cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Steroid-sparing effects of fluticasone propionate 100 μg and salmeterol 50 μg administered twice daily in a single product in patients previously controlled with fluticasone propionate 250 μg administered twice daily

Abstract Background: Concurrent use of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and an inhaled long-acting β 2 -agonist provides better overall asthma control than the use of higher doses of ICS alone. Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether fluticasone propionate (FP) combined with salmeterol in the Diskus device can be used to reduce the dose of ICS in patients currently stable on medium-dose ICS while maintaining asthma control. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, 12- to 24-week trial consisting of a 3-part run-in period. The run-in period was designed to first establish FP 250 μg administered twice a day (bid) via Diskus as the minimum effective dose. During run-in period 1, patients received FP 220 μg bid or the equivalent for 10 to 14 days. Controlled patients moved to run-in period 2 (5-28 days), which assessed asthma stability on FP 100 μg bid administered via Diskus. Only patients who became unstable on FP 100 μg bid were eligible to enter run-in period 3 (26-30 days), during which they were placed on FP 250 μg bid and those regaining asthma control were eligible for randomization. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients who remained in the study with no evidence of worsening asthma. Secondary efficacy measures included FEV 1 , morning peak expiratory flow, percent of symptom-free days, and daily albuterol use. Results: Only 5% of patients treated with FP100/salmeterol withdrew because of worsening asthma in the first 12 weeks; this compared with 7% in the FP250 group. All patients from a subset of sites continued in the study for an additional 12 weeks; only an additional 1% of patients treated with either FP100/salmeterol or FP250 withdrew because of worsening asthma. Secondary efficacy measures confirmed primary efficacy results. Conclusion: In patients requiring FP250 bid for asthma stability, FP100/salmeterol bid was steroid-sparing, allowing a 60% reduction in the FP dose while maintaining overall asthma control. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;111:57-65.)
DISARMING NATURE: CONVERTING MILITARY LANDS TO WILDLIFE REFUGES*

Since 1988 the United States has closed nearly two dozen major military installations and reclassified them as national wildlife refuges. By presenting a case study of one site of military‐to‐wildl...
A hierarchical framework for manufacturing systems scheduling: A two-machine example

A hierarchical framework for understanding manufacturing systems is described. It provides guidance for the development of algorithms for real-time decision-making in a manufacturing enterprise in which such disruptive events as machine failures, material absences, expedited items, engineering changes, fluctuations of demand, and setups play a role. The hierarchy is divided into a set of levels that correspond to events that occur at very different frequencies. At each level, decisions are made in a way that satisfies the capacity constraints that are appropriate to that level and that meets objectives determined at higher levels. These decisions are either actions, such as the loading of a part or the initiation of a setup, or objectives to be issued to lower levels. The application of the scheduling hierarchy to a simple, two-machine manufacturing system is presented. The goal is to meet a specified production plan as closely as possible. The scheduler must compensate for random failures, and must choose times to initiate set-ups and load parts. Simulation results are presented.
High-level Petri-net model for a resource-sharing problem

Abstract This paper deals with the modeling and analysis of a typical resource-sharing problem using a high-level Petri net. This model is at a level higher than any of the existing related class of Petri nets. With the introduction of structured places and generalized functional expressions as arc labels, our net is expected to be useful in modeling real-life problems in operating systems. Our analysis leads to a new solution of the classical banker's algorithm.
Structural Studies of G-Alpha-Q Signaling

The heterotrimeric G protein Gαq has been implicated in a variety of cardiovascular processes, such as blood pressure regulation. Structural studies of Gαq signaling can lead to a greater understanding of these cardiovascular processes. G protein-coupled receptors activate Gαq, and this allows Gαq to interact with its effectors, which include guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Through formation of a complex with one of these effectors, p63RhoGEF, Gαq has been linked to activation of RhoA, a small molecular weight G protein and key actin cytoskeleton regulator. Although the atomic structure of the Gαq-p63RhoGEF-RhoA complex is known, the mechanism of GEF activation is not clear, in part because the structure of the basal conformation of p63RhoGEF has not yet been determined. We are using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and small angle x-ray scattering to study the solution structure of the basal, inactive p63RhoGEF catalytic core and to confirm the multi-domain interactions with Gαq that were observed in the original crystal structure. Gαq signaling is also regulated by GTPase activating proteins known as regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins. Whereas RGS2 is the only member of this family known to be selective for the Gαq/11 class of heterotrimeric G proteins, multiple RGS family members are selective against Gαq/11, and the molecular basis for this distinction is unknown. We have determined the crystal structure of Gαq in complex with RGS8, which is selective for multiple classes of Gα subunits. This structure adds new insights into the molecular basis of RGS protein selectivity for distinct classes of Gα subunits.
Transcription Function of Each Base Pair in the Control Region of the Adenovirus VARNA1 Gene

