cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
38081 A Whole Blood Signature of Neutrophil Expression and Adaptive Immune Downregulation Characterizes Sepsis Mortality

ABSTRACT IMPACT: This work identifies host immune perturbations in sepsis mortality that suggests targets for a precision medicine paradigm in the host response to infection. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To compare the early whole blood transcriptome during sepsis between 30-day survivors and non-survivors in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and to evaluate for pathway enrichment that might explain sepsis lethality. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We enrolled 162 sepsis patients in the first 24 hours of ICU admission, particularly targeting individuals requiring vasopressors. Peripheral whole blood was collected in PAXgene vacutainers. Isolated RNA was analyzed with Affymetrix Human Genome ST 2.0 microarray. Differential gene expression was performed with Bioconductor/R/limma using log2 fold-change +/-0.6 as a threshold for differential expression, and a Benjamini-Hochberg adjusted p-value <0.05 to declare significance. Functional gene enrichment was performed using the Gene Ontology (GO) database with PANTHER overrepresentation test (Fisher’s Exact) on all transcripts with adjusted p-value <0.05. Pathways analysis was performed with the Reactome Project using the raw fold change and significance data to identify dysregulated pathways. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: There were 58 non-survivors (36% mortality). We identified 39 genes as differentially expressed between sepsis non-survivors and survivors; 31 were upregulated in non-survivors and 8 had reduced expression. Several of the most overexpressed transcripts are neutrophil-specific, including LCN, MPO, OLF4M4, DEFA3, and DEFA4. A functional gene overrepresentation test further supports this finding, as the most enriched gene ontologies were neutrophil-mediated killing, neutrophil cytotoxicity, neutrophil extravasation, and respiratory burst, all demonstrating higher than 10-fold enrichment and FDR < 0.02. Pathway analysis of the peripheral blood transcriptome was notable for immune response derangement, specifically downregulation of both innate and adaptive immune pathways (FDR < 0.00001). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: We identified increased expression of neutrophil-related genes in sepsis non-survivors, replicating candidates previously identified in pediatric sepsis mortality and ARDS. These immune perturbations in sepsis mortality may represent key targets for eventually employing precision medicine strategies in sepsis.
Cervical organoids go viral

In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Lohmussaar et al. (2021) describe a versatile platform for generating long-term patient-derived organoids from hysterectomies and Pap brush cells. They establish malignant and benign cervix tissue organoids from both endo- and ectocervix that have applications ranging from precision medicine to infection modeling.
The molecular basis of allostery in a facilitated dissociation process

Summary Facilitated dissociation provides a mechanism by which high-affinity complexes can be rapidly disassembled. The negative feedback regulator CITED2 efficiently downregulates the hypoxic response by displacing the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor HIF-1α from the TAZ1 domain of the transcriptional coactivators CREB-binding protein (CBP) and p300. Displacement occurs by a facilitated dissociation mechanism involving a transient ternary intermediate formed by binding of the intrinsically disordered CITED2 activation domain to the TAZ1:HIF-1α complex. The short lifetime of the intermediate precludes straightforward structural investigations. To obtain insights into the molecular determinants of facilitated dissociation, we model the ternary intermediate by generating a fusion peptide composed of the primary CITED2 and HIF-1α binding motifs. X-ray crystallographic and NMR studies of the fusion peptide complex reveal TAZ1-mediated negative cooperativity that results in nearly mutually exclusive binding of specific CITED2 and HIF-1α interaction motifs, providing molecular-level insights into the allosteric switch that terminates the hypoxic response.
Do Early-Life Social, Behavioral, and Health Exposures Increase Later-Life Arthritis Incidence?:

Objectives: This study investigates direct and indirect influences of childhood social, behavioral, and health exposures on later-life osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis development. Methods: ...
Pediatric Biliary Interventions

An interventional radiologist is frequently called to evaluate and treat biliary diseases in children; a tailored approach specific to this population is required. Imaging with an emphasis on minimizing ionizing radiation is used not only in the initial workup but also to guide interventions. The most common form of intervention generally consists of transhepatic biliary drainage to treat either biliary obstruction or bile leakage, a scenario frequently encountered after pediatric liver transplantation. Other pathologies referred for evaluation and management include biliary atresia and, rarely, symptomatic choledochal cysts. Biliary complications caused by an underlying malignancy are not a frequently encountered problem in the pediatric population. The initial evaluation, role of preprocedural imaging, and interventional management with an emphasis on technique are discussed regarding these common biliary pathologies in children.
Androgen Receptor (AR) and Breast Cancer: Reference to the AR Status in Normal/Benign Breast Luminal Cells

The role of androgen and androgen receptor pathway in breast cancer development, prognosis and treatment has gained enormous attentions in recent years, largely because of the effort to identify new markers for targeted treatment of triple (ER/PR/Her2) negative breast carcinomas. This mini-review will discuss AR and breast cancer from the perspectives of normal/benign breast luminal epithelium.
Al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd (Averroes) on Creation and the Divine Attributes

