cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gadolinium(III)-based blood-pool contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging: status and clinical potential

Blood-pool MRI contrast agents have enormous potential to aid sensitive magnetic resonance detection and yield definitive diagnostic data of cancer and diseases of the cardiovascular system. Many attempts have been initiated to design macromolecular gadolinium (Gd[III]) complexes as magnetic resonance imaging blood-pool contrast agents, as macromolecules do not readily diffuse across healthy vascular endothelium, and remain intravascular. Although extremely efficacious in detecting and characterizing pathologic tissue, clinical development of these agents has been limited by potential toxicity concerns from incomplete Gd(III) clearance. Recent innovative technologies, such as reversible protein-binding contrast agents and biodegradable macromolecular contrast agents, may be valuable alternatives that combine the effective imaging characteristics of an intravascular contrast agent and the safety of clinically approved low-molecular-weight Gd(III) chelates.
Fishery Conservation through Education

Abstract The Fish and Wildlife Service has formed an organization to engage in commercial fishery education. This section will prepare and collect instructional motion-picture films, film strips, manuals, leaflets, displays, and other visual material; arrange demonstrations; offer consulting services; sponsor training courses in colleges; and arrange cooperative training programs with fishery organizations. Training will include tested and approved methods for fishing, handling of products, distribution, fish cookery, and sanitation.
Processing of tactual and visual point stimuli sequentially presented at high rates

Performance differences between tactile and visual localization and temporal ordering ability, using sequential presentation of high rate point stimuli
A note on mixtures of experts for multiclass responses: approximation rate and Consistent Bayesian Inference

We report that mixtures of m multinomial logistic regression can be used to approximate a class of 'smooth' probability models for multiclass responses. With bounded second derivatives of log-odds, the approximation rate is O(m-2/s) in Hellinger distance or O(m-4/s) in Kullback-Leibler divergence. Here s = dim(x) is the dimension of the input space (or the number of predictors). With the availability of training data of size n, we also show that 'consistency' in multiclass regression and classification can be achieved, simultaneously for all classes, when posterior based inference is performed in a Bayesian framework. Loosely speaking, such 'consistency' refers to performance being often close to the best possible for large n. Consistency can be achieved either by taking m = mn, or by taking m to be uniformly distributed among {1, ...,mn} according to the prior, where 1 p mn p na in order as n grows, for some a ∈ (0, 1).
A Multiplicative Decomposition Property of the Screening-and-Selection Procedures of Nelson et al.

Recently, Nelson et al. (2001a, b) formulated a class of combined screening-and-selection procedures for identifying the simulated system with optimal expected response when the number of alternatives is finite, but large enough to render conventional ranking-and-selection procedures impractical. Under a certain key assumption, they derived anadditive decomposition lemma that provides a lower bound on the correct-selection probability when either the original or group-screening version of their combined screening-and-selection procedure is applied to randomly sampled normal populations with unknown and unequal variances. For both these procedures, we establish an improved lower bound on the correct-selection probability that is the product of (a) the probability that the best alternative will survive the first-stage screening procedure, and (b) the probability that the second-stage sampling-and-selection procedure will correctly identify the best alternative starting from the full set of alternatives. Thismultiplicative decomposition property offers a different perspective on the probabilistic structure of the entire class of combined screening-and-selection procedures developed by Nelson et al., and it does not require the key assumption of their additive decomposition lemma.
Visuoperceptual Processes in Brain Damaged Patients on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test

Alcoholic Korsakoff patients, patients with right hemisphere damage, and chronic alcoholics are impaired on the digit symbol substitution task (DSST) of the WAIS. to determine whether these deficit...
Organic-on-organic semiconductor heterojunctions: building block for the next generation of optoelectronic devices

A novel class of optoelectronic devices utilizing thin films of stable crystalline organic semiconductors layered onto inorganic semiconductor substrates is described. The electrical properties of these devices are determined by the energy barrier at the heterojunction contact between the organic and inorganic materials, and in many ways are similar to those of ideal diffused-junction inorganic semiconductor devices. The organic materials can be layered onto semiconductor substrates without inducing large strains in either material, hence allowing a wide range of material combinations with a similarly broad range of optoelectronic functions to be realized. As examples, high-bandwidth photodetectors and field-effect transistors made using organic/inorganic semiconductor heterojunctions are discussed. Modification of the optical and electronic properties of the organic films by irradiation with energetic electron and ion beams is considered. >
Effects of two silvicultural regimes with large tree retention on epiphytic macrolichen communities in Adirondack northern hardwoods, New York, USA

We sampled epiphytic lichen communities in nine Adirondack northern hardwood stands: three old growth, three reserve shelterwood, and three single-tree selection systems. Our objectives were to ass...
Concurrent multi-agent systems with temporal logic objectives: game theoretic analysis and planning through negotiation

