cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Sterility of Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil for Use During Rodent Surgery

In biomedical research, surgeons are often responsible for simultaneously conducting rodent surgical procedures, monitoring anesthesia, and adjusting nonsterile equipment. Maintaining appropriate aseptic technique can be challenging when working under these conditions. Applying a sterile barrier material such as aluminum foil to nonsterile surfaces in these circumstances offers an innovative, inexpensive option to improve asepsis. The purpose of this study was to validate the sterility of foodgrade aluminum foil for use as a sterile barrier on nonsterile equipment during rodent surgery. In this investigation, 10 boxes of aluminum foil were assessed for sterility by using ATP swabs and replicate organism detection and counting (RODAC) plates at 0, 14, and 28 d and 6 mo. At 6 mo, foil was applied to surgical equipment, and sterility was assessed by using ATP swabs and RODAC plates. Results revealed no ATP-positive results at any time point. During assessment of samples obtained directly from boxes, RODAC plates yielded minimal bacterial growth (1 cfu per plate) in 2 of the 10 boxes at initial testing and in 1 box at the day 0, day 14, and 6 mo time points. No growth was observed at day 28 (tested directly from the box) or at 6-mo apparatus testing. Our data revealed minimal bacterial growth on tested samples and support the use of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil as a sterile barrier on nonsterile surfaces during aseptic rodent surgery.
Adolescent predatory stress increases peripheral TNFα response to LPS regardless of sex

Chronic adolescent stress has been shown to cause increased adverse effects in response to an immune stressor later in life including the development of anxiety and PTSD. Following stress, the production of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1{beta} and TNF is expected to increase in response to an immune challenge such as LPS. Male and female mice underwent fifteen consecutive days of predatory stress. Chronic adolescent stress was shown to increase both anxiety-like behavior (F(1, 28) = 19.82, p = 0.0001) and TNF levels within the periphery (F(1, 19) = 4.748, p = 0.0421).
Designing and implementing state-level fertility preservation health insurance benefit mandates

ObjectiveTo describe the design and implementation of state-level fertility preservation (FP) health insurance benefit mandates and regulation and to provide stakeholders with guidance on best practices, gaps, and implementation needs. DesignLegal mapping and implementation framework-guided analysis SettingU.S. states with state-level fertility preservation health insurance benefit mandates Patient(s)Individuals at risk of iatrogenic infertility Intervention(s)State laws mandating health insurance benefit coverage for fertility preservation services. Main Outcome Measure(s)Design features of FP mandated benefit legislation; implementation process Result(s)Between June, 2017 and March, 2021, 11 states passed FP benefit mandate laws. On average, states took 223 days to implement their mandates from the start of the laws enactment dates to their corresponding effective dates, and a majority issued regulatory guidance after the law was in effect. Significant variation was observed in which FP services were specified for inclusion or exclusion in the laws and/or regulator guidance. Federal policies impacted state level implementation, with the ACA and HIPAA guiding design of fertility preservation benefits. In addition, a majority of states referenced medical society clinical practice guidelines in the design of FP mandated benefits. ConclusionsOur policy scan documented significant variation in the design and implementation of health insurance benefit mandates for FP services. Future considerations for policy development include specificity and flexibility of benefit design, reference to external clinical practice guidelines to drive benefit coverage, inclusion of Medicaid populations in required coverage, and consideration of interaction with relevant state and federal policies. In addition, key considerations for implementation include the sufficient length of time for the implementation period, regulator guidance issued prior to the law going into effect, and explicit allocation of resources for the implementation process.
Application of statistical machine learning clustering algorithms to improve EUR predictions using decline curve analysis in shale-gas reservoirs

Abstract A robust machine learning workflow using two well-established statistical clustering algorithms, K-Means Clustering (K-MC) and K-Nearest Neighbors (K-NN) was developed to improve ultimate recovery (EUR) predictions of new wells in shale-gas reservoirs using a decline curve model developed by Duong (2011). These two clustering algorithms can handle big datasets with multiple well parameters with high computational efficiency. Out of a total of 55,623 dry-gas wells from seven shale gas formations, 7631 wells that fit the criteria for Duong's decline curve model were selected in this study for further analysis. K-MC and K-NN were applied to group wells with similar well characteristics using well location, well depth, well length, and production starting year as parameters. Locations of the grouped wells show that the clusters of wells with similar well characteristics identified by both clustering methods scatter over a big area. These findings clearly demonstrate that simply grouping wells by the proximity of physical locations is not a good way of identifying wells with similar well characteristics. The results from this study also suggest that the selection of optimal clustering methods is highly dependent on the shale formation and the method used for EUR prediction. Even with the limited number of well parameters available in the datasets used in this study, the machine learning clustering algorithms managed to improve the EUR prediction accuracy by around 20%. More available well information will allow the machine learning algorithms to capture more of the well characteristics, thereby further increasing the accuracy of EUR predictions.
Reciprocity of Algorithms Solving Distributed Consensus-Based Optimization and Distributed Resource Allocation

