cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IN VIVO REGULATION OF THE EARLY EMBRYONIC CELL CYCLE IN XENOPUS

We report here the first extensive in vivo study of cell cycle regulation in the Xenopus embryo. Cyclin A1, B1, B2, and E1 levels, Cdc2 and Cdk2 kinase activity, and Cdc25C phosphorylation states were monitored during early Xenopus embryonic cell cycles. Cyclin B1 and B2 protein levels were high in the unfertilized egg, declined upon fertilization, and reaccumulated to the same level during the first cell cycle, a pattern repeated during each of the following 11 divisions. Cyclin A1 showed a similar pattern, except that its level was lower in the egg than in the cell cycles after fertilization. Cyclin B1/Cdc2 kinase activity oscillated, peaking before each cleavage, and Cdc25C alternated between a highly phosphorylated and a less phosphorylated form that correlated with high and low cyclin B1/Cdc2 kinase activity, respectively. Unlike the mitotic cyclins, the level of cyclin E1 did not oscillate during embryogenesis, although its associated Cdk2 kinase activity cycled twice for each oscillation of cyclin B1/Cdc2 activity, consistent with a role for cyclin E1 in both S-phase and mitosis. Although the length of the first embryonic cycle is regulated by both the level of cyclin B and the phosphorylation state of Cdc2, cyclin accumulation alone was rate-limiting for later cycles, since overexpression of a mitotic cyclin after the first cycle caused cell cycle acceleration. The activity of Cdc2 closely paralleled the accumulation of cyclin B2, but cell cycle acceleration caused by cyclin B overexpression was not associated with elevation of Cdc2 activity to higher than metaphase levels. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdc2, absent during cycles 2-12, reappeared at the midblastula transition coincident with the disappearance of cyclin E1. Cyclin A1 disappeared later, at the beginning of gastrulation. Our results suggest that the timing of the cell cycle in the Xenopus embryo evolves from regulation by accumulation of mitotic cyclins to mechanisms involving periodic G1 cyclin expression and inhibitory tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdc2.
Regularization parameter selection and an efficient algorithm for total variation-regularized positron emission tomography

In positron emission tomography, image data corresponds to measurements of emitted photons from a radioactive tracer in the subject. Such count data is typically modeled using a Poisson random variable, leading to the use of the negative-log Poisson likelihood fit-to-data function. Regularization is needed, however, in order to guarantee reconstructions with minimal artifacts. Given that tracer densities are primarily smoothly varying, but also contain sharp jumps (or edges), total variation regularization is a natural choice. However, the resulting computational problem is quite challenging. In this paper, we present an efficient computational method for this problem. Convergence of the method has been shown for quadratic regularization functions and here convergence is shown for total variation regularization. We also present three regularization parameter choice methods for use on total variation-regularized negative-log Poisson likelihood problems. We test the computational and regularization parameter selection methods on two synthetic data sets.
Current measurements from a deep real-time metocean mooring: lessons learned on real-time data QA/QC

An automated Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) procedure implemented by Woods Hole Group, Inc. (WHG) to improve the quality of ADCP data collected on a deep Real-Time Metocean Mooring (RTMM) is described. The RTMM is equipped with three TRDI ADCPs and one Nortek single-point current meter (SPCM). A full water column current profile is collected every 20 minutes and the data are sent by satellite to a shore-based computer and web server, which creates graphical displays in near-real-time and serves them over the Internet to user’s web browsers. WHG’s automated QA/QC procedure was developed based on analysis of a first batch of ADCP data collected by the RTMM and is system-specific. The analysis of the data and of data quality indicators revealed major causes that lead to the occurrence of spurious and/or noisy current data. It also suggested approaches to improving the quality of the data provided to the client in near-real-time. The analysis revealed certain limitations of the QA/QC algorithm implemented by NDBC and recommended by QARTOD. From our experience with the RTMM data, the QA/QC of ADCP data should not be limited to automated review of quality parameters measured by the ADCP on individual ensemble-averaged profiles. A better result is achieved by adjusting ADCP setup and customizing data screening thresholds for a specific deployment. The thresholds should be customized based on the analysis of the system-specific data.
De novo programming with fuzzy coefficients and multiple fuzzy goals

