cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ERK-mediated uterine artery contraction: role of thick and thin filament regulatory pathways

We have demonstrated that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) plays an important role in the regulation of uterine artery contraction. The present study tested the hypothesis that ERK regulates thick and thin filament regulatory pathways in the uterine artery. Isometric tension, intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), and 20-kDa myosin light chain (LC20) phosphorylation were measured simultaneously in uterine arteries isolated from near-term (140 days gestation) pregnant sheep. Phenylephrine produced time-dependent increases in [Ca2+]i and LC20 phosphorylation that preceded the contraction, which were inhibited by the MEK (ERK) inhibitor PD-098059. In addition, PD-098059 decreased the intercept of the regression line of LC20 phosphorylation vs. [Ca2+]i but increased the rate of tension development vs. LC20 phosphorylation. In contrast to phenylephrine, phorbol 12,13-bibutyrate (PDBu) produced contractions without changing [Ca2+]i or LC20 phosphorylation. PD-098059 potentiated PDBu-induced contractions without affecting [Ca2+]i and LC20 phosphorylation. PDBu produced time-dependent increases in phosphorylation of p42 and p44 ERK and ERK-dependent phosphorylation of caldesmon at Ser789 in the uterine artery. PD-098059 blocked PDBu-mediated phosphorylation of p42 and p44 ERK and caldesmon. The results indicate that ERK may regulate force by a dual regulation of thick and thin filaments in uterine artery smooth muscle. ERK potentiates the thick filament regulatory pathway by enhancing LC20 phosphorylation via increases in [Ca2+]i and Ca2+ sensitivity of LC20 phosphorylation. In contrast, ERK attenuates the thin filament regulatory pathway and suppresses contractions independent of changes in LC20 phosphorylation in the uterine artery.
Systematic review documents PECS effectiveness for exchange-based outcome variables, but effects on speech, social or challenging behavior remain unclear

Abstracted from: Preston, D., & Carter, M. (2009). A review of the efficacy of the Picture Exchange Communication System intervention. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39, 1471–1486. Source of funding: No source of funding reported.
Effects of several insecticide formulations on oothecal drop and hatchability in German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

Formulations used for control of German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), were investigated. The insecticides tested on gravid females were bendiocarb, chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, hydramethylnon, malathion, propetamphos, propoxur, and pyrethrins. Exposure to each insecticide increased the frequency of oothecal drop and reduced the percentage oothecal hatch. The percentage of oothecae that were dropped increased as a curvilinear function of insecticide concentration. An LD50 of propoxur to female German cockroaches resulted in the greatest oothecal drop (83.50%); fenvalerate caused the least drop (22.60%). LD50’s of cypermethrin, propetamphos, and propoxur resulted in 29.60, 31.807, and 37.30% hatch from dropped oothecae, respectively. The smallest percentage hatch from retained oothecae was caused by LD50’s of propoxur (1.5%) and cyfluthrin (7.70%). Retained oothecae from females treated with an LD50 of fenvalerate (68.70%) or pyrethrins (68.70%) had the greatest percentage hatch. Total percentage hatch (dropped and retained oothecae) declined exponentially as the insecticide concentration increased. An LD50 of cypermethrin limited total oothecal hatch to 24.50%, whereas LD50’s of fenvalerate, malathion, and pyrethrins resulted in 53.60, 52.20, and 58.90% hatch, respectively. Mean time to oothecal hatch increased linearly with increasing insecticide concentration for all insecticides tested.
The Effects of Interfacial Particles on the Contact of an Elastic Sphere With a Rigid Flat Surface

Chemical mechanical polishing CMP is a manufacturing process commonly used in planarization of wafer based integrated circuits ICs. CMP is a key technology in generating planar surfaces for interlevel dielectric ILD, shallow trench isolation STI, and damascene metallization 1. The introduction of the new materials such as porous ultra-low-k dielectrics and shrinking device sizes calls for more stringent requirements for the CMP process to control the material removal rate MRR and planarity. CMP involves pushing down a rotating wafer attached to a wafercarrier, against a rotating polishing pad while liquid slurry, containing various oxidizing chemicals and abrasive particles, is supplied to the pad-wafer interface. The global equilibrium of the wafer is established between the forces exerted by the lubrication layer due to the slurry, contact, and deformation of the pad, and the term soft elastohydrodynamic lubrication has been coined for the problem that defines the wafer-scale force equilibrium 2. The problem can be investigated in a hierarchical manner of which the present work covers the three-body and two-body contacts at the particle, wafer, and pad interfaces. Improvements in the CMP outcomes can be facilitated if the complex relationships between various processing conditions and their effect on the MRR can be understood. The chemical reactions between the CMP-slurry and the wafer are the primary driver for preparing the surface for polishing. The contact of the particles at the pad-wafer interface provides the mechanism to remove the material from the wafer surface 3. The elastic modulus of the wafer and abrasive particles is large compared to the elastic modulus of the pad 1. Therefore the wafer and abrasive particles can be considered to be rigid in a model of the pad-wafer interface. The pad is made of an elastomeric mate
Stable Decision Problems