In this paper, relations between distributed consensus-based optimization and a network resource allocation problem are considered. It is shown that first-order gradient algorithm for distributed consensus-based optimization can be used for finding an optimal solution of distributed resource allocation with synchronous protocol under weaker assumptions than those given in the literature. Moreover, second-order gradient algorithm for distributed consensus-based optimization is presented that can be employed for solving distributed resource allocation problems. As a result, several algorithms used for distributed consensus-based optimization can now be applied to derive distributed algorithms for resource allocation. It is shown that first and second order gradient algorithms for distributed resource allocation can be utilized for finding an optimal solution of distributed consensus-based optimization as well. The results presented in this paper can be applied to time-varying or random directed networks with or without synchronous protocols with arbitrary initialization. Finally, a numerical example of a distributed estimation in wireless sensor networks is given to demonstrate the results.
Cooperative computing in sensor networks

We envision that during the next decade the advances in technology will make sensor networks more powerful. Therefore, they will become part of a larger class of networks of embedded systems that have sufficient computing, communication, and energy resources to support distributed applications. The current software architectures and programming models are not suitable for these new computing environments. We present a distributed computing model, Cooperative Computing, and the Smart Messages software architecture for programming large networks of embedded systems. In Cooperative Computing, distributed applications are dynamic collections of migratory execution units, called SmartMessages, working to achieve a common goal. Virtually, any userdefined distributed application can be implemented using ourmodel. To illustrate this flexibility, we describe the implementation, using Smart Messages, of two previously proposed applications for sensor networks, SPIN and Directed Diffusion. The simulation results for these applications together with micro-benchmark results for our prototype implementation demonstrate that Cooperative Computing is a viable solution for programming networks of embedded systems.
HIF and Notch non canonical pathways affect the emergence and differentiation of Cardiovascular Progenitor Cells (LB270)

Adaptive responses to low Oxygen (O2) tension (hypoxia) are integral to embryogenesis, tumorigenesis, and tissue ischemia. Developing embryos begin to experience a hypoxic microenvironment promoting the development of the cardiovascular system. Early differentiation events focus the generation of Flk-1, Brachyury double positive cardiovascular progenitor cells, hemangioblasts, which have hematopoietic, endothelial, and cardiomyocyte potential. Our model system utilizes embryonic stem (ES) cells, which can be cultured and differentiated under physiologic conditions (3 % O2) into embryoid bodies (EBs) mimicking early development Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) is a major transcriptional player required for the temporal differentiation of these progenitor cells. We propose that HIF also plays a significant noncanonical role in mediating the generation and differentiation of hemangioblasts cells by interacting with the Notch signaling pathway. Using chemically and genetically modified mouse ES cells, different...
The use of poly-L-lysine to form novel silica morphologies and the role of polypeptides in biosilicification

Silicification at neutral pH and under ambient conditions in vitro is of great interest due to its relationship with silicification in vivo as well as for the benign conditions of the process. As it is important to know the exact group(s) or a particular site in the macromolecules that are responsible for the silicification under these conditions in vivo, poly-L-lysine (PLL) was chosen for this investigation in vitro. Here we report the use of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) as a silica precursor and the utilization of poly-L-lysine (PLL) for silicification at neutral pH and under ambient conditions. We describe (1) the use of PLL to precipitate silica, (2) the effect of mixing of macromolecules PLL and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) to control morphologies of the product, and (3) the formation of novel silica morphologies.
Corrosion Inhibition of Stress Corrosion Cracking and Localized Corrosion of Turbo‐Expander Materials

Stress corrosion cracking of 7050 aluminum alloy in the turbo expander and steam/gas turbine industry can cause catastrophic failures, especially for turbo machinery systems performing in hostile, corrosive environments. Commercially available inhibitors were investigated for their effectiveness in reducing and controlling the corrosion susceptibility. Inhibitor effectiveness was confirmed with electrochemical corrosion techniques. Polarization resistance increased with concentration of corrosion inhibitor due to film formation and displacement of water molecules. Cyclic polarization behavior for samples in the 1.0% to 10.0% inhibitor concentration showed a shift in the passive film breakdown potential. The substantial increase in the passive range has positive consequences for neutralizing pitting and crevice corrosion cell chemistry. The strain to failure and tensile strength determined from slow strain rate studies for the aluminum alloy showed pronounced improvement resulting from the inhibitors ability to mitigate SCC. Additionally, the fractographic analysis showed a changed morphology with ductile overload as the primary failure mode instead of transgranular or intergranular cracking.
The Road Not Taken in Brown: Recognizing the Dual Harm of Segregation

