cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crying-produced forgetting in infants: A contextual analysis☆

Abstract The present study investigated the role of negative affect (crying) on 3- to 4-month-old infants' retention of a learned response. Infant kicking was first reinforced with movement of a mobile (the cue) containing 10 components and later with a mobile containing only two components. This manipulation led to crying in 50% of the infants. Criers and noncriers were then randomly assigned to groups formed by the factorial combination of the cue presented during a retention test (familiar or novel 10-component mobile) and retention interval (1, 3, 5, or 7 days). In addition to establishing the forgetting function for crying-produced forgetting, the use of novel and familiar retention-test cues allowed for the determination of the main and/or interactive effects of a change in the reinforcer. Test performance of the criers and noncriers was equivalent at 1 and 3 days; however, only the noncriers continued to respond above their pretraining baseline rates during the 5- and 7-day tests. In addition, retention was impaired by a change in the mobile reinforcer only at 1 day. These results suggest that, at short retention intervals, retrieval is controlled by the similarity between the training and retention-test cues. Furthermore, consistent with previous research, infants appear to store memory attributes representing the specific details of the cue as well as attributes representing the reinforcer's more general characteristics. As the time since training increases, initial control over retrieval switches from the attributes representing the specific details of the training cue to those representing its general features, but eventually the influence of both of these wanes. At that point, the background details of the training situation (the context) assume prominence in the retrieval process. The negative affective state accompanying crying is one of those details. This suggests that the young infant's memory representation of an event is more elaborate (and elaborated) than previously believed and consists of attributes representing more than just the details of the cue.
Elasticity and its measurement

Elasticity is a flexible quantitative concept and a widely used measurement in business and economics. However, its application involves methods of its measurement. In this paper I have attempted to present the common methods of measurement of elasticity in a clear manner. The paper includes computation of (i) arc elasticity, (ii) point elasticity from different functional forms (linear, nonlinear, log‐log‐linear, and semilog), and (iii) elasticity and slope. Three potential beneficiary groups from this compilation are those who want to learn about elasticity, those who want to teach it, and those who want to apply the concept in research.
Cholinergic Modulation of Narcoleptic Attacks in Double Orexin Receptor Knockout Mice

To investigate how cholinergic systems regulate aspects of the sleep disorder narcolepsy, we video-monitored mice lacking both orexin (hypocretin) receptors (double knockout; DKO mice) while pharmacologically altering cholinergic transmission. Spontaneous behavioral arrests in DKO mice were highly similar to those reported in orexin-deficient mice and were never observed in wild-type (WT) mice. A survival analysis revealed that arrest lifetimes were exponentially distributed indicating that random, Markovian processes determine arrest lifetime. Low doses (0.01, 0.03 mg/kg, IP), but not a high dose (0.08 mg/kg, IP) of the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine increased the number of arrests but did not alter arrest lifetimes. The muscarinic antagonist atropine (0.5 mg/kg, IP) decreased the number of arrests, also without altering arrest lifetimes. To determine if muscarinic transmission in pontine areas linked to REM sleep control also influences behavioral arrests, we microinjected neostigmine (50 nl, 62.5 µM) or neostigmine + atropine (62.5 µM and 111 µM respectively) into the nucleus pontis oralis and caudalis. Neostigmine increased the number of arrests in DKO mice without altering arrest lifetimes but did not provoke arrests in WT mice. Co-injection of atropine abolished this effect. Collectively, our findings establish that behavioral arrests in DKO mice are similar to those in orexin deficient mice and that arrests have exponentially distributed lifetimes. We also show, for the first time in a rodent narcolepsy model, that cholinergic systems can regulate arrest dynamics. Since perturbations of muscarinic transmission altered arrest frequency but not lifetime, our findings suggest cholinergic systems influence arrest initiation without influencing circuits that determine arrest duration.
Estimation of Reliability For a Series Stress-Strength System

The reliability, an upper bound for it, and an asymptotic estimator for it, for a series stress-strength system have been derived under several assumptions.
Rapidly solidified and annealed powders of Ni3Al

Abstract Rapidly solidified powders of stoichiometric Ni 3 Al and Ni 3 Al (B,Ti) were characterized, both as received and after short anneals. Powders generally exhibit spherical morphologies; deviations arise from particle collisions. In the as-received state the stoichiometric Ni 3 Al exhibits both lamellar and dendritic structures but the Ni 3 Al (B,Ti) contains only dendrites. Only small compositional variations exist across lamellae or dendrites. The as-received powders are only partially ordered. Annealing homogenizes the microstructure and produces strongly ordered structures in which most particles develop large grains. Hardness decreases during annealing. No cracks were found around microhardness indentations on any powders, indicating that Ni 3 Al exhibits ductility under compression.
The protein kinase CK2 phosphorylates SNAP190 to negatively regulate SNAPC DNA binding and human U6 transcription by RNA polymerase III.

