cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Public Policy and the Control of Agricultural Production: Discussion

trol of agriculture, it is not unreasonable to accept Gardner's conclusion that "agricultural economists have not been able convincingly to establish a connection one way or the other between policy and the structure of agricultural production, or between policy and control." All but the most naive researcher, however, would concede that inability to establish a connection does not prove its absence. The more interesting and pragmatic question at present is whether proposed and recently implemented changes in policy would be expected to have an effect on structure and control, viewed prospectively. Within the past decade, the United States Congress and several state legislatures have indicated a willingness to legislate with respect to the structure and control of agriculture (Harl 1978), even though the effects were far from clear. In that time, it is arguable that more deliberate efforts have been made, legislatively and otherwise, to influence the structure and control of agriculture than in any comparable period of history. Some of these policy measures have not been in place long enough to produce an observable effect on structure and control. In terms of a basic research approach to the problem, it may be productive to focus attention on variables expected to be associated with structure and control such as (a) absolute and relative changes in wealth per capita in the agricultural sector, (b) absolute and relative profitability of farm firms, including off-farm employment opportunities, (c) absolute and relative changes in the distribution of wealth, (d) the nature and rate of technological change, and (e) expectations as to the longterm dimensions of income, wealth, and technology rather than to focus attention singularly on evidence of direct linkages among "policy," "structure," and "control."
A global uniformly convergent finite element method for a quasi-linear singularly perturbed elliptic problem

Abstract In this paper, we construct a bilinear finite element method based on a special piecewise uniform mesh for solving a quasi-linear singularly perturbed elliptic problem in two space dimensions. A quasi-optimal global uniform convergence rate O(N−2x ln2 Nx + N−2y ln2 Ny) was obtained, which is independent of the perturbation parameter. Here Nx and Ny are the number of elements in the x-and y-directions, respectively.
Fission Yeast Myosin-I, Myo1p, Stimulates Actin Assembly by Arp2/3 Complex and Shares Functions with Wasp

Fission yeast myo1+ encodes a myosin-I with all three tail homology domains (TH1, 2, 3) found in typical long-tailed myosin-Is. Myo1p tail also contains a COOH-terminal acidic region similar to the A-domain of WASp/Scar proteins and other fungal myosin-Is. Our analysis shows that Myo1p and Wsp1p, the fission yeast WASp-like protein, share functions and cooperate in controlling actin assembly. First, Myo1p localizes to cortical patches enriched at tips of growing cells and at sites of cell division. Myo1p patches partially colocalize with actin patches and are dependent on an intact actin cytoskeleton. Second, although deletion of myo1+ is not lethal, Δmyo1 cells have actin cytoskeletal defects, including loss of polarized cell growth, delocalized actin patches, and mating defects. Third, additional disruption of wsp1+ is synthetically lethal, suggesting that these genes may share functions. In mapping the domains of Myo1p tail that share function with Wsp1p, we discovered that a Myo1p construct with just the head and TH1 domains is sufficient for cortical localization and to rescue all Δmyo1 defects. However, it fails to rescue the Δmyo1 Δwsp1 lethality. Additional tail domains, TH2 and TH3, are required to complement the double mutant. Fourth, we show that a recombinant Myo1p tail binds to Arp2/3 complex and activates its actin nucleation activity.
Observations on the antimycin A inhibition of biological oxidations. I. Stoichiometry and pH effects.

Abstract 1. 1. The present studies have examined the stoichiometric relationship between the concentration of antimycin A required for the inhibition of oxidative reactions and the cytochrome concentration of non-phosphorylating heart-muscle particles and phosphorylating rat-liver mitochondria. Studies with liver mitochondria, using either oxygen or ferricyanide as terminal electron acceptor, show a divergence from the 1:1 stoichiometry observed with heart-muscle particles. With rat-liver mitochondria only 1 molecule of antimycin A is required to inhibit about three respiratorychain assemblies. 2. 2. Studies at alkaline pH illustrate the introduction of a pronounced lag period before the onset of antimycin A inhibition. This lag period is interpreted as indicating either the enzymic alteration of antimycin A by the requisite particle preparation to an “active” inhibitor component or the introduction of a modification in the accessibility of the antimycin A-sensitive component. 3. 3. Studies at various pH's indicate that slightly higher concentrations of antimycin A are required at more alkaline pH values, and that the degree of antimycin A insensitivity of succinoxidase respiration is progressively greater at more alkaline pH values. 4. 4. Studies with pigeon-heart mitochondria and non-phosphorylating heart-muscle particles, as well as studies with rat-liver mitochondria in the presence of dinitrophenol, preclude the possible inhibitory action of antimycin A on the phosphorylation reactions in preference to the oxidative reactions. 5. 5. The evidence for possible components as the antimycin A-titratable “factor” are discussed.
SCALING IN ELECTRON SCATTERING AND COMPOSITENESS.

