cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation of inhibitory glycine receptors in cultured embryonic mouse hippocampal neurons by zinc, thiol containing redox agents and carnosine.

Abstract Modulation of inhibitory glycine receptors by zinc (Zn2+) and endogenous redox agents such as glutathione may alter inhibition in the mammalian brain. Despite the abundance of Zn2+ in the hippocampus and its ability to modulate glycine receptors, few studies have examined Zn2+ modulation of hippocampal glycine receptors. Whether redox agents modulate hippocampal glycine receptors also remains unknown. This study examined Zn2+ and redox modulation of glycine receptor-mediated currents in cultured embryonic mouse hippocampal neurons using whole-cell recordings. Zn2+ concentrations below 10 μM potentiated currents elicited by low glycine, β-alanine, and taurine concentrations by 300–400%. Zn2+ concentrations above 300 μM produced nearly complete inhibition. Potentiating Zn2+ concentrations shifted the dose-response curves for the three agonists to the left and decreased the Hill coefficient for glycine and β-alanine but not taurine. Inhibiting Zn2+ concentrations shifted the dose-response curves for glycine and β-alanine to the right but reduced the maximum taurine response. Histidine residues may participate in potentiation because diethyl pyrocarbonate and pH 5.4 diminished Zn2+ enhancement of glycine currents. pH 5.4 diminished Zn2+ block of glycine currents, but diethyl pyrocarbonate did not. These findings indicate that separate sites mediate Zn2+ potentiation and inhibition. The redox agents glutathione, dithiothreitol, tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine, and 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) did not alter glycine currents by a redox mechanism. However, glutathione and dithiothreitol interfered with the effects of Zn2+ on glycine currents by chelating it. Carnosine had similar effects. Thus, Zn2+ and thiol containing redox agents that chelate Zn2+ modulate hippocampal glycine receptors with the mechanism of Zn2+ modulation being agonist dependent.
Infrared light excites cells by changing their electrical capacitance

Optical stimulation has enabled important advances in the study of brain function and other biological processes, and holds promise for medical applications ranging from hearing restoration to cardiac pace making. In particular, pulsed laser stimulation using infrared wavelengths >1.5 μm has therapeutic potential based on its ability to directly stimulate nerves and muscles without any genetic or chemical pre-treatment. However, the mechanism of infrared stimulation has been a mystery, hindering its path to the clinic. Here we show that infrared light excites cells through a novel, highly general electrostatic mechanism. Infrared pulses are absorbed by water, producing a rapid local increase in temperature. This heating reversibly alters the electrical capacitance of the plasma membrane, depolarizing the target cell. This mechanism is fully reversible and requires only the most basic properties of cell membranes. Our findings underscore the generality of pulsed infrared stimulation and its medical potential.
Frequent pattern-growth approach for document organization

In this paper, we propose a document clustering mechanism that depends on the appearance of frequent senses in the documents rather than on the co-occurrence of frequent keywords. Instead of representing each document as a collection of keywords, we use a document-graph which reflects a conceptual hierarchy of keywords related to that document. We incorporate a graph mining approach with one of the well-known association rule mining procedures, FP-growth, to discover the frequent subgraphs among the document-graphs. The similarity of the documents is measured in terms of the number of frequent subgraphs appearing in the corresponding document-graphs. We believe that our novel approach allows us to cluster the documents based more on their senses rather than the actual keywords.
Multiple Controls over the Efficiency of Translation of the mRNAs Encoding Transition Proteins, Protamines, and the Mitochondrial Capsule Selenoprotein in Late Spermatids in Mice

The mRNAs encoding protamines 1 and 2, transition proteins 1 and 2, and the mitochondrial capsule selenoprotein are translationally repressed with long poly(A) tracts in early spermatids and translationally active with heterogenous shortened poly(A) tracts in late spermatids (Kleene, 1989). In the present study, the spacing of ribosomes on the translationally active forms of each mRNA was calculated from the length of the coding region and the polysome size determined by sucrose gradient and Northern blot analysis. In addition, the rate of initiation of these five mRNAs was compared in the reticulocyte cell-free translation lysate. Our results reveal at least four additional forms of translational control over these mRNAs: (1) The vast majority of the active forms of the transition protein 1 mRNA and both protamine mRNAs sediment with polysomes in which the ribosomes are spaced closer than is typical of mammalian mRNAs (31-38 vs 80-100 bases apart). This implies that the rate of initiation is unusually fast and/or that the rate of elongation is unusually slow. (2) The mitochondrial capsule selenoprotein mRNA also initiates efficiently in vivo and in vitro, but sediments with polysomes in which the ribosomes are spaced wider than on the protamine mRNAs. The small size of these polysomes can be explained by inefficient insertion of selenocysteine residues at UGA codons. (3) The transition protein 2 mRNA is translated on small polysomes and a relatively large fraction sediments as free mRNPs in vivo. In addition, the transition protein 2 mRNA initiates translation inefficiently at high mRNA concentration and efficiently at low mRNA concentration in vitro. These observations suggest that the transition protein 2 mRNA may be translated inefficiently because it is a weak competitor for a limiting initiation factor. (4) Since low levels of cycloheximide fail to increase the polysome loading of transition protein 2 mRNA in culture, active single ribosomes may also be limited in late spermatids.
Performance of GaAs m.e.s.f.e.t. oscillators in the frequency range 8--25 GHz