Abstract Eighty-seven mutants with single-base substitution in the control region (from -44 to +70) of the adenovirus VARNA1 gene were generated, including nearly every base pair, to examine the role of DNA sequences within this control region for regulating transcription. The effect of these mutations on transcription of the gene was determined in vitro using cytoplasmic S100 extracts from human KB cells. Mutations at -37T, -35A, -29T, -28A, -25C, -18A, -17A, -16A, -13A, -9C, -8C, and -1C in the 5′-flanking region reduced transcription of the gene. Thus two positive regulatory elements, from -44 to -25 and from -18 to +2, interspersed with a putative negative regulatory element were defined. Furthermore, a distinct A-rich purine stretch in the -18 to +2 element was identified. Point mutations in the pyrimidine-rich sequence immediately upstream of the A block promoter element reduced transcription of the gene. Mutations in the GTGG direct repeats of the A block promoter element drastically decreased transcription. Furthermore, mutations that altered the AT-rich sequence immediately downstream of the A block element to become less AT-rich decreased transcription. Mutations of the base pairs at +43C, +45T, and +51A in the interblock element moderately reduced transcription efficiency of the gene. Mutations at the central four base pairs, GTTC, of the B block palindrome severely affected transcription. These unique sequence motifs and their exact base pairs were proven to be important for regulating transcription of the VARNA1 gene.
Application of Ferrocenylalkyl Chiral Auxiliaries to Syntheses of Indolenine Alkaloids: Enantioselective Syntheses of Vincadifformine, ψ- and 20-epi-ψ-Vincadifformines, Tabersonine, Ibophyllidine, and Mossambine

Condensations of the chiral N-ferrocenylethylindoloazepines 4a,b, with the aldehydes 5, 13, 19, 29, and 32, led to tetracyclic vinylogous urethanes 6a,b and 7, 14a and 14b, 21a,c and 21b,d, 30a and 31a, and 30b and 31b. Respectively, 6:1, 5:1, 3:1, 1.7:1, and 2:1 diastereomeric selections provided intermediates which, on cleavage of the chiral auxiliary N-substituent and subsequent elaboration of ring D of the Aspidosperma and Strychnos alkaloids, provided enantiomerically pure (−)-ψ- and (−)-epi-ψ-vincadifformines (1, 2), (+)-ibophyllidine (12), (+)- and (−)-vincadifformine (16a, 16b), (−)-tabersonine (27), and (−)-mossambine (41).
Three forms of English verb particle constructions

Abstract In this paper, I analyze a number of disparate behaviors of verbal particles in English verb particle constructions. I argue that there are three distinct structural configurations for verb particle constructions in English. English has two distinct forms of small clause particle constructions. In one the small clause is embedded by the root; in the other the predicate of the small clause embeds the root. English also has a complex head particle construction, where the particle is an unmodified head which occupies an argument position. The root embedding small clause particle can co-occur with the complex head particle—but no other combination of particles is permitted.
On Metaphysics and Nationality The Rival Enlightenments of Kant and Herder

The enlightenment ideal has long been under fire, but perhaps by nothing so much as the continuing appeal of national belonging. The nation’s affective hold on how people think about the world connects with metaphysical complaints with modernity, thereby making a rational response to nationalism especially difficult. This was an issue known to both Kant and Herder, who addressed themselves to the related metaphysical complications of nationality in very different ways. Although Herder’s rejection of many of Kant’s cosmopolitan claims is well known, the centrality of national affectivity to his religious approach to the problem of enlightenment is not as well understood, despite its equal importance to his overall critique of Kant. This article considers certain aspects of Kant’s and Herder’s rival enlightenment philosophies and suggests the superiority of Herderian arguments to understanding the way in which nations continue to play a normative role in a post-Enlightenment world.
Maximum likelihood computations for regression with measurement error

Abstract This paper presents a general computational method for maximum likelihood analysis for generalized regression with measurement error in a single explanatory variable. The method is the EM algorithm with Gauss–Hermite quadrature in the E-step. Although computationally intensive, this method provides maximum likelihood estimation under a broad range of distributional assumptions. This is important because maximum likelihood estimators can be more efficient than commonly used moment estimators and likelihood ratio tests and confidence intervals can be substantially superior to those based on asymptotic normality with approximate standard errors.
Strain gradient elasticity theory for antiplane shear cracks. Part I: Oscillatory displacements

Abstract A strain gradient theory of elasticity has been proposed recently to address problems involving singularities and discontinuities in materials. Among its capabilities, the theory can eliminate the crack-tip strain singularity while providing structure to the cohesive zone without resorting to extraneous forces as in plastic strip models. Due to the theory's higher-order terms, additional boundary conditions must be imposed over those of linear elasticity, which affect directly the form of the solution. Various boundary conditions have been used by different investigators resulting in different profiles in crack opening displacement. In this two-part paper the similarities and differences among the various antiplane crack solutions obtained thus far for this theory are examined. New analytical results are also presented in the course of this review. Part I of the paper is devoted to solutions having crack displacements which are oscillatory in nature; whereas, Part II is dedicated to those which exhibit monotonic behavior.
Heat Transport in Superlattices and Nanocomposites for Thermoelectric Applications