Abstract In an earlier paper by the authors ( J. Math. Anal, .4ppl. 153 , 1990, 97-111), the general multiple criteria de novo programming was solved by the use of the fuzzy concept, where the fuzzy goals and fuzzy coefficients were treated separately. This paper presents an improved approach where both the goals and the coefficients are treated simultaneously. Depending on the numerical approach, the resulting problems can be solved either as a linear problem combined with a search routine or as a nonlinear programming problem.
Preferential sputtering of heavy isotopes at low incident ion energies

Abstract The isotopic compositions of secondary ions were measured by bombarding copper with xenon ions at energies ranging from 100 eV to 1.5 keV. The secondary ion flux was found to be enriched in heavy isotopes at low incident ion energies. The heavy isotope enrichment was observed to decrease with increasing impact energy. Beyond 700 eV, light isotopes were sputtered preferentially, with the enrichment remaining nearly constant.
North-south regional variation in phospholipase A activity in the venom of Crotalus ruber.

Abstract 1. 1. Twenty-seven individual venoms from the rattlesnake species Crotalus ruber from different regions were comparatively analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC and analyzed for phospholipase A (PLA) content using a polarographic assay. 2. 2. Two fractions containing PLA activity were detected by HPLC in the venoms of all the C. ruber speciments from southern Baja, Mexico, but specimens from southern California U.S.A., were lacking corresponding fractions and were extremely low or lacking in PLA activity in their venoms. 3. 3. The north-south regional variation in PLA content in C. ruber venom does not correlate with the north-south ranges (based on external morphology) of the subspecies C. ruber ruber and C. ruber lucasensis .
Monomolecular films of bacteriochlorophyll and derivatives at an air-water interface: surface and spectral properties.

Abstract Monomolecular films of bacteriochlorophyll, bacteriopheophytin and 2-desvinyl-2-acetyl chlorophyll a were prepared and studied on aqueous subphases containing pH 7.8 buffer and 4·10 −4 M ascorbate. These monolayers are mechanically stable in the dark and light at 15 °C. at surface pressures below about 18 dynes/cm the slope of the surface isotherm of bacteriochlorophyll is steeper than at pressures greater than 18 dynes/cm. The surface dipole moments of bacteriochlorophyll are less than half that reported for chlorophyll a . Compression of bacteriochlorophyll or bacteriopheophytin monolayers result in changes of their absorption spectra. Compression of bacteriochlorophyll monolayers to 18 dynes/cm results in a shift of the pigment's red peak from 787 to 749 nm as well as the appearance of a new absorption maximum at 896 nm. Continued compression to 24 dynes/cm results in a slight decrease in peak height of the 794-nm maximum and further increase in the absorbance of the 896-nm maximum. With bacteriopheophytin the red maximum at 760 nm starts to shift when the film is compressed to a surface pressure of only 2 dynes/cm; further compression yields a new absorption maximum at 846 nm. Compression of a film of 2-desvinyl-2-acetyl chlorophyll a results in only a 10-nm shift of the absorption maximum at 690 nm. An orientation of bacteriochlorophyll at an air-water interface is proposed that is different from that for chlorophyll a . Like chlorophyll a bacteriochlorophyll monolayers are closely packed, but different in that bacteriochlorophyll allows greater interaction between pigment molecules. In compressed monolayers bacteriochlorophyll appears to aggregate differently than in other model systems.
Methamphetamine Induces Dopamine D1 Receptor-Dependent Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related Molecular Events in the Rat Striatum

