16S rRNA sequencing as well as total bacterial abundance by 16S rRNA qPCR. RESULTS Cross-sectional MDIs, including low Shannon diversity and high total bacterial abundance, were associated with risk for VA-LRTI, but the associations had wide posterior credible intervals. Persistent lower respiratory microbiome disruption showed a more robust association with VA-LRTI risk, with each day of (base e) Shannon diversity < 2.0 associated with a VA-LRTI odds ratio of 1.36 (95% credible interval 1.10 to 1.72). The observed association was consistent across multiple clinical definitions of VA-LRTI. CONCLUSIONS Cross-sectional MDIs have limited ability to discriminate VA-LRTI risk during prolonged mechanical ventilation, but persistent lower respiratory tract microbiome disruption, best characterized by consecutive days with low Shannon diversity, may identify a population at high risk for infection and may help target infection prevention interventions.
The Medial Sural Artery Perforator Flap

The medial sural artery flap was first described by Cavadas in 2001. It is a newer flap that combines the benefits of the anterolateral thigh flap and the radial forearm free flap: It is a thin flap that makes it ideal for more distal soft tissue reconstruction of the extremity, while it has minimal donor site morbidity. It can often be closed primarily, resulting in a cosmetically acceptable scar. The blood supply to the flap runs parallel to the muscle fibers, resulting in muscle preservation during dissection, and it makes it ideal for patient desiring no muscle sacrifice (Fig. 29.1). Its dissection is based on the same principles as the gastrocnemius muscle flap. Its skin territory is the skin overlying the medial gastrocnemius. It needs to be noted that an analogous lateral sural perforator artery flap can be designed based on the lateral sural artery in the same fashion. We usually include the superficial venous system if possible (greater saphenous vein – GSV) for drainage. Although a good flap, it should be noted that the MSAP flap is not as reliable as other more commonly used flaps (e.g., the ALT flap) and has a steep learning curve due to its highly random vascular territory. Sometimes, during dissection, a reliable perforator is not encountered and the MSAP flap cannot be used. The medial sural artery has many muscular branches that need to be identified and ligated, making the dissection tedious and time consuming.
Prognostic models for stage I-III esophageal cancer: a comparison between existing calculators.

Background Determining the best approach for esophageal cancer and predicting accurate prognosis are critical. Multiple studies evaluated characteristics associated with overall survival, and several prediction models have been developed. This study aimed to evaluate existing models and perform external validation of selected models. Methods A retrospective investigation of a multi-site institutional enterprise for patients with a diagnosis of esophageal cancer between 2013-2014 was performed. Selected survival prediction models included the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (RPCCC) calculator, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) calculator, and two nomograms published by Shapiro et al. and Sun et al. One-year overall survival, level of agreement, and performance for each model were evaluated. Results A total of 104 patients were included and used to assess the prediction models. One-year overall survival was 0.76. Different calculators tended to rank patients similarly; however, they did not agree on predicted overall survival. The least disparity in correlation was observed between OHSU and Shapiro calculators. Shapiro's model achieved the highest performance [area under the curve (AUC) =0.63]. Conclusions Selected models showed fair results in estimating individual overall survival, although none achieved a high performance. While these tools may support the decision-making process for esophageal cancer patients, their implementation in clinical practice requires improved refinement to optimize their clinical utility.
Measurement of Human Pilot Dynamic Characteristics in Flight Simulation

Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Least Square Error (LSE) estimation techniques were applied to the problem of identifying pilot-vehicle dynamic characteristics in flight simulation. A brief investigation of the effects of noise, input bandwidth and system delay upon the FFT and LSE techniques was undertaken using synthetic data. Data from a piloted simulation conducted at NASA Ames Research Center was then analyzed. The simulation was performed in the NASA Ames Research Center Variable Stability CH-47B helicopter operating in fixed-basis simulator mode. The piloting task consisted of maintaining the simulated vehicle over a moving hover pad whose motion was described by a random-appearing sum of sinusoids. The two test subjects used a head-down, color cathode ray tube (CRT) display for guidance and control information. Test configurations differed in the number of axes being controlled by the pilot (longitudinal only versus longitudinal and lateral), and in the presence or absence of an important display indicator called an 'acceleration ball'. A number of different pilot-vehicle transfer functions were measured, and where appropriate, qualitatively compared with theoretical pilot- vehicle models. Some indirect evidence suggesting pursuit behavior on the part of the test subjects is discussed.
SU‐E‐P‐23: What Can the Medical Physics Field Learn From the Open Source Hardware Community?