Abstract It is argued that scaling of the structure functions in deep inelastic electron scattering follows from the assumption that the nucleon is composite alone, and that no further assumption about what it is composed of is required. In particular, it is not necessary to assume the existence of point-like constituents (“partons”) in the nucleon.
Enhancing Cultural Competence Among Hospice Staff

A critical component in making hospice and palliative care services accessible and acceptable to diverse communities is preparation of all providers to enhance cultural competence. This article reports a study designed to test an educational intervention aimed at expanding cultural awareness, sensitivity, and competence with a multi-disciplinary and multilevel team of hospice workers. The purpose of this quasi-experimental, longitudinal, crossover design was to test the effects of an educational intervention for multidisciplinary hospice providers. Findings demonstrated that even with a modest face-to-face intervention, cultural competence scores were significantly greater after the educational intervention for participants in both groups. Although the intervention proved successful at enhancing cultural competence scores among diverse types of hospice workers, limitations and logistic insights gained from this pilot suggest the need for examination of alternative methods of program delivery.
Studies on spinal opiate receptor pharmacology. III. Analgetic effects of enkephalin dimers as measured by cutaneous-thermal and visceral-chemical evoked responses

d-Ala2-d-Leu5-enkephalin (DADL) along with dimers formed from tetra(DTE: des-Leu5-enkephalin)- or pentapeptide (DPE: Leu5-enkephalin) coupled by methylene bridges of various lengths (n) have been shown in vitro systems to possess varying degrees of μ/δ-receptor selectivity. In the present studies we have systematically compared the intrathecal effect of these agents and morphine on the cutaneous stimuli (hot plate (HP) and tail flick (TF)) and visceral-chemical (writhing) tests in the rat. The following observations were made. (1) Dimers with high δ-receptor selectivity were active in the TF(DPE2 ≥DADL≥DTE2 ≥morphine>DPE12 ⋙DTE12 = 0) and HP(DPE2 ≥DTE2 ≥DADL≥morphine>DPE12 ≥DTE12 > 0. To examine cross-tolerance, the intrathecal ED50 for morphine, DPE and DADL were determined in rats rendered tolerant by subcutaneous morphine pellets. The TF ED50 tolerant/TF ED50 naive was 18.4, 5.4 and 1.3, respectively. The ratio of activity on the HP was 14.0, 4.7 and 2.2 (2) On the visceral-chemical test, only morphine was active. The dimers or DADL in doses which totally blocked the TF or HP are at higher doses which were just below those producing motor dysfunction had no effect on the writhing response. (3) At high intrathecal doses (40 × TF ED50), morphine produced a motor rigidity which blocked the placing and stepping reflex. In contrast, injection of DADL and the more active dimers resulted in a waxy flaccidity at doses around 15–60 times the TF ED50. These observations together offer strong support for a functional separation of two classes of spinal receptors which modulate the animal's response to distinguishable noxious stimuli.
Further studies on the properties of human placental microsomal cytochrome P-450.

Abstract Spectral studies of human placental microsomal cytochromes provided evidence that androstenedione will bind either to two separate cytochromes or to two sites on the same cytochrome. Scatchard and Lineweaver-Burk plots indicated the presence of a binding site with high affinity and low capacity and a second site with a lower affinity but higher capacity. Both sites were discernible in the presence of high concentrations of NADPH, and similar binding constants were obtained. The absorption maximum (450 nm) of the carbon monoxide complex of NADPH-reduced placental cytochrome P-450 could be abolished completely by additions of low concentrations of androstenedione. 19-hydroxyandrostenedione or 19-oxoandrostenedione, but not by high concentrations of 19-norandrostenedione. 19-nortestosterone, pregnenolone or benzo[a]pyrene. Compounds capable of binding significantly to placental microsomal cytochrome P-450 appeared to fall into three categories: C-19 or C-18 steroids, with structures similar to that of androstenedione or 19-norandrostenedione: C-18 steroids with structures very similar to that of β-estradiol; or substances capable of forming ferrihemochromes. A large number of foreign organic compounds which produced type-I binding spectra in rat liver microsomes exhibited either no or very minimal binding to placental cytochrome P-450. Most compounds that exhibited significant binding to placental cytochrome P-450 also were inhibitors of rates of androstenedione aromatizalion (aromatase activity). Important exceptions were carbon monoxide, metyrapone and nicotinamide. Diethylstilbestrol acted as a relatively potent inhibitor of aromatase activity but displayed no discernible binding. Results of the study strongly supported a functional role for placental cytochrome P-450 in the aromatization reaction.
Anxieties of College Level Psychology and Family Life Teachers in the Classroom

(1981). Anxieties of College Level Psychology and Family Life Teachers in the Classroom. Teaching of Psychology: Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 108-109.
The Acute Chest Syndrome of Sickle Cell Disease

The acute chest syndrome (ACS), characterized by fever, chest pain, leukocytosis and a new infiltrate on chest roentgenogram, is a common complication of sickle hemoglobinopathies. The major differential diagnoses of ACS are pneumonia and pulmonary vaso-occlusive disease, which may occur simultaneously. Bacterial pulmonary infections are documented infrequently in ACS with the exception being in the pediatric population under 5 years of age. Because there are no clinical or laboratory parameters that clearly allow for distinction between pneumonia and vaso-occlusive disease, empiric use of antibiotics directed against S. pneumoniae and other pathogens commonly seen in community-acquired pneumonias remain a mainstay of therapy.
Contribution of Muscle Afferents to the Hemodynamic, Autonomic, and Ventilatory Responses to Exercise in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure Effects of Physical Training