This study examines equilibrium behaviour and negotiation protocol design for a class of systems composed of multiple, non-cooperative, agents. The agents modelled as finite-state transition systems, are autonomous, and are interacting ‘concurrently’ aiming at achieving individual tasks specified in temporal logic. Each agent has its own preferences over outcomes of its interaction with others. The agents’ goals and preferences are neither perfectly aligned nor necessarily opposing. The authors reason about agent behaviours in such a system, by formulating a concurrent multi-agent game with infinitely many stages. To enable the synthesis of strategies, they develop a negotiation protocol which ensures that under a proper design of preferences and tasks, the mutually accepted plan is a Pareto optimal pure Nash equilibrium.
Isolation and Polyacrylamide Gel-Urea Electrophoretic Characterization of α S1 -Casein

Abstract An improved method for the isolation of pure α S1 -casein from pooled milk is described. The method involves chemical isolation followed by DEAE-cellulose column-chromatographic fractionation. Alpha S1 -casein was characterized by SGUE, PGUE, chemical, and sedimentation analyses. The chromatographically pure α S1 -casein was found to contain α S1 -B and α S1 -C casein variants. These variants cannot be separated by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The preparation contained 1.10%P, equivalent to 10 phosphorus atoms per mole of 28,500. The molecular weight by approach to sedimentation equilibrium was 25,500. Alpha S1-casein in 0.1 M KCl, pH 5.6, showed random aggregation of 14S, while in tris-citrate buffer, pH 8.6, it showed 1.5 S, and in Na-PO4 buffer, pH 7.0, 4.2 S species.
Photochemical ligand loss as a basis for imaging and microstructure formation in a thin polymeric film

Ligand loss photochemistry occurs in thin polymeric films of poly(Ru(bpy){sub 2}(vpy){sub 2}){sup 2+} (bpy is 2,2{prime}-bipyridine, vpy is 4-vinylpyridine), poly(Ru(Me{sub 2}bpy){sub 2}(vpy){sub 2}){sup 2+} (Me{sub 2}bpy is 4,4{prime}-dimethyl-2,2{prime}-bipyridine), and poly(Ru(Me{sub 4}bpy){sub 2}(vpy){sub 2}){sup 2+} (Me{sub 4}bpy is 4,4{prime},5,5{prime}-tetramethyl-2,2{prime}-bipyridine). These films were formed by reductive electropolymerization of the corresponding 4-vinylpyridine complexes on Pt disk electrodes. Upon photolysis, the ruthenium-pyridyl bonds were cleaved and the polymer was lost, exposing the underlying substrate. The photochemical reaction was used to transfer an image to the films by using masking techniques. In a subsequent step, poly(Os(vbpy){sub 3}){sup 2+} (vbpy is 4-methyl-4{prime}-vinyl-2,2{prime}-bipyridine), which is photochemically stable, was formed selectively in the exposed regions of the electrode by reductive electropolymerization. This procedure gave a laterally resolved, two-component, film-based structure in which there were discrete, spatially segregated regions of Ru{sup II} and Os{sup II}. In a final step, the remaining film containing Ru{sup II} was removed by photolysis. This procedure left an image of the original mask in the poly(Os(vbpy){sub 3}){sup 2+} that remained.
Inverse problem for cuts

Let U be an initial segment of $$^*{\mathbb N}$$ closed under addition (such U is called a cut) with uncountable cofinality and A be a subset of U, which is the intersection of U and an internal subset of $$^*{\mathbb N}$$ . Suppose A has lower U-density α strictly between 0 and 3/5. We show that either there exists a standard real $$\epsilon$$ > 0 and there are sufficiently large x in A such that | (A+A) ∩ [0, 2x]| > (10/3+ $$\epsilon$$ ) | A ∩ [0, x]| or A is a large subset of an arithmetic progression of difference greater than 1 or A is a large subset of the union of two arithmetic progressions with the same difference greater than 2 or A is a large subset of the union of three arithmetic progressions with the same difference greater than 4.
HIV-1 Nef Downregulates MHC-I by a PACS-1- and PI3K-Regulated ARF6 Endocytic Pathway

Abstract The HIV-1 Nef-mediated downregulation of cell surface MHC-I molecules to the trans -Golgi network (TGN) enables HIV-1 to escape immune surveillance. However, the cellular pathway used by Nef to downregulate MHC-I is unknown. Here, we show that Nef and PACS-1 combine to usurp the ARF6 endocytic pathway by a PI3K-dependent process and downregulate cell surface MHC-I to the TGN. This mechanism requires the hierarchical actions of three Nef motifs—the acidic cluster 62 EEEE 65 , the SH3 domain binding site 72 PXXP 75 , and M 20 —in controlling PACS-1-dependent sorting to the TGN, ARF6 activation, and sequestering internalized MHC-I to the TGN, respectively. These data provide new insights into the cellular basis of HIV-1 immunoevasion.
Reassessment of the critical periods for prothoracicotropic hormone and juvenile hormone secretion in the larval molt of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta

