cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping the structural domains of E. coli carbamoyl phosphate synthetase using limited proteolysis

Abstract The structural and functional domains of Escherichia coli carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (CPS) have been identified by limited proteolysis. Incubation of CPS with several proteases, including trypsin, chymotrypsin, subtilisin and endoproteinase Asp-N, under native conditions, causes a time-dependent loss of enzymatic activity and the generation of a common fragmentation pattern. Amino-terminal sequencing studies demonstrated that the initial cleavage event by trypsin occurred at the carboxy-terminal end of the large subunit. The ultimate fragments produced in most of the proteolysis studies, 35- and 45-kDa peptides, were derived from areas corresponding to the putative ATP binding regions. Substrate protection studies showed that the addition of ligands did not affect the final fragmentation pattern of the protein. However, ornithine and UMP were found to significantly reduce the rate of inactivation by inhibition of proteolytic cleavage. MgATP and IMP provided modest protection whereas bicarbonate and glutamine showed no overall effect on proteolysis. Limited proteolysis by endoproteinase Asp-N resulted in the production of a fragment (or multiple fragments) which contained enzymatic activity but had lost all regulation by the allosteric ligands, UMP and ornithine. The small subunit has been shown to be protected from proteolysis by the large subunit. Proteolysis of the isolated small subunit resulted in the generation of a stable 31-kDa species which contained 10% of the original glutaminase activity. These studies demonstrate that a portion of the C-terminal end of the large subunit can be excised without entirely destroying the ability of CPS to catalyze the formation of carbamoyl phosphate. Therefore, the C-terminal end of CPS is required for allosteric control but not for catalysis of the enzymatic reaction.
Notification of Abnormal Lab Test Results in an Electronic Medical Record: Do Any Safety Concerns Remain?

Abstract Background Follow-up of abnormal outpatient laboratory test results is a major patient safety concern. Electronic medical records can potentially address this concern through automated notification. We examined whether automated notifications of abnormal laboratory results (alerts) in an integrated electronic medical record resulted in timely follow-up actions. Methods We studied 4 alerts: hemoglobin A1c ≥15%, positive hepatitis C antibody, prostate-specific antigen ≥15 ng/mL, and thyroid-stimulating hormone ≥15 mIU/L. An alert tracking system determined whether the alert was acknowledged (ie, provider clicked on and opened the message) within 2 weeks of transmission; acknowledged alerts were considered read. Within 30 days of result transmission, record review and provider contact determined follow-up actions (eg, patient contact, treatment). Multivariable logistic regression models analyzed predictors for lack of timely follow-up. Results Between May and December 2008, 78,158 tests (hemoglobin A1c, hepatitis C antibody, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and prostate-specific antigen) were performed, of which 1163 (1.48%) were transmitted as alerts; 10.2% of these (119/1163) were unacknowledged. Timely follow-up was lacking in 79 (6.8%), and was statistically not different for acknowledged and unacknowledged alerts (6.4% vs 10.1%; P =.13). Of 1163 alerts, 202 (17.4%) arose from unnecessarily ordered (redundant) tests. Alerts for a new versus known diagnosis were more likely to lack timely follow-up (odds ratio 7.35; 95% confidence interval, 4.16-12.97), whereas alerts related to redundant tests were less likely to lack timely follow-up (odds ratio 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.84). Conclusions Safety concerns related to timely patient follow-up remain despite automated notification of non-life-threatening abnormal laboratory results in the outpatient setting.
Study of the Acid Site Structure on the WO3/ZrO2 Surface:

The IR and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra of mesoporous WO3/ZrO2 are discussed and a scheme proposed for the acid site structure on the WO3/ZrO2 surface. The high Bronsted acidity of WO3/ZrO2 (H0 ≤ −11.38) can be explained by the formation of large zirconium polytungstate species such as [≡Zr1/2+6W6+6O220] H+ on the WO3/ZrO2 surface.
Practice makes use: using information technologies before implementation and the effect on acceptance by end users

This paper reports the results of a study on the effects of practice, a form of on the job training, on the pre-implementation attitudes and on post-implementation use of an information technology. The successful use of information technologies by end users is dependent on many variables including training of end users. Providing support to workers by training them to use information technologies can have positive effects for the implementation process. Training may directly effect workers' attitudes toward the information technologies making it more likely that they will voluntarily and persistently use the technologies. This research found practice before implementation of an electronic mail system in a business setting to be the best predictor of end users' perceptions that the system was easy to use and useful. The results also showed practice to be the best predictor of actual use of the electronic mail system by end users after its implementation. By providing employees the opportunity to practice skills necessary to use information technologies, managers may be making an investment in training that provides high returns in use of information technologies.
Proton affinity of the histidine-tryptophan cluster motif from the influenza A virus from ab initio molecular dynamics