SUPREME Court opinions like Brown v. Board of Education' reveal their consequences and yield their secrets only with the passage of time. The Supreme Court candidly recognized this reality seventeen years after it delivered Brown: "Nothing in our national experience prior to 1955 prepared anyone for dealing with changes and adjustments of the magnitude and complexity encountered since then."2 Fifty years have now elapsed since May 17, 1954, and the passage of time allows us to put perspective into a reexamination of the opinion that launched American society into the desegregation era and became the catalyst for astonishing changes in race relations not only in public education, but throughout American society. In 1954, the Supreme Court came to a fork in the road in its school segregation jurisprudence when Brown became the first case to force the Court to articulate the harm generated by segregation per se.3 Chief Justice Warren defined the primary harm of segregation to be the negative psychological impact on African-
Distributed control of heterogeneous systems interconnected over an arbitrary graph

We consider the problem of synthesizing a distributed output-feedback controller achieving H/sub /spl infin// performance for a system composed of different, interconnected sub-units, when the topology of the underlying graph is arbitrary. Using tools inspired by dissipativity theory and gain-scheduled control we derive sufficient conditions in the form of finite dimensional linear matrix inequalities. These inequalities are coupled in a way that reflects the spatial structure of the problem and in turn, can be solved using a distributed algorithm, based on alternating projections onto the different feasible sets.
Pre‐treatment carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 does not predict the response to neoadjuvant therapy in patients with localized pancreatic cancer

Background The prognostic value of CA19-9 in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) treated with neoadjuvant therapy has not been well described.
10. Renewable Energy under the Kyoto Protocol: The Case for Mixing Instruments

This paper suggests that a mixture of measures may be needed to encourage renewable energy under the Kyoto Protocol. It explains that the goal of maximizing short term cost effectiveness tends to conflict with the goal of encouraging the long-term technological development that the world will need to move away from fossil fuels. Because of this tension, policy-makers should not, and generally have not, regarded global emissions trading as a panacea. The paper discusses how novel economic incentive measures and careful attention to design of emissions trading can help policy-makers use short term goals to lay the ground work for more ambitious long-term targets.
The Concept of Cat Primary Visual Cortex

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the structural and functional organization of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and the relationships of its subcomponent structures to the signal streams arriving from retina and transmitted to primary visual cortex. In gross structure, the LGN has a modified sigmoid shape with an upturned tail posteriorly, an almost horizontal body in the mid-section, and a down-turned head, anteriorly. The three dorsal laminae contain neurons ranging in size from small to large. Because of the presence of large neurons, these laminae are termed the magnocellular layers. Medial from the laminated portion of LGN is a highly compact structure, the medial interlaminar nucleus (MIN). It too is considered part of LGN. The MIN occupies about half of the medial surface of the LGN and is concentrated anteriorly in the nucleus. Retinal fibers approach from the ventral and lateral aspect in the optic tract (OT) and penetrate through the ventral surface of the nucleus to terminate in the appropriate layer according to their eye of origin and position of parent cell body in the retina. Each of the components of LGN receives a unique and signature set of fiber types from retina.
Estimated corn yields using either weed cover or rated control after pre-emergence herbicides

Abstract Because soil-residual PRE herbicides reduce and delay annual weed emergence and decrease later weed growth, susceptible weeds surviving or recovering from herbicide treatment reduce crop yields less than do untreated weeds. Recently, corn yields were shown to be reduced differently by untreated weeds emerging in and between crop rows. However, equations have not been reported before that relate corn yield to in-row and between-row weed cover of mixed weed populations recovering from PRE soil-residual herbicides. Published data from PRE herbicide screening research for 3 site-yr in Missouri were reanalyzed to characterize this relation. In-row and between-row weed cover of mixed weed populations, chiefly giant foxtail and common waterhemp, were measured from photographs at midsummer. In 2 of 3 site-yr and with the 3 site-yr average, corn yields were a nonlinear function of both in-row and between-row weed cover recovering from various PRE soil-residual herbicide treatments. In 1 of 3 site-yr, corn...
The miR-200 Family: Versatile Players in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

The role of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) in the pathology of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has been extensively studied. Many miRNAs differentially expressed in EOC as compared to normal controls have been identified, prompting further inquiry into their role in the disease. miRNAs belonging to the miR-200 family have repeatedly surfaced over multiple profiling studies. In this review, we attempt to consolidate the data from different studies and highlight mechanisms by which these miRNAs influence progression of metastasis and chemo-resistance in EOC.
A linear programming approach for optimizing the path of robot arm in an obstacle oriented work cell

Abstract A robot work cell has many peripheral devices and other components that may be placed inside the work envelop of a robot. The control computer not only has to interact with the peripheral devices but must also avoid collision with the physical components. Futhermore the work pieces can appear in various geometrical forms. All these objects are candidate obstacles in the work envelope. The problem is to find a shortest route for the end effector, avoiding collision with any of the object and still choose the shortest path to the target point. Present approaches used for the same purpose (1),(2), (3) and (4) are either computationaly inefficient or require expensive equipment. This paper offers an alternative approach of applying Linear Programming techniques to find the shortest path of the robot arm to the target point. For simplicity, the robot considered is a three dimensional gantry robot. The linear model formulated in this paper is based on the assumption that at any point in time obstacle coordinates of all vertices of obstacles are known to the controller. This model approximates the distance travelled by the end effector by calculating its motion in each axis. The model minimizes the sum total travel of the arm in the X, Y, Z directions.
Temperature-dependent variation in the synthesis of group-specific carbohydrate by streptococcal variant strains. I. Immunochemical studies.