Background A neural linkage between peripheral abnormalities and the exaggerated exercise responses in chronic heart failure (CHF) was postulated. We studied the ergoreceptors (afferents sensitive to skeletal muscle work) in CHF and whether training can affect their activity. Methods and Results In 12 stable CHF patients (ejection fraction [EF]=26.4%) and 10 control subjects (EF=55.3%), we compared the responses to dynamic handgrip and during a 3-minute period of posthandgrip regional circulatory occlusion (PH-RCO). The ergoreflex contribution was quantified as the percentage responses to exercise maintained by PH-RCO compared with recovery without PH-RCO. Patients showed ergoreflex overactivation compared with control subjects in terms of ventilation (86.5% versus 54.5%), diastolic pressure (97.8% versus 53.5%), and leg vascular resistance (108.1% versus 48.9%) (all P<.05). The contribution of the ergoreflex to vagal withdrawal (high frequency of RR variability) and sympathetic activation (low frequency ...
The functional magnetic resonance imaging-based verbal fluency test in obsessive–compulsive disorder

Clinical use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is limited by a relative absence of fMRI task development, standardization, and normative performance databases. We investigated the fMRI-based verbal fluency test (f-VFT) by quantitatively evaluating brain activation patterns in OCD participants (8 females and 4 males) compared with a normative database (16 females and 16 males). At the group level, OCD participants and references had highly similar activation in left-hemisphere language regions, including the precentral/premotor cortex, thalamus, basal ganglia, and inferior frontal gyrus/frontal operculum. At the interindividual level, however, the OCD group had highly variable activation patterns in the dorsal and ventral regions of the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) that may correspond with differences in demographic and clinical variables. Further, there were significant correlations in the OCD participants between pre-SMA dorsal and ventral ac...
Reduction of Lower Extremity Clinical Abnormalities in Patients with Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a patient, health care provider, and systems intervention on the prevalence of risk factors for lower extremity amputation in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes. DESIGN Blinded, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING Academic general medicine practice. PARTICIPANTS Of the 395 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes who underwent the initial patient assessment, 352 completed the study. INTERVENTION The 12-month intervention was multifaceted. Patients received foot-care education and entered into a behavioral contract for desired self-foot care, which was reinforced through telephone and postcard reminders. Health care providers were given practice guidelines and informational flow sheets on foot-related risk factors for amputation in diabetic patients. In addition, the folders for intervention patients had special identifiers that prompted health care providers to: 1) ask that patients remove their footwear, 2) perform foot examinations, and 3) provide foot-care education. RESULTS Patients receiving the intervention were less likely than control patients to have serious foot lesions (baseline prevalence, 2.9%; odds ratio, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.16 to 1.00]; P = 0.05) and other dermatologic abnormalities. Also, they were more likely to report appropriate self-foot-care behaviors, to have foot examinations during office visits (68% compared with 28%; P < 0.001), and to receive foot-care education from health care providers (42% compared with 18%; P < 0.001). Physicians assigned to intervention patients were more likely than physicians assigned to control patients to examine patients' feet for ulcers, pulses, and abnormal dermatologic conditions and to refer patients to the podiatry clinic (10.6% compared with 5.0%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS An intervention designed to reduce risk factors for lower extremity amputations positively affected patient self-foot-care behavior as well as the foot care given by health care providers and reduced the prevalence of lower extremity clinical disease in patients with diabetes.
Contributions of Costal 2-Fused interactions to Hedgehog signaling in Drosophila

The Drosophila kinesin-family protein Costal 2 (Cos2) and its mammalian ortholog Kif7 play dual roles in Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. In the absence of Hh, Cos2 and Kif7 contribute to proteolytic processing and silencing of the Hh-regulated transcription factors, Drosophila Cubitus interruptus (Ci) and mammalian Gli proteins. Cos2 and Kif7 are also necessary for full activation of full-length Ci-155 and Gli transcription factors in response to Hh proteins. Here, we use classical fused alleles and transgenic Cos2 products deficient for Fused (Fu) association to show that Cos2 must bind to Fu to support efficient Ci-155 processing. Residual Ci-155 processing in the absence of Cos2-Fu interaction did not require Suppressor of Fused, which has been implicated in processing mammalian Gli proteins. We also provide evidence that Cos2 binding to the CORD domain of Ci-155 contributes to both Ci-155 processing and Ci-155 silencing in the absence of Hh. In the presence of Hh, Ci-155 processing is blocked and Cos2 now promotes activation of Ci-155, which requires Fu kinase activity. Here, we show that normal Ci-155 activation by Hh requires Cos2 binding to Fu, supporting the hypothesis that Cos2 mediates the apposition of Fu molecules suitable for cross-phosphorylation and consequent full activation of Fu kinase. We also find that phosphorylation of Cos2 by Fu at two previously mapped sites, S572 and S931, which is thought to mediate Ci-155 activation, is not required for normal activation of Ci-155 by Hh or by activated Fu.
Electroencephalographic sleep in clinically stable Schizophrenic Patients: Two-weeks versus six-weeks neuroleptic-free

