cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular Basis of the Blocking Mechanism of Inwardly Rectifying Channels by Tertiapin

Ion channels are the third largest type of proteins targeted by pharmaceutical industry accounting for 10% of the currently marketed drugs. Recent advances in the 3-D structural determination of ion channel proteins coupled with highly sensitive electrophysiological assays make a compelling case for rational drug design targeting these proteins. High-resolution structure determination of inwardly rectifying Potassium (Kir) channels has thus far yielded two full-length mammalian structures. Specific blockers for Kir channels do not exist but the small bee venom peptide toxin tertiapin (TPN) targets with high affinity two Kir channels: ROMK1 and GIRK channels. Mutations of ROMK1 in the kidney cause hypotension, while, malfunctions of GIRK in the heart are associated with chronic atrial fibrillation. Modification of TPN to specifically target one or the other channel bears great therapeutic potential. We have produced structural models of TPN binding to ROMK1 and GIRK2 channels and have quantified the energies involved for each channel-toxin interaction pair. In silico mutagenesis has produced remarkably similar changes to the experimental energies of interaction between the ROMK1 channel and TPN, lending strong validation to the structural model employed. Similar studies in GIRK2-TPN interactions suggest differences in specific interactions of the toxin with each of the two channels. These models make specific predictions that are being pursued for further experimental validation. The underlying hypothesis of our approach is that differences in the interaction energies we compute can guide the design of specific TPN for different Kir channels.
Anisotropic thermal expansion of indium

Abstract The anisotropic thermal expansion of three grades of indium and dilute alloys of thallium, cadmium, tin, and lead in indium were measured over the temperature range 80°–300°K. The expansion behavior of the three grades of indium and of the indium-thallium alloy was essentially the same. The expansion coefficients of the indium-tin and indium-lead alloys were comparable but were more positive than the values for indium in the upper portion of the temperature range. The expansion of the indium-cadmium alloy was comparable to that of indium parallel to the c-direction but was significantly greater in the perpendicular direction. It is likely that electronic considerations are primarily responsible for the observed expansion behavior. Qualitative considerations show no inconsistency between this interpretation of the electronic role in the expansion of indium and the currently known details of the geometry of the Fermi surface.
Refining and reasoning about nonfunctional requirements

Nonfunctional requirements (NFR) must be addressed early in the software development cycle to avoid the cost of revisiting those requirements or re-factoring at the later stages of the development cycle. Methods and frameworks that identify and incorporate NFR at each stage of development cycle reduce this cost. The methodology used in this work for refining and reasoning about NFR is based on the NFR framework. This work identifies four NFR types and provides the methodology for developing domain specific NFR by using techniques for converting the requirements into design artifacts per NFR type. The contribution is four NFR types: Functionally Restrictive, Additive Restrictive, Policy Restrictive, and Architecture Restrictive and the software engineering process that provides specific refinements that result in unique architectural and design artifacts. By applying the same functional requirement focus to the different NFR domains it enhances the development process and promotes software quality attributes such as composability, maintainability, evolvability, and traceability.
The use of felbamate to treat infantile spasms.

Based on the initial successful use of felbamate for infantile spasms in an infant with tuberous sclerosis, three additional infants with infantile spasms of different etiologies who had failed conventional therapies were treated with felbamate. Three of the four patients have shown complete resolution of infantile spasms. All responding patients did so within 1 week of starting felbamate. The one treatment failure had an initial reduction of seizure frequency and severity but has not maintained that response long term. Controlled studies are needed to firmly establish that felbamate is both safe and effective for the treatment of infantile spasms. As these cases document, felbamate is currently available for use in infantile spasms, and the frequent conversion of infantile spasms to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, for which felbamate is approved, makes its use in infantile spasms logical. (J Child Neurol 1995;10:134-136).
The use of segmental anatomy for an operative classification of liver injuries

There is no universally accepted standard classification for liver injuries, and thus accurate comparison of reports on the subject is impossible. Most published reports on liver trauma suggest that both morbidity and mortality have a linear correlation with not only the amount of liver parenchyma injured but also with the magnitude of the surgical intervention. The exceptions are retrohepatic vein injuries, which have a mortality independent of associated parenchymal injury but should be integrated in any classification of liver injury. The classification proposed is based on the segmental anatomy of the liver (as defined by Couinaud): Grade I--Injuries requiring no operative intervention, or any injury that requires operative intervention limited to a segment or less. Grade II--Any injury that requires operative intervention involving two or more segments. Grade III--Any injury with an associated juxta- or retrohepatic vein injury. We reviewed all patients with isolated liver injuries during the past 5 years and prospectively reviewed all patients for the 6-month period from January to June 1988 and applied this classification. Sixty-nine patients had grade I injuries, with one death (1%); thirteen patients had grade II injuries, with six deaths (46%); and 13 patients had grade III injuries with nine deaths (69%). Postoperative morbidity was 7% for grade I, 57% for grade II, and 50% for grade III. This study supports the conclusion that morbidity and mortality from liver injury are directly related to the volume of parenchyma involved, and that segmental anatomy can be applied to define this volume. Mortality from retrohepatic vein injuries is independent of associated parenchymal injury. We believe that this proposed classification will provide a simple, reproducible, and accurate means for reporting and comparing liver injuries.
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis--a diagnosis to consider.