Ab initio molecular dynamics calculations have been used to compare and contrast the deprotonation reaction of a histidine residue in aqueous solution with the situation arising in a histidine-tryptophan cluster. The latter is used as a model of the proton storage unit present in the pore of the M2 proton conducting ion channel. We compute potentials of mean force for the dissociation of a proton from the Nδ and Ne positions of the imidazole group to estimate the pKa's. Anticipating our results, we will see that the estimated pKa for the first protonation event of the M2 channel is in good agreement with experimental estimates. Surprisingly, despite the fact that the histidine is partially desolvated in the M2 channel, the affinity for protons is similar to that of a histidine in aqueous solution. Importantly, the electrostatic environment provided by the indoles is responsible for the stabilization of the charged imidazolium.
Changes in imitative behavior during early infancy

Abstract Changes in imitative behavior and attentiveness were observed in 40 infants when they were 2 to 6 months of age. The facial expressions happy, sad, and surprised were modeled in a trials-to-criterion procedure, and the infants' looking time and mouth movements were recorded by an observer who was unaware of the face being modeled. In addition, the observer recorded her guess as to the expression being modeled by the corresponding expression on the infant's face and rated the infant's expressivity. The results suggested that looking time, correspondence between the mouth expression of the infant and the mouth expression modeled, accuracy of the observer's guess, and expressivity ratings decreased from 2 to 3 and 4 to 6 months. Although matching of mouth movements with the modeled mouth movements and accuracy of guesses were greater than chance over the 2 to 6 month-period, the decreases in these measures suggest that imitative behavior declined across early infancy. The decrease in looking time suggests that imitative behavior and attentiveness may be related and highlights the limitation of this paradigm for assessing the development of imitation during early infancy.
Synthesis and utilization of alternative chain transfer agent in cobalt catalyzed 1,3-butadiene polymerization reaction to produce cis-polybutadiene rubber

Abstract The cyclodimerization of 1,3-butadiene was performed to synthesize 1,5-cyclooctadiene by using nickel-phosphite based catalyst system. The optimization of cyclodimerization reaction was done to achieve up to 80% selectivity towards 1,5-cyclooctadiene. 1,5-Cyclooctadiene, thus synthesized, was subsequently employed as a chain transfer agent (CTA) for controlling the molecular weight (M.W.) of cis -polybutadiene rubber (BR) in cobalt-complex catalyzed 1,3-butadiene polymerization reaction. The M.W. of BR was reduced from 6.7 to 1.88 × 10 5 g/mol by escalating the concentration of 1,5-cyclooctadiene from 0% to 0.5% with respect to 1,3-butadiene (monomer) concentration. Similar reducing trend was observed for the Mooney viscosity and gel content of BR with increasing 1,5-cyclooctadiene concentration. The efficacy of 1,5-cyclooctadiene as a CTA for 1,3-butadiene polymerization reaction was further explored by conducting polymerization reaction in various solvents and at higher monomer conversion (∼70%). The effect of 4-vinyl cyclohexene, which was a dominant byproduct during cyclodimerization of 1,3-butadiene, was also investigated. The presence of 4-vinyl cyclohexene has shown adverse effect in the polymerization reaction and was not functioning as a chain transfer agent. Finally, a feasibility of replacement of commercially used gaseous CTA, 1,2-butadiene, by in-house synthesized liquid CTA, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, was also investigated.
Repair of Impaired Pulmonary Function Is Possible in Very-Long-Term Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Survivors

Both early- and late-onset noninfectious pulmonary injury are important contributors to the nonrelapse mortality seen after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT), particularly in subjects conditioned with high-dose total body irradiation (TBI). To characterize the kinetics of recovery from pulmonary injury in long-term survivors, we collected data on 138 subjects who survived > 3 years (median survival, 10.2 years) after predominantly TBI-based allo-SCT from their HLA-matched siblings. Baseline pulmonary function tests served as the reference for subsequent measurements at 3, 5, 10, and 15 years for each survivor. The only parameter showing a clinically and statistically significant decline post-transplant was adjusted diffusion capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), which reached a nadir at 5 years but surprisingly normalized at the 10-year mark. Multivariable modeling identified chronic graft-versus-host disease (P < .02) and abnormal baseline-adjusted DLCO (P < .03) as the only significant factors associated with the decline in adjusted DLCO at 5 years but excluded smoking, conditioning intensity, baseline C-reactive protein level, TBI dose to the lungs, disease, and demographic variables. In conclusion, pulmonary injury as monitored by the adjusted DLCO continues to deteriorate in the first 5 years after allo-SCT but recovers at 10 years.
Interdependent Nucleocytoplasmic Trafficking and Interactions of Dis3 with Rrp6, the Core Exosome and Importin‐α3