Methamphetamine (METH) is an illicit toxic psychostimulant which is widely abused. Its toxic effects depend on the release of excessive levels of dopamine (DA) that activates striatal DA receptors. Inhibition of DA-mediated neurotransmission by the DA D1 receptor antagonist, SCH23390, protects against METH-induced neuronal apoptosis. The initial purpose of the present study was to investigate, using microarray analyses, the influence of SCH23390 on transcriptional responses in the rat striatum caused by a single METH injection at 2 and 4 hours after drug administration. We identified 545 out of a total of 22,227 genes as METH-responsive. These include genes which are involved in apoptotic pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and in transcription regulation, among others. Of these, a total of 172 genes showed SCH23390-induced inhibition of METH-mediated changes. Among these SCH23390-responsive genes were several genes that are regulated during ER stress, namely ATF3, HSP27, Hmox1, HSP40, and CHOP/Gadd153. The secondary goal of the study was to investigate the role of DA D1 receptor stimulation on the expression of genes that participate in ER stress-mediated molecular events. We thus used quantitative PCR to confirm changes in the METH-responsive ER genes identified by the microarray analyses. We also measured the expression of these genes and of ATF4, ATF6, BiP/GRP78, and of GADD34 over a more extended time course. SCH23390 attenuated or blocked METH-induced increases in the expression of the majority of these genes. Western blot analysis revealed METH-induced increases in the expression of the antioxidant protein, Hmox1, which lasted for about 24 hours after the METH injection. Additionally, METH caused DA D1 receptor-dependent transit of the Hmox1 regulator protein, Nrf2, from cytosolic into nuclear fractions where the protein exerts its regulatory functions. When taken together, these findings indicate that SCH23390 can provide protection against neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting METH-mediated DA D1 receptor-mediated ER stress in the rat striatum. Our data also suggest that METH-induced toxicity might be a useful model to dissect molecular mechanisms involved in ER stress-dependent events in the rodent brain.
Cultural Differences in Psychological Distress in Asian and Caucasian American College Students: Examining the Role of Cognitive and Affective Concomitants.

Previous research has indicated that cognitive and affective variables play an important role in psychological disturbance. However, the examination of such variables as predictors of distress across different cultural groups has been neglected. Accordingly, this study assessed the role of outcome expectancies and affectivity as concomitants of psychological distress in a sample of 92 Asian and 252 Caucasian American college students. Comparative results indicated significant differences on measures of pessimism, affectivity, and on different measures of psychological disturbance. Moreover, a model in which affectivity mediated the link between outcome expectancies and psychological disturbance was tested. Path analytic results indicated group differences in how outcome expectancies and affectivity were linked to psychological distress. Implications of the present findings for studying cultural differences in psychological disturbance are discussed.
Immunochemical comparison of human and goat haptoglobin and α2-Macroglobulin

1. 1. A non-haptoglobin α2-globulin was observed in the plasma of goats (Capra hireus) after inflammatory stresses. 2. 2. This stress reaction protein exhibited an electrophoretic mobility and molecular weight similar to goat haptoglobin. 3. 3. Complete immunological cross-reactivity was demonstrated between the goat protein and human α2-macroglobulin. 4. 4. The functional and evolutionary significance of these observations are discussed.
Visual Display Representation of Multidimensional Systems: The Effect of Information Correlation and Display Integrality

Abstract : This research note provides data on the use of object and schematic face displays to present dynamic multivariate system information. Twelve subjects detected and diagnosed failures in a system whose variables were intercorrelated. Three visual analog displays (a bar graph display, a pentagon, and a schematic face display) represented the system. These displays differed in the degree of integrality of their component features. Detection performance yielded a speed/accuracy tradeoff with little evidence of superiority for any of the displays. Diagnostic performance showed a superiority for the more separable display, however. This superiority was attributed to the fact that diagnosis required subjects to focus attention directly on a single attribute, a focussing that benefited from a display which separated the attributes from one another. The results of the study are discussed in a broader context of other studies which looked at the proximity of information. The data also demonstrated the promise of the schematic face display as a means of displaying dynamic system information.
On the nature of implicit categorization.