Energy transport in nanostructures differs significantly from macrostructures because of classical and quantum size effects on energy carriers. Experimental results show that the thermal conductivity values of nanostructures such as superlattices are significantly lower than that of their bulk constituent materials. The reduction in thermal conductivity led to a large increase in the thermoelectric figure of merit in several superlattice systems. Materials with a large thermoelectric figure of merit can be used to develop efficient solid-state devices that convert waste heat into electricity. Superlattices grown by thin-film deposition techniques, however, are not suitable for large scale applications. Nanocomposites represent one approach that can lead to high thermoelectric figure merit. This paper reviews the current understanding of thermal conductivity reduction mechanisms in superlattices and presents theoretical studies on thermoelectric properties in semiconducting nanocomposites, aiming at developing high efficiency thermoelectric energy conversion materials.
Surgery for catastrophic localization-related epilepsy in infants

Cortical resection or hemispherectomy has been reported to result in cessation or dramatic reduction of seizures for small numbers of highly selected infants with severe, intractable epilepsy and developmental delay. However, identification of potential surgical candidates during infancy can be especially challenging because seizure semiology and EEG may sometimes give limited localizing information, e.g., in patients with infantile spasms and hypsarrythmia due to focal cortical dysplasia or a tumor. In infants as well as older patients, the location of a potentially resectable epileptogenic lesion must be defined by convergence of results from video EEG, anatomic and functional neuroimaging, and clinical examination. Reported outcomes after surgery in small series include 78% of 23 infants seizure-free or with at least 90% seizure reduction (1993 University of California at Los Angeles series), and 75% of 12 infants seizure-free or with rare seizures (1995 Cleveland Clinic series). A tendency of "catch-up" developmental progress after surgery was observed in both series. A few reports of smaller groups of infants noted similar results. Prospective studies are in progress to better define the potential risks and benefits of early surgical intervention for infants and catastrophic localization-related epilepsy.
Models of Qualitative Data Use in the Assessment of Classroom-Based Microcomputer Education Programs

As efforts to understand the benefits and consequences of classroom-based microcomputer programs increase, the use of qualitative strategies have increasingly become research methods of choice. Unfortunately, much confusion surrounds their use, partly because of uncertainty concerning just “what” should be evaluated and partly because the qualitative paradigm is not always well understood. This article discusses epistemological issues involved in the use of qualitative methods and specifies six models of qualitative data design and use: anecdotal, structured observations, case study, multisite case study, ethnography, and microethnography. Each is discussed in terms of its applicability to an ongoing evaluation of Apple Computer's “Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow.”
Predation by the Western Predatory Mite (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on the Pacific Spider Mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) in the Presence of Road Dust

Laboratory and greenhouse studies examined the effects of road dust on predation by the western predatory mite, Typhlodromus (= Galandromus ) occidentalis (Nesbitt), on the Pacific spider mite, Tetranychus pacificus McGregor. Significantly fewer Pacific spider mites were found on bean plants and almond trees with western predatory mites regardless of the presence or absence of dust. A detrimental effect of dust was not evident on populations of western predatory mites. The effect of dust on populations of Pacific spider mites was not conclusive because high and low populations were associated with the presence of dust. In addition to dust and predators, we examined the effect of almond tree water stress on predation. Water stress did not have any significant effects on either population, however the accumulated degree hour difference between stressed and nonstressed trees was low. These studies suggest that road dust does not influence predation by western predatory mites on Pacific spider mites.
High Resolution Structure of Deinococcus Bacteriophytochrome Yields New Insights into Phytochrome Architecture and Evolution

Phytochromes are red/far red light photochromic photoreceptors that direct many photosensory behaviors in the bacterial, fungal, and plant kingdoms. They consist of an N-terminal domain that covalently binds a bilin chromophore and a C-terminal region that transmits the light signal, often through a histidine kinase relay. Using x-ray crystallography, we recently solved the first three-dimensional structure of a phytochrome, using the chromophore-binding domain of Deinococcus radiodurans bacterial phytochrome assembled with its chromophore, biliverdin IXα. Now, by engineering the crystallization interface, we have achieved a significantly higher resolution model. This 1.45A resolution structure helps identify an extensive buried surface between crystal symmetry mates that may promote dimerization in vivo. It also reveals that upon ligation of the C32 carbon of biliverdin to Cys24, the chromophore A-ring assumes a chiral center at C2, thus becoming 2(R),3(E)-phytochromobilin, a chemistry more similar to that proposed for the attached chromophores of cyanobacterial and plant phytochromes than previously appreciated. The evolution of bacterial phytochromes to those found in cyanobacteria and higher plants must have involved greater fitness using more reduced bilins, such as phycocyanobilin, combined with a switch of the attachment site from a cysteine near the N terminus to one conserved within the cGMP phosphodiesterase/adenyl cyclase/FhlA domain. From analysis of site-directed mutants in the D. radiodurans phytochrome, we show that this bilin preference was partially driven by the change in binding site, which ultimately may have helped photosynthetic organisms optimize shade detection. Collectively, these three-dimensional structural results better clarify bilin/protein interactions and help explain how higher plant phytochromes evolved from prokaryotic progenitors.
MODTRAN4 radiative transfer modeling for atmospheric correction