The case history of an 11-year-old boy with post-infectious acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is presented. ADEM is a diagnosis that is increasingly being made with the advent of modern radiological techniques. However, the syndrome cannot be thought of as a discrete clinical entity as it is triggered by a wide range of factors including infections and vaccinations. Furthermore, other pathological processes may give the same radiological appearances. The aetiology, pathophysiology and management of the syndrome are discussed. Conclusion Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is a radiological diagnosis that has many precipitants. Thought must be applied in developing a differential diagnosis to allow the possibility of targeting treatment at the underlying cause.
Capabilities of Four Novel Warm-Season Legumes in the Southern Great Plains: Biomass and Forage Quality

Grain (pulse) legumes could provide high nitrogen (N), late summer forage for stocker cattle in the southern Great Plains (SGP). This study evalu- ated the forage yield and nutritive value of tropical annual legumes that were relatively uncommon in the SGP, at a site (35°40' N, 98°00' W) in cen- tral Oklahoma. Included were cultivars of pigeon pea ((Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), cv. GA-2), guar ((Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.), cv. Kin- man), cowpea ((Vigna unguiculata (L). Walp.), cv. Chinese red), and mung bean ((Vigna radiata (L.) Wilcz.), cv. Berkins), and grain soybean ((Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cv. Hutcheson) was used as a con- trol. Seeds were inoculated and planted (60-cm row spacing at 10 seeds m -1 row length) annually in mid-June 2003 through 2006. Aboveground samples were collected on six dates, from 45 to 120 d since planting. Soybean, pigeon pea, and guar averaged 3560, 3439, and 3321 kg ha −1 , while mung bean and cowpea averaged 2918 and 2405 kg ha −1 , respectively. Mung bean and cow- pea accumulated the least N (70 and 65 kg N ha −1 ), while soybean, guar, and pigeon pea yielded 100, 93, and 77 kg N ha −1 , respectively. Digestibility of cowpea, mung bean, soybean, and guar were similar (757 to 825 g kg −1 ), while pigeon pea was least digestible (634 g kg −1 ). These pulse legumes could provide producers in the SGP with options other than soybean for generating forage or bio- logical N.
Survival of Escherichia coli O157: H7 in drinking water associated with a waterborne disease outbreak of hemorrhagic colitis

Survival characteristics were similar for two strains of Escherichia coli O157: H7 and a typical indicator strain of E. coli in a portable ground water source. Die-off was more rapid at 20°C than at 5°C. There was no significant difference among the rates of survival for the strains examined.
F-spondin: A gene expressed at high levels in the floor plate encodes a secreted protein that promotes neural cell adhesion and neurite extension

The floor plate is a cell group implicated in the control of neural cell pattern and axonal growth in the developing vertebrate nervous system. To identify molecules that might mediate the functions of the floor plate, we have used subtractive hybridization techniques to isolate floor plate-enriched cDNA clones. One such clone encodes a novel secreted protein, F-spondin, which is expressed at high levels in the floor plate. The C-terminal half of the protein contains six repeats identified previously in thrombospondin and other proteins implicated in cell adhesion. F-spondin is expressed in the floor plate at the time that axons first extend and at lower levels in the peripheral nerve. Recombinant F-spondin promotes the attachment of spinal cord and sensory neuron cells and the outgrowth of neurites in vitro. F-spondin may contribute to the growth and guidance of axons in both the spinal cord and the PNS.
Power and influence in India: Bosses, Lords and Captains

Pamela G. Price and Arild Engelsen Ruud (eds)New Delhi: Routledge 2009, 287 pp. Hearing the words ‘leadership’ and ‘South Asia’, the first thing that comes to mind for many people is Mahatma Gandhi...
A Folate Receptor-Targeting Nanoparticle Minimizes Drug Resistance in a Human Cancer Model