Current categorization models disagree about whether people make a priori assumptions about the structure of unfamiliar categories. Data from two experiments provided strong evidence that people do not make such assumptions. These results rule out prototype models and many decision bound models of categorization. We review previously published neuropsychological results that favor the assumption that category learning relies on a procedural-memory-based system, rather than on an instance- based system (as is assumed by exemplar models). On the basis of these results, a new categorylearning model is proposed that makes no a priori assumptions about category structure and that relies on procedural learning and memory.
Energy Space Modeling of Power Electronics in Local Area Power Networks

Power electronics are a core enabling technology for local area power networks and microgrids for renewable energy, telecom, data centers, and many other applications. Unfortunately, the modeling, simulation, and control of power electronics in these systems are complicated when using traditional converter models in conjunction with the network nodal equations. This work proposes a change of variables for the power electronic converter models from traditional voltage and currents to input conductance and stored energy. From this change of state, a universal point of load converter model can be utilized in the network nodal equations irrespective of the topology of the converter. The only impact the original converter topology has on the new model is the bounds on the control and state variables, and the mapping back to the switching or duty cycle controls. The proposed approach greatly simplifies the modeling of local area power networks and microgrids. This simpler model can be used to study stability and energy utilization and develop high-level control strategies that were not previously feasible.
Differences in Information and Common Stock Returns: Estimation Risk or Unequal Distribution of Information?

Information can be differential or “incomplete” in two different ways: as a result of the quality of information itself or as a result of the manner in which information is distributed to investors. The effect on capital market equilibrium under either scenario is that higher returns will be required for low information securities. Prior empirical studies documenting a relationship between low information firms and positive abnormal returns have generally attributed such results to the quality of information; the current research tests the possibility that these results are instead due to the manner in which information is distributed to investors.
Abstract 856: High expression of DUSP4 in ER-negative breast cancer cells suppresses growth and invasion.

Background: Estrogen receptor (ER) -negative breast cancers are poor prognosis tumors that occur more commonly in young women. Current treatments for ER-negative tumors include cytotoxic chemotherapy, or for those ER-negative breast cancers that overexpress HER2, the anti-HER2 antibody herceptin. Similar therapy for ER-negative, Her2 negative tumors, particularly for (triple-negative breast cancers) is urgently needed. In this project, we investigated whether phosphatases that are differentially expressed in ER-negative as compared to ER-positive breast cancers. We hypothesized that: (1) the specific phosphatases that govern the growth of ER-negative cancers are different from those of ER-positive cancers, (2) Induced expression of some of those phosphatases that are lowly expressed in ER-negative breast cancers will suppress the growth and invasion of ER-negative breast cancers. Methods: Using 102 human breast tumors (57 ER-positive & 45 ER-negative) from the neo-adjuvant studies from the Baylor Breast Center tumor bank, we isolated RNA and performed Affymetrix microarray studies. cDNA was synthesized and Biotin-labeled and hybridized onto an Affymetrix HGU133A GeneChip TM . Statistical analysis was done with dChip software, and phosphatases more highly (>1.5 fold; FDR Results: We identified 20 highly-expressed (>1.5 fold; FDR=0.05), and 29 lowly-expressed ( Conclusions: We identified a set of highly and lowly expressed phosphatases in ER-negative breast cancers as compared to ER-positive cancers. Overexpression of DUSP4 in ER-negative breast cancer cells inhibits growth and invasion of these cells. By identifying the molecules that regulate breast cancer cells growth we are identifying potential new targets for the treatment of these aggressive ER-negative breast cancers. Supported by Komen Promise grant KG081694 (PHB). Citation Format: Abhijit Mazumdar, Petra Den Hollander, Graham Poage, Jamal Hill, Yun Zhang, Anna Tsimelzon, Susan Hilsenbeck, Jenny Chang, Gordon Mills, Powel H. Brown. High expression of DUSP4 in ER-negative breast cancer cells suppresses growth and invasion. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 856. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-856
A simplified spreadsheet program for estimating future growth of oil and gas reserves

