cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Origin of Afferent Projections into Bovine Chromaffin Cell Implants in the Rat Periaqueductal Gray Determined by Retrograde and Anterograde Tracing

We have previously described long-term survival of isolated bovine chromaffin cell suspension grafts in the periaqueductal gray of adult rats. Electron microscopic analysis of the graft sites revealed synapses on the transplanted chromaffin cells. The origin of these synapses is not known, but they are probably derived from the host since the initial grafts were suspensions of chromaffin cells that were essentially free of other cell types. In order to determine the origin of the observed synapses, retrograde and anterograde tracer analyses, were performed on grafted rats at 4 and 8 weeks after transplantation. Following injection of the retrograde tracer (Fluoro-Gold) into graft sites, four major host sites were labeled: hindbrain reticular formation, substantia nigra, lateral hypothalamus, and cingulate cortex. Injection of anterograde tracer (rhodamine-conjugated dextranamine) into the substantia nigra, lateral hypothalamus, and cingulate cortex produced labeled fibers and terminals in and around 4 and 8 week old chromaffin cell graft sites. An increase in both the number of retrogradely labeled cells, as well as in the density of anterogradely labeled fibers and terminals within the graft site, was observed from 4 to 8 weeks. This study shows that graft innervation from the host is primarily from areas that normally project afferent fibers to the periaqueductal gray. The increase in labeled fibers, and terminals over 8 weeks suggests that de novo synapse formation on grafted bovine chromaffin cells is a continuous process that is dependent on the regenerative capacity and plasticity of the host neuronal network and the grafted bovine chromaffin cells.
News from NIH: a center for translation research and implementation science

In January 2014, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) announced the creation of a Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science (CTRIS) [1]. The center’s creation is part of the mission-driven realignment of the NHLBI Office of the Director which has made a strong commitment to serve as a catalyst for advancing translation research and implementation science in heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders. In this column, we present the rationale for the creation of CTRIS; its primary charge and mission; the spectrum of activities in its first year and related funding opportunity announcements; and the scope of future research and scientific endeavors to promote the effective translation and dissemination of evidence-based interventions.
Phase and Antigenic Variation of Pili and Outer Membrane Protein II of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

ology and the clinical implications of antigenic variation in a number of microorganisms, including Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Among a number of gonococcal surface antigens under intense scrutiny because of their postulated roles in pathogenesis are two that undergo both phase and antigenic variations: pili (or fimbriae) and an outer membrane protein designated P.II. Pili are surface fibrils made up of multiple subunits of r',19 kDa that function to increase adherence to a number of cell types [1]. P.II is a family of heat-modifiable proteins of 24-30 kDa, the presence of which is associated with increased intercellular adhesion between gonococci, and also with increased attachment to certain cells [2]. Phase variation or phase switching generally refers to reversible switches between alternative states, such as pilus-expressing (P+) or pilus nonexpressing (P-) and P.II expressing (PM+) or P.II nonexpressing (P.II-). The switch between these phases in vitro is a relatively high-frequency event. The P+ to 13phase variation occurs at an estimated frequency of ,N,10-2-10-3/cell per generation; the reverse switch from 13to P+ occurs at variable frequency from >10-2 to essentially undetectable. The phase variation between P.II+ and P.IIoccurs at f\40-2-10-3/cell per generation, apparently with equal rates in both directions [3]. These rates are too high to be explained by classical mutation events. Antigenic variation refers to alterations in structure that are accompanied by detectable alterations
Building a U.S.‐Soviet Working Relationship

The crucial determinant of U.S. and Soviet security, and the security of the world, will not depend on technological development, breakthroughs in deterrence theory, or even on agreements the two countries might sign at the summit talks. The future depends on whether the two governments are able to work together.
Sensitivity analysis for automatic parallelization on multi-cores

Sensitivity Analysis (SA) is a novel compiler technique that complements, and integrates with, static automatic parallelization analysis for the cases when relevant program behavior is input sensitive. In this paper we show how SA can extract all the input dependent, statically unavailable, conditions for which loops can be dynamically parallelized. SA generates a sequence of sufficient conditions which, when evaluated dynamically in order of their complexity, can each validate the dynamic parallel execution of the corresponding loop. For example, SA can first attempt to validate parallelization by checking simple conditions related to loop bounds. If such simple conditions cannot be met, then validating dynamic parallelization may require evaluating conditions related to the entire memory reference trace of a loop, thus decreasing the benefits of parallel execution.We have implemented Sensitivity Analysis in the Polaris compiler and evaluated its performance using 22 industry standard benchmark codes running on two multicore systems. In most cases we have obtained speedups superior to the Intel Ifort compiler because with SA we could complement static analysis with minimum cost dynamic analysis and extract most of the available coarse grained parallelism.
Transitoriness in cancer patients: a cross-sectional survey of lung and gastrointestinal cancer patients

Objective Despite earlier diagnosis and advancements in treatment, cancer remains a leading cause of death in the world (13% of all deaths according to the World Health Organization) among men and women. Cancer accounts for approximately 20% of the deaths in the USA every year. Here, we report the findings from a cross-sectional survey of psychosocial factors in lung and gastrointestinal cancer patients. The aim of the study was to explore the associations among transitoriness, uncertainty, and locus of control (LOC) with quality of life. Transitoriness is defined as a person’s confrontation with life’s finitude due to a cancer diagnosis.
Sunflower artifact in OCT.