Subcellular compartmentalization of exoribonucleases (RNAses) is an important control mechanism in the temporal and spatial regulation of RNA processing and decay. Despite much progress towards understanding RNAse substrates and functions, we know little of how RNAses are transported and assembled into functional, subcellularly restricted complexes. To gain insight into this issue, we are studying the exosome-binding protein Dis3, a processive 3' to 5' exoribonuclease. Here, we examine the interactions and subcellular localization of the Drosophila melanogaster Dis3 (dDis3) protein. N-terminal domain mutants of dDis3 abolish associations with the 'core' exosome, yet only reduce binding to the 'nuclear' exosome-associated factor dRrp6. We show that nuclear localization of dDis3 requires a C-terminal classic nuclear localization signal (NLS). Consistent with this, dDis3 specifically co-precipitates the NLS-binding protein importin-alpha3. Surprisingly, dDis3 constructs that lack or mutate the C-terminal NLS retain importin-alpha3 binding, suggesting that the interaction is indirect. Finally, we find that endogenous dDis3 and dRrp6 exhibit coordinated nuclear enrichment or exclusion, suggesting that dDis3, Rrp6 and importin-alpha3 interact in a complex independent of the core. We propose that the movement and deposition of this complex is important for the subcellular compartmentalization and regulation of the exosome core.
Broadband imaging with optical elements composed of radial periodic structures

In some white-light imaging applications it is desirable to make the optical elements extremely thin. Numerous practical advantages are derived if the lenses are one to two orders of magnitude thinner than conventional refractive lenses. For example, these lens systems provide minimal weight and compactness, and are potentially low cost. Although diffractive lenses are only a few microns thick, they have severe chromatic aberrations. Approaches are compared for making the lenses thinner and techniques are examined for correcting chromatic aberrations. There are basic limits to the polychromatic MTF and chromatic correction that can be achieved.
Crossveinless 2 regulates bone morphogenetic protein 9 in human and mouse vascular endothelium

The importance of morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their antagonists in vascular development is increasingly being recognized. BMP-4 is essential for angiogenesis and is antagonized by matrix Gla protein (MGP) and crossveinless 2 (CV2), both induced by the activin receptor like-kinase 1 (ALK1) when stimulated by BMP-9. In this study, however, we show that CV2 preferentially binds and inhibits BMP-9 thereby providing strong feedback inhibition for BMP-9/ALK1 signaling rather than for BMP-4/ALK2 signaling. CV2 disrupts complex formation involving ALK2, ALK1, BMP-4, and BMP-9 required for the induction of both BMP antagonists. It also limits VEGF expression, proliferation, and tube formation in ALK1-expressing endothelial cells. In vivo, CV2 deficiency translates into a dysregulation of vascular BMP signaling, resulting in an abnormal endothelium with increased endothelial cellularity and expression of lineage markers for mature endothelial cells. Thus, mutual regulation by BMP-9 and CV2 is essential in regulating the development of the vascular endothelium.
Social support as a double-edged sword: the relation of positive and problematic support to depression among rheumatoid arthritis patients

This study considers social network interactions as a potential source of both stress and support for individuals coping with a chronic illness. The sample consisted of 101 recently-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses examined the conjoint effects of social support and problematic interactions on symptoms of depression. Receipt of positive or helpful support from close friends and family was related to lower depression; receipt of problematic support was related to increased depression. A positive x problematic support interaction suggested that the costs of problematic support do not cancel out the benefits of positive support. Patients who reported both little support and a greater degree of problematic interactions experienced the highest level of symptoms. The findings emphasize the need to consider positive and negative aspects of support transactions conjointly in assessing their stress-reducing and health-protective potential.
Origin of the spin gap in sodium vanadium bronze Na9V14O35

Abstract The cause for the spin gap of Na9V14O35 was examined by identifying its spin dimers, calculating their spin orbital interaction energies and then finding a model spin Hamiltonian appropriate for Na9V14O35. In essence, the spin exchange interactions in the V10O30 chains of Na9V14O35 are equivalent to those of the fused chain of 10-node rings, where each node represents a spin site and nearest-neighbor spin exchange interactions are antiferromagnetic. To a first approximation, the energy gap between the ground and first excited states of this fused chain is the same as that of a 10-node ring. In general, the fused chain of n-node rings with even n is expected to have a spin gap.
Wealth, Power, and Attorney Regulation in the U.S. States: License Entry and Maintenance Requirements

This study examines the effect of economic power on state regulation of attorneys. Following the economic theory of regulation, the effect of various attorney wealth and power measures is analyzed in an attempt to explain the variance in attorney regulation throughout the 50 states. Using OLS regression, attorney wealth and power are found to be positively related to more regulation regarding entry barriers, but power and wealth lead to less state-sponsored regulation when such regulation has a negative economic effect on licensed attorneys.
Primary and secondary affective disorders: baseline charactristics of unipolar patients

We studied 569 patients with RDC non-bipolar major depressive disorder from the clinical portion of the NIMH Program on the Psychobiology of Depression. Primary (n = 327; never had a non-affective disorder), secondary (n = 191; had a non-affective disorder before ever having a major depressive episode), and "complicated' (n = 51; had at least one depressive episode before and another since developing a non-affective condition) patients were compared on demographic variables, past episodes of depression, past treatments received, and symptoms seen in the index episode. For most characteristics, the groups fell in the order primary, secondary, complicated, such that complicated cases had the earliest onset, the longest duration and the greatest severity in the index episode. These data do not discriminate between two hypotheses: that secondary and complicated depressions are basically depressions which happen to occur in a non-affectively ill person, or that they are different disorders which are distinguished clinically by characteristics related to severity.
A Case Study of Collaboration: The Chicano Pinto Research Project