Abstract The ligation studies by which critical periods for prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysone were determined for the last larval molt in Manduca sexta are reviewed in relation to recent experimental observations on Manduca larvae. Our two findings which challenged the accepted interpretation of these critical period determinations were: (1) Larval molting in vitro of the crochet epidermis from fourth instar larvae required ecdysone but not JH. (2) The hemolymph titer of JH was high and relatively constant before and during the period of PTTH secretion in the fourth instar. We present further experimental results bearing on the endocrine requirements for larval molting. Uninjected fourth instar larvae neck-ligatured prior to the supposed PTTH critical period initiated metamorphosis precociously. Immediate injection of ecdysone into such neck-or abdomen-ligatured larvae resulted in a larval molt. When the ecdysone injection was delayed, the proportion showing a larval response declined. Juvenile hormone injections (JHI) at the time of neck ligation prevented this loss of response to injected ecdysone. Delayed injections of subthreshold amounts of ecdysone into neck-ligatured larvae caused a delay in the onset of metamorphosis relative to uninjected controls. Additional ligation studies throughout the initiation of larval molting suggested that the prothoracic glands were increasing secretory activity during this period. On the basis of this evidence we have reinterpreted the ligation data for Manduca larvae as follows: the supposed PTTH critical period corresponds to attainment of subthreshold secretory activity of the prothoracic glands; the supposed JH critical period identifies onset of full secretory activity and delimits the physiological PTTH critical period for larval molting.
A time deformation model and its time-varying autocorrelation: An application to US unemployment data

Abstract A G-Lambda model is characterized by a constant mean, a finite variance and a covariance that is a function of both time and lags. The Box–Cox transformation of the time scale transforms a non-stationary G-Lambda model into a stationary model. This paper explores the time-varying behavior of the G-Lambda model. Simulation results indicate that it is possible to distinguish between the G-Lambda model and other better-known models such as the ARIMA, ARFIMA and STAR models. Applying the model to US unemployment data, the performance of the G-Lambda model varies as the start of the forecast periods changes. However, the results of the sign test and the Diebold–Mariano test indicate that the G-Lambda model has significantly better long-term forecasts than other models.
Phase and dispersion stability effects in the synthesis of silica nanoparticles in a non-ionic reverse microemulsion

Abstract Silica nanoparticles synthesized by the controlled, base-catalyzed hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in cyclohexane-polyoxyethylene(5) nonylphenyl ether—water reverse microemulsions exhibit a bimodal size distribution when a relatively high water/surfactant molar ratio ( R ) is utilized. During the particle formation process there is a partial expulsion of water from the microemulsion phase and this creates a second phase of bulk water which apparently induces the formation of new silica nuclei. This reaction-promoted phase instability is attributable to the ability of ethanol, a product of TEOS hydrolysis, to shift the water solubility limit of the phase diagram to higher temperatures. At relatively low water/TEOS ratios, the resulting silica dispersions become unstable with the passage of time and eventually large flocs form. This behavior is rationalized in terms of a water-shell model according to which the presence of a water film around the silica particles facilitates the ionization of the surface silanol groups, which in turn permits the development of the necessary electrostatic stabilization. Investigation of the solubilization locale of ethanol with fluorescence techniques indicates that at low R there is a preferential partitioning of the alcohol to the continuous cyclohexane phase. Thus, under these conditions, ethanol molecules (which can also support silica ionization) are not available to substitute for water in the water shell.
Automatic figure classification in bioscience literature

Millions of figures appear in biomedical articles, and it is important to develop an intelligent figure search engine to return relevant figures based on user entries. In this study we report a figure classifier that automatically classifies biomedical figures into five predefined figure types: Gel-image, Image-of-thing, Graph, Model, and Mix. The classifier explored rich image features and integrated them with text features. We performed feature selection and explored different classification models, including a rule-based figure classifier, a supervised machine-learning classifier, and a multi-model classifier, the latter of which integrated the first two classifiers. Our results show that feature selection improved figure classification and the novel image features we explored were the best among image features that we have examined. Our results also show that integrating text and image features achieved better performance than using either of them individually. The best system is a multi-model classifier which combines the rule-based hierarchical classifier and a support vector machine (SVM) based classifier, achieving a 76.7% F1-score for five-type classification. We demonstrated our system at http://figureclassification.askhermes.org/.
Many-One Comparisons among Correlations

A large-sample statistical technique attributable to Levy and based on Dunnett's well-known multiple-comparison method was programmed with the SAS system. The focus was on many-one comparisons among k independent sample product-moment correlation coefficients. An application using the numerical example in Levy's paper was introduced to illustrate the final analysis of a computer run conducted with this SAS program.
Nutrition Education Materials for Pregnant Teens

Over 1 million adolescents become pregnant each year in the U.S.; about half carry their baby to term.' A major concern for the pregnant adolescent is nutrition. A consequence of poor nutrition during pregnancy may be inadequate weight gain. Adolescents with inadequate weight gain have been shown to be at risk for giving birth to preterm and/or low-birthweight babies.'A high number of teens are at nutritional risk.Teens often have diets that are high in salt, sugar, and fat and low in fruits and vegetable~.'.~They frequently purchase meals away from home that are of low nutrient den~i ty .~ ,~ Nutrition educators with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and East Carolina University School of Medicine developed materials to educate pregnant teens about good nutrition during pregnancy, with the goal of presenting the information in a manner that would be accessible to young women living in the rural south. Professionals in the state were interviewed about the types of materials they were currently using and were asked to evaluate those materials. Professionals working with teens were also asked what they thought should be included in a nutrition education piece for pregnant teens. A mock brochure was created using these suggestions and was presented to a focus group comprised of pregnant and parenting teens living in Pitt County, North Carolina. The teens commented on usefulness, color preference, and readability. The final brochure, "Eating Right ForYou
Relation similarity as a function of agreement between relation elements