Resistance to chemotherapy is a major obstacle in cancer therapy. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential of a folate receptor-targeting nanoparticle to overcome/minimize drug resistance and to explore the underlying mechanisms. This is accomplished with enhanced cellular accumulation and retention of paclitaxel (one of the most effective anticancer drugs in use today and a well-known P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate) in a P-gp-overexpressing cancer model. The folate receptor-targeted nanoparticle, HFT-T, consists of a heparin-folate-paclitaxel (HFT) backbone with an additional paclitaxel (T) loaded in its hydrophobic core. In vitro analyses demonstrated that the HFT-T nanoparticle was superior to free paclitaxel or nontargeted nanoparticle (HT-T) in inhibiting proliferation of P-gp-overexpressing cancer cells (KB-8-5), partially due to its enhanced uptake and prolonged intracellular retention. In a subcutaneous KB-8-5 xenograft model, HFT-T administration enhanced the specific delivery of paclitaxel into tumor tissues and remarkably prolonged retention within tumor tissues. Importantly, HFT-T treatment markedly retarded tumor growth in a xenograft model of resistant human squamous cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis further indicated that increased in vivo efficacy of HFT-T nanoparticles was associated with a higher degree of microtubule stabilization, mitotic arrest, antiangiogenic activity, and inhibition of cell proliferation. These findings suggest that when the paclitaxel was delivered as an HFT-T nanoparticle, the drug is better retained within the P-gp-overexpressing cells than the free form of paclitaxel. These results indicated that the targeted HFT-T nanoparticle may be promising in minimizing P-gp related drug resistance and enhancing therapeutic efficacy compared with the free form of paclitaxel.
Electromagnetic Noise Studies of Severe Convective Storms in Iowa: The 1970 Storm Season.

Abstract Electromagnetic noise from six convective storms in Iowa has been studied at a variety of frequencies from 0.67 to 144 MHz, with the majority of the data being recorded at 53 MHz. The quasi-static atmospheric electric field was also studied. Twelve tornadoes, numerous funnel clouds and several hailstorms occurred during these storms. Eleven of the tornadoes appear to correlate with some type of enhancement of the recorded electromagnetic pulse rate. A spectacular peak in pulse rate during Storm No. 5 is attributed to a brief but destructive tornado at 38 km; the event is discussed in detail. One tornado at long range, the longest lived of the season, showed no correlation and is thought to represent a minority class of tornadoes which exhibit little electromagnetic noise generation. Good time correlation is also achieved between data events and several hailstorms and funnel clouds. Except for the closest events (<20 km), the region above 1 MHZ appears to be a better indicator of tornadic activity...
The reciprocal regulation of stress hormones and GABAA receptors

Stress-derived steroid hormones regulate the expression and function of GABAA receptors (GABAARs). Changes in GABAAR subunit expression have been demonstrated under conditions of altered steroid hormone levels, such as stress, as well as following exogenous steroid hormone administration. In addition to the effects of stress-derived steroid hormones on GABAAR subunit expression, stress hormones can also be metabolized to neuroactive derivatives which can alter the function of GABAARs. Neurosteroids allosterically modulate GABAARs at concentrations comparable to those during stress. In addition to the actions of stress-derived steroid hormones on GABAARs, GABAARs reciprocally regulate the production of stress hormones. The stress response is mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the activity of which is governed by corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) neurons. The activity of CRH neurons is largely controlled by robust GABAergic inhibition. Recently, it has been demonstrated that CRH neurons are regulated by neurosteroid-sensitive, GABAAR δ subunit-containing receptors representing a novel feedback mechanism onto the HPA axis. Further, it has been demonstrated that neurosteroidogenesis and neurosteroid actions on GABAAR δ subunit-containing receptors on CRH neurons are necessary to mount the physiological response to stress. Here we review the literature describing the effects of steroid hormones on GABAARs as well as the importance of GABAARs in regulating the production of steroid hormones. This review incorporates what we currently know about changes in GABAARs following stress and the role in HPA axis regulation.
Synergy of Intramolecular Hydrogen-Bonding Network in myo-Inositol 2-Monophosphate: Theoretical Investigations into the Electronic Structure, Proton Transfer, and pKa

This work demonstrates the pivotal role that an intramolecular hydrogen-bonding network (intra-HBN) plays in the determination of the conformation of myo-inositol 2-monophosphate (Ins(2)P1), a member of the inositol phosphate family of compounds, which are important participants in the role that phosphates play in biological and environmental chemistry. For biologically significant compounds that contain phosphate and hydroxyl groups, Ins(2)P1 is a model system for studying both the primary forces that determine their conformations and their chemical properties from the effect of phosphate group addition. We performed ab initio calculations to determine the intra-HBN within important thermally accessible conformations for neutral Ins(2)P1 and its anions, Ins(2)P11- and Ins(2)P12-. The results show that the global minima prefer 1a/5e structures where the phosphate group is in the axial position with all −OH groups in the equatorial positions. The calculations of transition state structures for ring inversi...
Analysis of academic ties: A case study of Mathematics Genealogy

Analyzing social networks of communities helps us obtain local and large-scale information about the social relations. We can observe how structural as well as behavioral changes occur among the members of a social network over years. In this paper, we analyze academic ties of mathematicians using the Mathematics Genealogy Project data. Additionally, using university and nation information of mathematicians, we examine which universities or nations are more correlated as well as how these correlations change over the years.
A Synthesis of Studies Examining Long-Term Language Minority Student Data on Academic Achievement

Abstract This article provides a research synthesis of studies that have examined language-minority students' academic achievement over a period of four or more years, for a comparison with the longitudinal findings on student academic achievement reported in the Ramirez study. One program variable is the focus of this synthesis--the use of a minority language for instructional purposes. Some of the limitations to long-term research are discussed, followed by a summary of results from a variety of language-minority studies conducted in the United States on two-way bilingual education, late-exit bilingual education, early-exit bilingual education, and programs with no first language support. Implications for program effectiveness decisions for language-minority students are provided.
Theoretical Investigation of a Reported Antibiotic from the 'Miracle Tree' Moringa Oleifera