A decision problem is characterized by a loss function $V$ and opinion $H$. The pair $(V, H)$ is said to be strongly stable iff for every sequence $F_n \rightarrow_\omega H, G_n \rightarrow_\omega H$ and $L_n\rightarrow V, W_n\rightarrow V$ uniformly, $\lim_{\varepsilon \downarrow 0} \lim \sup_{n\rightarrow \infty} \lbrack \int L_n(\theta, D_n(\varepsilon)) dF_n(\theta) - \inf_D \int L_n(\theta, D) dF_n(\theta)\rbrack = 0$ for every sequence $D_n(\varepsilon)$ satisfying $\int W_n(\theta, D_n(\varepsilon)) dG_n(\theta) \leqq \inf_D \int W_n(\theta, D) dG_n(\theta) + \varepsilon.$ We show that squared error loss is unstable with any opinion if the parameter space is the real line and that any bounded loss function $V(\theta, D)$ that is continuous in $\theta$ uniformly in $D$ is stable with any opinion $H$. Finally we examine the estimation or prediction case $V(\theta, D) = h(\theta - D)$, where $h$ is continuous, nondecreasing in $(0, \infty)$ and nonincreasing in $(-\infty, 0)$ and has bounded growth. While these conditions are not enough to assure strong stability, various conditions are given that are sufficient. We believe that stability offers the beginning of a Bayesian theory of robustness.
An algorithm for the treatment of isolated zygomatico-orbital fractures.

Purpose To present algorithms for the treatment of zygomatico-orbital (ZMO) fractures and to review how many of our patients were treated using each. We have presented 2 algorithms: 1 for when intraoperative computed tomography (CT) scans are not available and 1 for when intraoperative CT scans are available. Patients and Methods The data from all patients treated by us for isolated, unilateral ZMO fractures from January 1991 to December 31, 2013 with adequate medical records were retrospectively analyzed. The demographic information and treatment methods were collected and tabulated to determine how these patients' fractures had been classified using the 2 algorithms. Simple descriptive statistics were applied. Results A total of 883 patients with sufficient records who had undergone treatment of isolated, unilateral ZMO fractures were included. Of these 883 patients, 71 were classified as having high-energy ZMO fractures that had not been treated using 1 of the algorithms. A total of 758 patients with sufficient records to be included in the present study were treated using the algorithm before intraoperative CT scanning was available. Finally, 54 patients were treated using the algorithm after intraoperative CT scanning was available. The patients were similar demographically. The number of patients treated at each point in the algorithms is shown. Overall, only 40% of patients required internal orbital reconstruction. Conclusions The treatment of most ZMO fractures can be sequential, using an algorithm to avoid unnecessary surgical approaches and procedures that can potentially cause iatrogenic deformities. The use of intraoperative CT scans will allow the surgeon to be less invasive, with greater predictability and precision.
The effects of visual feedback on hemispheric alpha asymmetries and reported processing strategies: A single-subject experimental design

A double reversal single-subject experimental design was used to study the effects of visual feedback on the hemispheric alpha asymmetries of a male subject during a linguistic task. Results indicated that the subject demonstrated flexibility in hemispheric alpha and corresponding processing strategies employed when an alpha biofeedback procedure was used. These results provide further support for the notion that right and left hemispheric activation is associated with different, yet compatible, cognitive strategies and that both can be manipulated under conditions of feedback.
Localization of zinc transporter-3 (ZnT-3) in mouse retina

Studies of the central nervous system have localized the zinc-transporter-3 (ZnT-3) protein to synaptic vesicles containing glutamate and zinc. We have examined the distribution of the ZnT-3 protein in the light-adapted mouse retina using immunohistochemical techniques. Light microscopic analysis of 15-30-microm retinal sections revealed a rich band of ZnT-3 protein in the region of the outer limiting membrane and photoreceptor inner segments. ZnT-3 reactivity was also present in the outer plexiform, inner nuclear, inner plexiform, and ganglion cell layers. The outer nuclear layer and photoreceptor outer segments did not exhibit ZnT-3 immunoreactivity. In the light-adapted murine retina, ZnT-3 appears localized in regions which have been found reactive for ionic zinc.
Effect of Galactose on β-Galactosidase Synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12

In wild-type strains of Escherichia coli K-12, the rate of thiomethylgalactoside (TMG)-induced β-galactosidase synthesis is decreased in the presence of galactose or glucose. A spontaneous mutant of a K-12 strain, 58-161, which synthesizes β-galactosidase at a low rate was isolated. In this mutant, galactose, after a lag of about one generation time, evoked the same final differential rate of enzyme synthesis as did the gratuitous inducer TMG. However, constitutive, TMG-induced and galactose-induced synthesis in the mutant were subject to inhibition by exogenous glucose. It is concluded that repression of β-galactosidase synthesis derived from glucose is distinct from the inhibition derived from galactose.
Image transmission system using adaptive joint source and channel decoding