People perceive that semantic relations vary in similarity to each other. For example, when subjects sorted pairs representing 31 relations into groups of similar relations, the sorting frequencies indicated that the subjects grouped together relations that had similar definitions (Chaffin & Herrmann, 1984). Consequently, it was hypothesized that people judge the similarity between relations on the basis of agreement in the elements that, according to linguistic theory, make up these relations. To test this hypothesis, the present research correlated the sorting frequencies from the Chaffin and Herrmann study with estimates of relation similarity derived from relation element agreement. A significant correlation (r = 707) was found between the two variables, indicating that perceptions of relation similarity are derived from the amount of agreement between relations in their relation elements.
The high German consonant shift: Monogenetic or polygenetic?

Abstract The most widely accepted theory on the localization of the High German Consonant Shift maintains that it began in the German South and spread to the North. Attacking this monogenetic theory, some Germanists have argued that the change occurred independently in the various dialects of High German. By utilizing the theory of lexical diffusion and analyzing the dynamics of phonological rule borrowing, this paper will argue in favor of the traditional monogenetic theory.
Lactosylceramide: Effect of Acyl Chain Structure on Phase Behavior and Molecular Packing

Abstract Lactosylceramide (LacCer) is a pivotal intermediate in the metabolism of higher gangliosides, localizes to sphingolipid-sterol "rafts," and has been implicated in cellular signaling. To provide a fundamental characterization of LacCer phase behavior and intermolecular packing, LacCer containing different saturated (16:0, 18:0, 24:0) or monounsaturated (18:1 Δ9 , 24:1 Δ15 ) acyl chains were synthesized and studied by differential scanning calorimetry and Langmuir film balance approaches. Compared to related sphingoid- and glycerol-based lipids, LacCers containing saturated acyl chains display relatively high thermotropic and pressure-induced transitions. LacCer monolayer films are less elastic in an in-plane sense than sphingomyelin films, but are somewhat more elastic than galactosylceramide films. Together, these findings indicate that the disaccharide headgroup only marginally disrupts gel phase packing and orients more perpendicular than parallel to the interface. This contrasts the reported behavior of digalactosyldiglycerides with saturated acyl chains. Introducing single cis double bonds into the LacCer acyl chains dramatically lowers the high thermotropic and pressure-induced transitions. Greater reductions occur when cis double bonds are located near the middle of the acyl chains. The results are discussed in terms of how an extended disaccharide headgroup can enhance interactions among naturally abundant LacCers with saturated acyl chains.
Neuropsychological correlates of wandering in persons with Alzheimer's disease

Dementia is a common disorder affecting an estimated 20 to 47 percent of persons over the age of 85.1 In addition No the pervasive cognitive deficits found in dementia, various behavioral disturbances are common.2 Wandering is one of the most troubling behaviors associate with dementia and has been found to lead to institutionalization and increased risk for injury. It continues to Tee common practice for wanderers to be physically or chemically restrained in order to prevent them from leavings home. This practice leads to extreme limitations on nobility and freedom for the client as well as extra demands on caregivers. To develop less restrictive and efficient interventions it is essential to understand how to assess, predict, and alter wandering patterns.4 We examined the relationship between cognitive impairments and wandering. Neuropsychological tests were administered to 29 residents of two special care units. Exiting attempts, the level of activity, and staff ratings of wandering were correlated wit...
Health-related behaviors of survivors of childhood cancer.

The health-related beliefs and behaviors of long-term survivors of childhood cancer are important because of vulnerability to adverse late effects from their primary malignancy and its therapy. A health behavior survey was completed by 110 parents of long-term survivors ranging in age from 11-17 years, and by 40 adult long-term survivors of childhood cancer ranging in age from 18-29 years. The survey included questions on the former patient's frequency of alcohol and tobacco use, as well as diet, exercise, sleep, dental, and seatbelt habits. The reported prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use was less than 10% among those less than 18 years old. Among the adults, tobacco (17.5%) and alcohol (72.5%) use was greater, but problem drinking was infrequently reported. In order to assess their perceived vulnerability, we asked the parents and the young adult patients to rate the strength of their belief that it is more important for the patient to keep healthy compared to most other children or young adults. Contrary to our expectations, demographic factors such as the patient's gender, socioeconomic level, or time elapsed since completion of therapy exerted minimal influence on their responses. Over 80% of parents and 60% of young adult survivos believed that it was more important for the former patient to remain healthy compared to most other people. However, this shared belief in increased vulnerability was inconsistently expressed in the patient's health behaviors. These results suggest that specific changes are needed in the health assessment and education of long-term survivors of childhood cancer.
An electron microscope study of a silver stain for degenerating boutons.