Abstract Moringa oleifera , sometimes called the “Miracle Tree,” has received international attention for its potential to improve health in impoverished tropical areas. In addition to high vitamin content in the leaves and pods, the tree contains compounds with antioxidant and antibacterial properties. This study focused on the theoretical investigation of the suggested structure of one antibacterial compound, “pterygospermin,” whose existence was proposed after some studies of the roots of M. oleifera . The structure of pterygospermin was first proposed by a research group working in the 1950s, but later studies have not found evidence of this compound and have instead attributed the antibacterial properties of Moringa to isothiocyanates. In order to investigate the possible existence and properties of pterygospermin, extensive ab initio and DFT calculations were conducted, to determine the most favorable isomer of pterygospermin and examine plausible decomposition pathways. This study concludes that pterygospermin, as proposed, would not be stable enough to exist in ambient conditions.
Generation by electrospray of monodisperse water droplets for targeted drug delivery by inhalation

Abstract An experimental investigation was performed on the feasibility of using an electrospray to produce monodisperse droplets of water in the diameter range 2–10 μm, with the ultimate objective of employing the droplets for targeted delivery of inhaled drugs. Because of the high surface tension of water, the establishment of stable sprays required the use of a sheath flow of CO2 to prevent breakdown in the gas surrounding the spray and its destabilizing consequences on the electrospray performance. With this expedience, stable sprays of water could be operated at flow rates ranging from 5.8 to 42.4 μl min−1, which resulted in the generation of droplets in the diameter range 5–12 μm. Droplet size was controlled primarily by varying the liquid flow rate. An increase in solution conductivity by the addition of a small amount of NaCl showed that this physical variable can also be used to control droplet size and to produce droplets with diameter smaller than 5 μm. Solutions of too large conductivity ( > 1.2 × 10 −4 Ω −1 cm −1 ) may, however, produce droplets too small for targeted drug delivery. Since the typical ratio of droplet standard deviation over mean diameter was less than 0.10, the droplets can be considered monodisperse. A prototype delivery system was also developed in which provisions were made for complete or partial neutralization of the droplet charge by corona discharge. A co-flow of air was provided to carry the discharged droplets through a delivery line and to evaluate its effects on the droplet monodispersity. It was found that the droplet size distribution broadens because of size-dependent evaporation effects. However, at typical conditions of inhalation, the effect should not compromise the system efficiency for targeted deposition.
Synergism between deoxyribose cytidine and adriamycin in causing chromosome aberrations in human leukocytes.

Abstract When human leukocytes cultured in vitro are treated with the antileukemic antibiotic adriamycin (AM), several kinds of chromosome aberrations including fragments, and reunions of chromatid as well as chromosome type are observed. The frequency of all these types of aberrations is increased if cells are treated just before, or simultaneously with deoxyribose cytidine. The increase in the incidence of free fragments is not at the expense of exchanges, thus indicating that synergistic effect is real and is due to some mechanism which facilitates the action of AM on chromosomes. It is suggested that deoxyribose cytidine (d-C) predisposes the chromatin to breakage by AM, perhaps, by increasing the number of accessible chromatin sites by attacking chromatin-nuclear membrane associations.
Improvement of signal-to-noise ratio in electroantennogram responses using multiple insect antennae

Using an array of insect antennae connected in series or in parallel, electroantennogram (EAG) responses and noise levels were investigated in an attempt to improve signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and sensitivity. Both the EAG response amplitude and noise level increased when the antennae of male Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were connected in series. Due to lower relative increase in noise level than EAG amplitude as the number of antennae increased, the S/N ratio was also significantly improved by the serial connection. As a result the sensitivity of EAG was improved by the serial connection, which showed ca. ten-fold improvement in the threshold detection levels compared with a single antenna when four antennae were connected in series. In contrast to the serial connection, there were no differences in EAG amplitudes and overall noise levels when different numbers of antennae were connected in parallel. When only large-amplitude noise was taken into account, however, the S/N ratio was somewhat improved by the parallel connection. The frequency of overall noise remained at the same level both in the serial and in the parallel connection. However, the frequency of the large-amplitude noise increased in serial connection but decreased in parallel connection. The present study clearly indicates that both the sensitivity and S/N ratio of the EAG biosensor could be significantly improved by using the multiple antennal connections.
Differentiation of antinuclear antibodies giving speckled staining patterns in immunofluorescence