Human U6 small nuclear RNA gene transcription by RNA polymerase III requires the general transcription factor SNAPC, which binds to human small nuclear RNA core promoter elements and nucleates pre-initiation complex assembly with the Brf2-TFIIIB complex. Multiple components in this pathway are phosphorylated by the protein kinase CK2, including the Bdp1 subunit of the Brf2-TFIIIB complex, and RNA polymerase III, with negative and positive outcomes for U6 transcription, respectively. However, a role for CK2 phosphorylation of SNAPC in U6 transcription has not been defined. In this report, we investigated the role of CK2 in modulating the transcriptional properties of SNAPC and demonstrate that within SNAPC, CK2 phosphorylates the N-terminal half of the SNAP190 subunit at two regions (amino acids 20-63 and 514-545) that each contain multiple CK2 consensus sites. SNAP190 phosphorylation by CK2 inhibits both SNAPC DNA binding and U6 transcription activity. Mutational analyses of SNAP190 support a model wherein CK2 phosphorylation triggers an allosteric inhibition of the SNAP190 Myb DNA binding domain.
Part-Time Employment in High School and Its Effect on Academic Achievement

Abstract Part-time employment during high school has grown dramatically. High school students are twice as likely to be working part-time as they were in 1950. Despite the fact that many adolescents work between the ages of 12 and 17, little empirical evidence exists about the impact of part-time employment on academic performance. In the present research, the nationally representative sample of 10th graders, the First Follow-Up of the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS-88), was used to examine the effects of part-time work during the school year on academic achievement, as measured by the standardized achievement scores and high school grades earned in 4 subject areas: English, mathematics, science, and social studies. The findings of the study point to a small negative effect of employment on both measures of achievement when socioeconomic status, gender, and previous achievement were controlled. The study helps to illuminate an important question and has implications for parents, edu...
Post-Katrina Hazard Mitigation on the Gulf Coast

The article reviews the major hazard mitigation measures considered for the Gulf Coast following hurricanes between 2005 and 2008, especially Hurricanes Katrina and Ike. Basic similarities among and between the hazard events are noted, along with a wide variety of efforts to eliminate or reduce risks from natural hazards in establishing mitigation as the major protector of affected areas. Intergovernmental collaboration, insurance reform, and public risk perception are included. Both the processes used and substantive policy options are examined. This includes attempts at system-wide solutions in dealing with the mullti-state region for recovery from devastation and providing greater resiliency toward further hazard events. Such themes as a comprehensive system approach and the use of risk informed decision making, communication of risk to the public, and the use of professional and technical expertise, are being used on the Gulf Coast. Risk informed decision making uses techniques and methods from risk analysis, scenario planning, and multi-criteria decision analysis. Stakeholders are incorporated into the development of alternatives conveyed to the public. Policy alternative include coastal restoration measures such as barrier island and shoreline restoration, structural engineering such as floodwalls and levees, and nonstructural options such as buyouts, relocation, and effective zoning and building codes. The most comprehensive approaches follow a multiple lines of defense strategy to combine the various types of risk reduction measures.
Western Arctic Shelfbreak Eddies : Formation and Transport

Abstract The mean structure and time-dependent behavior of the shelfbreak jet along the southern Beaufort Sea, and its ability to transport properties into the basin interior via eddies are explored using high-resolution mooring data and an idealized numerical model. The analysis focuses on springtime, when weakly stratified winter-transformed Pacific water is being advected out of the Chukchi Sea. When winds are weak, the observed jet is bottom trapped with a low potential vorticity core and has maximum mean velocities of O(25 cm s−1) and an eastward transport of 0.42 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1). Despite the absence of winds, the current is highly time dependent, with relative vorticity and twisting vorticity often important components of the Ertel potential vorticity. An idealized primitive equation model forced by dense, weakly stratified waters flowing off a shelf produces a mean middepth boundary current similar in structure to that observed at the mooring site. The model boundary current is also highly v...
Selective cleavage of nucleolar autoantigen B23 by granzyme B in differentiated vascular smooth muscle cells: insights into the association of specific autoantibodies with distinct disease phenotypes.

Objective To investigate the association of specific autoantibodies with distinct disease phenotypes. The association of autoantibodies to nucleophosmin/B23 with pulmonary hypertension in scleroderma, and the susceptibility of autoantigens to cleavage by granzyme B (GB), provided a focus for these studies. Methods Intact cells were subjected to cytotoxic lymphocyte granule–induced death, and the susceptibility of autoantigens to cleavage by GB was addressed by immunoblotting and/or by a novel immunofluorescence assay. Results B23 was cleaved efficiently by GB in vitro, but was highly resistant to cleavage by GB during cytotoxic lymphocyte granule–mediated death of many intact cell types. In contrast, this molecule was highly susceptible to GB-mediated proteolysis exclusively in differentiated vascular smooth muscle cells. Topoisomerase I and several other GB substrates did not show this striking change in cleavage susceptibility in different cell types. Conclusion These data demonstrate that the cleavage of B23 by GB in intact cells is dependent upon both cell type and phenotype. The susceptibility of this autoantigen (which is associated with a distinct pulmonary vascular phenotype in scleroderma) to GB-mediated proteolysis selectively in vascular smooth muscle cells suggests that the GB-cleavable conformation of autoantigens may occur selectively in the target tissue, and may play a role in shaping the phenotype-specific autoimmune response.
Spatial and temporal variability in propagule limitation of California native grasses