The sunflower effect is an intravascular optical coherence tomography (IV-OCT) artifact observed when imaging metal coronary stents deployed in patients during cardiac catheterization and appears as a bending of stent struts toward the imaging catheter—analogous to a sunflower bending toward the
Complete Genome of Bacillus subtilis Myophage CampHawk.

ABSTRACT The study of bacteriophages infecting the model organism Bacillus subtilis has provided an abundance of general knowledge and a platform for advances in biotechnology. Here, we announce the annotated genome of CampHawk, a B. subtilis phage. CampHawk was found to be an SPO1-like phage with similar gene content and arrangement.
Ionic equilibria, selectivity and diffusion of cations in soils as influenced by calcium and magnesium

Abstract Four Indiana soils were used to study the changes in ionic equilibria, selectivity and effective diffusion coefficient of cations at five levels of Ca and Mg. In all the soils, adsorption isotherms for Ca and Mg differred Indicating variation in the nature of exchanger involved. Addition of Ca and Mg reduced the fractional saturation of monovalent cations in solution and exchange phase. However, no such conclusions could be drawn for divalent cations. In all the soils, Rb is preferentially adsorbed over K and Na. In all the soils, increasing levels of Ca and Mg reduced the magnitude of the selectivity coefficient for homovalent ion pairs (Rb/Na, K/Na) and mono‐divalent ion pairs (Rb/Ca, Rb/Mg, K/Ca, K/Mg, Na/Ca, Na/Mg). These changes in selectivity coefficient are attributed to fractional saturation changes on the exchanger and differences in the free energy of hydration of the two counter ions involved. In all the four soils addition of Ca ang Mg increased the effective diffusion coefficient of ...
The emergence of complex behavior in a regulated monopoly

The complex dynamics of firm investment and finance decisions is the subject matter of this paper. A recursive linear programming model is used to describe firm behavior. The interrelationship of investment and finance decisions is discussed in context of phase switching and dynamics within a phase.
DECODING WILL AND GRACE: MASS AUDIENCE RECEPTION OF A POPULAR NETWORK SITUATION COMEDY

The television situation comedy Will and Grace is notable as the first successful network prime-time series to feature gay characters in a gay milieu. The show's considerable popularity begs the question of how the show's gay sensibility and humor, particularly the gay trickster character, Jack, is received by a heterosexual audience. This article dis- cusses the notion of gay humor, considers the show's history, analyzes several episodes, and scrutinizes the responses of 136 college students who watched the show. Viewers do not identify with Jack and regard him as the most frequent butt of humor on the show, but they also consider him the funniest character and, by a very slight margin, their favorite. Contrary to my original hypotheses, respondent characterizations of Jack tend to reflect appreciation for all aspects of his trickster personality, though his ostenta- tious sexuality tends to be ignored.
Cognition in Alzheimer's disease: theoretic models and clinical implications.

Riege and Metter [22] review studies of cognitive functioning in probable Alzheimer's disease (pAD), representative of three distinguishable models: severity or staging, heterogeneity or subtyping, and information processing. As Riege and Metter point out, apparent differences in both disease description and implications for diagnostic assessment are dependent upon the model employed. The present commentary examines clinical and research implications derived from consideration of interactions between these three models, drawing upon recent cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of information processing in pAD.
The red cell hydrogen peroxide hemolysis test and vitamin E absorption in the differential diagnosis of jaundice in infancy

Studies of red cell hydrogen peroxide hemolysis and intestinal absorption of vitamin E were conducted in 21 infants whose major presenting symptom was jaundice, in order to evaluate the efficacy of these simple laboratory techniques in differentiation of their disease conditions. The peroxide hemolysis test is based upon the assumptions that the intestinal absorption of fat-soluble vitamin E requires adequate amounts of bile salts and that vitamin E deficiency is reflected by abnormal sensitivity of the red cell membrane to hydrogen peroxide. Ultimate diagnoses in the infants studied, 14 of whom underwent open liver biopsy and operative cholangiogram, included biliary atresia, neonatal hepatitis, and primary congenital hemolytic processes. Although a single red cell hydrogen peroxide hemolysis test did not clearly differentiate between the various conditions studied, peroxide hemolysis used in combination with vitamin E absorption curves showed distinctly different patterns for each group of diseases. The information gained thus enabled prediction of the jaundice with accuracy and indicates that these laboratory techniques can be of great value in guiding the decisions regarding the necessity and timing of surgical exploration in jaundiced infants.
On the Study of Race, Racism, and Health: A Shift from Description to Explanation:

While no credible scientist believes that race has any biological or genetic basis, it does have profound social meaning, rooted in history but with contemporary consequences. Racial status is a risk marker for exposure to racism, which may be a primary etiological factor in race differences in morbidity and mortality. The study of racism and health is highly complex and still in its infancy. What we need is not just more research on race, but better research.
Prehension synergies during smooth changes of the external torque

We studied characteristics of digit action and their co-variation patterns across trials (prehension synergies) during static holding of an object while the external torque could change slowly and smoothly. The subjects held in the air an instrumented handle with an attachment that allowed a smooth change in the external torque over about 12 s; the load was always kept constant. Series of trials were performed under three conditions: The torque could be zero throughout the trial, or it could change slowly requiring a smooth change of the effort from a non-zero pronation value to zero (PR-0) or from a non-zero supination value to zero (SU-0). The handle was kept vertical at all times. Indices of variance and co-variation of elemental variables (forces and moments of force produced by individual digits) stabilizing such performance variables as total normal force, total tangential force, and total moment of force were computed at two levels of an assumed control hierarchy. At the upper level, the task is shared between the thumb and virtual finger (an imagined digit with the mechanical action equal to that of the four fingers), while at the lower level, the action of the virtual finger is shared among the actual four fingers. We analyzed the total moment of force as the sum of the moments of force produced by the thumb and virtual finger and also as the sum of the moments of force produced by the normal forces and tangential forces. The results showed that the adjustments in the total moment of force were produced primarily with changes in the moment produced by the virtual finger and by changes in the moment produced by the normal forces. The normal force of the thumb at the final state (which was the same across conditions) was larger in the two conditions with changes in the external torque. The safety margin was significantly higher in the PR-0 condition, and it dropped with the decrease in the external torque. A co-contraction index was computed to reflect the moment of force production by the fingers acting against the total moment produced by the virtual finger. It was higher for the SU-0 condition. Most variance indices dropped with a decrease in the external torque. The co-variation indices, however, remained unchanged over the trial duration. They showed signs of a trade-off between the two levels of the assumed hierarchy: larger indices at the higher level corresponded to smaller indices at the lower level. This study and the previous one (Sun et al. in Exp Brain Res 209:571–585, 2011) document several previously unknown features of prehensile tasks. The results show that characteristics of digit action and interaction in such tasks depend not only on the magnitudes of external constraints but also on a variety of other factors including time changes in the constraints and their history.
TWO STRAINS IN BUDDHIST CAUSALITY

This essay will focus on the Buddhist metaphysics of experience which is generally glossed over due to the excessive concern for the ultimate goal in Buddhism, nirv?na, and in consequence of which the emphasis has been on the practice of; meditative discipline in aspiration for that goal. Yet neither nirvana nor meditative discipline can be understood properly without examining the full dimension of our ordinary experience. Such an examination should reveal to us the unique ways in which the Buddhist refers to the bounded and unbounded conditions of existence. All this is novel insofar as metaphysics goes and indeed it would have to be a unique form of metaphysics in order to accommodate the dual aspect of existence. The key to this metaphysics lodges in the Buddhist concept of experiential process,1 technically known as prat?tyasamutpāda which is variously translated as relational origination, interrelational origination or dependent origination. It refers to the Buddhist concept of causality but, as we shall see, it is a unique concept with more than the usual Western connotation.
Progress in tuberculosis control in the United States.

During the past year material progress has been made in the several phases of tuberculosis control. Case-finding through mass radiography has been substantially extended. Controlled research on the efficacy of B.C.G. vaccine as a preventive measure has been initiated. The Tuberculosis Control Division has continued the study of histoplasmin sensitivity among nurses. The search for an antibiotic which will be effective against the tubercle bacilli continues with great promise for the future. Results of the use of streptomycin in miliary tuberculosis, cutaneous fistulae, and tuberculous meningitis are encouraging, with preliminary studies indicating promising results in pulmonary tuberculosis. A crystalline substance has been isolated from California Spanish Moss which appears to retard the progress of tuberculosis in guinea pigs. By direct services rendered through demonstrations and the loan of personnel, the Division has continued its policy of aid to States and local communities.
Geometrical effect on dislocation nucleation at crystal surface nanostructures

Abstract Crystal surface nanostructures such as steps and trenches in microelectronic layer structures have been considered as stress concentrators that may facilitate dislocation nucleation. Quantitative characterization of the critical condition of this atomic scale process is of considerable interest for the development of high performance electronic devices. This paper addresses this issue using a multiscale approach based on the variational boundary integral formulation of the Peierls–Nabarro dislocation model. By representing the profiles of embryonic dislocations as the relative displacements between the two adjacent atomic layers along the slip planes, the critical conditions for dislocation nucleation are obtained by solving the stress dependent activation energies required to activate embryonic dislocations from their stable to unstable saddle point configurations. The geometrical effect of surface nanostructures such as steps and trenches on dislocation nucleation is ascertained quantitatively. Our results show that the atomic scale surface nanostructures can reduce the critical stress for dislocation nucleation by nearly an order of magnitude and the trench configurations are more prone to dislocation nucleation than the step configurations. Nucleation of versatile dislocations in multiple slip systems at crystal surfaces may be attributed surface nanostructures of a variety of geometries.
GPGPU-accelerated interesting interval discovery and other computations on GeoSpatial datasets: a summary of results