Al-Ghazali (1058–1111) was concerned that early Islamic philosophers were leaning too heavily and uncritically on Aristotelian and Neoplatonic ideas in developing their models of God and his relation to the world. He argued that their views were not only irreligious, but philosophically problematic, and he defended an alternative view aimed at staying closer to the Qur’an and the beliefs of the ordinary Muslim. Ibn Rushd (1126–1198) responded to al-Ghazali’s critique and developed a sophisticated Aristotelian view. The present chapter explores their views in light of a problem facing any philosophical model of God in Islam or classical theism more generally, the problem of conceiving of God’s nature and relation to the world in a way that places an appropriate distance between God and humans. On the one hand, we want a notion of God that is not overly anthropomorphic, or that does not make him to be too much like us. On the other hand, we want to be able to say something positive and substantive about God. And we want to do this while preserving the harmony of reason and revelation, of philosophy and religion, as much as possible.
Atrial Fibrillation After Lung Transplantation: Timing, Risk Factors, and Treatment

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common after lung transplantation and can be challenging to manage. Objectives of this study were to determine prevalence and timing of perioperative AF, identify its risk factors, evaluate treatment strategies, assess return to sinus rhythm by hospital discharge, and investigate its impact on outcomes. Methods From March 1995 to January 2005, 333 patients underwent primary lung transplantation (exclusive of heart and lung transplantation). Data on timing, prevalence, management, and outcome were extracted from the Unified Transplant Registry and Cardiothoracic Anesthesia databases, supplemented with medical record review. Risk factors for AF were identified by logistic regression analysis, and bootstrap bagging was used for variable selection. Results AF developed postoperatively in 68 patients (20%), with the peak incidence 2 days after operation. Risk factors were older age ( p = 0.0004), primary pulmonary hypertension (5 of 12 [42%] versus 63 of 321 [20%] for others, p = 0.006), and extremes of weight ( p = 0.04). Pharmacologic treatment consisted of rate control agents only in 18 patients (27%), antiarrhythmics only in 5 (7.5%), and both in 44 (66%). Cardioversion was required in 24 (36%). Rhythm was recorded for 59 patients, and 55 (93%) were in sinus rhythm at discharge. Postoperative AF had no short-term or long-term survival impact. Conclusions AF after lung transplantation is common, with occurrence peaking 2 days postoperatively. Older patients and those with primary pulmonary hypertension are at elevated risk. Treatment requires a combination of multiple pharmacologic agents and electrical cardioversion. Almost all patients are discharged in sinus rhythm, and prognosis is unaffected.
Correlations in aftershock and seismicity patterns

Correlations in space and time play a fundamental role in earthquake processes. One direct manifestation of the effects of correlations is the occurrence of aftershocks due to the stress transfer in the vicinity of a main shock. Less obvious and more speculative changes in correlations may occur in the background seismicity before large earthquakes. Using statistical physics it is possible to introduce a measure of spatial correlations through a correlation length. This quantity characterizes how local fluctuations can influence the occurrence of earthquakes over distances comparable with the correlation length. In this work, the physical basis of spatial correlations of earthquakes is discussed in the context of critical phenomena and the percolation problem. The method of two-point correlation function is applied to the seismicity of California. Well defined variations in time of the correlation length are found for aftershock sequences and background seismicity. The scaling properties of our obtained distributions are analyzed with respect to changes in several scaling parameters such as lower magnitude cutoff of earthquakes, the maximum time interval between earthquakes, and the spatial size of the area considered. This scaling behavior can be described in a unified manner by utilizing the multifractal fit. Utilizing the percolation approach the time evolution of clusters of earthquakes is studied with the correlation length defined in terms of the radius of gyration of clusters. This method is applied to the seismicity of California.
Ethylene Oligomerization Catalyzed by a Unique Phosphine−Oxazoline Palladium(II) Complex. Propagation and Chain Transfer Mechanisms

Palladium(II)-catalyzed ethylene oligomerization reactions using a new [(P∧N)Pd(CH3)(NCArF)][SbF6] complex, 2b (P∧N = phosphine−oxazoline, ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3), are described. Analysis of the X-ray crystal structure of the (P∧N)Pd(CH3)Cl precatalyst, 2a, reveals a unique axial Pd···H interaction (2.33 A) with a ligand Csp3−H bond. Exposure of this complex to ethylene in methylene chloride produces a Schulz−Flory distribution of α-olefins ranging from C4 to C24. Effects of varying ethylene pressure and reaction temperature on oligomerizations are reported. The turnover frequency exhibits saturation behavior as ethylene pressure is increased; carrying out a Lineweaver−Burk analysis provides a barrier of 17.5 kcal/mol for migratory insertion of the palladium alkyl ethylene species. The invariance of the Schulz−Flory constant with added quantities of nitrile suggests that chain transfer occurs through a process best described as chain transfer to monomer. The catalyst resting state is shown to vary as a func...
Rings of integral quaternions