Purpose: To introduce the Medical Physics community to the up-and-coming open hardware movement, and discuss what lessons can be learned from it and how it could be useful to our field. Methods: By definition, open source hardware is “hardware whose design is made publicly available so that anyone can study, modify, distribute, make, and sell the design or hardware based on that design”. Arduino microcontroller boards and the evolution in 3d printing technologies are among the most successful open hardware examples. These examples showed that both collaboration and competition are factors facilitating and accelerating innovations. They also help universalizing research by decreasing costs and enabling higher-level manufacturing. Participation in open source projects in academia has also shown to have multiple advantages. The project gets massively peer reviewed through its online publication, and the comments generally lead to improvement of the design and better performance. It also increases the visibility of the work, therefore increasing the chance for citations and funding. Results: The development in-house of a motorized detector positioning device that can be mounted to a water tank will be open-sourced and presented as an example of open source project that could be useful to others in the Medical Physics field, whether it is for research or clinical work. The common aspects to share when open-sourcing a project will be discussed. A device for regulating the temperature inside a water phantom will also be presented and open-sourced to the community. Finally, the development of a project-sharing web platform specially designed for the Medical Physics community will be discussed. Conclusion: The open source hardware movement is gaining in popularity and the Medical Physics field could benefit from a similar collaborative open-framework. It would definitely help driving and accelerating innovations in the field as well as decreasing some of the associated costs. Part of this research was supported by the Odyssey Program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Screening of Nonfilamentous Bacteria for Production of Cutin-Degrading Enzymes

Two hundred thirty-two nonfilamentous bacterial strains, including saprophytes, plant pathogens, and opportunistic plant and human pathogens, were screened for the ability to produce cutinases (cutin-degrading esterases). Initially, esterase activity of culture filtrates of strains grown in nutrient broth-yeast extract medium supplemented with 0.4% apple or tomato cutin was determined by a spectrophotometric assay utilizing the model substrate p-nitrophenyl butyrate. The culture filtrates of the 10 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains tested exhibited the highest esterase activity, with values of >500 nmol/min/ml. Of these 10 strains, 3 (K799, 1499A, and DAR41352) demonstrated significant induction (10-fold or above) of esterase activity by addition of cutin to nutrient broth-yeast extract medium. The ability of culture filtrates of the three strains to cause release of apple cutin monomers was confirmed by a novel high-performance liquid chromatography technique. Monomer identification was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analyses. Addition of the nonionic detergent n-octylglucoside stimulated cutinase activity of culture filtrates from strains K799 and DAR41352, but not that of filtrates from strain 1499A. Time course studies in nutrient broth-yeast extract medium supplemented with apple cutin indicated maximal levels of cutinase in the culture fluids after cultures entered stationary phase. Incubation temperatures below the optimal temperature for growth (37°C) led to maximal production of cutinase.
STRUCTURAL MODELS AND GRAPH THEORY

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses structural models and graph theory. One approach to develop geometric models of complex systems is known as structural modeling. A structural model is any model that represents a complex system as a set of elements with relations linking some or all of them and places the emphasis on the geometry or structure rather than on quantitative aspects of the relationships. Thus, a structural model can usually be depicted as a graph or digraph. In building a structural model for a complex system, there are several distinct steps, each of which should be carried out systematically. From a structural model, conclusions can be derived in two ways: (1) by proving theorems about digraphs and applying them or (2) by plugging inputs into a computer. Both procedures give feedback to the model user, which can be used to modify the model and to give insights about the complex system.
A 40 MHz 64-bit floating-point co-processor