A temperature-dependent alteration in the synthesis of the group-specific polysaccharide was found to occur in two "variant" streptococcal strains, A-486-Var and C 121/46/4. These strains synthesize a polysaccharide with variant immunochemical characteristics when grown at 37°C. However, when these organisms are grown at lower temperatures, 22°C, an enhanced synthesis of Group A carbohydrate occurs. Other variant strains show no appreciable alteration of the cell wall carbohydrate composition when grown at lower temperatures. Studies on an intermediate strain show that this organism has a propensity for the synthesis of a polysaccharide with higher glucosamine content and enhanced Group A serological reactivity when grown at 22°C. Immunochemical studies performed on the carbohydrates produced by the A-486-Var at various temperatures revealed that the appearance of Group A serological reactivity at lower temperatures is due to the additional synthesis of a polysaccharide with Group A specificity along with the continued synthesis of a variant carbohydrate. This finding contrasts with data obtained on the carbohydrate produced by the intermediate organisms that appears to consist predominently of one molecule bearing dual A and variant antigenic determinants.
The Wetting of Calcite Surfaces

Abstract Three established methods for deriving the surface energetic parameters for calcite were studied. These are based on the contact angle in air using various wetting liquids, and submerged systems in water and in alkanes. Two variations of these methods that require less elaborate experimental procedures were also explored. Although the results of these methods were not entirely in agreement, several interesting observations emerged. The contact angles of water on the heated and alkylketene-dimer-(AKD)-treated calcite samples were higher than the untreated sample, and were observed to decrease with time. These results strongly suggest that these treatments alter the calcite surface to reduce its stability toward water. The work of adhesion determined in alkanes and water suggests that water interacts so strongly with calcite that it cannot be displaced by alkanes. This conclusion is reinforced by the results obtained using the more recent theory of adhesion of van Oss and Good which emphasizes the ...
High performance substitutional-gate MOSFETs using MBE source-drain regrowth and scaled gate oxides

We report high transconductance MOSFETs with scaled dielectric (1.2 nm EOT) fabricated using a substitutional-gate process with MBE source/drain regrowth. A 50 nm-L g and 1.2 nm EOT device shows 0.8 mA/µm on-current at V gs -V th = 0.8 V and V ds = 0.5 V and 1.0 mS/µm peak transconductance at V ds = 0.5 V which are 25% and 40% higher than those of a 1.65 nm EOT control device, respectively. Transmission line method (TLM) measurements indicate 0.8 Ohm-µm2 metal-semiconductor contact resistivity and 18 Ohm sheet resistance of the regrown N+ source-drain contact layer.
A Source for T.S. Eliot's Use of “Elsewhere” in “East Coker”

According to Roberts, Eliot's lines near the end of Movement I of the "East Coker" section of the Four Quartets, "I am here / or there or elsewhere," may echo CA Prol. 9, "Whan we ben dede and elleswhere;" if so, the allusion to Gower's passage helps clarify Eliot's use of "elsewhere" as a reference to a state beyond death. Roberts admits, though, that there is no way to certain that the evocation of Gower was deliberate. Indeed. He might have added that Eliot might not have needed Gower to suggest such a use for "elsewhere," and that without certainty that that was what Eliot really meant, there is really no evidence that Eliot had Gower in mind at all. [PN. Copyright The John Gower Society. JGN 13.1]
Dynamics of mixing in estuaries

The one-dimensional, advective-dispersive equation for a non-conservative substance is reformulated such that salinity replaces longitudinal distance as one of the independent variables. This general formulation is used to discuss the concept of concentrate-salinity mixing curves. The importance of temporal variations and loss terms in distorting these curves is illustrated by solving the transformed equation for simple cases. Procedures for measurement, interpretation and prediction of mixing curves are discussed.
GEF-H1 is involved in agonist-induced human pulmonary endothelial barrier dysfunction