Performance results of microstrip GaAs m.e.s.f.e.t. oscillators operating in the frequency range 8--25 GHz are reported. It is shown that output powers as high as 500 mW and efficiencies as high as 45% can be achieved.
Delayed esophageal perforation from stereotactic body radiation therapy for locally recurrent central nonsmall cell lung cancer

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a novel form of external beam radiation therapy. It is used to treat early and locally recurrent nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSLC) in medically inoperable patients. It uses high dose, hypofractionated radiotherapy, with targeting of the tumor by precise spatial localization, thus minimizing injury to surrounding tissues. It can be safely used to ablate NSLC in both central and peripheral locations. We present two cases of delayed esophageal perforation after SBRT for locally recurrent central NSLC. The perforations occurred several months after the therapy. They were treated with covered esophageal stents, with mortality, due to the perforation in one of the patients. SBRT should be judiciously used to ablate centrally located NSLC and patients who develop episodes of esophagitis during or after SBRT, need to be closely followed with endoscopy to look for esophageal ulcerations. These ulcers should be closely followed for healing as these may degenerate into full thickness perforations several months after SBRT.
Characteristics of 3H-cis-flupenthixol binding in rat striatum

Characteristics of membrane receptor binding by 3H-cis-flupenthixol were examined in rat striatum. Using modifications of standard dopamine receptor binding techniques, it was possible to obtain 70% specific binding with 3H-cis-flupenthixol. Association and dissociation rates were very rapid, with equilibrium reached in 2 min and half-time of dissociation being 1 min. Analysis of saturation and competition studies using cis-flupenthixol and spiroperidol indicated that cis-flupenthixol binds to two striatal receptors with apparent KD's of 0.7 and 4.8 nM. It is suggested these represent D1 and D2 dopamine receptors respectively. The further characterization of the properties of cis-flupenthixol binding presented here should enable more detailed studies of multiple dopamine receptors to be designed.
Strategic Conflict Avoidance and the Diversionary Use of Force

The argument that state leaders sometimes use military force as a way to divert attention from their domestic political problems has long been controversial. One of the most important recent objections to it is that potential target states may strategically avoid conflict with a state whose leaders are experiencing domestic political difficulties. This article tests this argument using COPDAB and WEIS events data on rivals of the United States. The results offer qualified support for the argument that likely targets of a diversionary use of force by the United States behave more cooperatively when the American economy is performing poorly.
Karplus, Careers, and Carbon: Karplus Lecture.

In this lecture dedicated to the memory of Robert Karplus, we celebrate him as an eminent researcher in theoretical physics, as a physics professor and as a visionary in K-12 precollege math and science education. I knew Professor Karplus as a physics professor at Harvard University when I was 21 years of age and a beginning graduate student. I remember him as a brilliant, thoughtful, inspiring physics teacher. He was clearly interested in teaching young people and in physics teaching methods. He seemed quite comfortable about having a woman student in his class and was fair and open about it. I knew him when he was still heavily committed to research on field theories and to the teaching of graduate physics students. Several years after leaving Harvard and moving to the University of California at Berkeley, he recognized that undesirable changes were taking place in precollege math and science education, changes that people like me were creating, by not going into the F-12 teaching profession. In my early years I had expected to go to college to become an elementary school teacher, but at the start of my second year at Hunter College I met Rosalyn Yalow, who was my physics teacher in an introductory course on modern physics and who convinced me that a career in science was more appropriate for me than a career as an elementary school teacher. Our encounter occurred before she started medical physics research at the Veteran's Hospital in the Bronx, which eventually led to her winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1977. Before meeting Rosalyn Yalow, I was under the impression that there were only three possible career options for women: school teaching, nursing and secretarial work. However, for me there was only one real choice, school teaching, because this was where I had an interest and perhaps some talent, and I clearly had no talent in the other two options. Since my birth in 1930, the New York City school system attracted highly talented teachers, who were happy to have a steady and highly respected job. Although the New York public schools that I attended in my childhood were in a very poor neighborhood, in a high crime rate district, the math and science teachers were highly dedicated and competent, perhaps on average overqualified for the jobs they held. Many of the teachers were there because they had little career choice due to the severe economic depression in the pre-World War II period. Others were there because they were women who had few other opportunities in the professions. During the World War II years, the career opportunities for women with talents in math and science started to open up, and many of these people (like me) were lost from the K-12 teaching profession. Robert Karplus was one of the first to recognize this exodus, and the effect of this exodus on K-12 math and science education in the United States. He was coura-
A baseline survey of ungulate abundance and distribution in northern Lao: implications for conservation