Summary Hand-cut sections of glutaraldehyde-formalin-fixed experimental rat brains were impregnated with silver following the Fink-Heimer method 7 reported to impregnate degenerating boutons terminaux. Impregnated sections were examined wet , and small parts of regions exhibiting evidence of massive terminal degeneration were excised, post-fixed, and embedded in an Epon-Araldite mixture for ultrathin sectioning. Although the electron micrographs demonstrate a scattering of silver particles throughout the tissue, the silver granules are both more numerous and larger within degenerating axons. Such relatively large silver particles were also observed in all of the synaptic endstructures that exhibit characteristic degenerative changes. It can therefore be concluded that the Fink-Heimer silver impregnation technique is preferential in its impregnation of degenerating axons and axon terminals.
Rankings of Economics Faculties and Representation on Editorial Boards of Top Journals

Two lists of economics departments are developed on the basis of editorial board representation on economics journals. Editorial board representation is shown to have a positive correlation with other previously published rankings of economics departments.
Product Variety, Informative Advertising, and Price Competition:

Abstract In many product categories, consumer tastes are diverse, and firms use finely targeted advertising to inform consumers about their products. This article proposes a model of informative advertising that allows for diverse consumer tastes and multiple competing firms. Using this framework, the authors analyze how diversity in consumers' tastes, informative advertising, and improvements in advertising technology may influence prices. First, informative advertising can lead to lower prices if consumer valuations are high. However, if consumer valuations are low, informative advertising can lead to higher prices. Second, when consumer valuations are high, price increases with greater diversity in tastes, though this result reverses if consumer valuations are low. Third, improvements in advertising technology lead to higher levels of advertising when consumer valuation is high, but the opposite effect can occur when consumer valuation is low. The authors relate these theoretical findings to previous e...
13C NMR STUDIES OF ORGANOSILANES III. Silicon—phenyl bonding in phenylsilanes

Abstract Carbon-13 NMR data for 25 phenylsilanes have been obtained and analyzed. Several substituents (viz. n-butyl, vinyl, allyl, t-butoxy) not previously considered were included in this study. The results, combined with earlier work, indicate no anomalous behavior of the silicon—phenyl bond as a function of the other substituents on the silicon atom. The importance of steric effects on the chemical shift due to groups three ( gauche ) and four ( syn-axial ) bonds removed from the phenyl group is demonstrated. Hammett σ + values for several silyl groups are estimated and correlations between 19 F and 13 C data for phenylsilanes are noted.
Implication of a Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava in Transvenous Pacemaker Therapy and Cardiac Hemodynamic Monitoring

An anomalous persistent left superior vena cava may complicate the insertion of transvenous pacemaker electrode catheters as well as the catheterization of the pulmonary artery. It is important to recognize the anomaly because of the ease of confusing the position of the catheters passing through the coronary sinus into a distal coronary vein rather than the right ventricular apex. If the condition is known and is associated with a patent right superior vena cava, a catheter or electrode should probably be passed from the right side. If this is not possible, our experience indicates that the flow-directed balloon-tipped catheter (Swan-Ganz) can be passed easily without fluoroscopic control through an anomalous left superior vena cava to the pulmonary artery. Using a similar balloon-tipped flow-directed pacemaker electrode may be helpful in its positioning in the apex of the right ventricle. While short-term temporary pacing via the coronary sinus is probably acceptable, placement of a permanent electrode in the coronary sinus is dangerous. If there is congenital absence of the right superior vena cava, an epicardial electrode is likely preferred.
Role of Human GABAA Receptor β3 Subunit in insecticide toxicity

The gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptor is the target for the major insecticides alpha-endosulfan, lindane, and fipronil and for many analogs. Their action as chloride channel blockers is directly measured by binding studies with [(3)H]ethynylbicycloorthobenzoate ([(3)H]EBOB). This study tests the hypothesis that GABA(A) receptor subunit composition determines the sensitivity and selectivity of insecticide toxicity. Human receptor subtypes were expressed individually (alpha1, alpha6, beta1, beta3, and gamma2) and in combination in insect Sf9 cells. Binding parameters were similar for [(3)H]EBOB in the beta3 homooligomer, alpha1beta3gamma2 heterooligomer, and native brain membranes, but toxicological profiles were very different. Surprisingly, alpha-endosulfan, lindane, and fipronil were all remarkably potent on the recombinant beta3 homooligomeric receptor (IC50 values of 0.5-2.4 nM), whereas they were similar in potency on the alpha1beta3gamma2 subtype (IC50 values of 16-33 nM) and highly selective on the native receptor (IC50 values of 7.3, 306, and 2470 nM, respectively). The selectivity order for 29 insecticides and convulsants as IC50 ratios for native/beta3 or alpha1beta3gamma2/beta3 was as follows: fipronil > lindane > 19 other insecticides including alpha-endosulfan and picrotoxinin > 4 trioxabicyclooctanes and dithianes (almost nonselective) > tetramethylenedisulfotetramine, 4-chlorophenylsilatrane, or alpha-thujone. Specificity between mammals and insects at the target site (fipronil > lindane > alpha-endosulfan) paralleled that for toxicity. Potency at the native receptor is more predictive for inhibition of GABA-stimulated chloride uptake than that at the beta3 or alpha1beta3gamma2 receptors. Therefore, the beta3 subunit contains the insecticide target and other subunits differentially modulate the binding to confer compound-dependent specificity and selective toxicity.
Upper-air temperatures around Greenland: 1964-2005