Community composition and diversity arise from limitations in propagule supply (i.e. propagule or seed limitation) and propagule establishment after arriving at a site (i.e. establishment or microsite limitation). Recent meta-analyses suggest that the degree of propagule limitation depends on local abiotic and biotic conditions, which in turn are likely to vary spatially and temporally. Nevertheless, seed addition studies testing propagule limitation are rarely replicated in multiple locations and years and often lack experimental manipulations of critical determinants of propagule limitation, such as the density and species richness of the propagule pool and disturbance and resource supply of recipient site. The invasion of California (USA) grasslands by exotic annual species from the Mediterranean region is unique in its scope (over 9 million ha) and persistence (more than 150 years). This invasion provides an exciting context in which to test the role of spatial and temporal variability in mediating propagule limitation and ultimately the potential for restoration. Here I present the results of native-grass, seed-addition trials conducted along a 500 km gradient in California in three consecutive years spanning a wide range of environmental conditions and initial conditions (e.g. rainfall, seeding density and disturbance). While native grasses were able to establish at many locations, per capita seed survival was low suggesting that the fate of these species is governed by interplay between propagule and establishment limitation. Establishment primarily varied spatially, with the most successful establishment occurring at fertile locations with low resident species richness. While recruitment was highly variable among years initially, there was no difference among seedling trials after three years.
Unit activity in nucleus paragigantocellularis lateralis during cerebral ischemia in the rat

In urethane-anesthetized, paralyzed and respirated rats with both vertebral arteries ligated between atlas and axis, bilateral occlusion of the common carotids produces a 19-85 mm Hg rise in mean arterial pressure. This pressor response is entirely mediated by the activation of the sympathetic system, is unaffected by brainstem transection at midpontine levels and is completely eliminated by bilateral lesions of the anterior ventrolateral medulla (including nucleus paragigantocellularis lateralis or PGCL). The magnitude of the response is unaltered following the bilateral section of the 9th-12th cranial nerves. The pressor response is preceded by a rise (25-250%) in the rate of discharge of a specific group of 'vasomotor' neurons present in the pressor area of the PGCL which exhibit the following characteristics: axonal projection to the thoracic spinal cord, spontaneous discharges at low blood pressure, pulse-synchronous activity, discharge rate inversely related to mean arterial pressure and total inactivity above 140-160 mm Hg. It is suggested that the same population of vasomotor neurons relays the sympathoexcitation produced by cerebral ischemia to the cord and also mediates baroreceptor reflexes and generates the basal sympathetic tone.
Connections and barriers between cells of Drosera tentacles in relation to their electrophysiology.

The extracellular space of tentacles of Drosera capensis L. is divided into two compartments by cuticular material between cells of an endodermoid layer and by the nonporous cuticle of the stalk and neck. The distal compartment includes the mucilaginous secretion as well as the free space of the secretory cap, since the cuticle covering the cap is perforated by numerous 0.05–0.3 μm pores. The proximal compartment includes xylem and the intercellular space of the stalk. The existence of the endodermoid partition is consistent with the observation that action potentials recorded extracellularly from the head may be positive-going while those recorded extracellularly from the stalk are negative-going. The partitioning is also consistent with the hypothesis previously proposed to explain why the amplitude of action potentials recorded from the mucilage varies as a function of the amplitude of the receptor potential.
Escherichia coli genes expressed preferentially in an aquatic environment

Enteric bacteria are frequently found in aquatic environments, where they may pose a risk to human health. Although bacterial survival and persistence in such habitats has been studied extensively, there is almost no information about bacterial adaptation to these conditions at the level of changes in gene expression. As a first exploration of this field, we have carried out a screen designed to identify Escherichia coli genes that show increased expression in an aquatic environment. The screen was performed by subtractive hybridization on a genomic library and led to the identification of several RNA species more abundant in cells inoculated in this medium than in stationary- phase cultures after growth in rich medium. The genes identified include specific tRNA operons and a gene of unknown function, gapC, with similarities to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases. E. coli K-12 strains appear to have accumulated mutations in gapC, which may impede its translation, whereas natural isolates have an intact gapC gene. Sequence comparison of gapC with related genes suggests its acquisition by horizontal gene transfer from Gram-positive bacteria.
Total hip replacement--past, present and future.