In this paper, an adaptive joint source and channel decoding method is designed to accelerate the convergence of the iterative log-dimain sum-product decoding procedure of LDPC codes as well as to improve the reconstructed image quality. Error resilience modes are used in the JPEG2000 source codec, which makes it possible to provide useful source decoded information to the channel decoder. After each iteration, a tentative decoding is made and the channel decoded bits are then sent to the JPEG2000 decoder. Due to the error resilience modes, some bits are known to be either correct or in error. The positions of these bits are then fed back to the channel decoder. The log-likelihood ratios (LLR) of these bits are then modified by a weighting factor for the next iteration. By observing the statistics of the decoding procedure, the weighting factor is designed as a function of the channel condition. That is, for lower channel SNR, a larger factor is assigned, and vice versa. Results show that the proposed joint decoding methods can greatly reduce the number of iterations, and thereby reduce the decoding delay considerably. At the same time, this method always outperforms the non-source controlled decoding method up to 5dB in terms of PSNR for various reconstructed images.
Self-trapped magnetic polaron: Exact solution of a continuum model in one dimension

A continuum model for the self-trapped magnetic polaron is formulated and solved in one dimension using a variational technique as well as the Euler-Lagrange method, in the limit of ${J}_{H}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty},$ where ${J}_{H}$ is the Hund's-rule coupling between the itinerant electron and the localized lattice spins treated as classical spins. The Euler-Lagrange equations are solved numerically. The magnetic polaron state is determined by a competition between the electron kinetic energy, characterized by the hopping integral t, and the energy of the antiferromagnetic lattice, characterized by the exchange integral J. In the broad-band case, i.e., for large values of $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\equiv}{t/JS}^{2},$ the electron nucleates a saturated ferromagnetic core region (type-II polaron) similar to the Mott description, while in the opposite limit, the ferromagnetic core is only partially saturated (type-I polaron), with the crossover being at ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{c}\ensuremath{\approx}7.5.$ The magnetic polaron is found to be self-trapped for all values of $\ensuremath{\alpha}.$ The continuum results are also compared to the results for the discrete lattice.
Observation of strange kinetics in protein folding

Highly nonexponential folding kinetics in aqueous solution have been observed during temperature jump-induced refolding of two proteins, yeast phosphoglycerate kinase and a ubiquitin mutant. The observations are most easily interpreted in terms of downhill folding, which posits a heterogeneous ensemble of structures en route to the folded state. The data are also reconciled with exponential kinetics measured under different experimental conditions and with titration experiments indicating cooperative folding.
Condensing enzyme levels in the serum after experimental myocardial infarction.

Increased levels of condensing enzyme are shown to occur in the sera of dogs after experimental myocardial infarction. The animals with the elevated levels also showed characteristic changes of the electrical activity of the heart and associated increases in the glutamate-oxal acetate transaminase activity of serum. Condensing enzyme has been detected in the sera of patients who suffered myocardial infarctions.
Considerations in the Design of Pulse Amplifiers for Use with Solid State Radiation Detectors

The definition of amplifier noise in terms of equivalent charge or equivalent electrons and the technique for its measurement in these terms is discussed in detail. Some of the theory which relates to the design of low noise, highly stable pulse amplifiers is reviewed. Tubes and other circuit elements suitable for use in low noise amplifiers are discussed. The effect of the pulse shaping networks on the s/n ratio (shot noise and grid-current noise components) is described and data are given for the relative merits of single and double RC and delay line clippers in association with 1 to 5 RC integrators. It is shown, for example, that the noise performance of the double delay line clipper is noticeably inferior to that of the single RC clipper, although it is very much better with regard to permissible counting rate.
Contribution of topical tar oil to ultraviolet B phototherapy for psoriasis.

A bilateral comparison study of twenty-two outpatients with psoriasis assessed clearing experience and remission time on halves of the body to which tar oil and oil vehicle (an emollient) were applied twice daily. In addition, both sides were treated three times a week with suberythemogenic doses of ultraviolet B radiation. Of the eighteen patients who complied with the protocol, fourteen (78%) had clearing. There was no significant difference between body halves with regard to the number of treatments to clearing, the dose of ultraviolet B to clearing, or the remission time (p > 0.2, all comparisons). Our data indicate with 95% confidence that using tar oil in conjunction with ultraviolet B phototherapy reduces the average total ultraviolet B dose required for clearing by a maximum of 9%, in comparison with using oil vehicle and ultraviolet B. These findings suggest that there is insufficient evidence for substantial clinical benefit to recommend tar oil use in conjunction with outpatient ultraviolet B phototherapy for psoriasis.
Managers’ Organizational Values and Ethical Attitudes in the Direct Marketing Industry