Large ungulates across South-east Asia have been experiencing a rapid decline in recent decades because of overexploitation by humans. An absence of reliable data on the abundance and distribution of ungulates makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of conservation efforts to recover their populations. As the principal prey for Endangered tigers Panthera tigris, depletion of wild ungulates is a major threat to the species' persistence and recovery across its range. This study estimated abundance and distribution of five ungulate taxa using a grid-based occupancy survey across a 3,000 km2 core zone within the 5,950 km2 Nam Et–Phou Louey National Protected Area in northern Lao. The results show an abundance index of 5.29 ± 0.30 ungulates per km2, with muntjac Munticus spp. and wild pig Sus spp. being most common, moderate levels of serow Capricornis milneedwardsii and sambar Cervus unicolor but few gaur Bos gaurus. This low abundance of medium- and large-sized ungulates at the site strongly suggests that strict control of hunting of these ungulates is important for securing their long-term survival as well as that of the tiger population that depends on them, which is currently the only known breeding population remaining in Indochina.
Preanalytical variables and phosphoepitope expression in FFPE tissue: quantitative epitope assessment after variable cold ischemic time.

Individualized targeted therapies for cancer patients require accurate and reproducible assessment of biomarkers to be able to plan treatment accordingly. Recent studies have shown highly variable effects of preanalytical variables on gene expression profiling and protein levels of different tissue types. Several publications have described protein degradation of tissue samples as a direct result of delay of formalin fixation of the tissue. Phosphorylated proteins are more labile and epitope degradation can happen within 30 min of cold ischemic time. To address this issue, we evaluated the change in antigenicity of a series of phosphoproteins in paraffin-embedded samples from breast tumors as a function of time to formalin fixation. A tissue microarray consisting of 93 breast cancer specimens with documented time-to-fixation was used to evaluate changes in antigenicity of 12 phosphoepitopes frequently used in research settings as a function of cold ischemic time. Analysis was performed in a quantitative manner using the AQUA technology for quantitative immunofluorescence. For each marker, least squares univariate linear regression was performed and confidence intervals were computed using bootstrapping. The majority of the epitopes tested revealed changes in expression levels with increasing time to formalin fixation. Some phosphorylated proteins, such as phospho-HSP27 and phospho-S6 RP, involved in post-translational modification and stress response pathways increased in expression or phosphorylation levels. Others (like phospho-AKT, phosphor-ERK1/2, phospho-Tyrosine, phospho-MET, and others) are quite labile and loss of antigenicity can be reported within 1–2 h of cold ischemic time. Therefore specimen collection should be closely monitored and subjected to quality control measures to ensure accurate measurement of these epitopes. However, a few phosphoepitopes (like phospho-JAK2 and phospho-ER) are sufficiently robust for routine usage in companion diagnostic testing.
Dynamic and thermal behavior of hot gas bubbles discharged into water

Abstract A postulated severe accident of a nuclear power plant can result in airborne radioactive fission products which are discharged into a water pool. The dynamic and thermal behavior of hot gas discharge into a water pool plays a major role in the scrubbing removal of fission products from the gas, thereby significantly reducing the radiation release from such a postulated accident. This paper employs both available literature and recent data, analyses and correlations to help quantify several aspects of bubble behavior which are important to scrubbing. These include the stable bubble size and rise velocity, large bubble detachment size from vents and breakup distance, and hot bubble size variation caused by heat transfer and water vaporization.
Market Price Effects of Data Security Breaches

This study examines the impact of reported breaches in computer security using event study analysis. We use the event-study methodology to measure the magnitude of the effect of data security breach events on the behavior of stock markets. Our data come from security breaches spanning a ten-year period and involving various industries. The findings of the study suggest that there exist abnormal negative stock price returns following the announcement of a breach. Such abnormal negative returns persist over the next several years. Moreover, the source of data breach may moderate the price effect; the market tends to punish more heavily those compromises that could have been avoided with reasonable precautions by the breached company.
Body Detection and Tracking with Hierarchical Scheme in Dynamic Scenes

In this paper, we propose an approach for body detection and tracking with a hierarchical and salient-half-body-prior scheme and apply it in real dynamic scenes. The human region is firstly located by an SVM classifier with histogram of oriented gradients (HOG). Two image observations, motion foreground and edge distance map, are then applied for body detection. In detail, the torso part is first roughly initialized, and then parts are localized in a salient-prior half-body sampling scheme by maximizing body configuration probability with both parts likelihood and body geometry constraints. For body tracking, the color-texture appearance templates of parts extracted in detection phase are further used in tracking process. The approach has been tested on soccer and skating videos and got good results.
Importance of diabetes in inhibition of pancreatic cancer by streptozotocin.