Abstract The history of total hip replacement is surveyed from 1890 when the components were of ivory and a grouting agent used for fixation, through the few unsuccessful designs in stainless steel, to the more successful period with the use of cobalt-chrome and the popular high density polyethylene cup. There is a big future for improved materials for the bearing surfaces and the use of the ceramic alumina is promising if a satisfactory design can be introduced.
How I treat newly diagnosed chronic phase CML

The progress made in the understanding of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) since the recognition of a common chromosomal abnormality to the introduction of ever more effective tyrosine kinase inhibitors is unprecedented in cancer. The expected survival for patients diagnosed with CML today, if properly managed, is probably similar to that of the general population. When managing patients with CML the goal is to achieve the best long-term outcome and we should base the treatment decisions on the data available. The results from cytogenetic and molecular analyses have to be interpreted judiciously and all available treatment options integrated into the treatment plan properly. The availability of several treatment options in CML is an asset, but the temptation of rapid succession of treatment changes because of perceived suboptimal response or for adverse events that could be managed needs to be avoided. Any decision to change therapy needs to weigh the expected long-term outcome with the current option versus the true expectations with any new option, particularly as it relates to irre-versible outcomes, such as transformation to blast phase and death. In this manuscript, we discuss the treatment approach that has helped us manage successfully a large CML population.
Toward a Nuanced Understanding of Child Development in Japan

The history of inquiry by Western and Japanese scholars regarding Japanese family socialization, child development, and educational achievement is a curious one. One notable feature of this work is that practical rather than theoretical reasons have often provided the impetus for scholarly activity by outsiders. Prior to World War II, few academic scholars were knowledgeable about daily life in Japan. Then, in 1944, while the United States was at war with Japan, anthropologist Ruth Benedict was assigned by the US Office of War Information to study the Japanese. Prevented by war conditions from collecting data in the country, she perused historical narratives, novels, and memoirs by Japanese citizens and foreigners, screened Japanese films, read the scant scholarly literature written by American anthropologists, and conducted interviews with Japanese Americans. She wrote a book based on her analysis, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword, which was published in 1946. To the contemporary reader, Benedict’s portrait of the Japanese may be shocking in its insistence on the ‘otherness’ of the Japanese citizen. She began the book with these words: ‘The Japanese were the most alien enemy the United States has ever fought in an all-out struggle. In no other war with a major foe had it been necessary to take into account such exceedingly different habits of acting and thinking’ (p. 1). Benedict framed her narrative in terms of perceived culture contradictions among the Japanese, describing them as ‘both aggressive and unaggressive, both militaristic and aesthetic, both insolent and polite, rigid and adaptable, submissive and resentful of being pushed around, loyal and treacherous, brave and timid, conservative and hospitable to new ways’ (p. 2). She believed that this mass of dualities contrasted sharply with the consistency demonstrated by Westerners.
Comparison of acute nonthrombolytic and thrombolytic treatments in ischemic stroke patients 80 years or older

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients 80 years or older treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rt-PA), or endovascular intervention with or without IV rt-PA, or nonthrombolytic medical treatment. Methods This study was a retrospective, nonrandomized, observational study of patients, admitted within 9 hours of symptom onset, at 3 academic, university-affiliated hospitals. The main outcome measures were neurologic improvement , defined by improvement in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 7 days or discharge of 4 or more, or achieving a score of 0; symptomatic and asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage; favorable outcome (discharge modified Rankin score 0-2); and in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 44 patients received IV rt-PA, 46 received endovascular intervention with or without IV rt-PA, and 66 received nonthrombolytic medical treatment. IV rt-PA–treated patients had a significantly clinically higher chance of favorable outcome (odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-17.5), when compared with nonthrombolytic medical treatment. A significantly higher rate of neurologic improvement was observed among the IV rt-PA (7.2; 95% CI, 2.7-19.5) and endovascularly treated patients (5.8; 95% CI, 2-16.8) when compared with nonthrombolytic medical treatment. Conclusions A prominently higher rate of neurologic improvement and favorable clinical outcome was observed among acute ischemic stroke patients 80 years or older treated with IV rt-PA or endovascular intervention when compared with nonthrombolytic medical treatment, supporting the use of acute thrombolytic therapies in this patient population when contraindications are not present.
Liquid phase epitaxial growth of lattice mismatched InSb, GaInAs and GaInAsSb on GaAs substrates using a quaternary melt

Abstract We have developed and established a unique technique for growing highly lattice mismatched ternary and quaternary compounds on binary substrates using a quaternary melt thermo-chemistry. In this technique, growth is initiated from a pseudo-quaternary melt on compatible substrates. Growth of GaInAs, InAsSb, GaInAsSb and InSb epilayers on GaAs has been achieved using In–Ga–As–Sb melts. The grown epilayers have a uniform composition and are very thick ( > 100 μ m ) . Between the GaAs substrate and the uniform composition epilayer, there exists a graded composition quaternary which is found to be extremely beneficial in relieving misfit. No specific efforts were made to change growth conditions (during epi-growth) to compositionally grade the buffer layers. Hence, this growth scheme is extremely simple to implement and can be used for the growth of a variety of alloy semiconductors by appropriately selecting the growth temperature and melt composition. One of the key highlights of this work is the growth of In x Ga 1 - x As y Sb 1 - y epilayers with cut-off wavelength of 10 μ m on GaAs substrates. This paper will discuss the melt thermo-chemistries and the process for this new epilayer growth method.
Public health research at the CDC: implications for communication sciences and disorders.