Increased unethical practices (Rieck, 1998), cyberspace crimes (Rothfeder, 1996) , and security threats (Pfleeger, 1997) in the emerging Internet-based global economy persistently raise more public concerns regarding the business conduct of direct marketing (DM) organizations. Violation of citizens' privacy (Charters, 2002), deceptive or misleading product offers, unsolicited offers, telemarketing scams, unauthorized sharing of customer lists, cyberspace's ethical vulnerability, and the lack of privacy and security of customer databases (Culnane, 1993; Rothfeder, 1997) are among these fears. The question arises as to how the environment of an organization affects practices that could be interpreted as unethical or socially irrespon sible. This research project studies the effect of the organizational values on the ethical attitudes and practices of DM managers. A similar study was previously conducted on MIS professionals (Vitell and Davis, 1990). In some other studies (Howard, 1990; Vitell and Festervant, 1987; Kaku, 1997) , organizational values, as a normative environmental factor, were used as an independent variable in their relationship to the dependent variable, such as members' decision-making behavior. Finegan (2000)
A framework for summarizing and analyzing twitter feeds

The firehose of data generated by users on social networking and microblogging sites such as Facebook and Twitter is enormous. Real-time analytics on such data is challenging with most current efforts largely focusing on the efficient querying and retrieval of data produced recently. In this paper, we present a dynamic pattern driven approach to summarize data produced by Twitter feeds. We develop a novel approach to maintain an in-memory summary while retaining sufficient information to facilitate a range of user-specific and topic-specific temporal analytics. We empirically compare our approach with several state-of-the-art pattern summarization approaches along the axes of storage cost, query accuracy, query flexibility, and efficiency using real data from Twitter. We find that the proposed approach is not only scalable but also outperforms existing approaches by a large margin.
Social Psychology in Poland

The status of social psychology in Poland is examined. The social and political context within which social psychology operates is described, with a summary of major research activities. Research in Poland covers a broad range of topics, including helping behavior, game theory, punishment, aggression, objective self-awareness, and scientific method. The intents of this paper are to increase professional contacts among social psychologists in Poland and in other countries and to com- pare social psychology in Poland to theoretical and social problems studied by social psychologists in North America.
Expression of α-Expansin and Expansin-Like Genes in Deepwater Rice

Previously, we have studied the expression and regulation of four α- and 14 β-expansin genes in deepwater rice (Oryza sativa). We now report on the structure, expression, and regulation of 22 additional α-expansin (Os-EXP) genes, four expansin-like (Os-EXPL) genes, and one expansin-related (Os-EXPR) gene, which have recently been identified in the expressed sequence tag and genomic databases of rice. α-Expansins are characterized by a series of conserved Cys residues in the N-terminal half of the protein, a histidine-phenylalanine-aspartate (HFD) motif in the central region, and a series of tryptophan residues near the carboxyl terminus. Of the 22 additional α-expansin genes, five are expressed in internodes and leaves, three in coleoptiles, and nine in roots, with high transcript levels in the growing regions of these organs. Transcripts of five α-expansin genes were found in roots only. Expression of five α-expansin genes was induced in the internode by treatment with gibberellin (GA) and by wounding. The wound response resulted from excising stem sections or from piercing pinholes into the stem of intact plants. EXPL proteins lack the HFD motif and have two additional Cys residues in their C- and N-terminal regions. The positions of conserved tryptophan residues at the C-terminal region are different from those of α- and β-expansins. Expression of the Os-EXPL3 gene is correlated with elongation and slightly induced by applied GA. However, the expression of the Os-EXPL1 and Os-EXPL2 genes showed limited correlation with cell elongation and was not induced by GA. We found no expression of the Os-EXPR1 gene in the organs examined.
Atomic Structure of T6SS Reveals Interlaced Array Essential to Function

Summary Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are newly identified contractile nanomachines that translocate effector proteins across bacterial membranes. The Francisella pathogenicity island, required for bacterial phagosome escape, intracellular replication, and virulence, was presumed to encode a T6SS-like apparatus. Here, we experimentally confirm the identity of this T6SS and, by cryo electron microscopy (cryoEM), show the structure of its post-contraction sheath at 3.7 A resolution. We demonstrate the assembly of this T6SS by IglA/IglB and secretion of its putative effector proteins in response to environmental stimuli. The sheath has a quaternary structure with handedness opposite that of contracted sheath of T4 phage tail and is organized in an interlaced two-dimensional array by means of β sheet augmentation. By structure-based mutagenesis, we show that this interlacing is essential to secretion, phagosomal escape, and intracellular replication. Our atomic model of the T6SS will facilitate design of drugs targeting this highly prevalent secretion apparatus.
Biosynthesis of 7-Deazaguanosine-Modified tRNA Nucleosides: a New Role for GTP Cyclohydrolase I