Abstract Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that the β-cell toxin streptozotocin (STZ) inhibits the development of exocrine pancreatic cancer in the hamster when STZ is administered prior to treatment with the pancreatic carcinogen N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP). Because the administration of STZ leads to diabetes, we wished to determine whether the presence of diabetes was important in the inhibitory effect of STZ on pancreatic carcinogenesis or whether STZ acted through a mechanism unrelated to diabetes, perhaps by a direct toxic effect on tumor precursor cells. Whole pancreas transplantation was used to create a two-pancreas hamster model to test this hypothesis. The study demonstrated that (1) STZ inhibits the induction of pancreatic cancer in the hamster when given prior to BOP and (2) the inhibitory effect of STZ was demonstrable only when diabetes was present. The inhibitory effect of STZ appears to be systemic, related to diabetes, and not a direct effect on the pancreas.
Leptin-resistant obese mice have paradoxically low biliary cholesterol saturation.

Abstract Background. Human obesity is associated with leptin resistance, elevated serum glucose and lipids, hepatic steatosis, and cholesterol gallstone formation. These gallstones are thought to result from hypersecretion of biliary cholesterol as well as biliary stasis. Leptin-resistant Lep db obese mice, which are known to have elevated serum leptin, glucose, and lipids, as well as hepatic steatosis, should be an appropriate model for human gallstone formation. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that leptin-resistant mice would have increased gallbladder volume, biliary cholesterol saturation, and cholesterol crystal formation. Methods. Sixty lean control mice and 60 Lep db obese mice on a low cholesterol chow diet were studied. Gallbladder volumes were measured and bile was pooled to calculate cholesterol saturation index. Serum cholesterol, glucose, and leptin levels were determined from pooled serum. Hepatic fat vacuoles were counted. Bile from a second group of 90 lean control and 59 obese mice was observed microscopically for cholesterol crystal formation. Results. Leptin-resistant obese mice have significantly higher serum cholesterol, glucose, and leptin levels, hepatic fat vacuoles, and gallbladder volume than lean control mice. However, biliary cholesterol saturation index and cholesterol crystal formation were significantly diminished in the obese mice. Conclusions. These data suggest that leptin-resistant Lep db obese mice have (1) increased gallbladder volume, (2) decreased biliary cholesterol saturation despite elevated serum cholesterol and hepatic steatosis, and (3) decreased in vitro cholesterol crystal formation. We conclude that the link between obesity and gallstone formation does not require hypersecretion of biliary cholesterol. (Surgery 2003;134:372-7.)
Metabolism of bovine semen. XVI. Pathways for arginine utilization.

Abstract The conversion of arginine to urea and other constituents of the urea cycle has been demonstrated in intact washed bovine spermatozoa. An alternate pathway for arginine degradation, resulting in guanido-butyrate and, subsequently, urea and γ -aminobutyrate, has also been discussed. Succinate, which would arise as a transamination product, has been identified as well as aspartic and glutamic acid, thereby implicating the citric acid cycle. Carbon dioxide evolution has been defined as having two different sources: the first, which is cyanide-sensitive, is apparently from the aliphatic chain; the second, which is less sensitive to inhibitors, arises from the guanido group. A compensatory mechanism was shown to exist when cyanide and nitrogen were used to inhibit the oxidative catabolism of arginine. This involved greater production of proline, allowing degradation to glutamate. Three possible pathways for the formation of proline were discussed in view of the intermediates identified.
Time amplifiers based on phase accumulation

A new category of time amplifiers (TA) based on phase accumulation of voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is proposed. This new technique avoids the use of circuit metastability as conventional TA architectures, and achieves time amplification with digitally controlled and well defined gain. Using the proposed mechanism, two different TA topologies are presented in this paper.
Women Who Gave Birth as Unmarried Adolescents: Trends in Substance Use from Adolescence to Adulthood

Abstract Purpose To determine whether adolescent childbearing mothers "mature out" of substance use as they transition into adulthood, how their substance use compares to that of typical young women of the same ages, and whether there are different patterns of substance use evident in this vulnerable population. Methods The data come from an ongoing longitudinal study of 240 young women who were unmarried, pregnant, and under age 18 at enrollment. They have been interviewed regularly from pregnancy through 11.5 years postpartum. The data are based on self-reported substance use verified by random urinalysis for drug metabolites. Results Substance use did not decline during the transition to adulthood nor into early adulthood. With the exception of alcohol, the prevalence of substance use was higher than that of a nationally representative sample of same-aged women. Three distinct patterns of substance use were identified: licit users (cigarettes and/or alcohol), marijuana users, and "hard" drug users. Conclusions Clinicians should routinely assess substance use among young mothers who bore children as teenagers, and make referrals for appropriate treatment. Cigarette smoking is especially a cause for concern, given its widespread use and harmful effects for both mothers and their children. Although only a small proportion (about 5%) of young mothers used hard drugs consistently over time, this group will likely require comprehensive interventions that address multiple issues such as mental health and contextual factors to be effective. Future research should address reasons for continued substance use in this population.
Turnover of the cell wall of Bacillus subtilis W-23 during logarithmic growth.