Abstract The following paper provides an overview of public health research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with emphasis on research involving speech, language and hearing disorders. Public health research involves a sequence of activities from disease tracking to disease prevention. Public health focuses on populations and works to identify changes in programs and policies that can positively impact population health. This paper uses three recent studies conducted by CDC investigators to illustrate different types of research along the public health prevention continuum, with emphasis on activities involving speech, language, and hearing endpoints. The three examples are: a study of cochlear implants and the subsequent risk of meningitis (illustrative of a public health response); a study examining the prevalence of autism in several U.S. populations (an example of a surveillance or monitoring activity); and a study examining the role of in utero cigarette exposure in the etiology of oral facial clefts (illustrative of a epidemiologic risk factor study). The public health continuum provides an important vehicle for advancing our knowledge of the causes and effective prevention of communication disorders. Learning outcomes: The reader will become familiar with the public health sequence and the manners in which public health research relates to speech, language, and hearing disorders. The reader will be able to identify and discriminate among the components of public health research using the examples provided.
Qualitative recognition of motion using temporal texture

Abstract We describe a method of visual motion recognition applicable to a range of naturally occurring motions that are characterized by spatial and temporal uniformity. The underlying motivation is the observation that, for objects that typically move, it is frequently easier to identify them when they are moving than when they are stationary. Specifically, we show that certain statistical spatial and temporal features that can be derived from approximations to the motion field have invariant properties, and can be used to classify regional activities such as windblown trees, ripples on water, or chaotic fluid flow, that are characterized by complex, nonrigid motion. We refer to the technique as temporal texture analysis in analogy to the techniques developed to classify grayscale textures. This recognition approach contrasts with the reconstructive approach that has typified most prior work on motion. We demonstrate the technique on a number of real-world image sequences containing complex movement. The work has practical application in monitoring and surveillance, and as a component of a sophisticated visual system.
Technical issues in hypermedia authoring systems

We present key issues that hypermedia authoring systems must address to be successful. Rapid growth in consumer interest and computer capabilities have increased the expectations from hypermedia software. Meanwhile, hypermedia authors are scrambling to make the best use of new media, new authoring metaphors, new interaction techniques, and new delivery concepts. Only extensible systems designed to accommodate hypermedia scripting issues will survive. Towards this end, we discuss a number of technical concerns important to hypermedia authoring. We compare and contrast a number of currently available authoring systems. This analysis will help in the design of future systems.
Hot Carrier-Induced Degradation on High-K Trnasistors and Low Noise Amplifier

Channel hot carrier-induced DC and RF performance degradations in 60 nm high-k nMOSFETs are examined experimentally. The normalized degradation in RF parameters can be predicted using normalized transistor parameters. Good agreement between the analytical predictions and simulation results is obtained.
Beyond the Shooter Game Examining Presence and Hostile Outcomes Among Male Game Players

Investigating male game players, this study explores how game interface (virtual reality [VR] and standard console), game content (fighting, shooting, and driving), and game context (human and computer competition) influence levels of presence and hostile expectation bias—the expectation others will think, feel, speak, and act aggressively during social conflict. In addition to game interface and game content influencing hostile expectations, significant interactions were detected for hostile expectations. Presence, although not as predicted, also significantly differed across game interface and game content. Through the development and testing of each gaming experience, this study demonstrates that simply testing violent and nonviolent game situations underestimates the complexity of contemporary video-game play.
Higher-order triplet interaction in energy-level modeling of excited-state absorption for an expanded porphyrin cadmium complex

Recent measurements of transmission versus fluence for a methanol-solvated asymmetric pentaazadentate porphyrin-like (APPC) cadmium complex, [(C6H4-APPC)Cd]Cl, showed the limitations of current energy-level models in predicting the transmission behavior of organic reverse saturable absorbers at fluences greater than 1 J/cm². A new model has been developed that incorporates higher-order triplet processes and accurately fits both nanosecond and picosecond transmission-versus-fluence data. This model has provided the first known determination of a higher triplet excited-state absorption cross section and lifetime for an APPC complex and also described a previously unreported feature in the transmission-versus-fluence data. The intersystem crossing rate and the previously neglected higher triplet excited-state absorption cross section are shown to govern the excited-state population dynamics of methanol-solvated [(C6H4-APPC)Cd]Cl most strongly at more-practical device energies.
The Spread of Coins in the Hellenistic World

After the conquests of Alexander the Great coinage took on new forms and spread into geographic regions it had not previously reached. Moreover it began to be issued into and used within new political and economic constructs, and it arguably started to reach sectors of the economy for which it had previously been unsuited for use. This paper focuses on these four types of change: form, geographic spread and an attendant shift in scale, systemic change and manipulation, and diversification of use. It offers outlines of the evidence for them as it is exhibited by some of the coinage, and also suggests ways in which numismatists and economic historians of the ancient world have attempted to rationalise or explain them.
Synthesis of ceramides using N-hydroxysuccinimide esters.