This paper describes a collaborative project involving academics and Chicano convicts and addicts which, despite the potential for serious strain between the groups involved, was in fact a success. The funded part of the project was designed to examine barriers to the utilization of formal resources by ex-convicts and addicts, and was staffed both with convict and nonconvict personnel, all but the director being Chicano. In later phases the project goal was directed more broadly to social change. Its history is analyzed in terms of the importance of different subgroup norms at different points in time, and some specific hypotheses about research in minority communities developed from this experience are presented.
Controllable cladding removal for in-fiber integrated optics applications

This paper presents a novel technique to improve the design and implementation of in-fiber components by providing real time control of cladding removal by either polishing or etching. Cladding removal allows interaction between external materials and devices, and the light propagating in the fiber. Monitoring of the cladding removal process is achieved by observing the output from a section of fiber into which laser light has been focused. Resulting output graphs show that each specific fiber produces characteristic oscillations dependent on the number of modes propagating, the thickness of the cladding, the birefringence of the fiber, and the initial polarization state of the light. These oscillations result from changes in the effective indices of refraction of different modes as the cladding is removed. Electron micrographs of etched fiber surfaces show that unless proper cleaning and handling techniques are followed, the etched surface is scarred and pitted, leaving a poor quality substrate for device applications. However, if careful cleaning techniques and buffered hydrofluonc acid are used, the presence of these defects is drastically reduced and the resulting surface is smooth on a sub-micron scale. In order to understand better the characteristics of etched or polished fibers we have extended existing theoretical models which predict the effect of cladding removal on fiber birefnngence. Corroboration and use of these models allow more reliable monitoring and control of variables in the etching or polishing process such as cladding thickness, fiber alignment, acid concentration and temperature, and indices ofrefraction from fiber to fiber. Using the techniques presented in this paper, diffraction gratings are fabricated in etched D-type fibers. Other possible applications for this work include the production of variable wave plates, mode discriminators, polarizers, and the placement of detection and signal conditioning devices directly on the surface of a fiber.
The cytoplasmic domain of N-cadherin modulates MMP‑9 induction in oral squamous carcinoma cells

Oral squamous carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, and one of the most common cancers in developing countries. Regional and distant metastases comprise the majority of cases at initial diagnosis and correlate with poor patient outcomes. Oral epithelia is one of many tissue types to exhibit a cadherin switch during tumor progression, in which endogenous cell adhesion proteins, such as E-cadherin, give way to those of mesenchymal origin. The mesenchymal cell adhesion protein N-cadherin is found at the invading front of oral squamous carcinomas and has been strongly correlated with poor patient prognosis. The goal of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism by which N-cadherin may increase extracellular matrix-associated proteolytic activity to facilitate invasiveness in oral tumor development. The overexpression of N-cadherin in two oral squamous carcinoma cell lines increased motility, invasive capacity and synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in a manner that was independent of E-cadherin downregulation. The use of EN and NE chimeric cadherin molecules with reciprocally substituted cytoplasmic domains revealed that optimal induction of MMP-9 synthesis required the cytoplasmic region, but not the extracellular region, of N-cadherin. Utilizing an N-cadherin mutant with impaired p120 binding ability, we found that such mutation resulted in a 4-fold decrease in motility compared to wild-type N-cadherin, but did not affect either MMP-9 expression or motility-normalized invasion. Overexpression of wild-type N-cadherin produced a 27-fold increase in the transcriptional activity of β-catenin, concomitant with increases in MMP-9 transcription. These results suggest that N-cadherin may promote motility and invasiveness through distinct mechanisms, and that β-catenin may be an integral mediator of N-cadherin-dependent invasive signaling in oral epithelia.
Parametric likelihood inference for record breaking problems

SUMMARY In this paper we consider the analysis of record breaking data sets, where only observations that exceed, or only those that fall below, the current extreme value are recorded. Example application areas include industrial stress testing, meteorological analysis, sporting and athletic events, and oil and mining surveys. A closely related area is that of threshold modelling, where the observations are those that cross a certain threshold value. The inherent missing data structure present in these problems leads to likelihood functions that contain possibly high-dimensional integrals, rendering traditional maximum likelihood methods difficult or not feasible. Fortunately, we may obtain arbitrarily accurate approximations to the likelihood function by iteratively applying Monte Carlo integration methods (Geyer & Thompson, 1992). Subiteration using the Gibbs sampler may help to evaluate any multivariate integrals encountered during this process. This approach can handle far more sophisticated parametric models than have been used previously in record breaking and threshold data contexts. In particular, the methodology allows for observations that are dependent and subject to mean shifts over time. We present a numerical example involving records in Olympic high jump competition, where besides estimation we also address related issues in model selection and prediction.
Cytotoxic, mutagenic, and cell-cell communication inhibitory properties of DDT, lindane, and chlordane on Chinese hamster cells in vitro.

The cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, andin vitro inhibition of metabolic cooperation of DDT, lindane, and chlordane were studied with Chinese hamster V79 cells. The results showed differential cytotoxicity of these three pesticides (lindane < DDT < chlordane). There was no detectable mutagenic activity of any of these pesticides, using two genetic markers (6-thioguanine and diphtheria toxin resistance). DDT and lindane, however, were shown to have properties similar to 12-O-tetradecanoylphobol-13-acetate (a powerful mouse skin tumor promoter). Above what appeared to be a threshold level, there was a clear dose response of DDT and lindane in thein vitro cell-cell communication assay. Chlordane, which was the most cytotoxic pesticide tested, did not inhibit metabolic cooperation as significantly as did DDT or lindane. The role of these pesticides in carcinogenesis was speculated as being their tumor promoting properties, either at non-cytotoxic levels by mimicing TPA-like membrane alterations or at cytotoxic levels by mimicing partial hepatectomy.
"Isolated" T-Wave Negativity in the "Ischemic Phase" of Myocardial Infarction in Man

T-wave inversion, in leads localized to a small segment of the precordium, has in rare instances been described as a normal variant. The present report concerns a number of individuals in whom more or less similar T-wave changes developed under circumstances suggesting myocardial ischemia, and who went on to develop acute infarction of the anterior wall of the heart. This may be a clinical analogue of the brief T-wave inversion which has been observed early in experimental coronary artery compression.
“Tobacco Free With FDNY”: The New York City Fire Department World Trade Center Tobacco Cessation Study

Context After the World Trade Center (WTC) collapse, 15% (1,767) of rescue workers from the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) considered themselves to be current cigarette smokers. Post-WTC collapse, 98% reported acute respiratory symptoms, and 81% reported health concerns. Nonetheless, 29% of current smokers increased tobacco use, and 23% of ex-smokers resumed cigarette smoking. Objective To determine the effect of a comprehensive tobacco-cessation program using combination tobacco-dependency treatment medications adjusted to the individual's daily tobacco use. Design FDNY cigarette smokers enrolled in “Tobacco Free With FDNY,” a no-cost quit-smoking program providing counseling, support, and medications. At the end of the 3-month treatment phase and at the 6-month and 12-month follow-up visits, abstinence rates were confirmed by expired carbon monoxide levels or by the verification of a household member. Setting FDNY Bureau of Health Services between August 1, 2002 and October 30, 2002. Participants A total of 220 current cigarette smokers from the FDNY. Results At study enrollment, the mean (± SD) tobacco use was 20 ± 7 cigarettes per day, and the mean tobacco dependency, as assessed by a modified Fagerstrom test score, was 6.7 ± 2.5 (maximum score, 10). Based on tobacco use, 20% of enrollees used three types of nicotine medications, 64% used two types, 14% used one type, and 3% used no medications. Additionally, 14% of enrollees used bupropion sustained release. The confirmed continuous abstinence rates were 47%, 36%, and 37%, respectively, after 3 months of treatment and at the 6-month and 12-month follow-up. Abstinence rates did not correlate with the history of tobacco use but correlated inversely with tobacco dependency. Adverse events and maximal nicotine medication use were unrelated, and no one experienced a serious adverse event. Conclusion Tobacco dependency treatment using combination nicotine medications is effective and safe. Future studies should consider the following: (1) both history of tobacco use and withdrawal symptoms to determine the number and dose of nicotine medications; and (2) continuing combination treatment for > 3 months.
Competition rate constants for addition of cyclohexyl radical to amide substituted alkenes: origins of acyclic stereoselection in radical additions

Abstract Competition rate constants were determined for the addition of cyclohexyl radical to α,β unsaturated amides derived from pyrrolidine and trans-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidine. The relative rates can be understood by single crystal X-Ray analyses of the alkenes and an examination of the presumed transition state
The effect of auditory feedback on phonation threshold pressure measurement.

Abstract Summary The effect of auditory feedback on phonation threshold pressure (P th ) measurement was investigated in 14 females with normal, untrained voices. Two measurement systems (Glottal Enterprises MS 100—circumferentially vented mask and Kay Elemetrics Aerophone II—non-circumferentially vented mask) were examined under three conditions: (1) masked, (2) no mask, and (3) masked with enhanced auditory feedback-acoustic signal placed at ears through headphones. Masked with enhanced auditory feedback, in addition to subject training, significantly lowered P th values regardless of mask design. The amount of auditory feedback provided by different mask designs was investigated and revealed a significant difference. Clinical significance of different auditory feedback levels provided by the two mask designs was investigated. Direct comparison of the mean values between systems was not possible because of each system's design and calibration. Comparisons were accomplished by subtracting means of select-paired conditions (masked/no mask; masked/masked plus masked with enhanced auditory feedback) within each system and then comparing these difference scores from the same paired conditions between each system. No clinical significance in difference scores was revealed because of varying amounts of auditory feedback provided by the masks. Results support the use of enhanced auditory feedback, in addition to subject training, when measuring P th .
Tectonic significance of multiple motions on terrane-bounding faults in the northern Appalachians