It is imperative that for scalable solutions of GIS computations the modern hybrid architecture comprising a CPU-GPU pair is exploited fully. The existing parallel algorithms and data structures port reasonably well to multi-core CPUs, but poorly to GPGPUs because of latter's atypical fine-grained, single-instruction multiple-thread (SIMT) architecture, extreme memory hierarchy and coalesced access requirements, and delicate CPU-GPU coordination. Recently, our parallelization of the state-of-art interesting sequence discovery algorithms calculates one-dimensional interesting intervals over an image representing the normalized difference vegetation indices of Africa within 31 ms on an nVidia 480GTX. To our knowledge, this paper reports the first parallelization of these algorithms. This allowed us to process 612 images representing biweekly data from July 1981 through Dec 2006 within 22 seconds. We were also able to pipe the output to a display in almost real-time, which would interest climate scientists. We have also undertaken parallelization of two key tree-based data structures, namely R-tree and heap, and have employed parallel R-tree in polygon overlay system. These data structure parallelization are hard because of the underlying tree topology and the fine-grained computation leading to frequent access to such data structures severely stifling parallel efficiency.
GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor γ2 subunit gene expression in developing normal and mutant mouse cerebellum

Abstract Recent studies have identified several subunits (α, β, γ and δ) of the γ-aminobutyric acid A /benzodiazepine receptor; each consists of several variants. The γ subunit appears to mediate the interaction of the α and β subunits making the receptor capable of modulation by benzodiazepines. In the present studies, the expression of mRNA encoding the γ 2 subunit was examined in the cerebellum during development and in adult Purkinje cell degeneration, lurcher and reeler mutant mice. In the normal adult cerebellum, in situ hybridization with [ 35 S]cRNA probes revealed a strong signal over the Purkinje cell layer and deep cerebellar nuclei, and a weaker signal over basket, stellate and granule cells. Labeling over Purkinje cells was detectable at birth, gradually becoming stronger and more punctate during postnatal weeks 1 and 2, as Purkinje cells formed a monolayer between the molecular and granule cell layers. Adult levels of grain density were reached by P20. The external germinal layer, which contained proliferating granule cells, was unlabeled throughout development; however, weak labeling was detected over the internal granular layer at the end of postnatal week 1, as granule cells began their migration across the molecular layer. During the second postnatal week, punctate labeling became visible over the molecular layer in a distribution indicative of basket and stellate cells. In adult Purkinje cell degeneration and lurcher mutants, in which Purkinje cells have degenerated, no punctate labeling characteristic of mature Purkinje cells was detected. In adult and developing reeler mutants, where all classes of cells are malpositioned throughout the cerebellum, the punctate hybridization signal was present and clearly associated with Purkinje cells in all cortical regions. Our results suggest that developing Purkinje cells express the γ 2 gene at a time prior to receiving GABAergic inhibitory input, and that the continued expression in the adult is not affected by the absence of afferents.
Epitope mapping of HSV-1 glycoprotein K (gK) reveals a T cell epitope located within the signal domain of gK

Abstract Glycoprotein K (gK) is a virion envelope component of herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2), which plays an important role in virion morphogenesis and egress. We previously demonstrated that immunization of mice with gK, but not with any of the 10 other HSV-1 glycoproteins, resulted in exacerbation of corneal scarring and herpetic dermatitis following ocular HSV-1 infection. However, little is known about the gK epitope(s) that is (are) involved in T cell activities in vitro or in vivo . Thus, epitope mapping of gK was performed using a panel of 15-mer peptides with five-amino acid overlaps spanning the full-length gK, and four expressed gK recombinant proteins representing different regions of gK. Epitope mapping within the gK polypeptide defined the amino acid sequence STVVLITAYGLVLVW as the predominant CD4 + and CD8 + T cell stimulatory region both in vitro and in vivo . IFN-γ expression by CD4 + T cells was CD8 + T cells-dependent. This immunodominant epitope is located within the signal sequence of the gK polypeptide and is highly conserved in HSV-1 and HSV-2 strains. Using prediction algorithms, the peptide is predicted to bind to numerous MHC class I and class II molecules.
DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL MARKERS BY MURINE YOLK SAC HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS. † 971

DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL MARKERS BY MURINE YOLK SAC HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS. † 971
Extensive Transcript Diversity and Novel Upstream Open Reading Frame Regulation in Yeast