Hammarstrom (6) has described a method to prepare ceramides by direct coupling of the long-chain bases and fatty acids in the presence of a mixed carbodiimide. No 0-acyl derivatives are formed. Yields of ceramide were 60-75% based on long-chain base and 30-37.5% based on fatty acid. N-Hydroxysuccinimide esters of fatty acids are stable crystalline compounds which are easily prepared in high yield (7). They have been used for the synthesis of N-acyl amino acids (7) and fatty acyl co~ (8). A~ described in this report, they can also be used for the direct Nacylation of sphingenine or sphinganine. The reaction proceeds in high yield from small amounts of starting material. The product ceramides are pure after one recrystallization. Materials. trans-2-Hexadecenoic acid was synthesized by the method of Shapiro, Segal, and Flowers (9). CERAMIDES have been implicated as intermediates in the Palmitic, stearic, and lignoceric acids were purchased biosynthesis of sphingomyelin and cerebrosides and are from Sigma Ckmical CO., St. Louis, Mo. [1-'4c1important constituents of all sphingolipids. '4C-labeled Palmitic and [ 1 -'4C]stearic acids were purchased from ceramides are useful as substrates for enzyme studies and New England Nuclear, Boston, Mass. N-Hydroxystudies of sphingolipid metabolism in the whole animal. succinimide (Aldrich Chemical CO., Milwaukee, Wis.) Some previously reported syntheses of ceramides was recrystallized from ethyl acetate before use. Dihave used appropriate fatty acid chlorides to acylate cyclohexylcarbodiimide was obtained from Pierce Chembenzoyl sphingenine or psychosine (1, 2). The inter- ical C0.j Rockford, 111. DL-Sphinganine (DL-erJ'thrO-173mediate compounds formed are then hydrolyzed to dihydroxy-2-aminooctadecane) was from Nutritional Bioproduce the desired ceramide. Direct acylation of chemical Corp., Cleveland, Ohio. DL-Sphingenine (DLsphingenine or sphinganine by an acid chloride can er~thro-trans-l,3-dih~drox~-2-amino-4-octadecene)
Micropenis: Does Early Treatment with Testosterone Do More Harm Than Good?

AbstractMicropenis secondary to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was induced in the Sprague-Dawley rat using long acting microspheres of the gonadotropic agonist leuprolide acetate. Following the induction of micropenis treatment was initiated with testosterone at day 7, 28, 56 or 84 of life. All treatment protocols resulted in improved phallic growth compared to the untreated animals with micropenis (p less than 0.01). Treatment of animals with testosterone beginning on day 7 of life resulted in premature growth of the penis and the redevelopment of micropenis in adulthood. In contrast, delaying testosterone therapy until day 56 (pubertal) or 84 (early postpubertal) resulted in complete penile development. These findings suggest that early exposure of the penis to androgens in childhood may eventually result in a significant reduction of phallic size in adulthood.
Molecular pathways: emerging roles of mammalian Sirtuin SIRT7 in cancer.

SIRT7 belongs to the Sirtuin family of NAD-dependent enzymes, whose members play diverse roles in aging, metabolism, and disease biology. Increased SIRT7 expression is observed in human cancers, and growing evidence suggests important SIRT7 functions in fundamental cellular programs that impact on oncogenic transformation and tumor biology. SIRT7 associates with chromatin, where it catalyzes selective deacetylation of lysine 18 on histone H3 (H3K18), an emerging epigenetic biomarker of aggressive tumors and poor clinical outcome in cancer patients. Through H3K18 deacetylation at specific promoters, SIRT7 controls a tumor suppressive gene expression program that stabilizes the transformed state of cancer cells. SIRT7 also orchestrates several molecular processes, including rRNA and tRNA synthesis, which ultimately promote the increased ribosome biogenesis necessary for tumor cell growth and proliferation. Remarkably, inactivation of SIRT7 can reverse the transformed phenotype of cancer cells and reduce their tumorigenicity in vivo. These findings place SIRT7 at the crossroads of chromatin signaling, metabolic, and tumor-regulatory pathways. Thus, SIRT7 is a promising pharmacologic target for epigenetic cancer therapy. The development of SIRT7 modulators may allow new therapeutic strategies that control tumor progression by reprogramming the chromatin landscape and biosynthetic machinery of cancer cells.
Convection in the earth's mantle

Abstract Two-dimensional pseudo-steady-state models of convection in the mantle are investigated by an improved method which yields a much finer resolution near the surface and the ends of the convection cell. The high aspect ratio previously found is confirmed for depth-dependent and non-linear vicosities. These models satisfy most observations: relief, gravity, plate velocity, temperature. A non-linear viscosity model shows a median rift in the mid-ocean ridge and a trench displaced from the continent. So far, no model satisfies the heat-flow data or has a constant surface velocity; these discrepancies are probably connected, but their cause remains speculative.
Re‐establishment of RTG unicouple production