Abstract A quaternion order derived from an integral ternary quadratic form f = Σaijxixj of discriminant d = 4 det (aij) is m-maximal if m is not divisible by any prime p such that p2 | d, or p ‖; d and cp = 1. If R is m-maximal and m is a product p1 … pr of primes, then any primitive element α of R has unique right-divisor ideals of each norm p1 … pk (k = 1, …, r). This generalizes Lipschitz's ninety-year-old theorem. We characterize m-maximal orders, study their ideals, and show how the preceding result yields formulas for the number of representations of integers by certain quaternary quadratic forms.
Commentary on an Evaluation of Distance Estimation Accuracy and Its Relationship to Transportation Mode for the Home-to-School Journey by Adolescents

The paper provides a commentary on Woods and Nelson׳s article "An evaluation of distance estimation and accuracy and its relationship to transportation Mode for the home-to-school journey by adolescents." We elaborate on two points related to the main finding of the article: the importance of understanding perceived barriers within the neighborhood environment, and the role of cognitive and skills development in encouraging active transport amongst children and adolescents. Language: en
Age, Comorbidity, and the Risk of Prostate Cancer-Specific Mortality in Men With Biopsy Gleason Score 4+3: Implications on Patient Selection for Multiparametric MRI.

Abstract Background Some men with biopsy Gleason score (GS) 7 prostate cancer (PC) harbor occult GS 8 to 10 PC and might be undertreated with short-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and radiation therapy (RT). With advancing age associated with occult high-grade PC, we evaluated PC-specific mortality (PCSM) risk after RT and short-term ADT for older men with GS 4+3 PC and men of any age with GS 8 to 10 PC. Patients and Methods The study cohort comprised 206 men with unfavorable-risk PC treated with RT or RT and 6 months of ADT on a randomized trial between 1995 and 2001. Competing risks regression was used to compare PCSM risk for men with GS 8 to 10 PC to men with GS ≤ 3+4, GS 4+3 and age ≤ 73 years (median age), and GS 4+3 and age > 73 years, adjusting for PC risk factors, comorbidity, and treatment. Results After a median follow-up of 14.3 years, 135 men died (65.53%), 24 (17.78%) of PC. Men age > 73 years with GS 4+3 PC did not have significantly lower PCSM risk compared with men with GS 8 to 10 (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-4.06; P = .91); whereas unhealthy men (AHR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.04-0.93; P = .04) and men age ≤ 73 years with GS 4+3 (AHR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01-1.03; P = .05) fared better. Conclusion Men age > 73 years with biopsy GS 4+3 did not have a significant difference in PCSM risk than men with GS 8 to 10, supporting further study of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in such men with no or minimal comorbidity before determining ADT duration.
Predictive Modeling for Organ Transplantation Outcomes

The prevalence of end-stage renal disease in the U.S. Has grown significantly, and continues to do so. Organ transplantation generally has better overall patient outcomes than dialysis. But there is a significant shortage of kidneys. This shortage is exacerbated by the need for kidneys for patients with dual organ transplantations. So the kidney allocation problem is a significant challenge. Predictive analytics based clinical decision support systems need to be developed to help physicians make difficult organ allocation decisions. In this paper, we investigate two different classifiers to predict the outcomes of kidney-liver dual transplant patients. The models were evaluated on the basis of overall accuracy, root mean squared error and Area under ROC. UNOS data was used to develop the models.
A Short-Run Crude Oil Price Forecast Model with Ratchet Effect

From 1992 through early 2004, crude oil prices were predictable by using OECD’s relative inventories and OPEC’s excess production capacity. However, since 2004, estimated inventories and excess production capacity under-predict crude oil prices. Using 3-D graphical analyzes, three regimes are identified in crude oil markets during the period from January 1992 to December 2007, reflecting market conditions and OPEC policy changes. These graphics show the changing relationship between crude oil price, inventories and excess production capacity. To reflect this, a ratchet variable, derived from cumulative excess production capacity, is incorporated into the forecasting model to reflect the changing behavior on both demand and supply sides. This model provides improved forecasts for the post Gulf War I time period over models without the ratchet mechanism.
The biocidal properties of anthraquininoid dyes

A modified minimum inhibitory concentration test method was employed to determine the antimicrobial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria of two series of cationic anthraquininoid dyes. The antimicrobial strength of the colorants increased with increasing carbon chain length up to C16; the activities of the colorants were improved by the use of elevated temperature as well as either high or low pH. However, the colorants were deactivated in the presence of both anionic surfactants and divalent cations.
Electrical resistivity of La

The electrical resistivity of high-purity double hexagonal-close-packed (dhcp) $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{La}$ from 5 to 300 K is reported. Measurements were made on small-grained samples prepared by heat treatment of eold-worked lanthanum. Measurements were also made on samples cut in different directions from an ingot slowly cooled from the molten state. The room-temperature results were all within 2% of the mean value. Chemically pure $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{La}$ (fcc) cannot be retained at room temperature, hence, measurements were made on an fcc sample of La containing 0.2-at.% Gd and \ensuremath{\sim} 0.8-at.% total interstitial nonmetallic impurities. The cubic form has almost the same type of temperature dependence as the dhcp form, but has a 10% lower magnitude.
Severity of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients : Evaluation of a CDAD severity grading system