An arithmetic coprocessor capable of executing 64-bit double-precision floating-point, 32-bit single-precision floating-point, and 32-bit integer instructions has been integrated onto a 1.0-cm*1.1-cm chip in a 1.2- mu m, single-poly, double-metal bulk CMOS process. The chip contains 17000 transistors and includes a register file, two accumulators, and separate interface, multiplication, and addition subprocessors. The coprocessor which is the arithmetic unit for a multichip microprocessor system, is packaged in a 132-pin leadless ceramic chip carrier. The coprocessor can be issued a new instruction each 25-ns clock cycle, and 64-bit double-precision arithmetic with full IEEE rounding is executed at a peak rate of 26.7 MFLOPs (million floating-point operations per second). The waveforms of a store instruction operating at 40 MHz are shown. >
Global Diversity and Inclusion at Royal Dutch Shell (A)

Royal Dutch Shell has been among the early players to implement diversity and inclusion policies in the 1990s, first in the U.S. and then globally. In May 2009, Peter Voser, CFO and soon-to-be CEO, wants to adjust the company's business, headcount and cost levels to adapt to changing economic conditions after one of the worst economic downturns in decades. His all-male Executive Committee has raised eyebrows since it is a step back from that of his predecessor, and he must decide whether to continue to promote the firm's emphasis on global diversity and inclusion while it restructures its business and reduces its managerial workforce.
An Empowering Approach to Managing Social Service Organizations, by Donna Hardina, Jane Middleton, Salvador Montana, and Roger A. Simpson

Much of the literature on empowerment focuses on assisting members of stigmatized groups to influence the institutions that have power over them. In social work, that literature generally addresses...
Cancellation of B-integral accumulation in CPA lasers

Summary form only given. We report the cancellation of B-integral accumulated in a regenerative amplifier by using a GaAs plate that has negative nonlinear index of refraction at 1.053 /spl mu/m. The nonlinear index of refraction is about three orders of magnitude larger than Nd:glass or KDP so a thickness of less than 1 mm is required. We show the compressed pulse duration measured as a function of accumulated B-integral increases without the compensator plate as B exceeds 1, while with the GaAs plate installed, the pulse duration remains fixed. 1.053-/spl mu/m chirped pulses are generated in a Nd:LiYF/sub 4/ laser oscillator coupled into a 0.8-km single-mode fiber. They are subsequently expanded in a grating pair.
In vivo Models of Diabetic Retinopathy

Animal models are being used by numerous investigators to study the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Each of the different animal models has advantages and disadvantages that should be kept in mind when selecting which model to use. This chapter will summarize the histopathology of animal models of diabetic retinopathy and will address four important topics for each model (type of diabetes, histopathology and rate of development of retinopathy, therapies or gene modifications studied in this model, and advantages and disadvantages of the model). Each of the diabetic models studied to date reproduces the capillary degeneration that characterizes the early stages of the retinopathy, but neurodegeneration has been studied only in diabetic rodents. Although none of the available models has been found to reliably develop preretinal neovascularization to date, this deficiency could be due to insufficient durations of diabetes (resulting in insufficient obliteration of retinal capillaries) rather than an intrinsic difference between humans and animal models.
A Comparative Review of Developmental Screening Tests

Public Law 99-457 amends the Education of the Handicapped Act to include services for children from birth through 3 years. Inasmuch as detection and referral of children with developmental delays continues to reside largely with pediatricians and other health care professionals, developmental screening, using standardized tests, is increasingly important. To help physicians select from the array of instruments, 19 different screening tests were administered by a pediatrician and rated by a panel of pediatricians and a special educator. While the panel found few tests that fit within the time constraints of pediatric practice, several tests approached standards for educational and psychologic tests. These included the Battelle Developmental Inventory Screening Test, Infant Monitoring System, Developmental Indicators for Assessment of Learning-Revised, Screening Children for Related Early Educational Needs, and the Developmental Profile II.
Does A Pre-Introduction Course Improve Subsequent Performance In Introduction To Computer Programming?