Queuosine (Q) and archaeosine (G+) are hypermodified ribonucleosides found in tRNA. Q is present in the anticodon region of tRNAGUN in Eukarya and Bacteria, while G+ is found at position 15 in the D-loop of archaeal tRNA. Prokaryotes produce these 7-deazaguanosine derivatives de novo from GTP through the 7-cyano-7-deazaguanine (pre-Q0) intermediate, but mammals import the free base, queuine, obtained from the diet or the intestinal flora. By combining the results of comparative genomic analysis with those of genetic studies, we show that the first enzyme of the folate pathway, GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCYH-I), encoded in Escherichia coli by folE, is also the first enzyme of pre-Q0 biosynthesis in both prokaryotic kingdoms. Indeed, tRNA extracted from an E. coli ΔfolE strain is devoid of Q and the deficiency is complemented by expressing GCYH-I-encoding genes from different bacterial or archaeal origins. In a similar fashion, tRNA extracted from a Haloferax volcanii strain carrying a deletion of the GCYH-I-encoding gene contains only traces of G+. These results link the production of a tRNA-modified base to primary metabolism and further clarify the biosynthetic pathway for these complex modified nucleosides.
Development of Music Creativity among Elementary School Students

The purpose of this study was to compare the music improvisational creativity of students in Grades 2, 4, and 6. Randomly selected participants (N = 89) were given two measures of creativity, the Vaughan Test of Musical Creativity and the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (figural form). Two independent judges scored responses on the Vaughan test to determine music improvisational creativity. A significant grade-level difference emerged for music creativity scores, with Grade 2 students scoring significantly lower than Grade 4 and 6 students. Results of the study may indicate a music creativity growth stage exists from Grade 2 to 4, followed by a developmental leveling (no significant change in test scores) between Grade 4 and Grade 6. There also were significant gender differences for music creativity test scores, with boys scoring higher than girls. Finally, a weak but statistically significant correlation was found between music creativity and figural creativity.
The formation of the sex glands and germ cells of mammals. III. The history of the female germ cells in the albino rat to the time of sexual maturity

The entire ovary, including its germ cells, is produced by a local proliferation of peritoneal cells. The germ cells of the embryonic ovary grow, divide, become grouped into nests, pass through synaptic changes, and become primary follicles by three days after birth. At that time, growth of all the ova and follicles begins, and this results in a normal maturation, then a degeneration of all the ova by about thirty-two days after birth; few, if any, of the original germ cells remain after this degeneration. About twenty-three days after birth, there begins a great activity of the germinal epithelium in forming new ova, reaching its maximum between thirty-six and thirty-nine days, but continuing into the adult animal. The definitive ova of the adult are transformed peritoneal (germinal epithelial) cells formed anew during the late youthful and adult life. This occurs chiefly by a local enlargement of single germinal epithelial cells which become surounded by follicle cells and push into the ovary; there is also the production of ova from ingrowing cords of the surface layer of the ovary. The original germ cells pass through synapsis and other meiotic changes in late embryonic and early postnatal periods, but these all degenerate; synapsis cannot be distinguished later than three days after birth. But it is possible to follow, in young and adult ovaries, the transforming germinal epithelial cells into ova which pass through normal maturation and ovulation; therefore, these must be considered as true ova, which they are in fact, even though synapsis cannot be observed in their history.
Imagining subjective absence: Marcus on zombies

The claim that zombies are conceivable is a premise of one of the most important anti-physicalist arguments. Eric Marcus (2004) chal- lenges that premise in two novel ways. He observes that conceiving of zombies would require imagining total subjective absence. And this, he argues, we cannot do. However, his argument turns on the assumption that absence is imaginable only against a background of presence and, I argue, that assumption is dubious. Second, he proposes that the prem- ise's intuitive plausibility derives from a scope confusion. However, I argue, on reflection that proposal is untenable. Many philosophers accept the conceivability of zombies: creatures that lack consciousness but are physically and functionally identical to conscious human beings. Many also believe that the conceivability of zombies supports their metaphysical possibility. And most agree that if zombies are metaphysically possible, then physicalism is false. So, the claim that zombies are conceivable may have considerable significance. 1 Eric Marcus (2004) challenges this conceivability claim in two novel ways. First, he observes that conceiving of zombies (in the sense relevant to the anti-physicalist conceivability argument) re- quires imagining total subjective absence. And this, he argues, we cannot do. Second, he suggests that the plausibility of the claim that zombies are conceivable derives from a scope confusion. Marcus' overall strategy has the right form. His proposals illus- trate the kinds of substantive moves that would be required to answer the challenge to physicalism based on the conceivability of zombies. 2 But he does not succeed in this endeavour. His argument against the 1 Throughout the paper, I go back and forth between the claim that zombies are conceivable and the claim that a zombie world is conceivable, where a zombie world is a minimal physical and functional duplicate of the actual world but without consciousness. The differences between these claims do not matter much here. 2 This virtue is lacking in other recent discussions of the argument. See, for ex- ample, Beaton 2005, p. 21.
Extensive co-occurrence of substance P and dynorphin in striatal projection neurons: an evolutionarily conserved feature of basal ganglia organization.