Abstract The specificities of spontaneously occurring antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in human diseases were characterized. These ANA showed speckled nuclear staining patterns on tissue-section substrates by immunofluorescence. Two distinct nuclear macromolecules could be differentiated by specific ANA. One was a macromolecule whose precipitin activity with antibody was destroyed by treatment with either ribonuclease or trypsin suggesting that RNA and protein were both associated with antigenicity. The other nuclear macromolecule, previously described and designated Sm, retained antigenicity after identical ribonuclease treatment. These antigens were further differentiated by immunological methods which showed distribution in separate areas of nuclei and cytoplasm in dividing tissue-culture cells. There was selective segregation of antibodies to these nuclear macromolecules in different connective tissue disorders.
A Palpable Source of Stroke

A 68-year-old patient was admitted with right-sided hemiplegia and dysarthria of sudden onset. His medical history included bipolar disorder, past alcohol and cigarette abuse, and untreated arterial hypertension. Clinical examination revealed a pulsatile mass in the upper epigastric region and diastasis recti, which were congenital, according to the patient. The cardiac rhythm was atrial fibrillation. Chest radiography showed rightward deviation of the heart (Figure 1A). Thoracoabdominal computed tomography disclosed protrusion of the left ventricular apex into the epigastric region, containing a round hypodense mass suggestive of a thrombus (Figure 1B). Cerebral computed tomography showed an occlusive thrombus of the proximal left middle cerebral artery without any early sign of brain ischemia (Figure 2A). Figure 1. A , Chest x-ray showing rightward deviation of the heart. B , Thoracoabdominal computed tomography, sagittal reconstruction, showing protrusion of the left ventricular apex of the heart into the epigastric region (arrow). Figure 2. A , Cerebral computed tomographic arteriography, coronal reconstruction, …
Heterotwin formation during growth of nanolayered Al-TiN composites

High stacking fault energy (SFE) materials such as Al do not form twins easily. Here, the authors report, through high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, that Al layers in an alternating Al/TiN composite grow in a twin relationship to both the TiN and the underlying Al layers. Density functional theory based ab initio modeling reveals that nitrogen termination in the {111} growth plane of the TiN layers greatly favors the growth of twin oriented Al layers on them. This finding provides a definite way of creating a twin-modulated structure in high SFE materials.
Demography and elasticity of the diamond stingray, Dasyatis dipterura: parameter uncertainty and resilience to fishing pressure

Despite their abundance in near-shore tropical and subtropical marine environments, which support much of the world’s elasmobranch fisheries, population dynamics and impacts of fisheries on stingrays are poorly documented. Age-structured demographic models were developed using empirical estimates of fecundity, longevity and maturity to project population growth parameters and potential responses to fishing mortality of Dasyatis dipterura from the Bahia Magdalena lagoon complex, Mexico. Monte Carlo simulation was incorporated to include uncertainty in life history parameters into model projections. Six models were developed using deterministic and probabilistic approaches under unexploited and exploited (fishing mortality = 0.05 year–1) conditions. Mean annual population growth rates (λ) of 1.05–1.06 (5–6% increase), net reproductive rates of 2.3–2.4 and generation times of 14.9–16.5 years were projected from simulations. The introduction of a low fishing mortality into probabilistic models produced λ of 1.01 year–1. Elasticity analysis indicated that population growth rates for D. dipterura are more strongly influenced by the survival of juvenile and adult stages than by survival of neonates or changes in fecundity. Demographic analyses indicated that D. dipterura has a low intrinsic growth potential and limited resilience to fishing pressure. Localised depletion or population collapses are therefore likely to occur through unrestricted, unmonitored fishing effort.
The development of tyrosinase and cytochrome oxidase activity in mutants of Glomerella cingulata.

Abstract Cytochrome oxidase activity in the standard type and in four mutants of Glomerella cingulata has been shown to be constant throughout the mycelial development. This enzyme is concentrated on mitochondria-like particles which are extractable in hypertonic solutions of disaccharides. On the other hand, tyrosinase activity is concentrated in the supernatant and changes markedly during the development of the organism. This enzyme is present in the standard type and in two of the mutants, while the other two mutants have only minimal amounts. In the mycelia having such activity, tyrosinase increases precipitously, after the peak of growth has been reached, and then declines almost immediately, although small amounts of tyrosinase remain in the mycelium for as long as it is possible to obtain extracts. The evidence suggests that tyrosinase cannot function as the terminal oxidase during growth, although cytochrome oxidase can function in this way.
Status and Prospects for Discovery and Verification of New Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease by Proteomics

Despite unmet needs for cardiovascular biomarkers, few new protein markers have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the diagnosis or screening of cardiovascular diseases. Mass spectrometry–based proteomics technologies are capable of identifying hundreds to thousands of proteins in cells, tissues, and biofluids. Proteomics may therefore provide the opportunity to elucidate new biomarkers and pathways without a prior known association with cardiovascular disease; however, important obstacles remain. In this review, we focus on emerging techniques that may form a coherently integrated pipeline to overcome present limitations to both the discovery and validation processes.
The movement ecology and dynamics of plant communities in fragmented landscapes