A new Computer Science Introduction course is described. Student grades and the withdraw rate for the next course are both improved, and the proportion of student Computer Science majors is increased. Initial results indicate that the availability of the new Introduction to Computer Science (CSO) reduces the number of students who withdraw from the old Introduction to Computer Science (CS1) almost certainly because students who simply need an introduction to computers no longer sign up for CS1 – a computer science and computer programming course). The limited data for students who took CS1 after completing CS0 do not as yet statistically support the hypothesis that CS0 will improve performance in CS1. A higher proportion of students who completed both CS0 and CS1 declared Computer Science or Information Systems majors, than the proportion of those who just completed CS1.
Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of metal-benzylpropionitrile dithiocarbamate complexes

Abstract A new dithiocarbamate, benzylpropionitrile dithiocarbamate (BPDTC), has been synthesized for use in metal analysis. The high-performance liquid chromatography behavior of metal chelates of BPDTC has been investigated for the simultaneous determination of antimony, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, thallium, and zinc, all of which are on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's list of priority pollutant metals. Metals are extracted into dichloromethane as BPDTC chelates, and then separated on a C18 column. Cobalt is added as an internal standard. The effects of pH and of three organic modifiers (methanol, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran) of the mobile phase on retention time have been investigated. Addition of dichloromethane to the mobile phase increases solubility and chelate stability, and improves the separation of metal BPDTC complexes. BPDTC is added to the aqueous mobile phase to reduce on-column dissociation of the complexes. Detection limits at 260 nm are in the range of 0.1 to 3 μg/l depending on the metal species.
Comparison of behavioral effects of nucleus basalis magnocellularis lesions and somatosensory cortex ablation in the rat

Abstract Cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis region of the forebrain project to various portions of the cerebral cortex, including somatosensory cortex. Degeneration of these neurons and their cortical projections is a major feature of the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease. Injecting an excitotoxin into the basal forebrain to destroy nucleus basalis neurons provides a potentially useful animal model for studying the role of these neurons in Alzheimer's disease. Previously, we demonstrated that rats with nucleus basalis excitotoxin lesions performed poorly on a tactile discrimination task and on a test of working memory. In an effort to clarify further the role of impaired memory versus other types of impairment (e.g. disrupted somatosensory processing due to cholinergic deafferentation of somatosensory cortex), we compared a group of rats with bilateral nucleus basalis excitotoxin lesions and a group with bilateral somatosensory cortical ablations on a variety of behavioral tasks. Rats with nucleus basalis lesions performed as well as controls on a battery of neurological tests but exhibited increased emotionality unlike rats with somatosensory cortical ablations which performed poorly on the battery but were not hyperemotional. The two lesion groups were impaired significantly and to a comparable degree in performing two-choice tactile discriminations in a T-maze. In contrast, only rats with nucleus basalis lesions showed deficits in working memory as tested in an eight-arm radial maze. Both lesion groups performed comparably to sham controls on a test of reference memory involving a black/white discrimination in a T-maze. The findings suggest that rats with nucleus basalis lesions manifest disturbances in several of the same spheres (emotionality, somatosensory information processing, memory) that are disrupted in Alzheimer's disease and further confirm the utility of the excitotoxin lesion approach for studying the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease.
Methods of Analysis of Linear Models with Unbalanced Data

Abstract The objective of this article is to review existing methods for analyzing experimental design models with unbalanced data and to relate them to existing computer programs. The methods are distinguished by the hypotheses associated with the sums of squares which are generated. The choice of a method should be based on the appropriateness of the hypothesis rather than on computational convenience or the orthogonality of the quadratic forms. The sums of squares are described using the R ( ) notation as applied to the over-parameterized linear model, but the hypotheses are stated in terms of the full-rank cell means model. The zero-cell frequency situation is treated briefly.
Compulsory licensing, price controls, and access to patented foreign products

Abstract We analyze how a price control and the threat of compulsory licensing (CL) affect consumer access in a developing country (South) to a patented foreign product. In the model, the Southern government sets the level of the price control on a Northern patent-holder who chooses between entry and voluntary licensing (VL). While entry incurs a higher fixed cost, licensed production is of lower quality. If the patent-holder does not work its patent locally, the South is free to use CL. The threat of CL: ensures that consumers have access to (a lower quality version of) the patented good when the patent-holder chooses not to work its patent locally; improves the terms at which VL occurs; can cause the patent-holder to switch from VL to entry; and can delay consumer access when CL replaces VL or entry. We also show that a price control and CL are mutually reinforcing instruments.
gem-Difluoroallyllithium: Preparation by the transmetalation procedure and some reactions