A number of different neuroactive substances have been found in striatal projection neurons and in fibers and terminals in their target areas, including substance P (SP), enkephalin (ENK), and dynorphin (DYN). In a preliminary report on birds and reptiles, we have suggested that SP and DYN are to a large extent found in the same striatal projection neurons and that ENK is found in a separate population of striatal projection neurons. In the present study, we have examined this issue in more detail in pigeons and turtles. Further, we have also explored this issue in rats to determine whether this is a phylogenetically conserved feature of basal ganglia organization. Simultaneous immunofluorescence double-labeling procedures were employed to explore the colocalization of SP and DYN, SP and ENK, and ENK and DYN in striatal neurons and in striatal, nigral, and pallidal fibers in pigeons, turtles, and rats. To guard against possible cross-reactivity of DYN and ENK antisera with each others' antigens, separate double-label studies were carried out with several different antisera that were specific for DYN peptides (e.g., dynorphin A 1–17, dynorphin B, leumorphin) or ENK peptides (leucine-enkephalin, metenkephalin-arg6-gly7-leu8, methionine-enkephalin-arg6-phe7). The results showed that SP and DYN co-occur extensively in specific populations of striatal projection neurons, whereas ENK typically is present in different populations of striatal projection neurons. In pigeons, 95-99% of all striatal neurons containing DYN were found to contain SP and vice versa. In contrast, only 1-3% of the SP+ striatal neurons and no DYN neurons contained ENK. Similarly, in turtles, greater than 75% of the SP+ neurons were DYN+ and vice versa, whereas ENK was observed in fewer than 5% of the SP+ neurons and 2% of the DYN+ neurons. Finally, in rats, more than 70% of the SP+ neurons contained DYN and vice versa, but ENK was found in only 5% of the SP+ neurons and in none of the DYN+ perikarya. Fiber double-labeling in the striatum and its target areas (the pallidum and substantia nigra) was also consonant with these observations in pigeons, turtles, and rats. These results, in conjunction with studies in cats by M.-J. Besson, A. M. Graybiel, and B. Quinn (1986; Soc Neurosci. Abs. 12:876) strongly indicate that the co-occurrence of SP and DYN in large numbers of striatonigral and striatopallidal projection neurons is a phylogenetically widespread, and therefore evolutionarily conserved, feature of basal ganglia organization. These populations of SP/DYN-containing projection neurons appear to be distinct from those containing ENK. The evolutionarily conserved nature of such widespread SP/DYN co-occurrence in striatal neurons that contain either of these peptides suggests that such co-occurrence is an important functional characteristic of the basal ganglia. The precise significance of such co-occurrence in terms of neurotransmission between these neurons and striatal target neurons, however, requires further study.
Preparation, Preliminary Characterization and Complexation of a Crystalline Redox‐based Chemical Delivery System for Dopamine

The synthesis of a redox-based chemical delivery system for dopamine (DA-CDS) was modified to yield a crystalline final product that had an improved stability profile during storage. Oxidation was the primary degradation process observed in crystalline DA-CDS samples, while hydration was a major degradation process in amorphous samples. Amorphous samples showed significant appearance of the 5,6-water addition product during storage. The crystalline DA-CDS was soluble in aqueous hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CyD). Lyophilized samples of the drug-HP-β-CyD complex had decreased stability compared to pure crystalline DA-CDS samples, which was attributed to the known hygroscopic properties of HP-β-CyD. In-vivo distribution was examined after intraperitoneal administration of a prototype aqueous formulation containing HP-β-CyD. Results indicate that the drug can reach target sites in the central nervous system after intraperitoneal dosing.
Nerve Regeneration: Basic and Applied Aspects

Increased knowledge is shedding new light on our understanding of central and peripheral nerve anatomy and molecular biology and function. New tools and methods provide important methods for the study of the behavior of cells, axons, and receptors. This review discusses the current state of that knowledge, with particular regard to the efficacy of the Seddon classification of nerve injury. The correlation of that new information to damage and repair of the peripheral sensory nerve, especially the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves, serves to highlight the progress and problems that exist.
Micromachined acoustic wave resonator isolated from substrate