MODTRAN4, the latest publicly released version of MODTRAN, provides many new and important options for modeling atmospheric radiation transport. A correlated-k algorithm improves multiple scattering, eliminates Curtis-Godson averaging, and introduces Beer's Law dependencies into the band model. An optimized 15 cm-1 band model provides over a 10-fold increase in speed over the standard MODTRAN 1 cm-1 band model with comparable accuracy when higher spectral resolution results are unnecessary. The MODTRAN ground surface has been upgraded to include the effects of Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions (BRDFs) and Adjacency. The BRDFs are entered using standard parameterizations and are coupled into line-of-sight surface radiance calculations.
Mechanism of chloride-dependent release of Ca2+ in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of rabbit skeletal muscle

We investigated the effect of Cl- on the Ca2+ permeability of rabbit skeletal muscle junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) using 45Ca2+ fluxes and single channel recordings. In 45Ca2+ efflux experiments, the lumen of the SR was passively loaded with solutions of 150 mM univalent salt containing 5 mM 45Ca2+. Release of 45Ca2+ was measured by rapid filtration in the presence of extravesicular 0.4-0.8 microM free Ca2+ and 150 mM of the same univalent salt loaded into the SR lumen. The rate of release was 5-10 times higher when the univalent salt equilibrated across the SR-contained Cl- (Tris-Cl, choline-Cl, KCl) instead of an organic anion or other halides (gluconate-, methanesulfonate-, acetate-, HEPES-, Br-, I-). Cations (K+, Tris+) could be interchanged without a significant effect on the release rate. To determine whether Cl- stimulated ryanodine receptors, we measured the stimulation of release by ATP (5 mM total) and caffeine (20 mM total) and the inhibition by Mg2+ (0.8 mM estimated free) in Cl(-)-free and Cl(-)-containing solutions. The effects of ATP, caffeine, and Mg2+ were the largest in K-gluconate and Tris-gluconate, intermediate in KCl, and notably poor or absent in choline-Cl and Tris-Cl. Procaine (10 mM) inhibited the caffeine-stimulated release measured in K-gluconate, whereas the Cl- channel blocker clofibric acid (10 mM) but not procaine inhibited the caffeine-insensitive release measured in choline-Cl. Ruthenium red (20 microM) inhibited release in all solutions. In SR fused to planar bilayers we identified a nonselective Cl- channel (PCl: PTris: PCa = 1:0.5:0.3) blocked by ruthenium red and clofibric acid but not by procaine. These conductive and pharmacological properties suggested the channel was likely to mediate Cl(-)-dependent SR Ca2+ release. The absence of a contribution of ryanodine receptors to the Cl(-)-dependent release were indicated by the lack of an effect of Cl- on the open probability of this channel, a complete block by procaine, and a stimulation rather than inhibition by clofibric acid. A plug model of Cl(-)-dependent release, whereby Cl- removed the inhibition of the nonselective channel by large anions, was formulated under the assumption that nonselective channels and ryanodine receptor channels operated separately from each other in the terminal cisternae. The remarkably large contribution of Cl- to the SR Ca2+ permeability suggested that nonselective Cl- channels may control the Ca2+ permeability of the SR in the resting muscle cell.
The importance of skull lipid as an energy reserve during starvation in the ocean surgeon, Acanthurus bahianus

Abstract 1. 1. The neurocranium is a major lipid storage tissue in the ocean surgeon, Acanthurus bahianus. Some individuals have over half their total body lipid in the neurocranium (53 and 57%), yet it only comprises 6.1% (n = 18) total body dry weight. 2. 2. Neurocranium lipid (triglyceride) is rapidly utilized during starvation stress, dropping from 9.1 and 12.9% in two individuals starved 12 hr to 0.3 and 3.4% in two individuals starved for 72 hr. 3. 3. Carbon-14 palmitic acid fed to fish appeared rapidly in skeletal lipid (1200 to 1300 dpm in the neurocranium and 2800 to 6700 dpm in the vertebral centra of two fish after 3 hr). 4. 4. One fish after 12hr of starvation had 504,000 dpm 14C in the neurocranium. However, there was no significant drop in radioactivity in the skeletal lipid after 72 hr, and much variability in total 14C activity in replicate fish killed at different time intervals. 5. 5. The neurocranium in these tropical herbivorous marine fishes thus provides a readily available pool of energy-rich lipid for use during short term starvation stress, which might be incurred during intense tropical storms in the Caribbean.
Fluctuations in the irreversible decay of turbulent energy

A fluctuation law of the energy in freely-decaying, homogeneous and isotropic turbulence is derived within standard closure hypotheses for 3D incompressible flow. In particular, a fluctuation-dissipation relation is derived which relates the strength of a stochastic backscatter term in the energy decay equation to the mean of the energy dissipation rate. The theory is based on the so-called ``effective action'' of the energy history and illustrates a Rayleigh-Ritz method recently developed to evaluate the effective action approximately within probability density-function (PDF) closures. These effective actions generalize the Onsager-Machlup action of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics to turbulent flow. They yield detailed, concrete predictions for fluctuations, such as multi-time correlation functions of arbitrary order, which cannot be obtained by direct PDF methods. They also characterize the mean histories by a variational principle.
Patterns of behavioral deficit associated with visual spatial neglect.