To understand the diversity of transcripts in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) we analyzed the transcriptional landscapes for cells grown under 18 different environmental conditions. Each sample was analyzed using RNA-sequencing, and a total of 670,446,084 uniquely mapped reads and 377,263 poly-adenylated end tags were produced. Consistent with previous studies, we find that the majority of yeast genes are expressed under one or more different conditions. By directly comparing the 5′ and 3′ ends of the transcribed regions, we find extensive differences in transcript ends across many conditions, especially those of stationary phase, growth in grape juice, and salt stimulation, suggesting differential choice of transcription start and stop sites is pervasive in yeast. Relative to the exponential growth condition (i.e., YPAD), transcripts differing at the 5′ ends and 3′ ends are predicted to differ in their annotated start codon in 21 genes and their annotated stop codon in 63 genes. Many (431) upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are found in alternate 5′ ends and are significantly enriched in transcripts produced during the salt response. Mutational analysis of five genes with uORFs revealed that two sets of uORFs increase the expression of a reporter construct, indicating a role in activation which had not been reported previously, whereas two other uORFs decreased expression. In addition, RNA binding protein motifs are statistically enriched for alternate ends under many conditions. Overall, these results demonstrate enormous diversity of transcript ends, and that this heterogeneity is regulated under different environmental conditions. Moreover, transcript end diversity has important biological implications for the regulation of gene expression. In addition, our data also serve as a valuable resource for the scientific community.
Theory of spin resonance in dilute magnetic alloys. II

The previous derivation by two of the authors of coupled Bloch equations appropriate to conduction-electron spin resonance is extended to the case where the conduction electrons and localized spins have different $g$ values. As before, this derivation is carried out to second order in $J$, the exchange interaction between the two species. The derivation is also carried out in the presence of the hyperfine interaction between the nuclear spins and the electon spins of the localized impurities. Finally the form of the coupled equations when there exists "direct relaxation" is discussed and some rather unexpected features are found.
Transcriptional coactivation of c-Jun by the KSHV-encoded LANA.

The Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV)–encoded latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) modulates viral and cellular gene expression, including interleukin 6 (IL-6), a growth factor for KSHV-associated diseases. LANA-driven IL-6 expression is dependent on the activator protein 1 (AP1) response element (RE) within the IL-6 promoter. We show that LANA activates the AP1 RE in a Jun-dependent fashion and that LANA enhances the transcriptional activity of a GAL4-Jun fusion protein. Coimmunoprecipitation studies documented a physical interaction between LANA and c-Jun in transiently transfected 293 cells as well as the KSHV-infected BCBL-1 primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cell line. Taken together, these data indicate that LANA is a transcriptional coactivator of c-Jun. In addition, electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that LANA induces binding of a c-Jun-Fos heterodimer to the AP1 RE, but does not itself bind to the AP1 RE. RNA interference experiments confirmed that LANA activates the AP1 RE, stimulates binding of a c-Jun-Fos heterodimer to the AP1 RE, and induces expression of IL-6. These data indicate that LANA is a transcriptional coactivator of c-Jun, a function that may have implications for the pathogenesis of KSHV-associated diseases.
A Hardware-Software Cooperative Approach for Application Energy Profiling

Energy consumption by software applications is a critical issue that determines the future of multicore software development. In this article, we propose a hardware-software cooperative approach that uses hardware support to efficiently gather the energy-related hardware counters during program execution, and utilizes parameter estimation models in software to compute the energy consumption by instructions at a finer grain level (say basic block). We design mechanisms to minimize collinearity in profiler data, and present results to validate our energy estimation methodology.
Quaternary amine-induced peptide degradation via cyclization.

In this study, we investigated intramolecular cyclizations in peptides containing quaternary amines. Two types of cyclization reactions are studied: (a) those involving a trimethylammonium butyric acid (TMAB) charge tag and (b) those involving trimethylated lysine. Both types of reactions result in the release of trimethylamine via an S N 2 mechanism involving a lone pair of electrons on the oxygen or nitrogen. In the case of the TMAB charge tag cyclization, the oxygen attack mechanism leading to a five-membered ring is the preferred pathway. In the trimethylated lysine cyclizations, the preferred pathway involves the nitrogen nucleophile resulting in the formation of a six-membered ring. The similarities and differences between the two reactions are analyzed.
Forward Genetic Analysis Reveals Multiple Gating Mechanisms of TRPV4

TRPV4 is a polymodal cation channel gain-of-function (GOF) allele which causes skeletal dysplasia in humans. To better understand its gating, we screened for additional GOF alleles based on their ability to block yeast proliferation. Repeatedly, only a limited number of such growth-blocking mutations were isolated. Expressed in oocytes, wild-type channels can be strongly activated by either hypotonicity or exposure to the potent agonist 4αPDD, although the GOF channels behaved as if they were fully prestimulated as well as lacking a previously uncharacterized voltage-dependent inactivation. Five of six mutations occurred at or near the inner ends of the predicted core helices, giving further direct evidence that this region indeed forms the main intracellular gate in TRP channels. Surprisingly, both wild-type channels as well as these GOF channels maintain strong steady-state outward rectification that is not due to a Ca2+ block, as has been proposed elsewhere. We conclude that TRPV4 contains an additional voltage-dependent gating mechanism in series with the main intracellular gate.
A comparison of experiment and theory for sound propagation in variable area ducts