A conceptual model of movement ecology has recently been advanced to explain all movement by considering the interaction of four elements: internal state, motion capacity, navigation capacities, and external factors. We modified this framework to generate predictions for species richness dynamics of fragmented plant communities and tested them in experimental landscapes across a 7-year time series. We found that two external factors, dispersal vectors and habitat features, affected species colonization and recolonization in habitat fragments and their effects varied and depended on motion capacity. Bird-dispersed species richness showed connectivity effects that reached an asymptote over time, but no edge effects, whereas wind-dispersed species richness showed steadily accumulating edge and connectivity effects, with no indication of an asymptote. Unassisted species also showed increasing differences caused by connectivity over time, whereas edges had no effect. Our limited use of proxies for movement ecology (e.g., dispersal mode as a proxy for motion capacity) resulted in moderate predictive power for communities and, in some cases, highlighted the importance of a more complete understanding of movement ecology for predicting how landscape conservation actions affect plant community dynamics.
Different receptors mediate morphine-induced prolactin and growth hormone release.

Morphine has a variety of actions on the release of pituitary hormones in addition to its analgesic actions. In the rat, morphine releases prolactin and growth hormone at doses comparable to those active in the tailflick analgesic assay. Naloxazone selectively inhibits the high affinity (mu1) binding site and dramatically decreases morphine's analgesic potency for over 24 hours. In an effort to determine the opiate receptor mechanisms of morphine-induced prolactin and growth hormone release, groups of rats were treated with either naloxone or naloxazone and 24 hours later the prolactin and growth hormone response to morphine sulfate determined. Peak prolactin levels in the group treated the previous day with naloxone were very similar to levels in untreated controls. However, the peak prolactin levels in the group that received naloxazone the day before were depressed 80% (p<0.005). By contrast, growth hormone levels in the naloxazone-treated animals were actually higher than in the naloxone-treated group. Thus prolactin release, like analgesia, appears to be mediated through high affinity, or mu1, sites, while growth hormone release is not.
Central and Extrapontine Myelinolysis Affecting the Brain and Spinal Cord. An Unusual Presentation of Pancreatic Encephalopathy

Pancreatic encephalopathy refers to a gamut of neuropsychiatric symptoms complicating acute pancreatitis. Osmotic myelinolysis is a known complication of pancreatic encephalopathy. We evaluated a 58-year-old woman with pancreatic encephalopathy associated to pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis involving the brain and spinal cord. To our knowledge, this is the first clinic pathological case report of pancreatic encephalopathy involving the spinal cord.
Growth of InAsP/InP quantum wells by solid source MBE on misoriented and exact InP (1 1 1)B: substrate temperature and arsenic species effects

Abstract Two series of strained InAsP/InP multiquantum wells (MQWs) were grown by solid source molecular beam epitaxy (SSMBE) simultaneously on Fe-doped InP substrates with a growth orientation of either (1 0 0), exact (1 1 1)B, and (1 1 1)B misoriented 1° toward 〈−2 1 1〉. The MQWs were grown using either dimer or tetramer arsenic (As 2 or As 4 ) over a substrate temperature range of 420–535°C. The θ –2 θ X-ray diffraction measurements, the atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of the surfaces, and the 8 K photoluminescence (PL) full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) values of the (1 1 1)B samples showed general improvement in the samples' material properties with increasing substrate temperature. While the X-ray diffraction measurements and the AFM images showed little difference between As 2 and As 4 , the 8 K PL FWHM values varied greatly with respect to the arsenic species used. The exact (1 1 1)B samples had narrower 8 K PL FWHM values when grown with As 2 . For growth on misoriented (1 1 1)B InP, the 8 K FWHM values narrowed with As 4 . The misoriented (1 1 1)B samples had the narrowest 8 K PL FWHM when grown with As 4 at a temperature of 520°C; the exact (1 1 1)B at 495°C when grown with As 2 .
Oxygen-isotope analyses and Pleistocene ice volumes

The oxygen-isotope record from fossil foraminifera in deep-sea sediments is commonly used as a proxy for global ice volume. The linkage between δ18O and ice volume, however, is probably nonlinear. We have developed a simple numerical model of the isotopic response of the oceans to ice-volume change. The major features it simulates are (1) the changing mean isotopic composition of snow as a function of ice volume (colder snow temperatures forced by climate change and higher-elevation accumulation areas imply more negative mean δ18O); (2) the nonequilibrium isotopic composition of ice sheets (the past history of an ice sheet is integrated into its mean isotopic composition, which introduces a lag of isotopic “ice volume,” i.e., the measured δ18O record, scaled to ice-volume units, behind true ice volume); (3) selective preservation of isotopically more negative (colder, higher-latitude) ice (this geographic effect can selectively amplify or dampen the isotopic response to the ice-volume signal). We illustrate the response of our model to simple hypothetical ice-volume transitions of ice growth and ice decay. Sensitivity tests are illustrated for all model parameters. The results suggest that oxygen-isotope records reproduce the general patterns of ice-volume change fairly accurately. The foraminiferal isotope record, however, may misrepresent the true amplitude of the ice-volume signal and lag true ice volume by 1000 to 3000 yr.
Dispersion effects in fiber optic interferometry