Endothelial cell (EC) permeability is precisely controlled by cytoskeletal elements [actin filaments, microtubules (MT), intermediate filaments] and cell contact protein complexes (focal adhesions, adherens junctions, tight junctions). We have recently shown that the edemagenic agonist thrombin caused partial MT disassembly, which was linked to activation of small GTPase Rho, Rho-mediated actin remodeling, cell contraction, and dysfunction of lung EC barrier. GEF-H1 is an MT-associated Rho-specific guanosine nucleotide (GDP/GTP) exchange factor, which in MT-unbound state stimulates Rho activity. In this study we tested hypothesis that GEF-H1 may be a key molecule involved in Rho activation, myosin light chain phosphorylation, actin remodeling, and EC barrier dysfunction associated with partial MT disassembly. Our results show that depletion of GEF-H1 or expression of dominant negative GEF-H1 mutant significantly attenuated permeability increase, actin stress fiber formation, and increased MLC and MYPT1 phosphorylation induced by thrombin or MT-depolymerizing agent nocodazole. In contrast, expression of wild-type or activated GEF-H1 mutants dramatically enhanced thrombin and nocodazole effects on stress fiber formation and cell retraction. These results show a critical role for the GEF-H1 in the Rho activation caused by MT disassembly and suggest GEF-H1 as a key molecule involved in cross talk between MT and actin cytoskeleton in agonist-induced Rho-dependent EC barrier regulation.
Skp2, the FoxO1 hunter

Skp2 is an oncoprotein that mediates the degradation of several negative regulators of the cell cycle to promote cell proliferation. A recent report by Huang and colleagues reveals that Skp2 directs the ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation of FoxO1, a member of the FoxO family of transcription factors. Since FoxO proteins possess tumor suppressor functions, this new finding suggests a new mechanism by which Skp2 may favor tumorigenesis.
Competitive strategies in U.S. banking

Abstract This paper discusses the planning gaps and needs of U.S. Commercial and Savings Banks which must be addressed as part of a strategic response to the new competitors in the field and the new circumstances.
Biologically risk directed therapy for improved trial development and outcomes in patients with AML

The outcome for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia has substantially improved over the past several decades. A significant part of this improvement has resulted from the dose intensification of treatment strategies. However, while dose intensification increased the cure rate for patients with AML, there has also been treatment related morbidity and mortality. Further, despite such toxicity, the primary cause of death is still leukemia.
Anchor probes for comparative mapping of grass genera

Comparative mapping of cDNA clones provides an important foundation for examining structural conservation among the chromosomes of diverse genera and for establishing hypotheses about the relationship between gene structure and function in a wide range of organisms. In this study, “anchor probes” were selected from cDNA libraries developed from rice, oat, and barley that were informative for comparative mapping in the grass family. One thousand eight hundred probes were screened on garden blots containing DNA of rice, maize, sorghum, sugarcane, wheat, barley, and oat, and 152 of them were selected as “anchors” because (1) they hybridized to the majority of target grass species based on Southern analysis, (2) they appeared to be low or single copy in rice, and (3) they helped provide reasonably good genome coverage in all species. Probes were screened for polymorphism on mapping parents, and polymorphic markers were mapped onto existing species-specific linkage maps of rice, oat, maize, and wheat. In wheat, both polymorphic and monomorphic markers could be assigned to chromosomes or chromosome arms based on hybridization to nullitetrasomic and ditelosomic stocks. Linkage among anchored loci allowed the identification of homoeologous regions of these distantly related genomes. Anchor probes were sequenced from both ends, providing an average of 260 bp in each direction, and sequences were deposited in GenBank. BLAST was used to compare the sequences with each other and with a non-redundant protein sequence database maintained at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). Of the anchor probes identified in this study 78% showed significant similarity to protein sequences for known genes with BLASTX scores exceeding 100.
Doppler echocardiographic characterization of the fetus in distress

Abstract Doppler echocardiography has become an integral component to the assessment of fetal hemodynamic status, and can be utilized to assess fetuses with cardiovascular compromise due to a variety of cardiac and non-cardiac causes. As many of the conditions associated with fetal cardiac compromise now have fetal therapeutic options, understanding and identifying fetal cardiac dysfunction in the current era assumes even greater importance, because accurate description of cardiac natural history should become an important component in determining patient selection and timing of intervention. There are now a number of Doppler indices that can be readily obtained on fetal echocardiography which describe systolic and diastolic cardiac function. Classically, Doppler characterization of systemic venous and arterial flow—in the inferior vena cava, ductus venosus, umbilical vein and artery, and middle cerebral artery—have been utilized to identify changes associated with elevations of central venous pressure and changes in vascular flow distribution. More recently, the Doppler myocardial performance index has emerged as a promising new index for assessment of global systolic and diastolic ventricular function. Doppler myocardial tissue imaging is a new modality that also offers significant potential for assessing both fetal systolic and diastolic ventricular function. It is the purpose of this chapter to review the various Doppler methods of assessing fetal cardiovascular status, describe the changes in these indices that are characteristic of fetal cardiac compromise, and offer a clinical approach to the comprehensive assessment of fetal cardiovascular function.
A test of interpersonal theory of depression in children and adolescents using a projective technique