Reserve growth refers to the typical increases in estimated sizes of fields that occur through time as oil and gas fields are developed and produced. Projections of the future reserve growth of known fields have become important components of hydrocarbon resource assessments. In this paper, we present an algorithm for estimating the future reserve growth of known fields. The algorithm, which incorporates fundamental reserve-growth assumptions used by others in the past, is programmed for a personal computer in the form of formulas for a spreadsheet. The primary advantages of this spreadsheet program lie in its simplicity and ease of use. We also present a library of 17 different growth functions that provides numerical models for predicting the future sizes of existing oil and gas fields in various regions of the United States. These growth functions are formatted for use in the spreadsheet program.
Estrogen mediates sex differences in stress-induced prefrontal cortex dysfunction

Many anxiety disorders, as well as major depressive disorder (MDD), are at least twice as prevalent in women as in men, but the neurobiological basis of this discrepancy has not been well studied. MDD is often precipitated by exposure to uncontrollable stress, and is frequently characterized by abnormal or disrupted prefrontal cortex (PFC) function. In animals, exposure to stress has been shown to cause PFC dysfunction, but sex differences in this effect have not been investigated. The present study tested male and female rats on a PFC-dependent working memory task after administration of FG7142, a benzodiazepine inverse agonist that activates stress systems in the brain. Female rats were impaired by lower doses than males during proestrus (high estrogen), but not during estrus (low estrogen). Similarly, ovariectomized females showed increased stress sensitivity only after estrogen replacement. These results suggest that estrogen amplifies the stress response in PFC, which may increase susceptibility to stress-related disorders.
Sex differences in the design features of socially contingent mating adaptations

Schmitt's study provides strong support for sexual strategies theory (Buss & Schmitt 1993) – that men and women both have evolved a complex menu of mating strategies, selectively deployed depending on personal, social, and ecological contexts. It also simultaneously refutes social structural theories founded on the core premise that women and men are sexually monomorphic in their psychology of human mating. Further progress depends on identifying evolved psychological design features sensitive to the costs and benefits of pursuing each strategy from the menu, which vary across mating milieus. These design features, like many well-documented mating adaptations, are likely to be highly sex-differentiated.
The referral and self-referral practices of behavior therapists: A comparative study

Abstract The referral and self-referral practices of 237 psychotherapists were examined in this study. They belonged to three groups: 62 clinicians who use behavior therapy techniques exclusively, 85 eclectic therapists using some behavior therapy techniques, and 90 therapists using no behavioral techniques. The data indicated that of “pure” behavior therapist 90.3 per cent would refer themselves or friends to other “pure” behavior therapists and 85.5 per cent would refer to them patients with whom they had failed. Of the eclectics using behavioral techniques, less than half would refer themselves or their friends to others of the same group. The non-behaviorists recommend treatment by their own ilk slightly less consistently than “pure” behaviorists.
3H-2,1-Benzoxaborole-1-spiro-4'-(5-oxa-3a-aza-4-borapyrene).

In the title compound, C20H14BNO2, the B atom has a tetra­hedral geometry with two short B—O and two long B—C and B—N bonds, revealing a significant difference between Car—O—B and Calk­yl—O—B bond distances. Inter­molecular Ar—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and strong π–π inter­actions (3.368 A) between aromatic cores of neighbouring mol­ecules result in hexa­gonal channels along the crystallographic c axis, which are potentially accessible for small mol­ecules.
Lahu bilingual humor

Abstract In 1965–6 I recorded a large number of texts in Lahu (a Loloish language of the Tibeto-Burman family), mostly in the “standard” Black Lahu dialect spoken in several Christianized villages of Ghiengmai Province, Thailand. These texts show great diversity of style and content, ranging from highly formal sermons and serious conversations to skits, picaresque stories, and rapid-fire repartee of the utmost colloquiality. 1 A representative sample of all genres of Lahu texts will be offered in my Lahu Chrestomathy (in preparation).
Purification and characterization of calmodulin from porcine renal medulla.