EEG sleep studies in schizophrenic patients are influenced by alterations in clinical state and medication status. The current study defines longitudinal alterations in electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep for 10 healthy men who were schizophrenic patients who remained relatively clinically stable during a double-blind neuroleptic withdrawal study. Clinical assessments and EEG sleep studies were performed at baseline on haloperidol, and then at 2-week and 6-week drug-free periods. Sleep continuity and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep measures declined not only between the haloperidol baseline and 2-week drug-free conditions, but continued to decline from 2-week to 6-weeks neuroleptic-free. Alterations in EEG sleep from the 2-week to 6-week haloperidol-free assessments did not correlate with changes in clinical symptoms suggesting effects related to drug-withdrawal or subclinical state changes. These results show that despite relative clinical stability over time, the EEG sleep of schizophrenic patients continues to change following withdrawal of a neuroleptic and is dependent on the duration of the drug-free interval.
Study of Tribochemical Processes on Hard Disks Using Photoemission Electron Microscopy

The interface between hard disk and slider involves mechanical and tribochemical processes between the hard carbon overcoat of the disk, the lubricant, and the carbon coated or uncoated slider surface. These processes have been studied by two related X-ray techniques-Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy and Photoemission Electron Microscopy (PEEM) using X-rays. NEXAFS allows studying the elemental composition and chemical bonding in a material, whereas PEEM combines this ability with imaging of the sample. Lubricated and unlubricated disks were worn under various conditions using carbon coated and uncoated sliders. The wear tracks on the hard disks were investigated using PEEM to find chemical and elemental changes caused by the wear. Local NEXAFS spectra taken in wear tracks using the PEEM microscope show no chemical changes on unlubricated disks, just a reduction of the hard carbon overcoat thickness. On lubricated disks remarkable chemical modifications of the lubricants caused by the wear are observed if the disks failed the wear tests. The chemical changes are manifested in a formation of various new carbon-oxygen (mostly carboxylic) bonds in the wear tracks and in a strong reduction of the amount of fluorine and carbon. The chemical modifications were only found inside the wear tracks and are clearly caused by the wear. It was found that lubricant degradation is not solely a mechanical process of molecule scission but accompanied by oxidation reactions. The chemical changes were strongly correlated to the tribological behavior of the disks: the worse the disks performed in the wear tests, the stronger were the chemical modifications.
Steady-State Response of Periodically Time-Varying Linear Systems, With Application to an Elastic Mechanism

This paper presents the development of an efficient and direct method for evaluating the steady-state response of periodically time-varying linear systems. The method is general, and its efficacy is demonstrated in its application to a high-speed elastic mechanism. The dynamics of a mechanism comprised of elastic members may be described by a system of coupled, inhomogeneous, nonlinear, second-order partial differential equations with periodically time-varying coefficients. More often than not, these governing equations may be linearized and, facilitated by separation of time and space variables, reduced to a system of linear ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients. Closed-form, numerical expressions for response are derived by dividing the fundamental time period of solution into subintervals, and establishing an equal number of continuity constraints at the intermediate time nodes, and a single periodicity constraint at the end time nodes of the period. The symbolic solution of these constraint equations yields the closed-form numerical expression for the response. The method is exemplified by its application to problems involving a slider-crank mechanism with an elastic coupler link.
Effects of Extended-Release Niacin on Lipoprotein Particle Size, Distribution, and Inflammatory Markers in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

In this study, niacin was added to existing therapy for 3 months in 54 subjects with stable coronary artery disease. Average total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride levels were similar between groups. Three months of niacin treatment increased total HDL by 7.5% and decreased triglycerides by 15% compared with baseline values (p <0.005 for each), whereas total cholesterol and LDL levels remained unchanged. Addition of niacin resulted in a 32% increase in large-particle HDL (p <0.001), an 8% decrease in small-particle HDL (p = 0.0032), an 82% increase in large-particle LDL (p = 0.09), and a 12% decrease in small-particle LDL (p = 0.008). Niacin decreased lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and C-reactive protein levels (20% and 15%, respectively, p <0.05 for the 2 comparisons). No significant changes from baseline were seen in any tested parameter in subjects who received placebo. In conclusion, addition of niacin to existing medical regimens for patients with coronary artery disease and already well-controlled LDL levels favorably improves the distribution of lipoprotein particle sizes and inflammatory markers in a manner that would be expected to confer atheroprotection. The effect of altering lipoprotein particle distribution and inflammatory markers on surrogate markers of atherosclerosis and clinical cardiovascular events in this population remains unclear.
Multivalent binding of ricin to bovine serum albumin-based neoglycoconjugates.