The manufacturing process that was utilized to start up fabrication of the thermoelectric unicouple devices for the CRAF (Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby)/Cassini RTG (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator) program are described in this paper. The overall approach taken to re‐establish a qualified production line is discussed. Key elements involved in this effort were: engineering review of specifications; training of operators; manufacturing product verification runs; and management review of results. Appropriately, issues involved in activating a fabrication process that has been idle for nearly a decade, such as upgrading equipment, adhering to updated environmental, health, and safety requirements, or approving new vendors, are also addressed. The cumulative results of the startup activities have verified that a production line for this type of device can be reopened successfully.
A Prospective Randomized Comparison of Train-of-Four Monitoring and Clinical Assessment During Continuous ICU Cisatracurium Paralysis

Study purpose: Train-of-four (TOF) monitoring is often recommended during the continuous use of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) [paralysis] in the ICU. Prior study results are conflicting regarding the benefits of TOF monitoring. Design: Thirty patients in the medical ICU were randomized to TOF monitoring (n = 16) or to clinical assessment (n = 14) during continuous cisatracurium infusion. TOF monitoring was done at least every 4 h, with the goal being maintenance of one to two twitches. Statistical analysis was performed by two-tailed, unpaired t test (with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons), χ 2 , and Fisher exact test, with p Results: The mean recovery time after cessation of paralytics was no different between TOF and clinical assessment (45 ± 7 min vs 38 ± 10 min, respectively [mean ± SEM]). No differences were noted for mean APACHE (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) II entry scores, glomerular filtration rates, or use of corticosteroids. No significant differences were noted between TOF monitoring and clinical assessment in mean total paralysis time (4,118 ± 1,012 min vs 3,188 ± 705 min, respectively), mean total cisatracurium dose (920 ± 325 mg vs 715 ± 167 mg), or dosage (2.3 ± 0.2 μg/kg/min vs 2.9 ± 0.2 μg/kg/min). Conclusions: TOF monitoring does not lead to improved recovery time or lower cisatracurium dosing compared with monitoring by clinical assessment. We conclude that TOF monitoring is unnecessary, and careful titration of the neuromuscular blocking agent by clinical assessment alone is sufficient in patients undergoing continuous cisatracurium NMB.
Sleep patterns in human methadone addiction.

Summary In order to determine the effects of methadone addiction on electroencephalographic sleep patterns, five chronic methadone addicts and five controls were studied in the sleep laboratory for four consecutive nights. The electroencephalogram, electro-oculogram, and electromyogram were monitored, and sleep records were scored according to the Rechtschaffen and Kales criteria. The results revealed a significantly decreased REM and stage 4 latencies and increased stage 1 and slow-wave sleep percentages in the methadone patients, and no significant differences in any other sleep parameters measured.
Variations on a theme: synthesis and modification of plant benzoic acids

Plant benzoic acids (BAs) are critical regulators of a plant's interaction with its environment. In addition, innumerable plant-derived pharmacological agents contain benzoyl moieties. Despite the prevalence and import of plant BAs, their biosynthetic pathways are not well-defined. Mounting evidence suggests that BAs are synthesized both directly from shikimate/chorismate and from phenylalanine in plants; however, few genes in these pathways have been identified. Exciting progress has been made in elucidating genes that modify BAs via methylation, glucosylation, or activation with Coenzyme A. As these modifications alter the stability, solubility, and activity of the BAs, they impact the functional roles of these molecules. The combination of multiple BA biosynthetic routes with a variety of chemical modifications probably facilitates precise temporal and spatial control over active forms, as well as the channeling of intermediates to particular benzoate products.
Rhythmic Growth in Excised Sprout‐leaves of Onion Bulbs

Sprout leaf preparations, consisted of the inner 6 or 7 sprout leaves attached to the base plate of bulbs of Allium cepa cv. Downy Yellow Globe. The preparations excised from dormant bulbs were capable of sprouting. The elongation of the sprout leaves in the light was inhibited by a field pretreatment of 2000 mg/1 M.H.-30 (30% maleic hydrazide) and stimulated by incubation in the dark. Rapid cooling of the bulbs prior to excising of the preparations had no effect on sprouting. The ability of the sprout leaf preparations to elongate followed a cyclical time course, displaying maxima 8 to 12 weeks apart. Pretreatment with M.H.-30 inhibited this periodicity.
Refractory status epilepticus after inadvertent intrathecal injection of tranexamic acid treated by magnesium sulfate