An extended analysis of the effects of uncompensated fiber dispersion on the fringe visibility of a fiber optic interferometer is devel- oped, with particular emphasis on stellar interferometry. Both material and waveguide dispersion for single-mode, polarization-preserving fibers are considered. It is found that dispersion causes the fringe visibility curve to broaden, decrease in contrast, shift its centroid location, and in some cases become asymmetric. It is also shown that when the interfer- ometer is operated at wavelengths near 1300 nm, cancellation of second-order material and waveguide dispersion significantly improves the fringe visibility. The theoretical results are verified experimentally at both 672 nm and 1307 nm using a fiber optic Mach-Zehnder interferom- eter. © 1997 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. (S0091-3286(97)03809-9)
Septicemic pasteurellosis in free-ranging neonatal pronghorn in Oregon.

As part of a study to determine the cause(s) of population decline and low survival of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) neonates on Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (HMNAR), Oregon (USA), 55 of 104 neonates captured during May 1996 and 1997 were necropsied (n = 28, 1996; n = 27, 1997) to determine cause of death. Necropsies were conducted on fawns that died during May, June, or July of each year. The objectives of this study were to report the occurrence and pathology of pasteurellosis in neonates and determine if the isolated strain of Pasteurella multocida was unique. Septicemic pasteurellosis, caused by P. multocida, was diagnosed as the cause of death for two neonates in May and June 1997. Necropsy findings included widely scattered petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages found over a large portion of the subcutaneous tissue, meninges of the brain, epicardium, skeletal muscle, and serosal surface of the thorasic and abdominal cavities. Histological examination of lung tissues revealed diffuse cong...
Separate but equal? A comparison of participants and data gathered via Amazon's MTurk, social media, and face-to-face behavioral testing

Recent and emerging technology permits psychologists today to recruit and test participants in more ways than ever before. But to what extent can behavioral scientists trust these varied methods to yield reasonably equivalent results? Here, we took a behavioral, face-to-face task and converted it to an online test. We compared the online responses of participants recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and via social media postings on Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit. We also recruited a standard sample of students on a college campus and tested them in person, not via computer interface. The demographics of the three samples differed, with MTurk participants being significantly more socio-economically and ethnically diverse, yet the test results across the three samples were almost indistinguishable. We conclude that for some behavioral tests, online recruitment and testing can be a valid-and sometimes even superior-partner to in-person data collection.
Medial Frontal Hyperactivity in Reality Distortion

Background Schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder involves reality distortion (RD), which impairs the ability to process socioemotional information. Because this psychological capacity maps to the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and schizophrenia involves abnormal MPFC function, we tested the hypothesis that treated schizophrenic/schizoaffective patients with persistent RD (RD+) would exhibit greater MPFC dysfunction than patients without significant RD (RD−). The amygdala interacts with MPFC, also carries out socioemotional processing, and has been implicated in schizophrenia; thus, we also tested the hypothesis that patients would exhibit aberrant amygdala activity. Methods Eleven RD+ patients, 12 RD− patients, and 15 healthy control subjects (HC) viewed emotionally salient pictures with neutral, aversive, and positive content during the acquisition of blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) sensitive functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results All groups had similar behavioral responses to the pictures. The RD+ subjects had greater BOLD responses (compared with the RD− and HC groups) to the aversive pictures in the anterior MPFC. Both patient groups showed reduced activation in MPFC and the left amygdala (compared with HC) for neutral pictures (compared with blank condition), although this effect could be explained by medication. Conclusions Reality distortion is associated with hyperactivity of the MPFC in schizophrenic/schizoaffective patients whose symptoms persist in spite of antipsychotic treatment.
Steroid hormone metabolites before and after orchiectomy for prostatic cancer.

Metabolites of steroid hormones were studied in 15 patients with prostatic cancer. The decreased level of androgen metabolites after orchiectomy as compared with the preoperative control study was affirmed. A fall in hydrocortisone metabolites after operation was also observed in a limited number of patients studied. There appeared to be no correlation between the initial steroid level or the decrease in androgen observed and remission of the disease. Serial studies after operation failed to reveal a “secondary rise” of androgens. It was concluded that “control” studies represented a stage of acute alarm and anxiety and that subsequent studies were complicated by the physical and emotional reactions of the patient. These later alterations in adrenal function reflect changes in the patient's status but were not causative of these.
Outcome and cost of craniotomy performed to treat tumors in regional academic referral centers.