Abstract Extensive turnover of the mucopeptide and teichoic acid of B. subtilis W-23 occurs during logarithmic growth. The half life of the mucopeptide is of the order of 0.6 generations, while that of the teichoic acid is of the order of 2 generations, and is independent of the generation time over a four fold change in growth rate.
Quantization for distributed estimation using neural networks

We propose a neural network approach for the problem of quantizer design for a distributed estimation system with communication constraints in the case where the global observation model is unknown and one must rely on a training set. Our method applies a variation of the Cyclic Generalized Lloyd Algorithm (CGLA) on every point of the training set and then uses a neural network for each quantizer to represent the training points and their associated codewords. The codeword of every training point is initialized using a previously proposed regression tree approach. Simulation results show that there is an improvement of the proposed approach over using regression trees only.
Intensive insulin therapy--effects on M-value and frequency of hypoglycemia.

The frequency of hypoglycemia and M-values were measured on 11 intensively treated insulin dependent diabetic children separated into three groups of once-daily, twice-daily and multiple daily insulin injection regimens. Despite a similar quality of blood glucose control (Hb Al (%): 10.0 ± 1.5, 10.4 ± 2.6, 10.6 ± 2.5) in each of the above regimens, the M-values were 26.2 ± 11.7 in the once-daily, 34.9 ± 17.9 in the twice-daily and 47.7 ± 14.7 in the multiple daily injection regimen (M ± SD), respectively. A mild biochemical hypoglycemia was found more often in the patients under treatment with twice-daily and multiple daily injections. Further, though the mean blood glucose profiles in the patients treated with once-daily and multiple daily injections were very good, marked hypoglycemic blood glucose levels were seen prior to meals, especially before lunch.
Evolution of minerals.

The article discusses the evolution of minerals. According to the author, minerals did not exist in the cosmos until gravity coaxed primordial gases into nebulas which exploded to release chemical elements into space. An overview of the key concepts explored in the article, including the formation of planet Earth, how Earth's diverse mineralogy developed, and the role that the existence of life played in creating the mineral species on Earth, is presented.
Vacuum polarization effects on meson propagators

Abstract The stability of uniform nuclear matter in the relativistic Hartree approximation to the Walecka model is investigated by calculating the meson propagators in the one-loop approximation. In this renormalizable model, Dirac nucleons interact with neutral scalar and vector mesons. At the one-loop level, nuclear matter is found to be unstable to short-wavelength modes because of vacuum polarization effects. This occurs at momenta greater than twice the free-nucleon mass. The onset of instability is pushed to larger momenta with increasing baryon density as the nucleon effective mass decreases. The implications of short-range correlations and vertex corrections are discussed.
A review of tripped rollover test methodologies

This paper presents a literature review of test methodologies that have been used in automotive safety test laboratories to provide data for development of rollover occupant protection systems, including rollover sensor algorithms, test methodologies and restraint system performance measures. Test methods reviewed in this paper include SAE J2114, side curb trip, corkscrew ramp, critical sliding velocity, deceleration rollover sled, ditch/embankment, soil trip and some misuse tests that have appeared in the literature. Historical development, procedure, application and experience with each method are discussed. Remarks related to test methodologies are made, and issues pertaining to repeatability and dummy performance are discussed. In addition, various component test methodologies are also reviewed. A suite of laboratory tests to represent real world accident events, which is potentially applicable to military vehicles as well as passenger cars, is presented. Additional development trends in test methods that may enhance restraint system deployment algorithms are also highlighted.
Pretransformation strain modulations in proper ferroelastics

Abstract Within the framework of the Landau-Ginzburg model for the Oh−D4h proper ferroelastic transformation pretransformation structural modulations may arise as (possibly defect-stabilized) pseudo-critical fluctuations that can be described by an effective elastic o4 model. Here we show that the strain amplitude and temperature dependence of an intermediate tetragonal phase observed above and concurrently with the face-centered cubic to face-centered cubic to face-centered tetragonal transition in Fe0.7Pd0.3 can be understood semi-quantitatively in terms of the crossover behavior from the Ising to the displacive limit by applying the crossover phase diagram of Beale, Sarker and Krumhansl (obtained from a renormalization group study of structural phase transitions in 1D and 2D) to the effective o4 model. The fact that this type of pretransformation modulation has not been observed with X-rays for other ferroelastic transformations (e.g. InTl alloys) can be attributed to large values of the order parameter gradient coefficient in these cases
An integral equation method and its application to defect mechanics

Combining the body force method with the complex stress function theory, a complex integral equation method is presented to study interaction problems between holes and other defects in an infinite or semi-infinite elastic plane. A closed form solution of the integral equation is obtained for the generalized Kirsch problem in terms of the Laurent series expansion technique. This solution leads to a very simple formula to calculate the distribution of hoop stresses at the boundary of a circular hole in a plane subjected to arbitrary loads. To show the application of the integral equation method, three specific problems are treated analytically and/or numerically. Investigation of the asymptotic behaviour of stress distribution in neighbouring defects is of special interest. It was found that the hole to hole and hole to boundary interaction are governed by a 1√ϵ singularity, where ϵ stands for a non-dimensional distance between the holes and the hole or the boundary, respectively.
Dual-modality micro-positron emission tomography/computed tomography and near-infrared fluorescence imaging of EphB4 in orthotopic glioblastoma xenograft models.