We present a case of accidental injection of tranexamic acid during spinal anesthesia for an elective cesarean delivery. Immediately following intrathecal injection of 2mL of solution, the patient complained of severe back pain, followed by muscle spasm and tetany. As there was no evidence of spinal block, the medications given were checked and a 'used' ampoule of tranexamic acid was found on the spinal tray. General anesthesia was induced but muscle spasm and tetany persisted despite administration of a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant. Hemodynamic instability, ventricular tachycardia, and status epilepticus developed, which were refractory to phenytoin, diazepam, and infusions of thiopental, midazolam and amiodarone. Magnesium sulfate was administered postoperatively in the intensive care unit, following which the frequency of seizures decreased, eventually stopping. Unfortunately, on postoperative day three the patient died from cardiopulmonary arrest after an oxygen supply failure that was not associated with the initial event. This report underlines the importance of double-checking medications before injection in order to avoid a drug error. As well, it suggests that magnesium sulfate may be useful in stopping seizures caused by the intrathecal injection of tranexamic acid.
Neuregulin 1 Promotes Glutathione-Dependent Neuronal Cobalamin Metabolism by Stimulating Cysteine Uptake

Neuregulin 1 (NRG-1) is a key neurotrophic factor involved in energy homeostasis and CNS development, and impaired NRG-1 signaling is associated with neurological disorders. Cobalamin (Cbl), also known as vitamin B12, is an essential micronutrient which mammals must acquire through diet, and neurologic dysfunction is a primary clinical manifestation of Cbl deficiency. Here we show that NRG-1 stimulates synthesis of the two bioactive Cbl species adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) and methylcobalamin (MeCbl) in human neuroblastoma cells by both promoting conversion of inactive to active Cbl species and increasing neuronal Cbl uptake. Formation of active Cbls is glutathione- (GSH-) dependent and the NRG-1-initiated increase is dependent upon its stimulation of cysteine uptake by excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3), leading to increased GSH. The stimulatory effect of NRG-1 on cellular Cbl uptake is associated with increased expression of megalin, which is known to facilitate Cbl transport in ileum and kidney. MeCbl is a required cofactor for methionine synthase (MS) and we demonstrate the ability of NRG-1 to increase MS activity, and affect levels of methionine methylation cycle metabolites. Our results identify novel neuroprotective roles of NRG-1 including stimulating antioxidant synthesis and promoting active Cbl formation.
National Estimates of and Risk Factors for Inpatient Revision Surgeries for Orofacial Clefts

Objective: To provide national estimates of the number and cost of primary and revision cleft lip and palate surgeries in the U.S. and to determine patient and hospital characteristics associated with disproportionate use of revision surgery. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study using data obtained from the 2003, 2006, and 2009 Kids' Inpatient Database. Setting: Inpatient. Patients: Children with CL, CP, or CLP undergoing inpatient cleft lip and/or palate surgery. Interventions: Inpatient cleft lip and/or palate surgery. Main Outcome Measures: Orofacial cleft surgery estimates, estimates of primary versus revision surgeries, and estimated inflation-adjusted hospitalization costs. Results: In 2009, there were a total of 2824 and 5431 hospitalizations for cleft lip and palate surgeries, respectively. Revision surgery accounted for 24.2% of cleft lip surgeries and 36.8% of cleft palate surgeries. Children with CLP (OR 1.87, 95% CI: 1.48–2.38), a syndromic diagnosis (OR 1.47, 95% CI: 1.16–1.87),...
Confocal microscopy to measure tissue optical properties

The signal from a confocal measurement as the focal volume is scanned down into a tissue yields an exponential decay versus depth Zfocus, signal = ρ exp(-μ zfocus), where ρ [dimensionless] is the local reflectivity and μ [1/cm] is an attenuation coefficient. A simple theory for how p and μ depend on the optical properties of scattering (μs) and anisotropy (g) is presented. Experimental measurements on 5 tissue types from mice (white and gray matter of brain, skin, liver, muscle) as well as 0.1-μm-dia. polystyrene microspheres are presented. The tissues have similar μs values (about 500 [1/cm]) but variable g values (0.8-0.99). Anisotropy appears to be the primary mechanism of contrast for confocal measurements such as reflectance-mode confocal laser scanning microscopy (rCLSM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). While fluorescence imaging depends on fluorophores, and absorption imaging depends on chromophores, the results of this study suggest that contrast of confocal imaging of biological tissues depends primarily on anisotropy.© (2006) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Chemical regulation of cerebral blood flow in turtles.

This study was performed to test the effect of the chemical composition of the blood on cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation in turtles. The CBF response to increases in arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) (hypercapnia) was measured during normoxia and anoxia in anesthetized freshwater turtles Pseudemys scripta. The radioactive-microsphere technique was used to measure CBF. CBF increased with increases in PaCO2. The sensitivity of the CBF response to hypercapnia (delta CBF/delta PaCO2) was 0.68 ml.min-1.100 g-1. Torr-1 during normoxia. delta CBF/delta PaCO2 increased to 3.44 ml.min-1.100 g-1. Torr-1 during anoxia. The increases in CBF occurred at constant mean arterial blood pressure, which indicates that cerebral vascular resistance decreased. The increased CBF response during asphyxia (hypercapnia-anoxia) could be beneficial for survival during prolonged dives by increasing glucose delivery for brain anaerobic metabolism. In addition, increased CBF could aid in regulating brain acid-base composition by controlling extracellular fluid PCO2.