An experimental and analytical program has been carried out to evaluate sound suppression techniques in ducts that produce refraction effects due to axial velocity gradients. The analytical program employs a computer code based on the method of multiple scales to calculate the influence of axial variations due to slow changes in the cross-sectional area as well as transverse gradients due to the wall boundary layers. Detailed comparisons between the analytical predictions and the experimental measurements have been made. The circumferential variations of pressure amplitudes and phases at several axial positions have been examined in straight and variable area ducts, with hard walls and lined sections, and with and without a mean flow. Reasonable agreement between the theoretical and experimental results has been found.
Nitric oxide induces cGMP immunoreactivity and modulates membrane conductance in identified central neurons of Aplysia

Nitric oxide (NO) acts as an orthograde neurotransmitter in the central nervous system by stimulating guanylyl cyclase and increasing cGMP. We previously demonstrated this pathway for an identified synaptic follower neuron in the cerebral ganglion of the mollusc Aplysia californica. Here, we investigated the NO--cGMP pathway in other Aplysia central neurons using cGMP immunocytochemistry and intracellular recordings. NO-induced cGMP immunoreactivity in a few neurons in the abdominal, pleural and buccal ganglia, including identified neurons L11 and R15 in the abdominal ganglion and neuron Bng in the buccal ganglion. NO depolarized all these neurons but none of the four nonimmunoreactive neurons tested. In neuron L11, NO-induced depolarization, tonic spiking and a reduction in membrane conductance at resting potential. The NO effect was mimicked by applying the membrane permeable analogue, 8-Br-cGMP in L11. Neuron R15 was depolarized and its activity shifted from spike/bursts to tonic spiking. These NO effects were blocked by applying the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ and mimicked by 8-Br-cGMP. Neuron Bng was depolarized and produced spikes tonically. These results provide evidence that the NO--cGMP pathway is linked to membrane ionic channels in cGMP-IR neurons, and the channels may be different in specific neurons.
A scan–rotate geometry for efficient equalization mammography

Mammographic screening is acknowledged as the best method for the reduction of breast cancer mortality. However, breasts containing a significant fraction of dense, fibroglandular tissue produce a range of exposure which exceeds the dynamic range of conventional mammography. Equalization radiography involves the modulation of the incident x-ray exposure distribution to compensate for variations in x-ray transmission within the patient, ensuring optimal contrast throughout the image. It has been shown that equalization radiograpy offers the potential for dose-efficient, improved lesion detection in the dense breast. However, current equalization geometries are not practical due to tube loading and scan duration inefficiencies. I propose a scan–rotate geometry for equalization radiography [rotary scanning equalization radiography (RSER)] in which the image receptor is exposed by repeated scans of a modulated fan beam, oriented at a variety of angles with respect to the patient. The superposition of exposure from appropriately modulated, rotated fan beams will produce an entrance exposure distribution that will efficiently equalize the film exposure. In this thesis, it is shown that less than half of the area of a dense breast is imaged conventionally with high contrast. The RSER geometry is described and its imaging characteristics are shown theoretically to be similar to current equalization geometries. Furthermore, RSER is resistant to exposure artifacts in typical mammographicimaging tasks. Numerical simulations which compared the imaging performance of RSER, current equalization geometries and conventional mammography show that RSER produces images with the same degree of equalization as current equalization geometries, with minimal tube loading, and only four scanning angles. Finally, an experimental prototype RSER system is described and characterized. Experimental images confirm the theoretical and numerical predictions. High contrast, artifact-free images of anthropomorphic breast phantoms can be obtained with minimal scan times and tube loading. The prototype system increases the fraction of the breast imaged with high contrast from 46% to 80%. These results indicate that RSER is an efficient, simple, and practical means of overcoming the latitude limitations of film screen mammography, and improving the detection of breast cancer.
Pseudomembranous enterocolitis due to staphylococcal infection and intestinal obstruction

A case of acute pseudomembranous enterocolitis occurring in a nonsurgical patient with aplastic anemia and transfusion hemosiderosis has been presented. Intestinal obstruction andStaphylococcus aureus infection of the bowel played prominent roles in the development of the lesion. A high level of suspicion for the occurrence of this disorder and the need for immediate therapy is stressed.
Segmental Polymorphism in a Functional Amyloid

Although amyloid fibrils are generally considered to be causative or contributing agents in amyloid diseases, several amyloid fibrils are also believed to have biological functions. Among these are fibrils formed by Pmel17 within melanosomes, which act as a template for melanin deposition. We use solid-state NMR to show that the molecular structures of fibrils formed by the 130-residue pseudo-repeat domain Pmel17:RPT are polymorphic even within the biologically relevant pH range. Thus, biological function in amyloid fibrils does not necessarily imply a unique molecular structure. Solid-state NMR spectra of three Pmel17:RPT polymorphs show that in all cases, only a subset (∼30%) of the full amino acid sequence contributes to the immobilized fibril core. Although the repetitive nature of the sequence and incomplete spectral resolution prevent the determination of unique chemical shift assignments from two- and three-dimensional solid-state NMR spectra, we use a Monte Carlo assignment algorithm to identify protein segments that are present in or absent from the fibril core. The results show that the identity of the core-forming segments varies from one polymorph to another, a phenomenon known as segmental polymorphism.
Electrocortical synchronization resulting from reduced proprioceptive drive caused by neuromuscular blocking agents.