Purpose In glioblastoma, EphB4 receptors, a member of the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases, are overexpressed in both tumor cells and angiogenic blood vessels. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the EphB4-binding peptide TNYL-RAW labeled with both 64Cu and near-infrared fluorescence dye Cy5.5 could be used as a molecular imaging agent for dual-modality positron emission tomography/computed tomography [PET/CT] and optical imaging of human glioblastoma in orthotopic brain tumor models.
The Combination of Chemical Fixation Procedures with High Pressure Freezing and Freeze Substitution Preserves Highly Labile Tissue Ultrastructure for Electron Tomography Applications

The emergence of electron tomography as a tool for three dimensional structure determination of cells and tissues has brought its own challenges for the preparation of thick sections. High pressure freezing in combination with freeze substitution provides the best method for obtaining the largest volume of well-preserved tissue. However, for deeply embedded, heterogeneous, labile tissues needing careful dissection, such as brain, the damage due to anoxia and excision before cryofixation is significant. We previously demonstrated that chemical fixation prior to high pressure freezing preserves fragile tissues and produces superior tomographic reconstructions compared to equivalent tissue preserved by chemical fixation alone. Here, we provide further characterization of the technique, comparing the ultrastructure of Flock House Virus infected DL1 insect cells that were (1) high pressure frozen without fixation, (2) high pressure frozen following fixation, and (3) conventionally prepared with aldehyde fixatives. Aldehyde fixation prior to freezing produces ultrastructural preservation superior to that obtained through chemical fixation alone that is close to that obtained when cells are fast frozen without fixation. We demonstrate using a variety of nervous system tissues, including neurons that were injected with a fluorescent dye and then photooxidized, that this technique provides excellent preservation compared to chemical fixation alone and can be extended to selectively stained material where cryofixation is impractical.
Interstellar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: the infrared emission bands, the excitation/emission mechanism, and the astrophysical implications.

A comprehensive study of the PAH hypothesis is presented, including the interstellar, IR spectral features which have been attributed to emission from highly vibrationally excited PAHs. Spectroscopic and IR emission features are discussed in detail. A method for calculating the IR fluorescence spectrum from a vibrationally excited molecule is described. Analysis of interstellar spectrum suggests that the PAHs which dominate the IR spectra contain between 20 and 40 C atoms. The results are compared with results from a thermal approximation. It is found that, for high levels of vibrational excitation and emission from low-frequency modes, the two methods produce similar results. Also, consideration is given to the relationship between PAH molecules and amorphous C particles, the most likely interstellar PAH molecular structures, the spectroscopic structure produced by PAHs and PAH-related materials in the UV portion of the interstellar extinction curve, and the influence of PAH charge on the UV, visible, and IR regions.
Current trends in soviet logic

A survey of the outstanding developments in Soviet philosophical logic shows that the formal and dialectical logicians have resolved most of the issues that divided them in the early 1950s. In orientation they are both converging on the avant‐garde of English‐speaking logicians who regard formalization as irrelevant for solving the essential problems of philosophical logic. Soviet dialecticians consider their logic to be a rapprochement with epistemology that will result in a logic that is concerned with the content and genetic development of concepts. Such a logic will provide a methodology of science that can encompass the creative growth of science, in contrast to the positivists’ fixation on the ‘logic of the finished research report’.
Adaptation disrupts motion integration in the primate dorsal stream

Summary Sensory systems adjust continuously to the environment. The effects of recent sensory experience—or adaptation—are typically assayed by recording in a relevant subcortical or cortical network. However, adaptation effects cannot be localized to a single, local network. Adjustments in one circuit or area will alter the input provided to others, with unclear consequences for computations implemented in downstream circuits. Here, we show that prolonged adaptation with drifting gratings, which alters responses in the early visual system, impedes the ability of area MT neurons to integrate motion signals in plaid stimuli. Perceptual experiments reveal a corresponding loss of plaid coherence. A simple computational model shows how the altered representation of motion signals in early cortex can derail integration in MT. Our results suggest that the effects of adaptation cascade through the visual system, derailing the downstream representation of distinct stimulus attributes.
More on the “anti-folk theorem”

Abstract For discounted repeated games with unobservable individual deviations, Kaneko's “anti-folk theorem” states that the set of Nash-equilibrium plays coincides with the set of sequences of one-shot Nash-equilibrium plays. When the payoff criterion is long-run average, however, Kaneko's characterization is of a different sort. Here we show that with some additional topological assumptions a version of the anti-folk theorem is available under the long-run average criterion which is parallel to the characterization under the discounting criterion.
Expression of adhesion molecules and von Willebrand factor in human coronary artery endothelial cells incubated with differently modified hemoglobin solutions.