Summary Visual-spatial neglect as measured by an empirically derived response position preference score on the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) was examined in 70 patients with cerebral lesions and 63 controls. Patients with right cerebral lesions showed poorer RCPM performance and a higher incidence of response position preference for the side ipsilateral to their lesions than did patients with left lesions. Position preference was significantly associated with homonymous visual field defects, constructional dyspraxia, and in patients with left cerebral lesions mixed or receptive aphasia. The pattern and severity of deficits seemed alike in both right and left lesioned groups. Electroencephalographic evidence indicated that the right lesion group contained a greater number of patients with severe or post-rolandic lesions than did the left lesion group.
New insights into BAR domain-induced membrane remodeling

Mesoscopic simulations and electron microscopy of N-BAR domain-induced liposome remodeling are used to characterize the process of liposome tubulation and vesiculation. The overall process of membrane remodeling is found to involve complex couplings among the N-BAR protein density, the degree of N-BAR oligomerization, and the membrane density. A comparison of complex remodeled liposome structures from mesoscopic simulations with those measured by electron microscopy experiments suggests that the process of membrane remodeling can be described via an appropriate mesoscopic free energy framework. Liposome remodeling more representative of F-BAR domains is also presented within the mesoscopic simulation framework.
Water-suppressed one-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopic imaging of myocardial metabolites in vivo.

Exitation by conventional B 1 ulses in surface coil chemical-shift imaging experiments yields resonance intensities that vary greatly with position. B 1 compensated semi-selective pulses overcome much of this problem. These pulses are employed for exitation and refocusing in 1 H NMR spectroscopie localization in te intact heart
La biologie moléculaire de la mémoire : un dialogue entre gènes et synapses

> L’un des aspects les plus remarquables du comportement animal est la capacite de modifier ce comportement par l’apprentissage, une capacite qui atteint sa forme la plus elaboree dans l’espece humaine. Pour moi, l’apprentissage et la memoire ont ete source d’une fascination toujours renouvelee, car ces processus mentaux concernent l’une des caracteristiques fondamentales de l’activite humaine : notre capacite a acquerir de nouvelles idees a partir de l’experience et garder en nous grâce a la memoire ces idees a travers le temps. De plus, contrairement a d’autres processus mentaux comme la pensee, le langage et la conscience, l’apprentissage parut, des le debut, etre facilement accessible a l’analyse cellulaire et moleculaire. Et j’ai, pour cette raison, ete curieux de savoir : quels sont les changements qui surviennent dans le cerveau lorsque nous apprenons ? Et, une fois que nous avons appris quelque chose, comment cette information est-elle retenue dans le cerveau ? J’ai essaye d’aborder ces questions a travers une approche reductionniste, une approche qui me permettrait d’etudier des formes elementaires d’apprentissage et de memoire a un niveau cellulaire et moleculaire comme des activites moleculaires specifiques localisees dans des cellules nerveuses identifiees (➜). Ce sont mes lectures sur la psychanalyse, alors que je debutais mes etudes a Harvard, qui furent a l’origine, en 1950, de mon interet pour l’etude de la memoire. Plus tard, pendant mes etudes medicales, je commencai a trouver l’approche psychanalytique limitee parce qu’elle tendait a considerer le cerveau, cet organe qui engendre le comportement, comme une boite noire. Au milieu des annees 1950, alors que j’etais encore en faculte de medecine, j’ai commence a me rendre compte que la boite noire du cerveau serait ouverte de mon vivant et que le probleme du stockage de la memoire, jusque-la du domaine exclusif du psychologue et du psychanalyste, serait etudie avec les methodes de la biologie moderne. En consequence, mon interet pour la memoire, initialement fonde sur une approche psychanalytique, devint de nature biologique. Pendant mon stage post-doctoral au NIH a Bethesda de 1957 a 1960, je m’employai a en apprendre plus sur la biologie du cerveau et commencai a m’interesser aux changements des reseaux neuronaux induits par l’apprentissage. Mon but, en traduisant dans le langage empirique de la biologie des questions qui concernaient la psychologie de l’apprentissage, n’etait pas de remplacer la logique de la psychologie ou de la psychanalyse par la logique de la biologie cellulaire et moleculaire mais d’essayer de reunir ces deux disciplines et de contribuer a l’elaboration d’une nouvelle synthese entre la psychologie de la memorisation et la biologie de la signalisation neuronale. J’esperais de plus que l’analyse biologique de la memoire apporte de surcroit des informations nouvelles sur la signalisation neuronale. Et cela s’est, de fait, revele exact.
Retinal sensitivity in the region of the blind spot.