Abstract 1. 1. Intravenous injection of flaxedil produces electrocortical synchronization (ECS). Such ECS may be maintained for many hours by approximately 2–4 mg/kg of flaxedil alone. 2. 2. If flaxedil is not repeated and ECS allowed to wear off, the resulting desynchronized brain potentials are rapidly synchronized again on injection of minute doses (0.25–0.50 mg/kg) of barbiturate. 3. 3. ECS is accompanied by the behavioral attributes of sleep. Desynchronization by sensory stimulation coincides with behavioral arousal—invariably by dilatation of the pupil, and sometimes by a rise in blood pressure, attempts at spontaneous respiration, or somatic movements. 4. 4. Intracarotid injection of flaxedil does not produce ECS. It is therefore suggested that cortical synchronization elicited by this drug is not due to direct action on brain activity. Rather, cortical synchronization is considered to be an indirect result of the withdrawal of proprioceptive impulses to the cortex. Such partial deafferentation results in a level of afferent supply insufficient to maintain the brain in a vigilant state. 5. 5. Mechanisms and pathways by which these effects are mediated probably involved indirect, long-latency cerebellar influences. 6. 6. Applications of the data to anesthesiology are indicated.
Detecting thiols in a microchip device using micromolded carbon ink electrodes modified with cobalt phthalocyanine

This paper describes the fabrication and evaluation of a chemically modified carbon ink microelectrode to detect thiols of biological interest. The detection of thiols, such as homocysteine and cysteine, is necessary to monitor various disease states. The biological implications of these thiols generate the need for miniaturized detection systems that enable portable monitoring as well as quantitative results. In this work, we utilize a microchip device that incorporates a micromolded carbon ink electrode modified with cobalt phthalocyanine to detect thiols. Cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPC) is an electrocatalyst that lowers the potential needed for the oxidation of thiols. The CoPC/carbon ink composition was optimized for the micromolding method and the resulting microelectrode was characterized with microchip-based flow injection analysis. It was found that CoPC lowers the overpotential for thiols but, as compared to direct amperometric detection, a pulsed detection scheme was needed to constantly regenerate the electrocatalyst surface, leading to improved peak reproducibility and limits of detection. Using the pulsed method, cysteine exhibited a linear response between 10–250 µM (r2 = 0.9991) with a limit of detection (S/N = 3) of 7.5 µM, while homocysteine exhibited a linear response between 10–500 µM (r2 = 0.9967) with a limit of detection of 6.9 µM. Finally, to demonstrate the ability to measure thiols in a biological sample using a microchip device, the CoPC-modified microelectrode was utilized for the detection of cysteine in the presence of rabbit erythrocytes.
Elliptic PDE formulation of general, three-dimensional high-order PN-approximations for radiative transfer

Abstract A new methodology is presented for the application of the spherical harmonics method ( P N ) to decompose the radiative transfer equation (RTE) into a set of coupled second-order partial differential equations, allowing for variable properties and arbitrary three-dimensional geometries. The proposed methodology employs successive elimination of spherical harmonic tensors, thus reducing the number of first-order partial differential equations needed to be solved simultaneously by previous P N -approximations ( = ( N + 1 ) 2 ). The result is a relatively small set ( = N ( N + 1 ) / 2 ) of second-order, elliptic partial differential equations, which can be solved with standard PDE solution packages. Moreover, the general boundary conditions and supplementary conditions to be used in the P N -approximation are formulated for arbitrary three-dimensional geometries. Numerical computations are carried out with the P 3 -approximation for several one-dimensional and two-dimensional problems with emitting, absorbing and scattering media, using both constant and variable properties. Results are compared to analytical solutions and discrete ordinates simulations and a discussion of ray effects and false scattering is provided.
High Ratio of Synaptic Excitation to Synaptic Inhibition in Hilar Ectopic Granule Cells of Pilocarpine-Treated Rats

After experimental status epilepticus, many dentate granule cells born into the postseizure environment migrate aberrantly into the dentate hilus. Hilar ectopic granule cells (HEGCs) have also been...
Organizational Environments in Flux: The Impact of Regulatory Punctuations on Organizational Domains, CEO Succession, and Performance