This paper describes high Q, free-standing, narrow beam supported film bulk acoustic-wave resonators (FBARs) fabricated with silicon micromachining. The resonators are composed of metal/ZnO/metal/Si/sub x/N/sub y/ (or metal/ZnO/metal) composite layers, which are suspended by narrow Si/sub x/N/sub y//metal (or metal) beams to minimize energy leakage to the substrate. A layer of 0.5-/spl mu/m thick parylene deposited and patterned over the Si/sub x/N/sub y//metal (or metal) beams is proven to enhance the sturdiness of the free-standing structure greatly. The highest Q (quality) factors we have obtained with this new structure are 1,587 and 769 at 2.7 and 5.1 GHz, respectively. This paper also describes the effect of removing the silicon-nitride support layer (to form air-backed FBARs that do not use any supporting layer below or above piezoelectric the ZnO layer sandwiched by two metal layers). The electromechanical coupling constant (K/sup 2//sub t/) is improved from 3.2% to 6.8% when a 0.9-/spl mu/m thick silicon-nitride support layer is removed.
Mechanisms controlling increased vascular cell adhesion to nano-structured polymer films

Previous research has shown that increasing the nanometer surface roughness of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) films promotes vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell adhesion. The goal of this in vitro research was to understand the mechanism(s) behind these observed responses. In order to elucidate the adhesive factors for vascular cell adhesion on nano-structured PLGA, substrates of various surface feature dimensions were exposed to serum-containing media overnight. The adsorbed proteins were then desorbed using a stripping buffer and the amount, as well as type, of proteins initially adsorbed were analyzed. Furthermore, cellular adhesion studies were preformed in order to correlate the link between specific protein adsorption and subsequent cellular response. Results showed that nano-structured PLGA adsorbed significantly more vitronectin and fibronectin when compared to conventional PLGA. Additionally, vascular cell adhesion studies demonstrated that both vascular smooth muscle cell and endothelial cell density increased on vitronectin and fibronectin pre-adsorbed onto nano-structured (compared to conventional) PLGA. In combination, these results provide insights into the mechanism(s) of increased vascular cell adhesion on nano-structured PLGA important for tissue engineering applications.
Interviews with "vapers": implications for future research with electronic cigarettes.

Introduction: Awareness and use of electronic cigarettes (ecigs) has increased dramatically. Electronic Nicotine Delivery Devices deliver an aerosol comprised usually of water, propylene glycol and/or glycerin, nicotine, and flavorings. Scant re search exists to evaluate the efficacy and safety of such devices, and only one quantitative survey of European users (N = 81) has been published. This qualitative study explores e-cig users’ (“vapers”) experiences. Methods: Participants attended a convention or club meeting in St. Louis, MO, and were interviewed individually or in small groups. Qualitative methods were used to analyze interview data for both deductive and emergent themes to broad research questions. Results: Even with a relatively small sample of formal participants (N = 15), there were pervasive themes including the language and culture of vaping; social and informational support among vapers and their use of Internet resources (learning about e-cigs); the learning curve to using e-cigs and the numerous modifications (“mods”) available for e-cigs and personal vaporizers; motives and perceived benefits of using e-cigs versus cigarettes including cigarette-like enjoyment, cost, restored sense of taste and smell, and improved breathing and exercise tolerance; rapidly reduced nicotine tolerance and dependence; and a strong interest in e-cig–related research and policy. Conclusions: The learning curve to using e-cigs has important implications for laboratory tests of these devices with novice users. Similarly, the multiple e-cig options and the use of “mods” create challenges for researchers and policy makers. Transdisciplinary research is urgently needed, and experienced “vapers” are very interested and willing research participants.
X-Chromosome inactivation ratios affect wild-type MeCP2 expression within mosaic Rett syndrome and Mecp2−/+ mouse brain

Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in MECP2, encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). The onset of symptoms in RTT is delayed until 6-18 months and 4-6 months in the Mecp2(-/+) mouse model, corresponding to a dynamic and gradual accumulation of MeCP2 expression in individual neurons of the postnatal brain. Because of X chromosome inactivation (XCI), cells within RTT females are mosaic for expression of the heterozygous MECP2 mutation. Using the targeted Mecp2 mouse model, we investigated the effect of Mecp2 mutation on XCI and developmental MeCP2 expression in wild-type (wt)-expressing neurons by quantitative laser scanning cytometry. Mecp2(-/+) female mice exhibited uniform regional distribution of Mecp2 mutant-expressing cells in brain, but unbalanced XCI in the population, favoring expression of the Mecp2 wt allele. Interestingly, MeCP2 expression in Mecp2 wt-expressing cells from Mecp2(-/+) mice was significantly lower than those from Mecp2(+/+) age-matched controls. The negative effect of Mecp2 mutation on wt Mecp2 expression correlated with the percentage of Mecp2 mutant-expressing cells in the cortex. Similar results were observed in two RTT females with identical MECP2 mutations but different XCI ratios. These results demonstrate that Mecp2-mutant neurons affect the development of surrounding neurons in a non-cell-autonomous manner and suggest that environmental influences affect the level of MeCP2 expression in wt neurons. These results help in explaining the role of XCI in the pathogenesis of RTT and have important implications in designing therapies for female RTT patients.
Pre- and Perinatal Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder in a New Jersey Cohort