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) grading system based on presenting symptoms in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients. Patients with severe CDAD had significantly shorter median survival times and more adverse outcomes than patients with mild or moderate CDAD.
A generalized pricing rule for multi-market Cournot oligopoly

Abstract Trade-offs between market concentration and multi-market participation are examined in a Cournot framework with complementary demands. A key finding is that mergers that increase the market share of multi-market providers can yield non-increasing prices despite the absence of merger economies.
Optimal restoration of noisy 3D x-ray data via shearlet decompositions

In a recent work, it was shown that the shearlet representation provides a useful formula for the reconstruction of 3D objects from their X-ray projections. One major advantage of this approach is that it yields a near-optimal rate of convergence in estimating piecewise smooth objects from 3D X-ray projections which are corrupted by white Gaussian noise. In this work, we provide numerical demonstrations to illustrate the effectiveness of this method and its performance as compared with other X-ray data restoration algorithms.
Error Encoded PDE-Textons for Face Recognition

The success of texture based face recognition systems confirms the important role of textural information in automated face recognition and retrieval. While discriminative modelling is considered as a powerful tool for modelling natural textural surfaces, it is not yet applied for face recognition and retrieval purposes. In addition, current approaches in discriminative modelling have so far ignored for the disparity between the representation and the actual images, and hence do not use this information for recognition purposes. In this work, we introduce the Error Encoded PDE-textons, constructed using both micro-and macro-patterns extracted using a set of linear and PDE-based filters. We use PDE-texton maps as a representation of the textural information in a given facial image. The residual image, the difference between the knowledge base and the given input image, is also used as this could provide information on possible errors in the discriminative representation. Face recognition is then performed by using features extracted from both the PDE-texton maps and the residual images. We compare the results of the proposed approach with those from four other different techniques. The results using only a single training image show that the proposed scheme has at least 9% reduced equal error rate compared to popular LBP-operators on the difficult AR dataset.
Ring-Calcification of Giant Coronary Artery Aneurysm of an 11-Year-Old Child with History of Kawasaki Disease

We present radiographic images of ring-calcification of a giant aneurysm of the left main coronary artery in a child, 7 years after the initial diagnosis of Kawasaki disease, as well as acute medical management and surgical bypass of the obstructed left anterior descending coronary artery.
Evidence for two separate purinergic responses in Paramecium tetraurelia: XTP inhibits only the oscillatory responses to GTP.

The purine nucleotide GTP causes a complex behavioral response and two distinct electrophysiological responses in the ciliated protozoan Paramecium tetraurelia. One of the two electrophysiological responses is an oscillating current that is responsible for the repeated backward swimming episodes that constitute the behavioral response to GTP. The second electrophysiological response is a sustained current whose relationship to the first is unknown. Here we show that the purine nucleotide XTP can completely block both the behavioral response to GTP and its associated oscillating current, but not the sustained current induced by GTP. Notably, XTP alone causes a sustained current similar to that induced by GTP. We believe the data support the notion that P. tetraurelia possesses two distinct signal transduction pathways sensitive to purine nucleotides: one specific for GTP that leads to oscillating currents and behavior, and a second pathway activated by GTP and other purine nucleotides that leads to a sustained current.
Automated quantification of dendritic spine density and spine head diameter in medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens

Dendritic spines are postsynaptic specializations thought to regulate the strength of synaptic transmission and play a critical role in neuronal plasticity. While changes in dendritic spine density can be pharmacologically- or environmentally-induced, the widespread utility of this important measure of synaptic plasticity in vivo has been hampered by the labor-intensive nature, and potential for bias and inconsistency inherent in manual spine counting. Here we report a method for obtaining high-resolution, three-dimensional confocal images of accumbens spiny neurons labeled with a diolistically delivered lipophilic fluorescence dye (DiI) that permits automated analysis of spine density and spine head diameter. The automated quantification was verified by manual counts of spine density and electron microscopic measures of spine head diameter. The density of spines was relatively constant over 2nd to 4th order dendrites within a neuron, and spine density was normally distributed. The mean spine density (2.68 spines/μm; N = 45 neurons) was higher than previous reports, due in part to analysis in three rather than two dimensions and the capacity of lipophilic dyes to fill very thin spines. The distribution of spine head diameters was continuous and skewed to the right (mean = 0.43 μm; N = 8,891), and ~25% of all spines were thin and filopodia-like (≤0.20 μm diameter). The density of spines was not correlated with average spine head diameter or with the number of filopodia-like spines. The capacity to rapidly assess spine density and spine head diameter will facilitate quantifying spine plasticity induced by pharmacological and environmental manipulations.
Probabilistic method for integrating multiple sources of range data