[1] A 42-year collection of 12h balloon soundings from six sites surrounding Greenland reveal distinct patterns of tropospheric and stratospheric temperature variability. Seasonal mean upper-air temperatures exhibit statistically significant correlations with surface air temperature records. Over the full 1964–2005 record, patterns of statistically significant tropospheric warming and stratospheric cooling are evident. Overall, the magnitude of warming decreases with height, becoming cooling in the mid-stratosphere. During the recent 12-year period (1994–2005) lacking major volcanic forcing, statistically significant warming (+2.5 K to +5 K) is evident throughout the troposphere at all sites, with seasonal changes in the +3 K to +9 K range near the surface at 1000 hPa. The recent (1994–2005) tropospheric warming has dominated the 1964–2005 lower troposphere temperature change, despite 1964–1982 upper-tropospheric cooling.
Aggregatory characteristics and expression of the collagen adhesion receptor in fetal porcine platelets

Fetal wound healing differs significantly from that of the adult by its rapidity, the paucity of an inflammatory response, and the lack of scarring. In the adult, activation and aggregation of platelets at the site of injury result in the release of cytokines and inflammatory mediators that stimulate wound healing by initiating an acute inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to characterize the activity of midtrimester (day 60) and third-trimester (day 95) fetal porcine platelets (full term, 114 days) compared with that of adults in an attempt to understand the lack of inflammation in fetal wounds. The aggregatory capabilities of adult and fetal platelets were analyzed after exposure to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) concentrations of 10 mumol/L and 40 mumol/L concentrations, collagen of 0.19 mg/mL, and arachidonic acid of 0.5 mg/mL. Expression of the alpha 2 subunit of the collagen receptor (alpha 2 beta 1) was evaluated by Western blot analysis. The aggregation of day-60 fetal platelets when exposed to ADP (10 mumol/L and 40mumol/L) and collagen was significantly lower than that of the adult. The aggregation of third-trimester platelets to 10 mumol/L of ADP was similar to that of the adult and significantly greater than that of midtrimester fetuses at higher concentrations (40 mumol/L). Both fetal groups responded suboptimally to collagen, and the response was significantly less than that of adults. In contrast, arachidonic acid caused rapid and complete aggregation of both fetal platelet groups, suggesting that both mid- and late-trimester fetal platelets possessed the ability to fully aggregate with the appropriate stimulus. The different aggregatory responses to collagen could not be explained by differences in collagen receptor expression, because these were found to be similar in adults and midtrimester fetuses. It is concluded that although fetal platelets have the potential to aggregate effectively, they aggregate poorly to collagen and exhibit improved aggregation to ADP with increasing maturity. There is a transition to "adultlike" platelet aggregatory activity in the third trimester, which correlates with the period of transition to adultlike wound healing in utero. Similar expression of the alpha 2 beta 1 collagen receptor in the fetus and adult cannot explain the differences observed in their responses to collagen.
Gender and Agricultural Science: Evidence From Two Surveys of Land‐Grant Scientists*

We test two sets of hypotheses concerning the association between gender and various structural and attitudinal variables, using data collected in two surveys (1979 and 1995-1996) from random samples of land-grant agricultural scientists. The first set of hypotheses centers on the expectation that the resources and rewards of agricultural science are distributed unequally by gender. We find significant gender differences in scientists' postdoctoral work experience, academic rank, employment of graduate students, rate of book publication, and links with private industry. Our second set of hypotheses, drawing on the literatures of feminist epistemology and situated knowledge, focuses on the relationship between scientists' gender and perceptions of the goals of agricultural research. Our findings indicate that gender is unimportant in explaining differences in scientists' commitment to agricultural sustainability, environmental issues, and family farm preservation as important goals of land-grant research. Yet we find significant gender differences in attitudes toward biotechnology and the growing links between land-grant universities and private industry.
Retinal vasoreactivity as a marker for chronic ischemic white matter disease