Faults bounding three tectonostratigraphic terranes in southeastern New England have been studied to determine their role in the accretion of northern Appalachian terranes. Different fault segments have experienced different motion histories. The earliest documented motion occurred on the Bloody Bluff fault and consisted of deep-seated sinistral faulting active sometime during Middle Silurian-Early Devonian time. Comparison with stratigraphic, paleomagnetic, and paleontologic data suggests that this episode of motion was associated with accretion of northern Appalachian terranes. Alleghanian (Permian) reactivation of some fault segments (Lake Char, Honey Hill, Willimantic, and Clinton-Newbury) removed any evidence of earlier motion, although xenoliths of mylonite in a Silurian-aged gabbro suggest that these fault segments were a southward continuation of the Bloody Bluff fault. Late Paleozoic reactivation resulted in low-angle normal motion with the hanging wall moving toward the northwest. Motion began when the area was at upper greenschist- to lower amphibolitefacies conditions and continued during uplift and cooling to temperatures below the brittle-ductile transition temperature of quartz. The tectonic environment of these normal motions was most likely associated with a releasing bend in a major, pan-Appalachian Alleghanian-aged dextral fault system.
Notes for Working With Detachment

The author shares his notes from writers, thinkers, poets, filmmakers, artists, and performers who worked with a sense of detachment. In addition to what he learns from reflective research, he uses these notes to help write sketches about youth and youth work. His goal is to create work that stands by itself. This allows him to see his experiences more clearly. To exemplify, he presents sketches from his collection Of Youth, an exploration of his youth unfolding over time.
Stress and growth factors in psychiatric residency training.

Previous studies of emotional stress in psychiatric residency training have been impressionistic, focused on suicide or severe emotional disorder, or derived from small samples. There have been no reports of what large groups of “average” residents consider stressful, and no reports of the relationship of stress factors to personal and professional growth. The authors, working with a Task Force of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training, developed a questionnaire that was distributed to all residents who completed their training in 1975.
Relationship between culture redox potential and culture fluorescence inCorynebacterium glutamicum

Transient experiments were performed during a batch fermentation ofCorynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 14296 in which the flow of air to the reactor was cut off. The fluorescence of the culture was observed to vary linearly with the culture redox potential during the transient. This observation was made below the sensitivity limit of a dissolved oxygen probe. It appears that redox potential in conjunction with fluorescence measurements are of utility in studying extra- and intracellular reduction states, particularly in the microaerobic regime.
Enzymic assay of α-ketoglutarate in dog blood, plasma, urine, and tissue

Abstract By using the highly specific enzymic assay (purified glutamic dehydrogenase coupled with NH 4 + and NADH 2 ) for α-ketoglutarate, recovery from whole blood at high [α-KG] was low (93.3%) when perchloric acid was the protein-precipitating agent. Denaturation of whole blood proteins by heating increased α-KG recovery to 97.2 ± 0.4% (M ± SE, N = 72). At low [α-KG] in blood, recovery was 99.9 ± 1.2% (M ± SE, N = 22). Recoveries of α-KG from plasma or kidney homogenates were high and quantitative using HClO 4 as the protein-precipitating agent. For urine, addition of a protein-precipitating agent was not necessary for quantitative recovery of α-KG. The lower recoveries of α-KG from whole blood using HClO 4 are hypothesized to be due to specific binding of α-KG to erythrocyte protein.
The Effect of African American Skin Color on Hiring Preferences1

The role of African American skin color in hiring decisions was investigated in a 2 × 2 × 2 (Participant Sex × Applicant Sex × Applicant Skin Color) design. College-age participants (N = 107) were presented with stimuli and asked to make 8 employment-related decisions. An interaction of applicant skin color and participant sex and a skin-color main effect were predicted. Fair-skinned applicants were expected to receive better ratings from men, while dark-skinned applicants were expected to receive better ratings from women or ratings from women would not differ. Additionally, in general, fair-skinned individuals were expected to receive better ratings than dark-skinned individuals. The results were consistent with the hypotheses. Results are discussed in terms of the “what is beautiful is good” stereotype and prior research. Beauty plays a significant role in the lives of Americans. Americans are faced with images of supermodels and glamorous television and movie stars every day. Consequently, it is not unreasonable to assume that this kind of exposure might lead to a tendency to equate beauty with presumably unrelated factors, such as success, stature, and financial status. This assumption has been supported by Cash and Duncan (1984); Dion, Berscheid, and Walster (1972); Feingold (1992); and Eagly, Ashmore, Makhijani, and Longo (1991), who reported that not only does an attractiveness stereotype exist, but participants will go so far as to assume that beautiful stimulus persons have better prospects for happy social and professional lives and will be more likely to attain prestigious occupations than will less beautiful stimulus persons. Additionally, beauty is linked to mate potential characteristics, such as health and reproductive fitness (Buss & Schmitt, 1993), so individuals assume that attractive individuals are the best choices for mates.
South Africa and the ‘Three Level Game’: Globalisation, Regionalism and Domestic Politics