It is suggested that passive-camera range-sensing methods be considered as returning not just range values but rather probability density functions, characterized by two-dimensional arrays of both expected value and variance. Employing variance data permits probabilistic integration of the range values from multiple range-sensing algorithms, with results demonstrably superior to simple averaging. This method is analyzed and carried out for sign-bit correlation stereopsis and two-lens depth-from-focus. Calculating the Cramer–Rao lower bound on variance for these two range-sensing algorithms can be done with relatively little additional computation.
Signalling of sexual receptivity by pigmentation pattern in female sticklebacks

Abstract In a marine population of three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, from Long Island, New York, females usually exhibit shiny silver flanks and a pale olive-tan dorsum, which make them cryptic when viewed laterally in the water column. As females become increasingly gravid, they develop a temporary dark mottled or bar-like pattern along their back and upper flanks, which makes them conspicuous when viewed in the water column. Laboratory observations revealed that this pattern is temporally associated with sexual receptivity to courting males. When males were presented with a choice of two dummy females, one with and one without the mottling, the males directed more courtship to the mottled one. This suggests that the mottling pattern may serve to advertise the females' sexual receptivity to territorial males and stimulate the males to court them.
Perceptions of Power: Female Executives' Descriptions of Power Usage by “Best” and “Worst” Bosses

This research examined the perceived use of power by women executive's best and worst bosses. Using a new methodology to measure French and Raven's (1959) and Raven's (1965) power bases, members of the National Association of Female Executives responded to a survey in which they evaluated the power bases of their best and worst bosses. Male bosses were more likely than female bosses to be identified as the worst boss, whereas females and males were equally likely to be identified as the best boss, although these women probably had far more male than female bosses.
Inverse and predictive modeling of seepage into underground openings

We discuss the development and calibration of a model for predicting seepage into underground openings. Seepage is a key factor affecting the performance of the potential nuclear-waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Three-dimensional numerical models were developed to simulate field tests in which water was released from boreholes above excavated niches. Data from air-injection tests were geostatistically analyzed to infer the heterogeneous structure of the fracture permeability field. The heterogeneous continuum model was then calibrated against the measured amount of water that seeped into the opening. This approach resulted in the estimation of model-related, seepage-specific parameters on the scale of interest. The ability of the calibrated model to predict seepage was examined by comparing calculated with measured seepage rates from additional experiments conducted in different portions of the fracture network. We conclude that an effective capillary strength parameter is suitable to characterize seepage-related features and processes for use in a prediction model of average seepage into potential waste-emplacement drifts.
A system to maximize the in vitro immunological stability of human Langerhans cells

Langerhans cells (LC) are now known to be immunocompetent antigen-presenting cells (APC) that are involved with numerous immune reactions initiated in skin, including the induction of contact hypersensitivity and the rejection of skin grafts. Immortalized cells that closely resemble in vivo LC have not been developed and mature LC, in vitro, appear to only briefly pass through a stage of differentiation when immunological potential seems stable. The literature supports the concept that mature LC possess numerous ultrastructural and antigen (Ag) characteristics. These include suface ATPase activity, Fc receptors, MHC class II Ag, CD1a Ag and Birbeck granules. These studies were undertaken to determine the ideal conditions of LC isolation and enrichment for persistence of these characteristics, such that toxicological and immunoreactive studies could closely mimic the in vivo situation. Studies were carried out to evaluate sources of tissue, duration of manipulations, chemical perturbation, stored v. fresh tissue, methods of enrichment, donor serological information and cost. LC were evaluated for ultrastructural and Ag stability by light and electron microscopy utilizing monoclonal antibodies (Mab) to surface Ag and ultrastructural features. It was determined that the most critical conditions included duration of manipulations and method of enrichment. Differences between fresh-frozen and fresh tissue samples were negligible. Cells evaluated less than 18 hr post-collection and enriched by density gradient centrifugation consistently demonstrated stability while ATPase activity, MHC Ag and ultrastructural characteristics varied when other methods were used. Implications for immunological and toxicological testing of in vitro skin samples can be drawn.
Postembryonic eye degeneration in the troglobitic salamander Typhlotriton spelaeus

Comparative histological observations of the eyes of Typhlotriton spelaeus and several epigean, plethodontid species indicate that the principal postembryonic degenerative changes in the eyes of T. spelaeus involve the eyelids and cornea, visual cells, outer plexiform layer, and the pigment epithelium. Ordinarily these changes were initiated after metamorphosis, before attainment of sexual maturity, but a few larvae had degenerating retinae. The corneal epithelium becomes irregular and thin as eyelids develop during and after metamorphosis, but retains its larval structure in animals in which eyelid overlap is incomplete. Disruption and vacuolation of the lens sometimes occurs in postmetamorphic animals with degenerating visual cells. Retinal degeneration involves reduction of the inner and outer segments of visual cells, loss of the outer plexiform layer, and retraction of apical processes of the pigment epithelium. In its earliest stage, retinal reduction is first apparent at the retinal margin where visual cells are normally less well-differentiated, but in its terminal stage reduction has gone to completion over the entire retina. Extent of retinal degeneration in adults is directly related to postmetamorphic age but there is variability in each age group. Females generally have smaller eyes, and more extensive degeneration of visual cells than males. The loss of visual function in adults is correlated with extensive visual cell degeneration.
Spectrophotometric studies on the interaction of nucleic acids with aminoacridines and other basic dyes.