This study evaluated the prevalence of pre- and perinatal risk factors in a cohort of children with autism spectrum disorders compared with the New Jersey population. Our cohort included 268 indivi...
Giant right atrium in rheumatic mitral stenosis: Atrial enlargement restricted by mural calcification

Abstract Attention is called to the occurrence of a giant-sized right atrium and a nearly normal-sized left atrium in 3 adult patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. In each patient the left atrial wall was calcified, probably the result of organization of intraatrial thrombus, and the calcific deposits prevented the left atrium from dilating. All patients also had tricuspid regurgitation, which certainly contributed to the development of enormous right atrial dilatation, although other undetermined factors were probably operative also.
Kappa Opioid Receptors on Immune Cells as Studied by Fluorescent Ligands

Despite both functional (1–4) and molecular biological (5–8) evidence for the presence of opioid receptors on lymphocytes, the search for opioid binding sites on leukocytes has been difficult. Opioid binding sites possessing all the characteristics of the classical brain opioid receptors had not been detected until the identification of the κ opioid receptor on the mouse Rl.l thymoma cell line (9,10). Possible reasons why opioid receptors have been difficult to detect on mixed cell populations from the immune system include: 1) opioid receptors may be expressed on only a small population of lymphocytes; 2) the expression of opioid receptors on lymphocyte changes during lymphocyte maturation; and 3) radioreceptor binding methodology is not sufficiently sensitive to detect opioid receptors present at a low density. While the R1.1 cell line was useful in establishing that a lymphocyte could express an opioid receptor, interest still lies in determining if lymphocytes from a mixed cell population, such as thymus and spleen, express opioid receptors. To address this question, we developed an indirect immunofluorescent method that is more sensitive than radioreceptor binding assays (11,12).
Hyperthyroidism in Ancient Mesopotamia

799 “IF HE CONSTANTLY TWISTShis fingers and his eyes are protruded . . .”—so reads a fragment from an ancient cuneiform tablet from a Mesopotamian medical handbook. These two symptoms raise the possibility that the disease being described is hyperthyroidism. These words were written in Akkadian, an ancient Semitic language distantly related to Hebrew and Arabic. They were written on a clay tablet using cuneiform signs. The words read “summa ubānātiIsu uzâr o nāsI u ittanaqapa.” Writing was invented by the end of the fourth millennium B.C. in ancient Sumer, which is present day Iraq, and then spread throughout the fertile crescent to other peoples who had contact with the Sumerians. The oldest cuneiform medical text found to date is from the third millennium, unearthed in a vast royal archives in northern Syria; it was written in two languages—the Sumerian language and a variation of the Akkadian language called Eblaite. The Sumerians disappeared from history around 2000 B.C. but their traditions and legacy, including medical knowledge, were carried forward and further developed by Akkadian speakers such as the Babylonians and the Assyrians. The Akkadians did not develop their own script but instead adapted their own language to the Sumerian cuneiform writing system. By the Middle Babylonian and the Middle Assyrian periods (c. 1430–1050 B.C.), there was sufficient elaboration of medical knowledge to allow the preparation of a separate diagnostic handbook. By the reign of Marduck-apla-iddina—the biblical Merodach-Baladan 721–710 B.C.—this handbook had grown to more than 40 tablets. Of this series, we have a little less than half and that is largely because of the scholarly interests of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal (668–627 B.C.) who collected medical and other scientific texts in his famous library. The fragment quoted here is from the diagnostic handbook.
Toward a digital resilience

As we contend with human impacts on the biosphere, there is rightfully a great emphasis now on community adaptation and resilience to climate change. Recent innovations in information technologies and analyses are helping communities to become more resilient. However, not often discussed in this vein is a path toward digital resilience. If mapping and information tools are to help communities, it stands to reason that they must be resilient themselves, as well as the data that they are based on. In other words, digital tools can help make communities resilient by providing data, evidence-based advice on community decisions, etc., but the resilience of the tools themselves can also be an issue. Digital resilience means that to the greatest extent possible, data and tools should be freely accessible, interchangeable, operational, of high quality, and up-to-date so that they can help give rise to the resilience of communities or other entities using them. Given the speed at which humans are altering the biosphere, the usefulness and effectiveness of these technologies must keep pace. This article reviews and recommends three fundamental digital practices, particularly from the standpoint of geospatial data and for community resilience and policy-making. These are: (1) create and implement a culture that consistently shares not only data, but workflows and use cases with the data, especially within maps and geographic information systems or GIS; (2) use maps and other visuals to tell compelling stories that many different kinds of audiences will understand and remember; and (3) be more open to different kinds of partnerships to reduce project costs, yield better results, and foster public awareness and behavioral change.