Threshold sensitivity was studied in two observers along lines running vertically and horizontally through the region of the optic disk. When the test field fell entirely on the disk the luminance of test flashes of 0.04-sec duration could be raised to a level high enough to cause an excitation. Under these conditions the luminance may be 1 to 2 log units higher than that required for excitation of retinal regions adjacent to the disk. It is assumed that the excitation was brought about by scatter of light in the ocular media. This assumption was supported by the fact that (1) differences in sensitivity were found between the two observers due to changes in transmittance of the dioptric media with age, and (2) that when test fields of various sizes (1°, 2°, 5°, and 10°) were projected into the disk area and dark adaptation was studied, bipartite dark-adaptation curves were obtained which indicated the participation of rods and cones. The size of the disk area as determined by excitability measurements corresponds to that found in tangent screen tests. The nasal edge of the disk is more precisely defined than the temporal edge, a fact which is accounted for by the relatively greater sensitivity of the retinal elements in the nasal area.
Combined hydroxylapatite augmentation and lip-switch vestibuloplasty in the mandible

A system in which hydroxylapatite is used for augmentation of the mandibular ridge in conjunction with vestibuloplasty is presented. This technique was found to have the benefit of combining a vestibular procedure with an augmentation procedure and thus avoiding an additional surgical operation. The results were uniformly good in the twelve cases presented.
Associations of novel adipocytokines with bone biomarkers in intra uterine growth-restricted fetuses/neonates at term.

AbstractObjective: To prospectively investigate the potential associations of the novel adipocytokines resistin, apelin and visfatin (recently implicated in bone metabolism) with bone biomarkers in fetal and neonatal blood from intra uterine growth restricted (IUGR, associated with low bone mass at birth) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) pregnancies.Methods: Circulating concentrations of resistin, apelin and visfatin were correlated with concentrations of markers of bone formation [osteocalcin (OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP)] and resorption [osteoprotegerin (OPG), soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL) and cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx)] in 20 IUGR and 20 AGA full-term fetuses and neonates on postnatal day 1-(N1) and 4-(N4).Results: In the AGA group, fetal resistin and N1 visfatin concentrations negatively correlated with respective NTx ones (r ≥ −0.472, p ≤ 0.036 in both cases). In the IUGR group, fetal and N4 resistin concentrations ...
Affinity Purification of Human Plasma Vitamin-D-Binding Protein

Abstract During the course of our studies to probe the vitamin D ligand-binding domains of vitamin D-binding protein and vitamin D receptor, we developed a synthetic procedure to modify the 3β-hydroxyl group of vitamin D 3 and its 25-hydroxy- and 1,25-dihydroxy metabolites with a 3′-aminopropylether group, In the present study we have coupled 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 -3β-3′-aminopropylether to an activated Sepharose matrix, Using this stable and reusable affinity matrix we have purified human vitamin D-binding protein from human plasma to homogeneity.
Rabbit muscle phosphoglucomutase is a monomer.

Abstract A procedure which avoids the use of heat or precipitation with salt at acid pH has been developed for the isolation of phosphoglucomutase from rabbit muscle. Contrary to earlier reports, the enzyme obtained by this procedure as well as by published techniques is a single polypeptide chain. This is true of phosphorylated as well as dephosphorylated proteins.
Binocular detection by normal and stereoblind observers.

Binocular forced-choice detection performance was measured in three stereoblind observers and four observers with normal stereopsis. Detection rates of normal observers were greater than expected from probability summation, while those of the stereoblind observers were near or at a level expected from probability. It is concluded that binocular summation is reduced or absent in stereoblind persons.
Shadows as Sources of Cues for Distance of Shadow-Casting Objects

Shadows are neglected sources of information about shadow-casting objects' distance (location). In an experiment using real shadows, participants judged the distance of two rods, either with shadows (illumination from the left) or without shadows. Without shadows, a thin rod raised slightly above the surface was incorrectly judged to be more distant than a thick rod, but with shadows the thin rod was accurately judged to be closer. For judgments to be correct, shadows had to overwhelm competing height and stimulus-size cues. Exp. II involved nonoverlapping shadows produced by a light placed in front of the rods. Again, without shadows the thin-elevated rod was incorrectly judged to be more distant, but with shadows it was correctly judged to be closer. Exp. III involved two sets of thick and thin elevated rods and frontal lighting. Judgments were accurate when shadows were present but inaccurate when shadows were absent. Experiments conducted through the American Psychological Society Web-research site replicated results of Exp. I, II, and III. A final Web experiment replicated results of the others, but with shadows produced by illumination from the right. Three properties of shadows--angles, interposition, and positioning--are possible sources of distance information associated with cast shadows.
System concepts for flight crew enhanced situation awareness systems

A series of potential system concepts for flight crew enhanced situation awareness systems (ESAS) have been defined. The functional requirements leading to the development of the different concepts are described. The various ESAS subsystem requirements are described as well as issues regarding successful implementation of ESAS. Outstanding needs for continued research into enabling ESAS technologies are also presented.
400 DOES DRUG ADDICTION DUPING PREGNANCY ZNHANCE DRUG BIOTRANSFORMATION BY THE PLACENTA