Using a projective technique among child and adolescent psychiatric inpatients, we tested several hypotheses derived from Coyne's (1976b) interpersonal theory of depression. First, we predicted that depression would be associated with rejection, even controlling for the effects of aggression. Depression and rejection were associated only when aggression effects were covaried. Second, we hypothesized that the depression-rejection relation would display symptom specificity. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that depression, but not anxiety, was related to rejection. Third, we assessed whether an index of interpersonal style—reliance on others—moderated the depression-rejection relation. Results suggested that depression and overreliance were both associated with high rejection scores, whereas the combination of low depression and low reliance on others was associated with low rejection scores. We found that results held across age groups. The implications of our findings for the interpersonal theory of depression in youngsters are discussed.
FLOTILLIN AND EPIDERMAL SURFACE ANTIGEN DEFINE A NEW FAMILY OF CAVEOLAE-ASSOCIATED INTEGRAL MEMBRANE PROTEINS

Caveolae are plasmalemmal microdomains that are involved in vesicular trafficking and signal transduction. We have sought to identify novel integral membrane proteins of caveolae. Here we describe the identification and molecular cloning of flotillin. By several independent methods, flotillin behaves as a resident integral membrane protein component of caveolae. Furthermore, we have identified epidermal surface antigen both as a flotillin homologue and as a resident caveolar protein. Significantly, flotillin is a marker for the Triton-insoluble, buoyant membrane fraction in brain, where to date mRNA species for known caveolin gene family members have not been detected.
Changes in the concentration of mRNAs for the inhibin subunits in ovarian follicles after administration of gonadotropins to progestin treated ewes.

RNA was extracted from single or small groups of ovine ovarian follicles after treatment of ewes with FSH and/or LH. The content of mRNA for the α-inhibin and βA-inhibin subunits was analyzed by hybridization with specific cDNA probes. All ewes were treated with progestin vaginal pessaries to suppress spontaneous preovulatory follicle maturation and ewes were given three intramuscular injections of gonadotropins at 8-hr intervals starting 24 hr prior to collection of ovaries. In experiment I, both Schering-FSH and NIDDK-oFSH-17 (oFSH) significantly increased α- and βA-inhibin mRNA per ewe in 2–5 mm follicles and tended to increase α- and βA-inhibin mRNA in large (>5 mm) follicles. In experiment II, oFSH and NIDDK-oLH-25 (oLH) were administered in a 2X2 factorial arrangement. Separate administration of oFSH or oLH increased (P<.05) the α-inhibin mRNA concentration in large follicles. α-inhibin mRNA concentration in 4–5 mm follicles was also increased by oFSH but was decreased by oLH. Concomitant treatment with oFSH and oLH did not change α-inhibin mRNA concentrations from those measured in oFSH treated ewes. In experiment II, βA mRNA concentrations followed a pattern similar to that of αA mRNA, but the differences were not statistically significant. We conclude that, in the ewe, exogenous FSH increases the concentration of inhibin mRNA in the whole follicle. The ability of exogenous oLH to alter expression of the inhibin subunit genes may depend upon the stage of follicle maturation.
"When the Prescription Pad Is Not Enough": Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Management 2.0

CASE Jose is a 13-year-old boy who presents to his primary care provider after struggling in school for many years. When he was in the first grade, he was diagnosed at a tertiary center with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Multiple medication trials have produced few benefits and many side effects including poor sleep, morbid thoughts, lack of motivation, and, according to his parents, "he seemed like a robot."He comes now for his annual physical in April, and the parents tell you that the school is threatening that he be retained in the seventh grade. Parents are very adamant they do not want to try another medication. They have brought you their own and his advisor's Vanderbilt's, which each endorse 7 of 9 inattentive symptoms including trouble organizing, poor attention to detail, and easily distracted and forgetful in daily activities. His birth history and developmental history before beginning formal schooling are unremarkable. His first language was English whereas his parents speak Spanish to each other but not the children. He is healthy and without a history of head trauma, seizures, meningitis, or lead poisoning. An aunt has "learning problems."Jose's family lives in a crowded section of a large urban area. They share an apartment with another family, and both parents are employed full time with his father holding 2 full time jobs working double shifts. Their annual income is at the poverty line. There are 4 children in the family aged between 6 and 13 years.His school has been deemed a "recovery school" because of performing below standard on district-wide achievement tests. His classroom has 27 students, many of whom are English language learners, and he is not on an individualized education plan or 504 accommodations.The family is very concerned about the possibility of retention but have decided that "medicine does not help," and they look to you for other recommendations. Where do you go next?
A variational principle for singular integral equations with bounded solutions

Abstract In many boundary value problems involving triple integral equations or triple series relations, it is required to solve a single singular integral equation with constant but unknown limits of integration. In this paper we present a variational method to determine approximately the bounded unknown function, if it exists, together with the unknown limits of integration for a type of such singular integral equations. The method is used to recover the exact solution of an integral equation and is applied to a contact problem in the theory of elasticity which is intractable otherwise.
PLACENTAL NATURAL KILLER CYTOTOXICITY PARALLELS THAT OF CORD BLOOD