What is the relationship between globalisation and regionalism? There are two broad answers to this question; that regional trading arrangements are stumbling blocks that arrest the progress of the multilateral free trading system or that they are stepping stones or building blocks promoting global free trade. The problem with both sets of explanations is that they describe moving from regional free trade to global free trade (or not) as a linear process where either pro- or anti-free trade coalitions are strengthened or weakened. But regionalism can do both, because it is best explained within a ‘three level game’ where the state makes political tradeoffs between domestic actors that are able to promote their interests at the international or regional level of the game. States manipulate regional relations to navigate globalisation. This article uses the case of South Africa's trade negotiations with the European Union and with the Southern African Development Community to illustrate how a ‘three level g...
Effects of Interleukin-1β and Lipopolysaccharide on Behavior of Mice in the Elevated Plus-Maze and Open Field Tests

It has been postulated that infections, inflammatory processes and resulting cytokines may be causative factors in emotional disorders, including depression and anxiety. Support for this possibility has been sought in studies of animal behavior following administration of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, such treatments induce a variety of behavioral responses, collectively known as sickness behavior, some of which could affect the performance in tests used to assess anxiety and depression. Thus the effects of peripheral administration of IL-1beta and LPS on the behavior of mice were studied in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the open field (OF). Mouse IL-1beta (30, 100, 300, and 1000 ng) was injected intraperitoneally 30 or 60 min, and LPS (0.5, 1 and 5 microg) 120 min before the tests. IL-1beta and LPS induced dose-dependent decreases in open arm entries and the time spent on the open arms in the EPM, effects considered to reflect anxiety-like behavior. However, entries to all arms were also reduced in a dose-dependent manner, indicating a decrease in general activity. In the OF, IL-1beta and LPS decreased the number of line crossings in the center of the field, that can also be considered to reflect anxiety-like behavior. However, this effect was accompanied by a similar decrease in line crossings in the periphery, as well as in rears and climbs. Thus the doses of IL-1beta and LPS necessary to induce these effects also decreased locomotor activity in the EPM and OF. Therefore, the behavioral responses induced by IL-1beta and LPS in the EPM and the OF considered to reflect anxiety must be interpreted in the light of this reduction in overall activity. Thus the results do not provide unequivocal support for the suggestion that LPS or IL-1 mediate anxiety. Nevertheless, because infections, endotoxins, and the ensuing cytokines cause alterations in CNS norepinephrine and serotonin, they may contribute to emotionality, and perhaps to anxiety.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in birds of prey from Northern China.

Birds of prey from Northern China (Beijing area) were examined for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). A total of 47 specimens from eight different species were analyzed. Muscle and liver were analyzed separately for each bird. Kidneys were pooled by species. Common kestrels exhibited the highest PBDE levels (mean muscle and liver concentrations of 12 300 and 12 200 ng/g lipid weight, respectively), with maxima in an individual bird of 31 700 in muscle and 40 900 ng/g lw in liver. Congener profiles differed between some species, but were generally dominated by the more brominated congeners (e.g., BDE-153, -209, -183, -207). BDE-209 was especially elevated compared to other published reports. Interspecies differences in congener concentrations and profiles may be due to diet, behavior, or biotransformation capacities. BDE-209 was detected in 79.4% of the samples. Common kestrels contained the highest BDE-209 levels (mean/maxima of 2150/6220 in muscle and 2870/12 200 ng/g lw in liver). BDE-209 was the d...
Priming and recognition in ECT-induced amnesia

Priming and recognition were tested in patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for treatment of a psychiatric disorder. Patients studied a list of words just prior to ECT and then received memory tests for those words after recovering from ECT. Stem-cued recall was poor (retrograde amnesia), but priming on word-stem completion was preserved. Recognition was poor on a “high-criterion” test requiring a retrieval-based judgment but partially intact on a “low-criterion” test requiring a familiarity-based judgment. The results support the familiarity-retrieval distinction in two-component theories of recognition and suggest that signal detection measures of sensitivity are not wholly independent of response criteria.
Pharmacology of the GABAB receptor in amphibian retina