Abstract A calcium sensitive phosphodiesterase (PDE) activated by an endogenous calmodulin was identified in the cytosolic fraction of porcine renal medulla. The PDE and calmodulin were separated from each other by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. Calmodulin was purified from a heat-treated supernatant by column chromatography with DEAE-cellulose and hydroxylapatite. The purified renal calmodulin has a molecular weight of 17,500, is heatstable, and has a p I of 4.2. Activation of the renal PDE by calmodulin was immediate and stoichiometric. The renal calmodulin and PDE cross react with bovine brain calmodulin and PDE, indicating a lack of tissue and species specificity. Thus, renal calmodulin is very similar to bovine brain calmodulin. However, renal calmodulin did not affect detergent-solubilized or membrane-bound renal adenylate cyclase or the antidiuretic hormone-stimulated activity of the enzyme. These results suggest that calmodulin may function in the renal medulla to regulate cAMP levels by stimulation of PDE but not adenylate cyclase. However, the ubiquitous distribution of calmodulin in eukaryotic cells and its effects on a number of other enzymes allow the possibility that calmodulin may have a role in renal function other than cAMP metabolism.
1mb corrections in the ACCMM model for inclusive semileptonic B decay

Abstract We re-examine the model of Altarelli, Cabibbo, Corbo, Maiani and Martinelli for inclusive semileptonic B decay, in the light of recent calculations in heavy quark effective theory. The model can be shown to have 1 m b corrections, with a suitable definition of the b quark mass m b . However, we find that the structure of the 1 m 2 b terms is incompatible with the predictions of heavy quark effective theory. The numerical significance of this discrepancy is discussed.
Introversion-extraversion and imagery.

Significant correlations were found between scores on the introversion-extraversion scale of the Eysenck Personality Inventory and the rated ease with which abstract and concrete nouns evoked images for 111 Ss. Ease of imagery was not related to the neuroticism scores, nor was there a significant correlation between ease of imagery scores for abstract and for concrete nouns.
Automated differential agglutination technic to measure red cell survival. I. Methodology.

Experiments were performed to prove the validity of an automated differential hemagglutination test to measure the survival of transfused red cells. Four antibodies, anti-A, anti-B, anti-CD, and anti-M, were used to perform differential hemagglutination. This method permitted measurement of the survival of at least two compatible but antigenically identifiable red cell populations in the same recipient. The measurements obtained with the automated method were less variable than those obtained simultaneously with a manual method.
Os Direitos Humanos Sociais

Os direitos humanos sociais tornaram-se parte da chamada ordem publica internacional, difundida, principalmente, pela Declaracao Universal dos Direitos Humanos. O presente estudo constitui a tentativa de oferecer um panorama sobre a legitimacao, o sistema, as restricoes, bem como a eficacia dos direitos humanos sociais
Pup-killing produced by the administration of testosterone propionate to adult female mice.

Abstract The administration of testosterone propionate to intact and ovariectomized adult, virgin female mice elicited pup-killing behavior. Pup killing was not observed when tests were conducted 3 weeks after the termination of testosterone treatment. Finally, in intact but not ovariectomized females, pup killing increased as a function of testosterone dosage.
Ventricular Fibrillation Induced with Programmed Stimulation: Clinical Substrate and Prognosis