The newborn has enhanced susceptibility to viral infection, in part due to defects in cellular cytotoxicity (CC). The placenta serves as a barrier between mother and fetus, containing many immune cells whose functional capabilities have not been well characterized. Thus, we assessed phenotypic and functional capabilities of these cells.
Constraints of body size and swimming velocity on the ability of juvenile rainbow trout to endure periods without food

The hypothesis that body size and swimming velocity affect proximate body composition, wet mass and size-selective mortality of fasted fish was evaluated using small (107 mm mean total length, LT) and medium (168 mm mean L T ) juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss that were sedentary or swimming (c. 1 or 2 body length s -1 ) and fasted for 147 days. The initial amount of energy reserves in the bodies of fish varied with L T . Initially having less lipid mass and relatively higher mass-specific metabolic rates caused small rainbow trout that were sedentary to die of starvation sooner and more frequently than medium-length fish that were sedentary. Swimming at 2 body length s -1 slightly increased the rate of lipid catabolism relative to 1 body length s -1 , but did not increase the occurrence of mortality among medium fish. Death from starvation occurred when fish had <3.2% lipid remaining in their bodies. Juvenile rainbow trout endured long periods without food, but their ability to resist death from starvation was limited by their length and initial lipid reserves.
A Re-investigation of the Effects of ‘Nilevar’ on the Right Gonad of the Pullet

IN the female chicken, as in most female birds, only the left gonad develops into a functional ovary. Surgical removal of this left ovary is followed by hypertrophy of the right rudimentary gonad, indicating that the ovary exerts an inhibitory effect on the development of the right gonad (see refs. 1 and 2 for reviews). Kornfeld3 and Taber et al.4,5 demonstrated that physiological amounts of oestrogen inhibit the hypertrophy of the rudimentary gonad following sinistral ovariectomy. This inhibition does not appear to be due to suppression of pituitary gonadotrophins.
The Growing and Changing Role of Consortia in Providing Direct and Indirect Support for Distance Higher Education

Consortia and cooperative efforts in the library world have had a long history, and their importance has been recognized even from the start. As the twentieth century has progressed, consortia have become even more important, and the extent of their roles has broadened considerably. In the last few years, they have become large players in helping libraries build shared online catalogs and assisting libraries in affording purchases of electronic resources, both important elements of support for distance learners. As the number of distance learners increases at colleges and universities throughout the country, consortia will be increasingly important to library support of distance learners in their information needs.
Questions in the Making: A Review Essay on Zen and Buddhist Ethics in the Context of Buddhist and Comparative Ethics

In reviewing four works from the 1990s—monographs by Christopher Ives and Phillip Olson on Zen Buddhist ethics, Damien Keown's treatment of Indian Buddhist ethics, and an edited collection on Buddhism and human rights—this article examines recent scholarship on Zen Buddhist ethics in light of issues of Buddhist and comparative ethics. Its highlights selected themes in the notional and real encounter of Zen Buddhism with Western thought and culture as presented in the reviewed works and identifies issues and problems for further consideration, in particular, problems of comparative and cross-cultural understanding and the articulation and redefinition of Zen Buddhist tradition.
Development of alteration rinds by oxidative weathering processes in Beacon Valley, Antarctica, and implications for Mars