Previous studies have established a linkage between free Hb molecules and the production of inflammatory mediators by the reticuloendothelial cells. An important aspect of the endothelial response to the inflammatory stimuli is the expression of adhesion molecules on the luminal surface. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of various free-Hb based oxygen carrying solutions on the intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and also von Willebrand factor (vWF) expression by human endothelium. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were cultured on glass coverslips until they reached confluence, then incubated for 18 hours with endothelial basal medium (EBM) supplemented with 5% FBS and a 0.1 mmol or 0.2 mmol of the bovine Hb solutions: 1) pure unmodified bovine Hb (UHb); 2) modified bovine Hb solution (Hb-PP-GSH) prepared according to our newly developed procedure (U.S. Patent No. 5,439,882); and 3) modified bovine Hb ...
Construction and symbiotic competence of a luxA-deletion mutant of Vibrio fischeri

Bioluminescence by the squid Euprymna scolopes requires colonization of its light organ by the symbiotic luminous bacterium Vibrio fischeri. Investigation of the genetic determinants underlying bacterial symbiotic competence in this system has necessitated the continuing establishment and application of molecular genetic techniques in V. fischeri. We developed a procedure for the introduction of plasmid DNA into V. fischeri by electroporation, and isolated a mutant strain that overcame the apparent restriction barrier between V. fischeri and Escherichia coli. Using the technique of electroporation in combination with that of gene replacement, we constructed a non-luminous strain of V. fischeri (delta luxA::erm). In addition, we used the transducing phage rp-1 for the first time to transfer a chromosomal antibiotic resistance marker to another strain of V. fischeri. The luxA mutant was able to colonize E. scolopes as quickly and to the same extent as wild type. This result suggested that, at least during the initial stages of colonization, luminescence per se is not an essential factor for the symbiotic infection.
Y Chromosome aneuploidy, micronuclei, kinetochores and aging in men

This investigation was conducted to determine the relationship between Y chromosome loss and increased micronucleus formation with age. We also investigated the status of kinetochore proteins in the micronuclei. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained from 18 newborn males, and peripheral blood was obtained from 35 adult males ranging in age from 22 to 79 years. Isolated lymphocytes from all 53 donors were cultured and blocked with cytochalasin B. Two thousand binucleate cells per donor were scored using a modified micronucleus assay to determine the kinetochore status of each micronucleus. This assay showed 23.8% of the micronuclei to be kinetochore-positive, while 76.2% of the micronuclei were kinetochore-negative. Cells were then hybridized with a 3.56-kb biotinylated Y chromosome-specific probe. All micronucleate cells were relocated and their Y probe status was determined. A significant mcrease in Y-bearing micronuclei with age was observed. Metaphase cells from the same samples were analyzed for the presence or absence of Y chromosome. The relationship between Y chromosome-positive micronuclei and Y chromosome-negative metaphase cells was highly significant, suggesting that Y chromosome-deficient metaphase cells result from cells which had previously lost a Y chromosome due to micronucleation. The cause of micronucleus formation from a lagging Y chromosome appears probably to be either a faulty or a diminished amount of kinetochore protein.
Structural complexity in binary bcc ground states: The case of bcc Mo-Ta

Traditional sorting diagrams for ground states $(T=0$ stable atomic configurations) of bcc-based binary alloys predict simple crystal structures when simple parametric interactions (e.g., first few pairs) are assumed. However, the range and magnitude of interactions for real systems is not a priori known, and could lead to much greater structural complexity. We combine a density functional theory based, deterministic mixed-basis cluster expansion with an exhaustive enumeration scheme of $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$ possible structures to determine the ground states of the bcc alloy Mo-Ta. The result is a rich ground-state line, changing one's outlook on bcc structural stability. We find Mo-rich (100) superlattices (including ${C11}_{\mathrm{b}}$ and $B2)$ coexisting with complex large-cell structures $({\mathrm{Mo}}_{4}{\mathrm{Ta}}_{9}$ and ${\mathrm{Mo}}_{4}{\mathrm{Ta}}_{12}).$ We demonstrate that a systematic cluster expansion construction scheme which includes both high-order pairs and many-body figures is a necessity to capture the ground states of Mo-Ta.
Comparison of the early stages of condensation of Cu and Ag on Mo/100/ with Cu and Ag on W/100/

The adsorption and condensation of Cu and Ag, up to several monolayers in thickness, onto Mo(100) has been observed at pressures below 2 ×10−10 Torr in a study that used combined LEED, Auger, TDS, and work function measurements in a single experimental setup. The results show that Cu behaves similarly on Mo(100) and W(100) substrates, while some differences are found for Ag adsorption.
Structure and antigenic activity of the capsular polysaccharide of Cryptococcus neoformans serotype A