Abstract 3,3-Difluoroallyltrimethyltin has been prepared by the reaction of β-trimethylstannylethylidenetriphenylphosphorane with chlorodifluoromethane. This tin compound reacts with n-butyllithium in tetrahydrofuran at -95°C to generate gem-difluoroallyllithium. The latter, however, is not stable in solution at that temperature. If generated in situ in the presence of a triorganochlorosilane, products of the type R3SiCF2CHCH2 are obtained in good yield. Addition to the CO bond of 3-pentanone to give (C2H5)2C(OH)CF2CHCH2 was achieved by the method of alternate, incremental additions.
Dispersion from safety valves and other momentum emission sources: Continuous

Abstract Safety valves are atypical pollutant emission sources in petroleum refineries and chemical plants. Their releases are characterized by very high velocities (from 20ms−1 to sonic) and near-ambient temperatures, so they are referred to as momentum sources, as opposed to bouyant sources. Since releases from these sources to the atmosphere may contain relatively high (often 100%) pollutant concentrations we have developed a method of accurately predicting the critical ground level concentrations of pollutants resulting from such sources. (The critical ground level concentration is the highest ambient pollutant concentration at any downwind location or meterological condition.) Since no data were available on which to base an air dispersion model for predicting ground level concentrations for momentum sources, an experimental program was undertaken, consisting of a full scale simulation of a momentum source emission using an inert tracer gas and downwind sampling to determine resulting critical ground level concentrations. Based on the data collected, a dispersion calculation method for estimating ground level concentrations from momentum sources was developed. The general form of this correlation is similar to the previously suggested, but not validated, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) momentum plume equation. The modified equation contains an additional parameter to account for the large gas density differences often encountered with momentum source releases. The equation was designed to be somewhat conservative to compensate for the randomness of atmospheric phenomena, the limited amount of experimental data, and the fact that safety valve releases can include dangerous substances. The calculation method described in this report is recommended to predict peak ambient concentrations for any source dominated by momentum plume conditions.
Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ stores in rat supraoptic neurons: involvement in histamine-induced enhancement of depolarizing afterpotentials

Abstract Histamine, a putative neuromodulator and neurotransmitter, can depolarize supraoptic neurons and enhance depolarizing afterpotentials that play a key role in determining the excitability of these neurons. This study investigated intracellular signal transduction involved in histamine-induced enhancement of depolarizing afterpotentials utilizing immunohistochemical and electrophysiological methods. Abundant inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-related immunostaining was seen in all parts of the supraoptic nucleus, mainly within somata and proximal processes of the magnocellular neurons, but also in astrocytes of the ventral glial lamina. In supraoptic neurons displaying depolarizing afterpotentials, three brief depolarizations evoked a slow inward current. Bath application of histamine (1–2.5 μM) reversibly enhanced this slow inward current in almost all supraoptic neurons tested. Amplitudes and durations of the slow inward current were increased by 68.1% and 22.8%, respectively. Pretreatment of cells with a histamine receptor (subtype 1) antagonist (pyrilamine) or inhibitors of phospholipase C activation (neomycin or U73122) prevented histamine-induced enhancement of the slow inward current. When electrodes containing heparin, an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor blocker, were used for recording, histamine had no effect on the slow inward current. Heparin, however, failed to abolish norepinephrine-induced enhancement of the slow inward current. After H 7 [1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine], an inhibitor of protein kinase C, was infused into supraoptic neurons via the electrodes, histamine-induced enhancement of the slow inward current was also blocked. These results indicate the presence of, and functional roles for, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-sensitive Ca 2+ stores in supraoptic neurons. Following activation of histamine receptors (subtype 1) and phospholipase C, Ca 2+ mobilization from internal stores participates in mediating histamine-induced enhancement of depolarizing afterpotentials.
A-C Multiple-Unit Car Control Equipment