The placenta is not merely a passive barrier to drugs and foreign chemicals, but may participate in xenobiotic biotransformation, as well. It is not known whether chronic addiction during pregnancy enhances this placental function. We therefore studied placental homogenates from 5 normal control and 7 drug dependent mothers and compared their oxidoreductase and transferase activities (μmoles/mg protein/h). RESULTS: (1) Reductase activity (measured by neoprontosil reduction) was higher in the soluble than microsomal fractions, due mostly to catalysis by NADPH. No significant difference was seen in the reductase activity of control (0.72 ± 0.06) vs addict (0.74 ± 0.16) in the supernate. (2) Transferee activity (by bilirubin conjugation) was minimal in both soluble and microsomal fractions. No significant difference was noted in the microsomal transferase activity of control (0.11 ± 0.06) vs addict (0.12 ± 0.05) homogenates. (3) Mixed function oxidoreductase activity (by aniline p-hydroxylation) appeared higher in the soluble (0.64 ± 0.24) than the microsomal (0.21 ± 0.14) fractions but due solely to hemoglobin in the soluble fraction which nonenzymatically catalyses aniline hydroxylation (49.4 × 10−4umoles/mg Hgb). No enzymatic oxidoreductase activity was noted in the control or addict homogenates. CONCLUSION: Little to no xenobiotic oxidoreductase and transferase activity was noted in both control and addict placental homogenates. Apparent activity was principally due to nonenzymatic catalysis of substrates by NADPH or Hgb. Thus, despite chronic exposure to drugs, the placenta of drug addicted mothers does not show any enhanced xenobiotic biotransformation activity and therefore offers no adaptive protection to the fetus.
The Effect of Residential Segregation on Black Social and Economic Well-Being

This paper investigates some of the consequences of black residential segregation using specially compiled data for Philadelphia in 1980. Blacks, like whites, at- tempt to improve their neighborhood characteristics with rising social status, but unlike whites, they face strong barriers to residential mobility. As a result, high status blacks must live in neighborhoods with fewer resources and amenities than whites of similar background. Specifically, they live in poorer, more dilapidated areas characterized by higher rates of poverty, dependency, crime, and mortality, and they must send their children to public schools populated by low income stu- dents who score badly on standardized tests. These findings suggest that racial segregation remains an important basis for stratification in U.S. society. In December of 1985, four hundred whites stood in the streets of south- west Philadelphia shouting racial epithets and protesting the movement of a black family into the working class neighborhood. The newspaper head- lines provided the city and the nation with a shocking reminder of the constraints that blacks still face in choosing where to live (Cass 1986). However, at the same time, blacks and whites across town lived together peacefully in many other areas, including some of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods, where the regular entry and exit of black families elicited no comment at all. This paper explores this apparent paradox and explains why some blacks are allowed to assimilate spatially, while others are not. Using specially prepared data from Philadelphia, we document the detri- mental consequences of racial segregation for blacks in American society.
Relief of severe retro-orbital pain and vision improvement after optic-nerve decompression in polyostotic fibrous dysplasia: case report and review of the literature

Introduction We describe a case of a 9-year-old girl who developed progressive severe retro-orbital pain and partial visual loss in association with left optic-nerve compression due to polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of the skull.
The effects of adrenal glucocorticoid hormones on transformation by polyoma virus.

Abstract Treatment of polyoma virus-infected hamster embryo fibroblasts with physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids enhances focus formation between three- and fivefold. The transformed state is stable. The cytoplasmic receptors which mediate the physiological actions of the steroid hormones appear to be involved in the present effect.
Intracellular localization of hepatic propionyl-CoA carboxylase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase in humans and normal and vitamin B12 deficient rats.

Summary. The intracellular localization of the enzymes in the vitamin B12 dependent pathway which involves the oxidation of propionate was studied in rat liver obtained from normal and vitamin B12 deficient rats as well as from man. The subcellular site of propionyl CoA carboxylase and the vitamin B12 dependent-methylmalonyl CoA mutase were determined. All of the activity of these two enzymes was demonstrated to be in the mitochondria and those enzymes were shown to be loosely bound to the inner membrane-matrix portion of the mitochondria. Vitamin B12 deficiency did not alter the subcellular localization. Finally, a rapid enzymatic assay for methylmalonyl-CoA mutase was described.
Low-energy limit to channelling effects in the inelastic scattering of fast electrons

Abstract By studying channelling effects in the core-loss excitations of the mineral anhydrite (CaS04), it has been found that the impact parameter is two to three times smaller than previously reported. This means that channelling effects in elastic scattering of fast (beam) electrons should be observable down to energy losses as low as 200 eV. However, background subtraction for energy-loss spectra is a serious problem in the observation of channelling effects from electrons experiencing such low losses in energy. The low value of the impact parameter means that it is possible to use thin-window energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers to observe the variation in the intensity of the oxygen K X-ray peak; and to apply the results to quantitative atomic site location.
Interpersonal discussion following citizen engagement about nanotechnology: What, if anything, do they say?