Abstract An investigation of the absorption spectra of various basic dyes including the aminoacridines with nucleic acids shows the formation of a dye-acid complex joined by more than simple electrostatic attractions. The complex bonding is stronger for those acridines which have been shown to have an affinity for cell nuclei in vivo. Evidence is present to show that the dye is more tightly bound to DNA than to RNA. The degree of polymerization of DNA has a marked effect on the formation of the dye-acid complex. Presumably depolymerization destroys sites on the nucleic acid molecule which are spatially favorable to complex formation. Reasons for the staining of RNA in the nucleolus but not of RNA in the cytoplasm are discussed.
Human telomeric sequence forms a hybrid-type intramolecular G-quadruplex structure with mixed parallel/antiparallel strands in potassium solution

Human telomeric DNA consists of tandem repeats of the sequence d(TTAGGG). The formation and stabilization of DNA G-quadruplexes in the human telomeric sequence have been shown to inhibit the activity of telomerase, thus the telomeric DNA G-quadruplex has been considered as an attractive target for cancer therapeutic intervention. However, knowledge of the intact human telomeric G-quadruplex structure(s) formed under physiological conditions is a prerequisite for structure-based rational drug design. Here we report the folding structure of the human telomeric sequence in K+ solution determined by NMR. Our results demonstrate a novel, unprecedented intramolecular G-quadruplex folding topology with hybrid-type mixed parallel/antiparallel G-strands. This telomeric G-quadruplex structure contains three G-tetrads with mixed G-arrangements, which are connected consecutively with a double-chain-reversal side loop and two lateral loops, each consisting of three nucleotides TTA. This intramolecular hybrid-type telomeric G-quadruplex structure formed in K+ solution is distinct from those reported on the 22 nt Tel22 in Na+ solution and in crystalline state in the presence of K+, and appears to be the predominant conformation for the extended 26 nt telomeric sequence Tel26 in the presence of K+, regardless of the presence or absence of Na+. Furthermore, the addition of K+ readily converts the Na+-form conformation to the K+-form hybrid-type G-quadruplex. Our results explain all the reported experimental data on the human telomeric G-quadruplexes formed in the presence of K+, and provide important insights for understanding the polymorphism and interconversion of various G-quadruplex structures formed within the human telomeric sequence, as well as the effects of sequence and cations. This hybrid-type G-quadruplex topology suggests a straightforward pathway for the secondary structure formation with effective packing within the extended human telomeric DNA. The hybrid-type telomeric G-quadruplex is most likely to be of pharmacological relevance, and the distinct folding topology of this G-quadruplex suggests that it can be specifically targeted by G-quadruplex interactive small molecule drugs.
Hysteresis in the Relationship Between Serum Ionized Calcium and Intact Parathyroid Hormone during Recovery from Induced Hyper-and Hypocalcemia in Normal Humans

We have used an immunoradiometric assay for intact PTH in conjunction with calcium and citrate infusions to study whether levels of intact PTH are responsive to reversal of the direction of change in ionized calcium in normal humans. Eleven normal subjects received graded infusions of citrate or calcium on separate days to produce linear rates of decrease or increase in calcium. After discontinuation of the infusions, the return of calcium toward baseline was followed. Six subjects were given an infusion of citrate after the calcium infusion to speed the recovery of calcium toward baseline. Citrate-induced hypocalcemia produced a rise in serum PTH levels from 28.1+−3.6 to 69.4+−4.8 ng/L as calcium fell from 1.26+−0.01 to 1.06+−0.02 mmol/L. As calcium returned toward baseline, PTH levels fell dramatically, reaching levels indistinguishable from baseline despite persistent hypocalcemia. Slopes of regression lines defining the PTH-calcium relationships during decreasing and increasing calcium levels were sig...
Proposed method for calibration of rotation-vibrational Raman spectra

An approach is proposed to reduce the systematic error in the calibration of high-resolution Raman spectra showing rovibrational structure. The method proposes recording, on the photographic plate, fluorescence from molecular iodine following excitation by the 5017 and 5145 A argon ion lines of various rovibronic transitions in B Ou+ X1 Σg+. The accurately known wavenumbers for B X, determined by Fourier transform spectroscopy, 11,13 would be used to calibrate the Raman spectrum. Since both the calibration and Raman spectra would be obtained from samples in the same cell inside the same laser, both would follow identical optical paths through the spectrograph to the plate and thus systematic shifts inherent to hollow-cathode lamp calibration would be eliminated.
Grains in Ionized Nebulae. II. Heavy-Element Depletion