Abstract The glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) of C. neoformans serotype A contained molar ratios of xylose: mannose: glucuronic acid: O -acetyl of 2:5:1:2. The xylose and glucuronic acid occurred as single pyranosyl residues and were oxidized by periodate; the Smith-degraded product was an insoluble mannan. Mannose was linked (1→3) with three out of five mannose residues (1→2)-substituted with one glucuronosyl and two single xylosyl end groups. A repeating octasaccharide was proposed as the structure. GXM was separated into species-specific and serotype-specific components by chromatography on a serotype-D-antibody agarose column, but these showed no obvious differences in molar ratios of the monosaccharides. Decreased serological activity was observed when GXM was de- O -acetylated or carboxy-reduced, but not when carboxy-esterified. The Smith-degraded mannan was inactive. Autohydrolysis caused a gradual release of xylose and some mannose, and a decline in serological activity. Xylose and glucuronic acid were implicated in a single antigenic group since selective inactivation of either residue led to loss of more than half of the activity. Extensive crossreactions were observed with the GXMs from C. laurentii and Tremella mesenterica , but not with types II or XIV pneumococcal polysaccharides.
WEIGHING IN ON BIRD BONES

![Figure][1] Although the list of things I know about bird biology is short, one thing I felt confident about was that bird skeletons are lightweight. I've seen for myself the thin-walled, hollow bones found in many bird species, and this always made intuitive sense: flying is certainly
Interferometric Measurement Of Truss Joint Design Strengths

The difficulty in the measurement of the strain at the joints of members of wooden trusses has made the evaluation of theoretical strengths uncertain. This is particularly important if one desires to economically assure adequate roof strength for installation of solar collectors and other similar roof loading. This measurement problem has been solved by using interferometric techniques to determine small strains at truss joints. A modified Michelson interferometer has been adapted for this purpose. The interferometer, including He-Ne laser source and related optics, has been fabricated into two parts: One of the interferometer mirrors is floated independently on one truss member (two-point bearing), and the remainder (including source) in one piece on a two-point bearing on the other joint member. Using photographic techniques, both angular and lateral relative displacements of the two members have been measured. Design and details of the interferometer use are outlined.
Engaging in Health Behaviors to Lower Risk for Breast Cancer Recurrence

Purpose While post-treatment breast cancer survivors face up to twice the cancer risk of the general population, modifiable health behaviors may somewhat reduce this risk. We sought to better understand health behaviors that early stage breast cancer survivors engage in to reduce recurrence risk.
Precipitation chemistry in east Central Florida from 1978 to 1987

Rainfall was collected on the University of Central Florida campus and at the Kennedy Space Center over a 10 yr period between 1978 and 1987. The chemical composition has been determined and summarized by month, annual periods and for the entire ten year record at both locations. The weighted average pH at each site was 4.58; however, annual weighted average pH was above the 10 yr average during 4 of the last 5 years. Annual nitrate concentrations increased slightly during the latter half of the record while the annual excess sulfate concentrations remained below the 10 yr weighted average during 4 of the last 5 years. Stepwise regression suggests that sulfate, nitrate, ammonium ion and Ca played major roles in the description of rainwater acidity. Annual acid deposition and annual rainfall have varied from 20 to 50 meq H+ m−2 yr−1 and 100 to 180 cm yr−1, respectively. Sea salt comprises at least 25% of the total ionic composition. Trends in acidity, excess sulfate concentration and nitrate deposition have been observed in monthly data obtained at UCF.
Binary Interaction Energy Densities for Blends of Styrene/Acrylonitrile Copolymers with Methyl Methacrylate/n-Alkyl Acrylate Copolymers

Isothermal miscibility maps for blends of styrene−acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers with methyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymers containing n-alkyl acrylates (xA) have been determined at 120 °C. The miscibility region increases and then decreases as the size of the n-alkyl pendant group increases. Binary interaction energy densities for various monomer unit pairs were evaluated from the miscibility data by both the copolymer/critical molecular weight and the copolymer composition mapping approaches using the Flory−Huggins theory combined with the binary interaction model. Values of binary interaction energy densities obtained from both approaches, with the aid of an appropriate data fitting algorithm, agreed very well with each other. Trends in binary interaction energy densities involving the various n-alkyl acrylate units, BMMA/xA, BS/xA, and BAN/xA, could be roughly predicted by the simple solubility parameter theory. Trends in the deviations from the geometric mean assumption, kij, were qualitatively explai...
The collett-lester fear of death scale: The original version and a revision

Abstract This paper reviews research using the Collett-Lester fear of death scale and finds that the scale has acceptable reliability and validity. A revised version of the scale includes a more balanced number of items in each subscale, and a simplified scoring system. This paper presents both the original and the revised versions of the scale.