Abstract The cerebral microvasculature cannot be easily studied non-invasively. Because the retina and brain share embryological, anatomical and physiological similarities, studies of retinal blood vessels may prove to be useful as a surrogate marker for cerebrovascular disease. In epidemiological studies abnormal retinal arteriovenous ratios (AVRs) predict the risk of stroke and vascular dementia. However, the association between retinal vasoreactivity, cerebral small vessel ischemic disease, and cerebral blood vessel function remains unknown. Study Goals To examine (1) the association between cerebral ischemic white matter disease (WMD) and retinal microvessel behavior and (2) the relationship between retinal blood vessel reactivity and measures of cerebrovascular function. Methods Cohort study of 12 patients with ischemic WMD and 14 healthy controls. Retinal vasoreactivity was measured following high frequency flicker light stimulation. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) vasoreactivity was measured using transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD). Magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs) were reviewed for evidence of ischemic WMD. Results Patients with ischemic WMD had attenuated retinal venous (2.2% ± 0.27 SD, vs. controls 6% ± 0.7 SD, p = 0.002, CI 95%) and arterial (1.9% ± 0.8 SD, vs. controls 4.9% ± 0.8 SD, p = 0.004, CI 95%) vasoreactivity compared to controls. An attenuated retinal venous light flicker response was associated with a significant decrease of MCA vasoreactivity (r = 0.45, p = 0.05, CI 95%). Decreased AVRs, an indicator for altered retinal vessel architecture in patients with cerebral chronic ischemic WMD, were also significantly correlated with dysfunction of cerebral vasoreactivity (r = 0.69, p = 0.001, CI 95%). Conclusion In this study functional and structural impairment of the retinal microvasculature were associated with ischemic WMD and measures of cerebral vascular function. Microvascular dysfunction in the eye may predict cerebral small vessel disease, but validation by larger studies is needed.
Conformational change rate-limits GTP hydrolysis: the mechanism of the ATP sulfurylase-GTPase.

The fluorescent GTP analogues 3‘-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl)-2‘-deoxyguanosine 5‘-(β,γ-imidotriphosphate) (mGMPPNP) and 3‘-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl)-2‘-deoxy-GTP (mGTP) were used to demonstrate that an enzyme isomerization precedes and rate-limits β,γ-bond cleavage in the catalytic cycle of the ATP sulfurylase−GTPase, from E. coli K-12. The binding of mGMPPNP to the E·AMP·PPi complex of ATP sulfurylase is biphasic, indicating that an isomerization occurs in the binding reaction. The isomerization mechanism was assigned based on the results of the enzyme concentration dependence of the observed rate constants, kobs, for both phases of the binding reaction, and sequential-mixing, nucleotide release experiments. The isomerization occurs after, and is driven by, the addition of mGMPPNP. Values were determined for each of the rate constants associated with the two-step kinetic model used in the interpretation of the results. A comparison of the enzyme concentration dependence of kobs for the hydrolysis and binding...
Transcriptional Regulation of the Osterix (Osx, Sp7) Promoter by Tumor Necrosis Factor Identifies Disparate Effects of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase and NFκB Pathways

Osteoblast (OB) differentiation is suppressed by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), an inflammatory stimulus that is elevated in arthritis and menopause. Because OB differentiation requires the expression of the transcription factor osterix (Osx), we investigated TNF effects on Osx. TNF inhibited Osx mRNA in pre-osteoblastic cells without affecting Osx mRNA half-life. Inhibition was independent of new protein synthesis. Analysis of the Osx promoter revealed two transcription start sites that direct the expression of an abundant mRNA (Osx1) and an alternatively spliced mRNA (Osx2). Promoter fragments driving the expression of luciferase were constructed to identify TNF regulatory sequences. Two independent promoters were identified upstream of each transcription start site. TNF potently inhibited transcription of both promoters. Deletion and mutational analysis identified a TNF-responsive region proximal to the Osx2 start site that retained responsiveness when inserted upstream of a heterologous promoter. The TNF response region was a major binding site for nuclear proteins, although TNF did not change binding at the site. The roles of MAPK and NFκB were investigated as signal mediators of TNF. Inhibitors of MEK1 and ERK1, but not of JNK or p38 kinase, abrogated TNF inhibition of Osx mRNA and promoter activity. TNF action was not prevented by blockade of NFκB nuclear entry. The forced expression of high levels of NFκB uncovered a proximal promoter enhancer; however, this site was not activated by TNF. The inhibitory effect of TNF on Osx expression may decrease OB differentiation in arthritis and osteoporosis.
Caffeine effects upon contraction and calcium exchange in rabbit myocardium.

Abstract Caffeine was employed to study the movements of contractile calcium in the isolated blood-perfused rabbit interventricular septum. Caffeine (1 to 20 m m ) induced a rise in resting tension with four functional concomitants: an initial transient positive inotropy, followed by a transient decrease in tension and d P d t , a second positive inotropic interval and then progressive contracture. The second inotropic interval was characterized by a striking decline in the rate of relaxation while the rate of tension development climbed. These effects were associated with a not increase in tissue 45Ca, and with a decrease in 45Ca efflux which was rapidly reversible upon removal of caffeine. Caffeine did not affect mechanical function after exposure to zero calcium. Caffeine (20 m m ) significantly shortened time to peak tension and the action potential. This concentration caused vacuolation and “rounding up” of the mitochondria but had no other obvious morphologic effect. Caffeine primarily inhibits calcium sequestration. Its action suggests that a portion of calcium influx associated with contraction coupling will accumulate within the cell unless a specific effluent pathway remains open.
Recent developments in multicolor storage tubes