Abstract Ricin, a ribosome-inactivating protein from the plant Ricinus communis , is a heterodimeric protein. The A chain is a N -glycosidase and the B chain (RTB) is a lectin with two carbohydrate binding sites. RTB has been shown to bind asialofetuin with much greater affinity than it does galactose, supporting the hypothesis that it may exhibit multivalency. To test this, neoglycoconjugates were prepared and tested for their ability to function as ligands for ricin binding. Because the two carbohydrate binding sites on RTB are ∼70 A apart, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as the carbohydrate carrier. It was derivatized with either the oligosaccharide portion of asialo-GM1 or with lactose. These sugars were used because ricin was found to adhere more effectively to asialo-GM1 and LacCer immobilized on plastic than to the other glycosphingolipids tested. Results of binding studies done using surface plasmon resonance indicated that the RTB subunit of ricin exhibited a multivalent effect when it bound to the neoglycoconjugates.
Formation of the Carbonaceous Mesophase from a Petroleum-Derived Paving Asphalt

Abstract Preliminary studies on the formation of the carbonaceous mesophase from a petroleum-derived asphalt by Conoco was carried out through solvent fractionation. The pentane solubles fraction produced a mesophase with a texture of medium-grained mosaics, while the asphaltene fraction yielded fine-grained mosaic structures, but gave a much higher carbonization yield. Further separation of the pentane solubles was achieved through elution with the following solvents of increasing polarity: (1) hexane, (2) toluene, (3) toluene/ methanol (4:1), (4) toluenelmethanol (2:1) (5) methanol. It was found that the toluene fraction gave the best mesophase with a coarser grained mosaic texture than even that of the pentane solubles fraction from which it was derived. The results were explained in terms of the plasticity of the system, which differed depending on the nature of the precursor molecules present in the various fractions.
Effect of Baclofen on Alcohol and Sucrose Self‐Administration in Rats

Background: Baclofen, a γ-aminobutyric acid type B agonist, has been proposed as a pharmacotherapeutic agent in the treatment of addictive disorders such as alcoholism. Preclinical studies documenting the effect of baclofen on alcohol intake have provided conflicting results. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of baclofen pretreatment on ethanol- and sucrose-reinforced responding. Methods: Animals were trained to self-administer a 10% ethanol in water solution on a fixed ratio 1 schedule of reinforcement by using the sucrose-fade method. With a within-subject design, the effect of three doses of baclofen (1.8, 3.2, and 5.6 mg/kg intraperitoneally) was examined on 10% ethanol- and 2% sucrose-reinforced responding. Dose-dependent effects on responding and on drinking-pattern microstructure were examined. Results: Under a fixed ratio 1 schedule, baclofen reduced responding for alcohol and sucrose reinforcement in a similar, dose-dependent manner. A dose-dependent response attenuation was seen during the initial segment of an operant session when highly repetitive response patterns were generated. Further analysis of drinking ultrastructure revealed that baclofen altered the patterns of these repetitive responses by lengthening the self-initiated intertrial intervals. Conclusions: Systemic baclofen administration attenuates responding for alcohol and sucrose reinforcement in a dose-dependent manner. If the reinforcing efficacy and response requirement for sucrose and alcohol are matched, then baclofen has similar effects on responding and patterns of drinking microstructure. We conclude that the neural mechanisms that support both ethanol and sucrose self-administration behavior are sensitive to γ-aminobutyric acid type B modulation.
Proton Induced Radioactivity in Oxygen

As previously reported(1,2) a large number of elements are found to become radioactive under bombardment by protons of energies up to 3.8 Mev. Two periods have been definitely established for oxygen, using targets of quartz and other solid oxides as well as a platinum foil in oxygen.
Limb salvage of ankle fracture dislocation with LIMA external fixator: a case report.

Open ankle fractures with dis- location are potentially limb-threatening injuries with complications ranging from infection to amputation. External fixa- tion has been used in trauma institutions for limb salvage, particularly in the set- ting of extensive soft tissue compromise. The authors present a case of an elderly woman with an open ankle fracture dis- location who underwent a staged surgical approach. A LIMA external fixator was used in conjunction with antibiotic beads and subsequent definitive open reduction with internal fixation. At 5-year follow- up, the patient demonstrated pain-free range of motion with a return to activ- ity comparable to the preinjury state. The authors highlight the benefit of procedure staging in the presence of a severe frac- ture dislocation of the tibiotalar joint.
Prospective demonstration of myocardial infarction by CT.

During examination for suspected aortic dissection, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) demonstrated an acute posterior myocardial infarction.
Evolutionary approaches to understanding sleep.

Summary A major controversy over REM sleep's role in memory processing may owe to inadequate allowances for the highly conservative nature of evolutionary adaptations. The controversy hinges on whether NREM sleep, alone, retains primitive memory processing capabilities. The selective pressure for primitive sleep, is thought to have been the need to obviate conflicts between enormous neural processing requirements of complex visual analysis and split-second control of movements, on the one hand, and memory processing, on the other. The most efficient memory processing during mammalian and avian sleep appears to be a two-step process: synapses in individual component circuits of events are reinforced primarily by slow brain waves during NREM sleep, with the reinforced components temporally bound by fast waves, and manifested as dreams, during REM sleep. This dual action could account for partitioning of sleep periods into multiple NREM–REM cycles. It is proposed that in the absence of REM sleep, all needed memory processing can be accomplished by NREM sleep, alone, though less efficiently. Many symptoms of fatal familial insomnia are attributed to subnormal nightly reinforcement of brain circuitry because of almost total loss of sleep, and compensatory responses thereto during waking. During this disorder, sensory circuitry seemingly is spared by virtue of its supernormal reinforcement during almost continuous waking. Contrariwise, sparing of an adult's ‘higher faculties' in encephalitis lethargica appears to owe to supernormal circuit reinforcement during almost continuous sleep.
Atypical Fractures of the Femur: Evaluation and Treatment