The current study explores interpersonal discussion following participation in a novel program of citizen engagement about nanotechnology. Participants answered closed- and open-ended questions about their discursive behavior in a postengagement survey. The study seeks to address whether organizers of citizen engagement can expect participants to extend the impacts of engagement beyond direct participants through interpersonal discussion. Respondents reported moderate levels of postengagement discussion and appeared to say positive things about both nanotechnology and the experts who contributed to the engagement program. Respondents also reported primarily talking about nanotechnology in terms of scientific progress while using a range of fairness and competence frames to discuss experts and the program.
Kinetics of Carbon Dioxide Evolution in Agitation System

Kinetics of carbon dioxide evolution was investigated in agitation system. Reaction steps of carbon dioxide evolution in submerged fermentations may consist of three steps; the first, hydration of carbon dioxide liberated from living cells, the second, dehydration of bicarbonate ions and the third, formation of carbon dioxide bubbles. Taking into account the equilibrium between hydration of carbon dioxide and dehydration of bicarbonate ions at physiological pH value, the fallowings may be rate-limiting steps in mass transfer of carbon dioxide in submerged fermentations, dehydration of bicarbonate ions and the bubble formation. The overall velocity constant of these two reaction steps was determined in the agitation vessel This reaction obeyed good first-order kinetics and the term of was introduced as a velocity constant. This value was influenced by agitation speed, temperature, viscosity of the fluid and carbonic anhydrase. The value of carbon dioxide coefficient (Kd)CO2 was higher than the oxygen absor...
Evidence for two aspartate transport systems in prostate epithelial cells

The transport of aspartate was measured in isolated prostate cells. Two kinetically distinct uptake systems of high (Km = 10.0 microM) and low (Km = 0.8 mM) affinity were observed. Transport by both systems was Na+ dependent and saturable. The tissue distribution of aspartate was also determined by measuring the washout kinetics of endogenous and radiolabeled aspartate from prostate fragments. The distribution of aspartate resulted in 47% of aspartate in the intracellular compartment and 52% in the extracellular (presumably) lumenal compartment. The distribution of aspartate resulted in a calculated intracellular to plasma concentration gradient of approximately 43. We concluded that prostate cells maintain a considerable intracellular to plasma gradient for aspartate and that these cells contain a transport mechanism capable of uptake of aspartate against this considerable gradient.
Chemical modifications of the sigma subunit of the E. colt RNA polymerase

Abstract The function of arginine, cysteine and carboxylic amino acid (glutamic and aspartic) residues of sigma was studied using chemical modification by group specific reagents. Following modification of 3 arginine residues with phenylglyoxal or 3 cysteine residues with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) sigma activity was lost. Analysis of the kinetic data for inactivation indicated that one arginine or cysteine residue is essential for sigma activity. At low NEM concentration alkylation was limited to a non-critical cysteine which was identified as cysteine-132. Modification of arginine or cysteine residues had no observable effect on the binding of the inactivated sigma to the core polymerase. Modification of aspartic and/or glutamic acid residues with the water-soluble carbodiimides 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino-propyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) or 1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinoethyl) carbodiimide metho-p-toluene sulfonate (CMC) resulted in loss of sigma activity. The inactivation data indicated that one carboxylic amino acid residue is essential for sigma activity. Sigma modified with EDC, CMC or EDC in the presence of glycine was inactive in supporting promoter binding and initiation by core polymerase. Reaction with EDC plus (3H)glycine resulted in the incorporation of glycine into sigma. The (3H)glycine-sigma was unable to form a stable holoenzyme complex.
Fitting solid meshes to animated surfaces using linear elasticity

Computing correspondence between time frames of a time-dependent 3D surface is essential for the understanding of its motion and deformation. In particular, it can be a useful tool in compression, editing, texturing, or analysis of the physical or structural properties of deforming objects. However, correspondence information is not trivial to obtain for experimentally acquired 3D animations, such as time-dependent visual hulls (typically represented as either a binary occupancy grid or as a sequence of meshes of varying connectivity).In this article we present a new nonrigid fitting method that can compute such correspondence information for objects that do not undergo large volume or topological changes, such as living creatures. Experimental results show that it is robust enough to handle visual hull data, allowing to convert it into a constant connectivity mesh with vertices moving in time. Our procedure first creates a rest-state mesh from one of the input frames. This rest-state mesh is then fitted to the consecutive frames. We do this by iteratively displacing its vertices so that a combination of surface distance and elastic potential energy is minimized. A novel rotation compensation method enables us to obtain high-quality results with linear elasticity, even in presence of significant bending.
The structure of the 2-methylacrolein boron trifluoride complex in the crystalline phase and in solution

Abstract A crystalline 1:1 complex of BF3 and 2-methylacrolein has been isolated and shown to have molecular structure 1. 1H NMR molecular dynamics and NOE studies have demonstrated that the same s-trans structure of the complex predominates at 185 K in CD2Cl2 solution. The relevance of these results to the enantioselectivity of Diels-Alder reactions with chiral Lewis acids is discussed.