Recent years have witnessed a growing demand for improvements in a-c multiple-unit car equipments. This paper, together with three companion papers,1,2,3 deals with principal objectives of the improvement program and shows how they were attained in new equipments now going into revenue service on a large eastern railroad. The principal improvements center in the use of four newly designed traction motors per car, instead of the usual two, and a resistance acceleration scheme containing a new motor-driven cam controller. Improvements also were made in protective schemes and in arrangement of apparatus. Dynamic braking, now being worked out as a next logical development step for a-c cars, also is discussed briefly.
Effects of earthworm casts and compost on soil microbial activity and plant nutrient availability

Abstract Vermicomposting differs from conventional composting because the organic material is processed by the digestive systems of worms. The egested casts can be used to improve the fertility and physical characteristics of soil and potting media. In this study, the effects of earthworm casts (EW), conventional compost (CP) and NPK inorganic fertilizer (FT) amendments on N mineralization rates, microbial respiration, and microbial biomass were investigated in a laboratory incubation study. A bioassay with wheat ( Triticum aestivium L.) was also conducted to assess the amendment effects on plant growth and nutrient uptake and to validate the nutrient release results from the incubation study. Both microbial respiration and biomass were significantly greater in the CP treatment compared to EW treatment for the initial 35 days of incubation followed by similar respiration rates and biomass to the end of the study at 70 days of incubation. Soil NO 3 − increased rapidly in the EW and CP treatments in the initial 30 days of incubation, attaining 290 and 400 mg N kg −1 soil, respectively. Nitrate in the EW treatment then declined to 120 mg N kg −1 soil by day 70, while nitrate in the CP treatment remained high. While ammonium levels decreased in the CP treatment as nitrate level increased with increasing incubation time, a low level of ammonium was maintained in the EW treatment throughout the incubation. The wheat bioassay study included two additional cast treatments (EW-N and EW2) to have treatments with higher levels of N input. Plants grown with CP or FT treatment had a lower shoot biomass and higher shoot N content than in EW-N and EW-2 treatments, and also showed symptoms of salinity stress. Ionic strength and other salinity indicators in the earthworm cast treatments were much lower than in the CP treatment, indicating a lower risk of salinity stress in casts than in compost. All cast and compost amendments significantly increased wheat P and K uptake compared to either the non-amended control or the mineral fertilizer treatment. The results show that casts are an efficient source of plant nutrients and that they are less likely to produce salinity stress in container as compared to compost and synthetic fertilizers.
Testing of non-feedback bridging faults

Abstract Deterministic and random testing of non-feedback bridging faults is considered. Deterministic testing involves the computation of test vectors. Test generation algorithms for non-feedback bridging faults, involving only two lines, is discussed in [1]. We show that the algorithms in [9,11,12,15] for computing test vectors for stuck-at faults can be used for computing test vectors for faults which are a combination of stuck-at and non-feedback bridging faults. The non-feedback faults may consist of a short among more than just two lines. In order to determine the random test length, the detectability profile of the circuit with respect to a given fault list is required [10,21]. This motivates the need for computing the detection probability of faults. Algorithms for computing the detection probability of non-feedback faults has not been discussed. We present an algorithm for computing the detection probability of non-feedback bridging faults. It is shown that this algorithm can also be used for computing the detection probability of faults which are a combination of stuck-at and non-feedback bridging faults.
Crystal structure of MJ1247 protein from M. jannaschii at 2.0 A resolution infers a molecular function of 3-hexulose-6-phosphate isomerase.

Abstract The crystal structure of the hypothetical protein MJ1247 from Methanococccus jannaschii at 2 A resolution, a detailed sequence analysis, and biochemical assays infer its molecular function to be 3-hexulose-6-phosphate isomerase (PHI). In the dissimilatory ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) cycle, ribulose-5-phosphate is coupled to formaldehyde by the 3-hexulose-6-phosphate synthase (HPS), yielding hexulose-6-phosphate, which is then isomerized to fructose-6-phosphate by the enzyme 3-hexulose-6-phosphate isomerase. MJ1247 is an α/β structure consisting of a five-stranded parallel β sheet flanked on both sides by α helices, forming a three-layered α-β-α sandwich. The fold represents the nucleotide binding motif of a flavodoxin type. MJ1247 is a tetramer in the crystal and in solution and each monomer has a folding similar to the isomerase domain of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase (GlmS).