Bisphosphonates are widely used as a primary treatment modality for osteoporosis. These agents prevent bone resorption via both the inhibition of osteoclast function and the promotion of osteoclast apoptosis1,2. The Fracture Intervention Trial Research Group investigated the effectiveness of bisphosphonates for the reduction of fragility fractures of the hip, distal part of the radius, and vertebrae3. Their research demonstrated that, compared with calcium supplementation alone, bisphosphonates with calcium supplementation …
Field Dependence and Strategy Use

Studies have indicated that field-independent learners perform better than field-dependent learners on a variety of cognitive tasks, including performance measures of intelligence. However, little attention has been paid to the relationship between performance and strategy use. The present research investigated strategies used by field-dependent and field-independent college students on WAIS—R performance subtests. Differences in performance were found on all five subtests, while strategy differences were observed for Block Design, Picture Completion, and Object Assembly. Field-independent subjects tended to use analytic strategies on these subtests. Field-dependent subjects were less consistent, but tended towards use of global strategies.
Comparison of myocardial velocities obtained with magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping and tissue Doppler imaging in normal subjects and patients with left ventricular dyssynchrony.

Purpose To compare longitudinal myocardial velocity and time to peak longitudinal velocity obtained with magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping (MR-PVM) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and to assess the reproducibility of each method. Materials and Methods Longitudinal myocardial velocity was measured by TDI and MR-PVM in 10 normal volunteers and 10 patients with dyssynchrony. The reproducibility of MR-PVM and TDI was assessed on repeated measurements in the 10 normal volunteers. Results MR and TDI measurements of longitudinal myocardial velocity correlated well (r = 0.86) in both normal subjects and patients with dyssynchrony. However, myocardial velocities measured with MR consistently exceeded velocities measured with TDI. MR and TDI agreed strongly in measuring the time to peak velocity (r = 0.97). The reproducibility of TDI and MR-PVM appeared similar in measuring peak velocities (13.1% vs. 11.0%, respectively; P = NS) and time to peak velocity (9.1% vs. 5.7%, respectively; P = NS). Conclusion Excellent correlation and reproducibility were observed between MR-PVM and TDI in measuring longitudinal myocardial velocity and time to peak velocity in both normal subjects and patients with dyssynchrony. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The thermoelastic problem for a half-plane with an internal line crack

Abstract The problem considered is that of determining the thermoelastic stresses in the vicinity of an internal line crack in a half-plane. By using transform techniques it is reduced to that of solving a singular integral equation. Formulae are derived for the stress intensity factors and the energy of crack formation. Two particular cases are considered in detail and numerical results given.
Planning the shortest path for a disc in O(n2log n) time

Given a robot R, a set S of obstacles, and points p and q, the Shortest Path Problem is to find the shortest path for R to move from p to q without crashing into any of the obstacles. We show that if the problem is restricted to a disc-shaped robot in the plane with nonintersecting polygons as obstacles then the shortest path can be found in time O(n2log n) where n is the number of edges that make up the polygonal obstacles. This matches the best time currently known for the simpler problem of finding the shortest path in the plane for a point robot.
Translational Research Track for Medical Students: Developing Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies for Translational Research

UTMB’s Translational Research Track aims to equip medical students to participate in collaborative translational research projects. The track will capitalize upon UTMB’s integrative approach to basic science and clinical education, and will partner with the translational research Ph.D. program to emphasize interprofessional education activities between medical students and graduate students.
Biochemical Effects of Retinoic Acid on GTP-binding Protein/Transglutaminases in HeLa Cells: STIMULATION OF GTP-BINDING AND TRANSGLUTAMINASE ACTIVITY, MEMBRANE ASSOCIATION, AND PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL LIPID TURNOVER

Treatment of HeLa cells with retinoic acid (RA) gives rise to a marked stimulation in the incorporation of [α-32P]GTP into an ∼87-kDa cytosolic protein that cross-reacts with a monoclonal antibody raised against tissue transglutaminases. In the absence of RA treatment, the transglutaminase immunoreactivity elutes from a gel filtration column with an apparent size of ∼600 kDa (designated TGa), whereas following RA treatment, a second peak of transglutaminase immunoreactivity (designated TGb) is detected with an apparent size of ∼150 kDa. The TGa fractions show little or no GTP-binding or GTP hydrolytic activity and very little transglutaminase activity. However, the TGb fractions show all three activities. Retinoic acid treatment also promotes the association of the GTP-binding protein/transglutaminase with membrane fractions, as detected by Western blotting and photoaffinity cross-linking with [α-32P]GTP. In addition, the TGb fraction shows a markedly enhanced ability (relative to TGa) to associate with membranes from control (non-RA-treated) cells. The ability of the GTP-binding protein/transglutaminase to bind to membranes is correlated with the stimulation of a membrane-associated phospholipase C activity. Thus, these findings indicate that RA treatment results in a number of changes in the biochemical properties of a GTP-binding protein/transglutaminase which strongly enhance its ability to bind GTP, associate with plasma membranes, and stimulate phosphoinositide lipid turnover.
A semidynamic study of polymer surface morphology development in Kapton-HTM sputter etched by 6 keV xenon atoms☆