A central debate in organizational theory concerns how organizations evolve. There are two diametrically opposing viewpoints. Adaptation theories predict that change occurs as fluid organizations adjust to meet shifting environmental demands, while selection theories predict that change occurs through the differential selection and replacement of inert organizations as environmental demands vary over time. Our paper bridges these polar opposites by using a punctuated equilibrium framework to examine organizations' responses to discontinuous industry-level change. This framework recognizes that the histories of many industries are occasionally punctuated by dramatic exogenous shocks, such as radical technological innovation, social and political turmoil, major changes in government regulation, and economic crashes. Our central thesis is that such environmental punctuations dramatically reduce pressures and rewards for organizational inertia and thereby alter both organizations' propensities for change and their survival chances following change.We focus on one form of punctuation, major regulatory change, and study firms in two industries: general hospitals and savings and loan associations. For organizations in both industries, we examine three important outcomes: shifts in organizational domain, CEO succession, and changes in financial performance. Our analyses show that punctuational regulatory change prompts shifts in organizational domains and executive leadership. Additionally, post-punctuation domain change and post-punctuation CEO succession both affect subsequent performance. We discuss our results in light of current thinking about the content and process effects of core organizational change, which has been developed in the context of stable environments. Finally, we argue for the development of more temporally sensitive theories of organizational action.
Inhibition of Lyn function in mast cell activation by SH3 domain binding peptides.

While Lyn tyrosine kinase has been shown to be necessary for IgE-receptor (FceRI)-mediated mast cell activation, the mechanism of Lyn activation is not yet understood. Using a micro-electroporation technique to quantitatively introduce peptides into the cytosol of tumor mast cells, we show that proline-rich peptides that preferentially bind Src family SH3 domains block receptor-induced repetitive calcium spikes in a concentration dependent manner. The Src family member Lyn was the likely target, since a series of phage displaying derived peptides with increased Lyn SH3 domain binding specificity inhibited FceRI-mediated calcium signaling at concentrations consistent with binding to Lyn rather than other Src-type kinases. Furthermore, SH3 binding peptides prevented the plasma membrane translocation of a fluorescently labeled Syk tandem SH2 domain, which binds to phosphorylated FceRI, suggesting that the peptides specifically block the Lyn-mediated step by which FceRI cross-linking leads to receptor phospho...
Potent antiviral agent WIN 54954: high specific activity labelling with tritium.

Abstract Valuable antiviral compound WIN 54954 (2) was tritiated at high specific activity and the product was characterized.
Duodenal Trichobezoar Caused by Compression of the Superior Mesenteric Artery

Trichobezoars can occur in young women who have a history of trichotillomania, trichophagia, gastric dysmotility, and psychiatric dysfunction. A 6-year-old anorexic girl presented with a fixed right-upper-quadrant abdominal mass. Exploratory celiotomy for a duodenal trichobezoar led to removal of the large foreign body, via a duodenotomy, and prompted a Ladd procedure, in which the duodenum was moved from beneath the compressing superior mesenteric artery to relieve underlying duodenal narrowing.
Efferent Connections and Nigral Afferents of the Nucleus Accumbens Septi in the Rat

The results of this study by the methods of autoradiographic fiber-tracing and retrograde cell-labeling confirm earlier reports of accumbens projections to the globus pallidus and to dorsal strata of the medial half of the substantia nigra. Also in accord with previous autoradiographic evidence, sparser projections could be traced to a variety of subcortical structures implicated in the circuitry of the limbic system: bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, septum, preoptic region, hypothalamus, ventral tegmental area, nuclei paratenialis and mediodorsalis thalami, and lateral habenular nucleus. Contrary to earlier reports, striatopallidal fibers from the accumbens were found to be distributed largely to the subcommissural part of the external pallidal segment (ventral pallidum of Heimer & Wilson, 1975) and to avoid almost entirely the internal pallidal segment (entopeduncular nucleus). Mesencephalic projections from the accumbens largely coincide with those from the preoptic region and hypothalamus; like the latter they prominently involve the region of the out-lying nigral cell groups A10 and A8 and extend caudally beyond the nigral complex to the cuneiform and parabrachial regions of the tegmentum as well as to caudoventral parts of the central grey substance.
Effects of Precipitation on Nonpoint Sources of Nitrogen Contamination to Surface Waters in the U.S. Great Plains

Declining surface water quality is of great concern across the Great Plains. Recent trends in the earth’s climate can create abrupt changes in precipitation, which can alter the impact of nonpoint sources on water quality. A 2-year study [dry (2009) and wet (2010) year] was initiated to assess the impact of nitrate nitrogen (N) loss from the Roca watershed on water quality in Salt Creek. The water flow and nitrate N concentration was determined weekly in Salt Creek. The predicted average nitrate N concentration in runoff during the dry year (38.3 mg L−1) was almost five times greater than that (7.9 mg L−1) for the wet year. However, the predicted amount of nitrate N in runoff was similar for both years because the runoff for the wet year (51.8 million m3) was about five times greater than that for the dry year (10.7 million m3). The total amount of nitrate N found in Salt Creek was 18 and 127 metric tons for the dry and wet years, respectively. These data implied that 95% (dry year) and 69% (wet year) of ...