The implications of ventricular fibrillation induced during elect rophysiologic testing are unclear. To determine the profile of patients in whom this arrhythmia occurs and to determine whether it has any prognostic value, follow-up data were obtained on all patients in whom this arrhythmia was in duced in our laboratory during a ventricular stimulation protocol over an 18-month period. Of 836 patients tested, 29 (27 men and 2 women) had inducible ventricular fibrillation. Most (52%) had coronary disease and 12 (41%) had suffered a prior myocardial infarction. All but 3 had some form of heart disease. Sixteen (55%) had abnormal left ventricular function. Eleven (38%) presented with spontaneous sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Eight others had a history of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia.Follow-up was obtained for a mean of 12 months. In spite of therapy, 2 patients died an arrhythmic death, 1 was resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation, 1 had spontaneous sustained ventricular tachycardia, 4 had inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia, 2 continued to have inducible ventricular fibrillation at second study, and 1 had recurrent syncope. Five patients had ventricular fibrillation induced on multiple occasions. Ventricular fibrillation induced during electraphysiologic study was found primarily in patients with structural heart disease and appeared reasonably reproducible. When reproducible, ventricular fibrillation appears to indicate a poor prognosis rather than an aspecific finding. The clinical profile of our poor prognosis group includes a history of prior ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation and the presence of coronary artery disease.
Reovirus type 3 clone 9 increases interleukin-1alpha level in the brain of neonatal, but not adult, mice.

Reovirus Type 3 clone 9 (T3C9)-induced lethal encephalitis is age dependent. We examined the effects of T3C9 inoculated into neonatal and adult mice by intracerebral, intramuscular, or peroral routes and the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on IL-1alpha levels in the blood and the brain. In parallel, we measured mice survival to T3C9 challenge, primary replication, and growth in and spread to the brain. The results show that T3C9 infection increased IL-1alpha only in the brain of neonatal mice, whereas LPS enhanced IL-1alpha in the brain and in the blood in both neonatal and adult mice. In neonatal mice, a T3C9-induced IL-1alpha increase coincided with viral replication-induced nervous tissue injury and preceded death. Anti-IL-1alpha antibody partially protected neonatal mice against T3C9 peroral challenge, further suggesting that this cytokine is involved in the mechanisms leading to lethal encephalitis. In adult mice, T3C9 was not lethal and did not modify IL-1alpha levels although it slowly replicated in nervous tissues when inoculated directly into the brain. Together, these results suggest that differences in nervous tissue response to T3C9 replication between newborn and adult mice could account in part for the age-dependent susceptibility to T3C9-induced lethal encephalitis.
Total Synthesis of Oxazole‐ and Cyclopropane‐Containing Epothilone B Analogues by the Macrolactonization Approach

In order to probe structure-activity relationships in the epothilone area, two series of epothilone B analogues have been designed and synthesized. The first series containing an oxazole moiety in place of a thiazole on the side chain was constructed by utilizing key intermediates 7–9 or 10, 12, and 13 (Scheme 1), whereas the second series containing an ethano group instead of the gem-dimethyl group at position 4 was synthesized from fragments 42 and 43. A Yamaguchi-type macrolactonization reaction was used to construct the macrocycle from a secoacid, which was assembled, in both cases, by means of a) an aldol reaction, b) an Enders alkylation, and c) a Wittig-type reaction. This convergent strategy provided access to oxazole analogues 2,4,29–32 and 4,4-ethano derivatives 3,40,60–63 for biological studies.
Defect structure of the Spinel, Ni2.44Ti0.77O4

Abstract Cation-excess spinels with composition Ni2(1+x)Ti(1−x)O4 (0.16 ≤ x ≤ 1) form a limited solid solution between the rocksalt (NiO) and the hypothetical spinel (Ni2TiO4) structure types at temperatures above 1375°C. A quenched product of this series, Ni2.44Ti0.77O4 ( Fd3m; Z = 8; ρ calc = 5.6 g / cm 3 ; a = 8.339 A ), has been refined with X-ray intensity data in three models. Results indicate partial occupancy of the tetrahedral site (8a) and a second octahedral site (16c). Substitution of one tetrahedral metal atom for two octahedral atoms in random units of the NiO structure accounts for the additional metal atoms over the M3O4 stoichiometry. The best agreement with the model is obtained when all Ti4+ partially occupies the tetrahedral site.
What is a normal family? Common assumptions and current evidence