Abstract A semidynamic study of the surface morphology development on 6 keV Xenon atom bombarded polyimide (Kapton-H TM ) ∗ is presented and discussed in light of present models of polymer sputtering and material surface morphology development. Using a series of particle bombardment-gold coating-SEM investigation-gold layer stripping cycles, the whole process of the surface morphology development can be studied in a greater detail. Kapton-H is extremely resistive to particle bombardment. Under high fluence particle bombardment, the surface morphology development proceeds from uniform rows of submicron protrusions to flat-top columns which later disintegrate into long thin fiberlike structures. The average sputtering yield of Kapton-H is about 30 amu/atom (i.e., 0.08 [-C 22 H 10 N 2 O 5 -] monomer units/atom). This value is very low when compared to other polymer
Element residence and transport during subduction-zone metasomatism: evidence from a jadeitite-serpentinite contact, Guatemala

Jadeitite is a rare constituent of serpentinite-matrix melange bodies from certain subduction complexes. Most jadeitite crystallizes from Na-, Al-, and Si-bearing fluids that are apparently derived from multiple subduction-zone sources. Even though jadeitite is near-end-member NaAlSi2O6 in major element composition and is volumetrically minor in subduction complexes, its trace elements and stable isotopes appear to record fluid compositions not directly seen in other subduction zone metasomatic systems. Prior to our work, how jadeitite-forming fluids interact with serpentinite host rocks and serpentinizing fluids were largely unknown, because serpentinite-to-jadeitite contacts are generally not exposed. In the Sierra de las Minas, Guatemala, we have studied a 3 m-wide pit transecting the contact between a mined-out jadeitite body and its host serpentinite. An apparent transition zone between the former jadeitite and nearby serpentinite exposed in the mine pit contains four texturally distinct rock types o...
Linking Industries Across the World: Processes of Global Networking. Edited by Claes G. Alvstam and Eike W. Schamp

The article reviews the book "Linking Industries Across the World: Processes of Global Networking," edited by Claes C. Alvstam and Eike W. Schamp.
Effect of treadmill testing and exercise training on self-efficacy in patients with heart failure.

Background: Self-efficacy is a person's confidence in being able to successfully perform a specific activity or behavior. Self-efficacy has been shown to influence exercise capacity in patients pos...
A Potential Role for U2AF-SAP 155 Interactions in Recruiting U2 snRNP to the Branch Site

Base pairing between U2 snRNA and the branchpoint sequence (BPS) is essential for pre-mRNA splicing. Because the metazoan BPS is short and highly degenerate, this interaction alone is insufficient for specific binding of U2 snRNP. The splicing factor U2AF binds to the pyrimidine tract at the 3* splice site in the earliest spliceosomal complex, E, and is essential for U2 snRNP binding in the spliceosomal complex A. We show that the U2 snRNP protein SAP 155 UV cross-links to pre-mRNA on both sides of the BPS in the A complex. SAP 155’s downstream cross-linking site is immediately adjacent to the U2AF binding site, and the two proteins interact directly in protein-protein interaction assays. Using UV cross-linking, together with functional analyses of pre-mRNAs containing duplicated BPSs, we show a direct correlation between BPS selection and UV cross-linking of SAP 155 on both sides of the BPS. Together, our data are consistent with a model in which U2AF binds to the pyrimidine tract in the E complex and then interacts with SAP 155 to recruit U2 snRNP to the BPS. The pre-mRNA splicing reaction is carried out with extreme precision in order to generate mRNAs that encode functional proteins. The accuracy of splicing depends on multiple sequence elements located at the 59 and 39 splice sites, at the branch site, and within exons. Networks of RNA-RNA, RNAprotein, and protein-protein interactions involving each of these sequence elements contribute to the specificity of splicing. Additional specificity is derived from the recognition of each sequence element multiple times prior to the two catalytic steps of splicing. These successive recognition events occur as the spliceosomal complexes E, A, B, and C assemble on premRNA in a stepwise pathway (for reviews, see references 17, 25, and 32). One of the critical sequence elements in the intron is the branchpoint sequence (BPS). This element contains an adenosine that functions as the nucleophile for catalytic step I of splicing. Despite its key role in splicing, the BPS is weakly conserved in metazoans, and additional elements are required for BPS recognition. The most important of these is the pyrimidine tract located immediately downstream from the BPS. The splicing factor U2AF, which is composed of two subunits (U2AF 65 and U2AF 35 ), binds to the pyrimidine tract in the E
Antibody Induced by Immunization with the Jeryl Lynn Mumps Vaccine Strain Effectively Neutralizes a Heterologous Wild-Type Mumps Virus Associated with a Large Outbreak