OBJECTIVEImproved clinical and economic outcomes for high-risk surgical procedures have been previously cited in support of regionalization. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of regionalization by analyzing the cost and outcome of craniotomy for tumors and to compare the findings in
The Effects of Different Climate Input Datasets on Simulated Carbon Dynamics in the Western Arctic

As part of the Western Arctic Linkage Experiment (WALE), simulations of carbon dynamics in the western Arctic (WALE region) were conducted during two recent decades by driving the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (TEM) with three alternative climate datasets. Among the three TEM
Role of serum, insulin and amino acid concentration in contact inhibition of growth of human cells in culture

Abstract When cultures of diploid human cells were confluent or approaching confluency, a change of medium produced a balanced stimulation of macromolecular synthesis and cell division. The essential components of the medium were to be found in serum, which was required for DNA synthesis, and in the increased concentration of amino acids which were necessary to promote protein synthesis when the capacity of cells in crowded cultures to take up amino acids is greatly reduced. There were indications that serum had the secondary function of stimulating amino acid uptake and this resulted in a limited amount of cell division when the amino acid level in the medium was growth-limiting. The role of insulin in promoting cell division was also studied, especially in relation to serum concentration. Insulin facilitated amino acid uptake, thus possibly having some serum sparing action, and there was also circumstantial evidence that insulin facilitated serum factor uptake by the cells and thereby promoted cell division in serum-limited media.
A CLASS OF NON-GAUSSIAN PROCESSES FOR MONTE CARLO SIMULATION

A new model is proposed to represent non-Gaussian stationary processes and develop Monte Carlo simulation algorithms for generating sample paths of non-Gaussian processes. The model is based on a class of non-Gaussian processes, the class of conditional Gaussian processes. Two representations are considered for these processes. The first representation is based on a randomized version of the classical spectral density function. The second representation uses the output of a linear filter with random coefficients subjected to Gaussian noise to define conditional Gaussian processes. The proposed model, its representations, and corresponding Monte Carlo simulation algorithms are illustrated by examples involving non-Gaussian random variables and processes. It is shown that the proposed model can match any second moment properties but, generally, can only fit approximately a specified marginal distribution.
Special issues in child custody evaluations.

Abstract The child and adolescent psychiatrist who performs child custody evaluations assumes an extraordinary responsibility. Operating at the interface of psychiatry and the law, this forensic psychiatrist is often confronted by special factors that can make a normally complicated process even more intricate. This paper examines the forensic psychiatrist's role in dealing with a number of special issues which often arise during child custody evaluations. These issues are: the mentally ill parent, the homosexual parent, stepparents, grandparents' rights, and parental kidnapping. Case vignettes are presented, and guidance for the clinician is provided. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry , 1990, 29, 6:969–974.
Gregarious Setting in the American Oyster Crassostrea virginica Gmelin

In laboratory cultures of setting oyster larvae,Crassostrea virginica, it was noted that few of many exposed cultch shells collected most of the set. Also, setting, was very sporadic with respect to time. Several hypotheses were tested to explain such observations. Individual cultch shells were not differentially attractive to setting larvae. However, cultch shells containing 24-hour-old spat or 2-month-old spat attracted more set than unspatted control shells in the same culture and stimulated more set than that received in separate control cultures. Undersides of bottom-most layers of shells attracted more set than the higher layers of shells in laboratory cultures. Two-month-old spat, inside larval-proof plankton mesh bags, stimulated set on shells outside the bags indicating that a water-borne pheromone may be the stimulating agent. These findings confirm the contention of Crisp (1967) that gregarious setting occurs inC. virginica.
SU-E-T-439: First Experience of Three Dimensional Conformai Radiotherapy (3DCRT) Planning with Helical Tomotherapy.

Purpose: A three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) has been recently introduced to helical tomotherapy, allowing the user to plan and treat patients that do not require sophisticated IMRT planning and delivery. This study aims to test treatment planning on this modality and evaluate its performance by comparing to conventional LINAC‐based 3DCRT planning. Methods: Four clinical cases (whole brain, extremity, lung, and partial breast irradiation) were retrospectively selected from a Pinnacle planning system (Philips Medical System, Fitchburg, WI) and planned on Tomotherapy (Accuray Inc., Sunnyvale, CA). Computed tomography(CT)images together with contours of target and critical structures were exported from Pinnacle to the Tomotherapy planning station. The same prescription and fractionation scheme was adopted. The pitch factor for all clinical cases was set to 0.287. A 2.5 cm jaw was employed except in the lung case the field size was set to 1.0 cm for better dose conformity. The dose grid size was chosen to be half of that of the planning CTimages. On Pinnacle 100% prescription dose was delivered to the treatment isocenter while onTomotherapy it was stipulated that at least 95% of the target volume received the prescribed dose. Comparison between two planning strategies was performed, in terms of dose volume histograms (DVH), dosimetric and radiobiological parameters, for plan quality assessment. Results: Comparison of DVHs reveals that up to 25% healthy tissue sparing in volume can be accomplished with Tomotherapy 3DCRT while the same target coverage is ensured. Dosimetric and radiobiological indices between Tomotherapy and Pinnacle planning agree to within 3.0%. Additional beam modifiers and non‐coplanar beams associated with LINAC‐based 3DCRT are not needed on Tomotherapy, making it more favorable. Conclusions: Tomotherapy 3DCRT has similar dosimetric performance when compared to conventional LINAC‐based 3DCRT while it is substantially easier to use.