The presence of grains in gaseous nebulae can have significant effects on the thermal balance and radiative line transfer in these objects. The depletion of condensable elements onto grains provides evidence that dust exists in the ionized regions of nebulae. In this paper, we consider the elements Sc, Ti, V, and Cr, all of which are strongly depleted in the general interstellar medium. We construct simple three-level atoms for several ions of these elements, and incorporate them into our photoionization code CLOUDY. For both a model planetary nebula and a model H II region, we find that several lines of these elements should be easily detectable, provided that their gas-phase abundances are solar. This suggests that these elements are strongly depleted in ionized regions of these nebulae. We quantify these expectations by defining and comparing line ratios which are relatively insensitive to stellar and nebular parameters with recently measured intensities of [V IV], [Cr IV], and [Cr V] lines in NGC 7027. We encourage both further theoretical and observational work on these ions.
Adaptation model of accommodation and vergence.

Both accommodation and vergence have been shown to exhibit adaptation after extended near viewing. Normally, when the stimulus to accommodation is removed, the accommodation system returns rapidly towards its ionic position. However, if the stimulus is removed after an extended focusing effort, the decay is much slower. A similar effect can be observed in the vergence system. After prolonged wearing of horizontal prisms, blockage of one eye results in a much slower decay of the vergence output towards its tonic value. No previous models have been shown to simulate quantitatively these effects. An interactive dual-feedback model of accommodation and vergence was developed to simulate the adaptive behaviour found experimentally. The unique feature of the model is that the output of each controller drives a dynamic adaptive component whose output governs the time constant of the controller. The model was able to simulate the rapid and slow decays following short and long viewing intervals m each of the accommodative and vergence systems. It also simulated adaptation during alternate binocular and monocular viewing under the accommodation closed-loop condition. Thus, this model can serve as the basis for detailed quantitative evaluation of adaptive behaviour in the accommodation and vergence systems.
Displacement or Succession?: Residential Mobility in Gentrifying Neighborhoods

This article examines the extent to which gentrification in U.S. neighborhoods is associated with displacement by comparing mobility and displacement in gentrifying neighborhoods with mobility and ...
A multitree perspective of the tree ring tropical cyclone record from longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.), Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas, United States

[1] Tree rings afford the temporal resolution needed to characterize extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones, their frequency and variability. External factors such as soil water isotopic variability, soil heterogeneity, and/or stand disturbance affect the isotopic composition of individual trees in a stand, resulting in inaccuracies in the record. Single-tree isotope chronologies should be tested against multiple-tree chronologies to determine whether individual trees sufficiently characterize tropical cyclone variability. Eight individual trees from two sites in Big Thicket National Preserve were analyzed to evaluate whether they synchronously record tropical cyclone events. The ability of individual isotope models to capture an event was low (≤50%), and individual trees did not always record similar events. A composite chronology from the Turkey Creek Unit identified 5 false positive years and missed five storms. The composite chronology from the Big Sandy Creek Unit identified 5 false positives and missed four storms. All but 3 false positive years were characterized by above average precipitation that followed below average precipitation in the previous year. This mimics the negative isotopic excursion expected from tropical cyclones. Another year (1991) was coincident with a strong El Nino event, resulting in a shift in the dominant moisture source for the Texas Gulf Coast. Drought conditions occurred in years where storms were missed, which dampened the 18O-depleted signal associated with tropical cyclones. These data show that the number of trees is critical for properly characterizing tropical cyclone frequency through time, especially for periods prior to reliable instrumental records.
PREPARATION AND ANALYSIS OF COAL SEAM DATA UTILIZING PALEOENVIRONMENT MODELING, HAZARD #7 COAL, EASTERN KENTUCKY

Abstract Pennsylvanian strata of the Hazard coalfield, Eastern Kentucky, contain fluvial, upper-delta plain facies characterized by thick localized coals, bay-fill shales, levee silt- and sandstones, and channel-fill sands and gravels. Although the deltaic nature of these sediments has long been established, mining and exploration activities in the district require a thorough understanding of small areas within the delta environment. Coal quantity and quality trends in the Hazard #7 seam, the major producer in the area, have been examined in detail. The #7 coal accumulated in a peat swamp restricted laterally by a major fluvial channel. Three types of non-coal parting are recognized. Thin, tabular, fine-grained partings resulted from periods of increased terrigenous influx into the swamp. Lenticular crevasse-splay deposits locally split the coal. Wedge-shaped, fine- to coarse-grained partings, of probable levee origin, are found along the channel margin. Post-swamp deposits consist of thick bay-fill shales, thin shales, silt- and sandstones deposited on floodplains, and channel-fill sandstones and gravels. The modeling technique discussed provides guidance for mine development and regional exploration by prediction of coal seam quantity and quality trends from local geologic features. The thickest #7 coal is split by thin tabular partings and is overlain by thick shale sequences. Coal overlain by silt and sandstone is thinner and unsplit, and typically of higher heat value. Regional seam thinning due to channel scour is recognized. Factors which control the configuration of the coal seam include position within the peat swamp, proximity to the fluvial channel, swamp burial processes, and paleochannel sinuosity.
The three-dimensional evolution of a plane mixing layer: pairing and transition to turbulence