Multicolor storage tubes for applications involving low frame rates have been built by modification of direct-viewing storage tubes. A perforated shadow-mask is placed between the three writing guns and the storage surface. This mask allows electrons from each writing gun to strike discrete storage areas, each containing a single aperture in register with a color dot on the view plate. In this way it is possible to write and store electrical signals independently in adjacent color areas. The design and operation of the tube are discussed in detail. Several sources of color impurity are described, together with the steps taken to minimize their effects.
Therapeutic uses of interleukin-2 and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is the first of a growing list of lymphokines to be cloned and available for preclinical and clinical evaluation. A product of T-helper lymphocytes, IL-2 augments the cytolytic activity of T-lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, stimulates the proliferation of these cells, and induces the formation of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. LAK cells exhibit cytolytic activity against a broad range of both freshly isolated and cultured tumor cells, while exhibiting limited cytolytic activity against normal cells. The apparently large therapeutic index suggested by in vitro studies is strongly supported by the antitumor responses seen in preclinical studies. Initial clinical studies reported encouraging response rates, but the actual role of IL-2 and/or LAK cell infusion in cancer therapy has yet to be determined, and may only represent the first step in managing the tumoricidal potential of the immune system.
Criteria for the prenatal diagnosis of classic bladder exstrophy

Objective To define ultrasonographic criteria for the prenatal diagnosis of classic bladder exstrophy. Methods Forty-three prenatal ultrasound scans were studied from 25 pregnancies in which live delivery of an infant with classic bladder exstrophy occurred. The diagnosis of bladder exstrophy could be made retrospectively in 29 prenatal studies from 17 pregnancies. The time of the fetal ultrasound varied from 14–36 weeks' gestation (mean 23). The diagnosis of bladder exstrophy was made before delivery in only three cases. Results Five factors associated with bladder exstrophy were identified: 1) The bladder was not visualized on ultrasound in 12 of 17 cases (71%); 2) a lower abdominal bulge representing the exstrophied bladder was seen in eight of 17 cases (47%); 3) a small penis with anteriorly displaced scrotum was identified in eight of 14 males (57%); 4) the umbilical insertion was low set in five of 17 cases (29%); and 5) abnormal widening of the iliac crests was seen in three of 17 cases (18%). Conclusion The prenatal diagnosis of bladder exstrophy should be considered any time the bladder is not visualized or any of the aforementioned factors are noted.
Center vortices and confinement versus screening

We study adjoint and fundamental Wilson loops in the center-vortex picture of confinement, for gauge group SU(N) with general N. There are N-1 distinct vortices, whose properties, including collective coordinates and actions, we study. In d=2 we construct a center-vortex model by hand so that it has a smooth large-N limit of fundamental-representation Wilson loops and find, as expected, confinement. Extending an earlier work by the author, we construct the adjoint Wilson-loop potential in this d=2 model for all N, as an expansion in powers of $\rho/M^2$, where $\rho$ is the vortex density per unit area and M is the vortex inverse size, and find, as expected, screening. The leading term of the adjoint potential shows a roughly linear regime followed by string breaking when the potential energy is about 2M. This leading potential is a universal (N-independent at fixed fundamental string tension $K_F$) of the form $(K_F/M)U(MR)$, where R is the spacelike dimension of a rectangular Wilson loop. The linear-regime slope is not necessarily related to $K_F$ by Casimir scaling. We show that in d=2 the dilute vortex model is essentially equivalent to true d=2 QCD, but that this is not so for adjoint representations; arguments to the contrary are based on illegal cumulant expansions which fail to represent the necessary periodicity of the Wilson loop in the vortex flux. Most of our arguments are expected to hold in d=3,4 also.
Cervical esophagogastric anastomosis: results following esophagectomy for carcinoma

We reviewed our experience with 262 consecutive two-layer, hand-sewn cervical esophageal anastomoses in patients undergoing surgery for esophageal carcinoma. Anastomotic leak rates were determined for the entire group and the frequency of post-operative esophageal dilatations was obtained for the first 101 patients. It was assumed that the frequency of dilatations would reflect the frequency of anastomotic strictures. The overall leak rate was 0.8% (two patients). Overall hospital mortality was 2.7%. No patient died as a result of anastomotic leakage. In our series, 26% of patients required at least one dilatation. If a dilatation was needed, the majority occurred within the first 6 months. We conclude that using a standardized, two-layer hand-sewn anastomotic technique cervical esophageal anastomoses may be performed safely with results similar to those reported using intrathoracic techniques.
Phosphorus levels on the ability of an iron inefficient and an iron efficient corn inbred to take up iron from nutrient solution

Abstract The Fe‐inefficient corn (Zea mays L.) inbred Ys1/YS1 was compared with the Fe‐efflcient WF9 inbred for ability to take up Fe from solution culture at different P levels. A high level of P depressed Fe uptake more in the Ys1/Ys1 than in the WF9 inbred. The Ys1/Ys1 roots were high in P.