Recent mumps outbreaks in older vaccinated populations were caused primarily by genotype G viruses, which are phylogenetically distinct from the genotype A vaccine strains used in the countries affected by the outbreaks. This finding suggests that genotype A vaccine strains could have reduced efficacy against heterologous mumps viruses. The remote history of vaccination also suggests that waning immunity could have contributed to susceptibility. To examine these issues, we obtained consecutive serum samples from children at different intervals after vaccination and assayed the ability of these samples to neutralize the genotype A Jeryl Lynn mumps virus vaccine strain and a genotype G wild-type virus obtained during the mumps outbreak that occurred in the United States in 2006. Although the geometric mean neutralizing antibody titers against the genotype G virus were approximately one-half the titers measured against the vaccine strain, and although titers to both viruses decreased with time after vaccination, antibody induced by immunization with the Jeryl Lynn mumps vaccine strain effectively neutralized the outbreak-associated virus at all time points tested.
TNFα-induced hepatocyte apoptosis is associated with alterations of the cell cycle and decreased stem loop binding protein

BACKGROUND Inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF kappa B) during liver regeneration induces hepatocyte apoptosis associated with normal DNA synthesis but decreased mitosis, suggesting that inhibition of NF kappa B impairs progression from S-phase through the G(2)/M phase of the cell cycle. Our aim was to determine if inhibition of NF kappa B alters cell cycle characteristics in hepatocytes treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). METHODS Primary hepatocytes from BALB/c mice were infected with adenoviruses expressing luciferase (control; AdLuc) or the I kappa B super-repressor (AdI kappa B) and treated with or without TNF alpha (30 ng/ml). Flow cytometry was performed (0 to 40 hours) to determine apoptosis and cell cycle progression. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunoblots assessed changes in cell cycle mediators and antiapoptotic factors. RESULTS Primary hepatocytes treated with AdI kappa B and TNF alpha demonstrated significantly more S-phase cells (14% +/- 3% vs 6% +/- 2%, P<.05) at 14 hours compared with controls. Inhibition of NF kappa B with or without TNFalpha was associated with decreased expression of stem loop bind protein, a marker of cell cycle progression through S-phase. The NF kappa B-induced antiapoptotic proteins, iNOS and TRAF2, had decreased message at 9 and 12 hours, respectively, in TNF alpha- and AdI kappa B-treated cells. CONCLUSION Inhibition of NF kappa B in TNF alpha-treated primary mouse hepatocytes is associated with increased S-phase cell cycle retention and decreased stem loop bind protein.
Heme oxygenase-1 gene delivery by Sleeping Beauty inhibits vascular stasis in a murine model of sickle cell disease

Increases in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and administration of heme degradation products CO and biliverdin inhibit vascular inflammation and vasoocclusion in mouse models of sickle cell disease (SCD). In this study, an albumin (alb) promoter-driven Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposase plasmid with a wild-type rat hmox-1 (wt-HO-1) transposable element was delivered by hydrodynamic tail vein injections to SCD mice. Eight weeks after injection, SCD mice had three- to five-fold increases in HO-1 activity and protein expression in liver, similar to hemin-treated mice. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated increased perinuclear HO-1 staining in hepatocytes. Messenger RNA transcription of the hmox-1 transgene in liver was confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (qRT-PCR RFLP) with no detectible transgene expression in other organs. The livers of all HO-1 overexpressing mice had activation of nuclear phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phospho-Akt, decreased nuclear expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65, and decreased soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in serum. Hypoxia-induced stasis, a characteristic of SCD, but not normal mice, was inhibited in dorsal skin fold chambers in wt-HO-1 SCD mice despite the absence of hmox-1 transgene expression in the skin suggesting distal effects of HO activity on the vasculature. No protective effects were seen in SCD mice injected with nonsense (ns-) rat hmox-1 that encodes carboxy-truncated HO-1 with little or no enzyme activity. We speculate that HO-1 gene delivery to the liver is beneficial in SCD mice by degrading pro-oxidative heme, releasing anti-inflammatory heme degradation products CO and biliverdin/bilirubin into circulation, activating cytoprotective pathways and inhibiting vascular stasis at sites distal to transgene expression.
A 20–40 GHz quasi-optical network analyzer

A 20–40 GHz 2-port quasi-optical scalar network analyzer consisting of a transmitter and receiver both built in planar technology is presented. The network analyzer is based on a Schottky-diode mixer integrated inside a double-slot antenna and fed differentially by a CPW transmission line. The antenna is placed on an extended hemispherical high-resistivity silicon substrate lens. The LO signal is swept from 3-5 GHz and high-order harmonic mixing in both up- and down- conversion mode is used to realize the 20–40 GHz RF bandwidth. The network analyzer resulted in a dynamic range of greater than 30 dB and was successfully used to measure a frequency selective surface designed to give a band-pass response at 30 GHz. Furthermore, the system was built with circuits and components for easy scaling to millimeter-wave frequencies which is the primary motivation for this work. The application areas for a millimeter-wave network analyzer include material characterization and art diagnostics.