Abstract Alteration of fresh rock surfaces proceeds very rapidly in most terrestrial environments so that initial stages of modification of newly exposed surfaces are quickly masked by subsequent aqueous weathering processes. The hyper-arid and hypo-thermal environment of Beacon Valley, Antarctica, is limited in terms of available liquid water and energy available for alteration, which severely slows weathering processes so that the initial stages of alteration can be studied in detail. We report on the nature of initial chemical alteration of the Ferrar Dolerite in Beacon Valley, Antarctica, using a multiplicity of approaches to characterize the process. We suggest that initial chemical alteration is primarily driven by cation migration in response to the oxidizing environment. Morphological studies of altered rock surfaces reveal evidence of small-scale leaching and dissolution patterns as well as physical erosion due to surface weakening. Within the alteration front, mineral structures are largely preserved and alteration is only indicated by discrete zones of discoloration. Mineralogical investigations expose the complexity of the alteration process; visible/near-infrared reflectance and mid-infrared emission spectroscopy reveal significant variations in mineralogical contributions that are consistent with the introduction of oxide and amorphous phases at the surfaces of the rocks, while X-ray diffraction analyses reveal no definitive changes in mineralogy or material properties. Chemical analyses reveal large-scale trends that are consistent with cation migration and leaching, while small-scale electron microprobe analyses indicate that chemical variations associated with magmatic processes are still largely preserved within the alteration rind. This work confirms the incomplete and immature chemical alteration processes at work in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Liquid water is not a significant contributor to the alteration process at this early stage of rind development, but assists in the removal of alteration products and their local accumulation in the surrounding sediments. These results also suggest that the McMurdo Dry Valleys (and Beacon Valley, in particular) are relevant terrestrial analogs to hyper-arid and hypo-thermal alteration processes that may be dominant on the martian surface.
Radiation sensitivity of successively irradiated generations of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae), and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Abstract Four populations of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) were treated with 0 (control), 0·5, 1 or 2 krad of gamma radiation for 7 and 5 successive generations, respectively, and the adults from the subsequent unirradiated generation of each population were checked for fecundity. Groups of 6th generation T. castaneum and S. oryzae adults from each population were tested for resistance to acute radiation by exposure to doses of 16 and 50 krad followed by a check for mortality. No evidence of increased resistance to acute radiation exposures was found. Irradiated T. castaneum populations did not show significant decreases in mean survival time, but some significant decreases in life-span of irradiated S. oryzae populations were found. Fecundity of the 8th generation 0·5 krad T. castaneum was greater than that of the control population, but 1- and 2-krad populations did not show any difference in fecundity. Fecundity of the 6th generation S. oryzae population was not significantly different from that of the control, but 1- and 2-krad populations had significantly reduced fecundities. The test results indicated that possible accidental exposure of some insects to substerilizing doses during commercial radiation disinfestation is unlikely to bring about the development of radiation-resistant insect populations.
Transecting the dorsal fornix results in novelty detection but not temporal ordering deficits in rats

It has been shown that CA1 subserves temporal ordering processes in the hippocampus. It has also recently been shown that transecting the subcortical outputs of dorsal CA1 via the dorsal fornix results in retrieval deficits similar to those seen after lesions to CA1. The present experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of disrupting CA1 subcortical outputs for the temporal processing of visual objects and for a visual object novelty detection paradigm. The results of the present study suggest that CA1 subcortical efferents are not critically involved in temporal processing of visual objects, but are critically involved in visual object novelty detection. The data also suggest that temporal processing and novelty detection may potentially be subserved by independent mechanisms in CA1.
Cobalt isothiocyanate coordination polymers constructed from isomeric bis(pyridylmethyl)piperazine ligands: Ribbon and chain motifs and a novel (3,4)-connected supramolecular layer

Abstract Slow diffusion conditions have afforded a pair of cobalt isothiocyanate coordination polymers incorporating the flexible and hydrogen-bonding capable organodiimines N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)piperazine (3-bpmp) and N,N′-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)piperazine (4-bpmp), which were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectral and elemental analysis. While both [Co(NCS)2(3-bpmp)2]n (1) and {[Co(NCS)2(H2O)2(4-bpmp)] · 2H2O}n (2) possess one-dimensional (1-D) coordination polymer units, the donor disposition within the organodiimine promotes significant structural disparities. Compound 1 displays a 1-D double-chain motif, where each cobalt ion is bridged by two exobidentate 3-bpmp ligands. In contrast, compound 2 manifests a single chain pattern, with only one tethering 4-bpmp ligand joining adjacent cobalt ions. Extensive hydrogen-bonding patterns within the structure of 2 results in an intriguing supramolecular 2-D (3,4)-connected layer with (4.62)2(42.62.82) topology. Thermal properties of these materials are also discussed.
Use of tertiary alkyl primary C12C14 amines for the assay of C14O2 by liquid scintillation counting

Abstract The use of Primene 81-R (Rohm and Haas Co., Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A.), a mixture of tertiary alkyl primary long chain (C12C14) amines, as a reagent for the quantitative trapping and scintillation counting of C14O2 is described. The 160°C in vacuo distillation of Primene 81-R yields a colorless distillate which when diluted with methanol to a molarity of from 0·25 to 2·0 rapidly and quantitatively traps CO2. The Primene-C14O2 complex is stable at 25°C and compatible with scintillation fluid composed of 3 g 2,5-diphenyloxazole per liter of toluene. Primene 81-R causes little or no quenching when used in the concentrations recommended.
Mesoscale model evaluation with coherent Doppler lidar for wind farm assessment

Wind measurements are fundamental inputs for wind resource assessment and the performance of wind farms. Common approaches for wind energy yield assessment are based on (1) observational data from surface station networks and (2) high-resolution computational fluid dynamic or mesoscale models. In this letter, we investigate the potential of applying a high-resolution nested mesoscale model, Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS), to predict low-level wind characteristics for wind farm domains. The model results are compared to scanning coherent Doppler lidar and tower measurements for a wind energy development. This letter focuses on the magnitude of difference between observations and simulations used for wind energy assessment. The results highlight the challenge for straight-forward application of mesoscale models, even well-established models with a relatively fine resolution on the inner nest (333 m), to produce wind predictions of sufficient fidelity and accuracy appropriate f...