The evolution of three-dimensional temporally evolving plane mixing layers through as many as three pairings has been simulated numerically. All simulations were begun from a few low-wavenumber disturbances, usually derived from linear stability theory, in addition to the mean velocity. Three-dimensional perturbations were used with amplitudes ranging from infinitesimal to large enough to trigger a rapid transition to turbulence. Pairing is found to inhibit the growth of infinitesimal three-dimensional disturbances, and to trigger the transition to turbulence in highly three-dimensional flows. The mechanisms responsible for the growth of three-dimensionality and onset of transition to turbulence are described. The transition to turbulence is accompanied by the formation of thin sheets of spanwise vorticity, which undergo secondary rollups. The post-transitional simulated flow fields exhibit many properties characteristic of turbulent flows.
Inhibition of monoamine oxidase B by selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonists.

Abstract Adenosine receptor antagonists that are selective for the A 2A receptor subtype (A 2A antagonists) are under investigation as possible therapeutic agents for the symptomatic treatment of the motor deficits associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Results of recent studies in the MPTP mouse model of PD suggest that A 2A antagonists may possess neuroprotective properties. Since monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors also enhance motor function and reduce MPTP neurotoxicity, we have examined the MAO-B inhibiting properties of several A 2A antagonists and structurally related compounds in an effort to determine if inhibition of MAO-B may contribute to the observed neuroprotection. The results of these studies have established that all of the ( E )-8-styrylxanthinyl derived A 2A antagonists examined display significant MAO-B inhibitory properties in vitro with K i values in the low μM to nM range. Included in this series is ( E )-1,3-diethyl-8-(3,4-dimethoxystyryl)-7-methylxanthine (KW-6002), a potent A 2A antagonist and neuroprotective agent that is in clinical trials. The results of these studies suggest that MAO-B inhibition may contribute to the neuroprotective potential of A 2A receptor antagonists such as KW-6002 and open the possibility of designing dual targeting drugs that may have enhanced therapeutic potential in the treatment of PD.
Analysis of vapor phase butane nitration products by gas chromatography

Abstract A gas chromatographic analytical procedure has been developed for the reaction products resulting from the vapor phase nitration of butane. Three columns and two methods of detection are used to give a satisfactory analysis for the C1 to C4 mononitroparaffins, alcohols, aldehydes, paraffins, and H2, O2, N2, NO, NO2, CO, CO2, and water.
‘Fourth World’ Cities in the Global Economy: The Case of Phnom Penh, Cambodia

While globalization is often perceived to present opportunities for developing countries as a result of the relocation of industry and the development of a new international division of labor, the least developed countries (LDCs) have for the most part experienced declining shares of global trade and investment. This has led some to characterize such ‘fourth world’ countries as ‘structurally irrelevant’ to global capital accumulation, and to infer that patterns of urbanization in LDCs are largely unaffected by globalization. Yet a number of aspects of the global economy have important implications for cities in LDCs, including increased international economic interaction, rapid technological change, changes in regional economies, and the increased influence of transnational organizations. This paper explores the impact of these phenomena in the context of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, a city in an LDC that has experienced major socio-economic and spatial change as a result of increased interaction with the global economy. Bien qu’il soit souvent presume que la globalisation offre aux pays en voie de developpement des opportunites provenant d’un transfer de l’industrie et du developpement d’une nouvelle division internationale du travail, le commerce et l’investissement globaux sont en declin dans la plupart des pays les moins developpes. Certains analystes en ont deduit que de tels pays du ‘Quatrieme Monde’ n’ont ‘structurellement aucun rapport’ avec l’accumulation globale du capital, et que les modeles d’urbanisation de ces pays sont peu touches par la globalisation. Neanmoins certains aspects de cette globalisation ont des implications importantes pour les villes dans les pays les moins developpes, y compris une interaction economique internationale accrue, des changements technologiques rapides, des changements dans les economies regionales, et l’influence grandissante des organisations transnationales. Cet article discute l’effet de ces phenomenes dans le contexte de Pnom Penh au Cambodge, une ville d’un pays les moins developpes qui a eprouve des changements sociaux et economiques majeurs produits par une interaction croissante avec l’economie globale.
Size quantization effects in cadmium sulfide layers formed by a Langmuir-Blodgett technique

Abstract Layers of Q-state particles ( 2 S to yield cadmium sulfide particles in a lattice of arachidic acid. The onset of absorption of this layer is blue-shifted by 0.38 eV with respect to bulk CdS. The adherence to Beer's law and insensitivity of the absorbance edge to the number of LB layers deposited (up to seven) suggest no strong electronic interactions between successive layers. Ellipsometric measurements show that exposure of the LB films of cadmium arachidic acid to H 2 S gas results in an increase in thickness of about 3 A per layer.