Abstract Amacrine and ganglion cells in the amphibian retina contain GABA B , as well as GABA A , receptors. Baclofen, a GABA B agonist, hyperpolarizes the dark membrane potential of these third order neurons and makes their light responses more transient. GABA B receptors in the retina have a similar agonist profile to GABA B receptors described at other sites in the brain. Namely, preferential activation by the R -enantiomer of baclofen, and agonist sensitivity in the order 3-aminopropylphosphinic acid > baclofen > 3-aminopropylphosphonic acid. The GABA B receptor was not activated by 4-aminobutylphosphonic acid. Several antagonists, such as phaclofen, saclofen, and 2-hydroxysaclofen, were ineffective in the amphibian retina. However, CGP35348 blocked the action of applied baclofen and produced effects on the light response that were opposite to those of baclofen. Applied agonists and antagonists support the hypothesis that GABA B receptors serve to regulate the balance of sustained and transient signals to the inner retina.
Nonlocal continuum mechanics

Abstract : It is shown in this paper that the conservation laws of nonlocal continuum mechanics are equivalent to, and can be derived from, the conservation of energy and the invariance conditions under superposed rigid body motions. Also, the theory of nonlocal thermoelasticity is reconsidered in the light of recent developments in thermodynamics, taking invariance conditions fully into account. (Author)
A gene (ETM) for essential tremor maps to chromosome 2p22‐p25

We report the results of linkage analysis in a large American family of Czech descent with dominantly inherited "pure" essential tremor (ET) and genetic anticipation. Genetic loci on chromosome 2p22-p25 establish linkage to this region with a maximum LOD score (Zmax) = 5.92 for the locus, D2S272. Obligate recombinant events place the ETM gene in a 15-cM candidate interval between the genetic loci D2S168 and D2S224. Repeat expansion detection analysis suggests that expanded CAG trinucleotide sequences are associated with ET. These findings will facilitate the search for an ETM gene and may further our understanding of the human motor system.
Distribution and nest site selection of red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) in forests of northeastern Wisconsin (USA)

Red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) are threatened in Wisconsin and when nest sites are found during the cruising or marking stage of timber harvesting, the harvest is altered to accommodate the hawks. If nest site locations are known before initiation of timber harvest, foresters can employ a proactive approach to manage red-shouldered hawks while maintaining timber production. We searched for red-shouldered hawks nest sites on Marinette County Forest (MCF) which encompasses 94,000 ha in northeastern Wisconsin and is the second largest county forest in the state. We used a comparative modeling approach to evaluate distribution and habitat relationships of red-shouldered hawk nest sites in relation to a suite of environmental variables in MCF. Models were used to develop forest management recommendations for red-shouldered hawks in Wisconsin. During the spring of 2006 and 2007, we broadcasted conspecific calls to survey 1121 calling stations along forest roads and trails. We located 20 and 25 active nesting territories in 2006 and 2007, respectively (11 of which were active in both years). To understand nest site selection, we measured 22 habitat variables within 0.04-ha plots at active nest sites (n = 34) and at stratified random sites (n = 61). Logistic regression with information-theoretic model selection identified a model including greater tree species richness and closeness to forested wetland as the best-approximating model. Variable selection with Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) indicated that nest selection was best explained by greater number of tree species, closer distance to forested wetlands, greater volume of downed woody debris, fewer small sawlogs, and increased proximity to streams. Univariate comparisons identified four of the five aforementioned variables in the DFA model as significant. Red-shouldered hawks are likely more common in Wisconsin than their state status suggests. Forest management for red-shouldered hawk nest sites should focus on increasing tree species richness, increasing down woody debris volume, and protecting forested wetlands. These recommendations may assist property managers to locate and plan for continued persistence of this species on MCF.
Form and function of the intervertebral disc in health and disease: a morphological and stain comparison study

Multiple histologic measurements are commonly used to assess degenerative changes in intervertebral disc (IVD) structure; however, there is no consensus on which stains offer the clearest visualization of specific areas within the IVD. The objective of this study was to compare multiple tinctorial stains, evaluate their ability to highlight structural features within the IVD, and investigate how they influence the capacity to implement a degeneration scoring system. Lumbar IVDs from seven human autopsy specimens were stained using six commonly used stains (Hematoxylin/Eosin, Toluidine Blue, Safranin-O/Fast Green, Extended FAST, modified Gomori's Trichrome, and Picrosirius Red Alcian Blue). All IVDs were evaluated by three separate graders to independently determine which stains (i) were most effective at discerning different structural features within different regions of the IVDs and (ii) allowed for the most reproducible assessment of degeneration grade, as assessed via the Rutges histological scoring system (Rutges et al. A validated new histological classification for intervertebral disc degeneration. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 21, 2039-47). Although Trichrome, XFAST and PR/AB stains were all effective at highlighting different regions of whole IVDs, we recommend the use of PR/AB because it had the highest degree of rater agreement on assigned degeneration grade, allowed greater resolution of degeneration grade, has an inferential relationship between color and composition, and allowed clear differentiation of the different regions and structural disruptions within the IVD. The use of a standard set of stains together with a histological grading scheme can aid in the characterization of structural changes in different regions of the IVD and may simplify comparisons across the field. This collection of human IVD histological images highlights how IVD degeneration is not a single disease but a composite of multiple processes such as aging, injury, repair, and disease, each of which are unique to the individual.