The social and applied human sciences have been built upon the assumption that the "normal" family consists of a first-marriage conjugal couple cohabiting with biological children. It is taken for granted that the wife should be responsible for child and domestic work, and that the husband should be the family's economic provider and ultimate authority. In the professional literature such "traditional" family structure is often described as normal in the sense of most common, as well as normal in the sense of well-functioning. Current psychological, sociological, anthropological and historical studies, however, do not support the assumption that the "traditional" nuclear family is the most "natural," "common," and/or "healthy" form of family arrangement. The idealization of the "traditional" nuclear family has had implications for theory, research, mental health practice, and social policy. Scientists and practitioners have been slow to recognize pathology in "traditional" nuclear families. Families other than "traditional" nuclear ones have been rendered invisible or pathologized. It is time for contemporary social and applied human sciences to recognize that the "traditional" nuclear family is a culturally- and historically-specific construct. It is also time for contemporary social and applied human sciences to develop an account of, and a research agenda about, families that take into consideration their variations across time, place, social class, ethnicity, and culture.
Identifying University Professors' Information Needs in the Challenging Environment of Information and Communication Technologies

A Web-based survey was conducted to determine usage of information and communication technologies by faculty for research and teaching. Respondents expressed their preferences regarding library electronic materials and services. Survey results highlighted solutions to help faculty in this era of information overload and rapid development of technologies. Constraints preventing the library from efficient services are discussed, and recommendations for improving existing library services and developing new ones are presented.
A generalized theory linking barrel fill length and air bubble entrapment during extrusion of starch

A theory linking barrel fill length and air bubble entrapment during extrusion of starch has been proposed. Experimental data suggested that when barrel fill length (defined as length of barrel filled with material pressurized to at least 689 kPa) was greater than the melting region-to-die barrel distance, then air bubble entrapment (as measured by porosity) in the unexpanded extrudate was favored; if the reverse was true, then air bubble entrapment was hampered. Bubble number density in the unexpanded extrudate was not only a function of the total entrapped air (porosity) but also of the type of starch used (pregelatinized versus native amylopectin) where pregelatinized amylopectin gave much higher bubble number density values than the native counterpart. Screw speed increased bubble number densities at constant entrapped air, which seemed to suggest bubble break-up by increased shear of the rotating screws.
The Impact of Thoracoscopy on the Management of Pleural Disease

Study objective To describe the diagnostic efficacy, morbidity, and patient outcome of thoracoscopy; to quantify the direct impact of thoracoscopy on clinical management; and to determine preoperative variables associated with finding malignancy at thoracoscopy to aid patient selection. Design Retrospective chart review of consecutive cases of thoracoscopy for pleural disease. Setting Single tertiary medical center. Patients One hundred eighty-two consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopy for pleural disease over a 5-year period (from 1987 through 1992). Measurements and results Final diagnoses were 98 (54%) malignant, 58 (32%) benign, and 26 (14%) idiopathic. Thoracoscopy had a diagnostic sensitivity of 95% for malignancy and 100% for benign disease. Malignancy was shown by thoracoscopy in 27 of 41 (66%) patients who had a preoperative nondiagnostic closed pleural biopsy, and in 24 of 35 (69%) patients who had at least 2 preoperative negative pleural cytologic specimens. Chart review by preestablished criteria showed information obtained from thoracoscopy directly influenced treatment in 155 (85%) patients. Thirty-seven (20%) patients, however, had at least one perioperative complication (15% major, 8% minor). Ten (6%) patients died during the same hospitalization in which a thoracoscopy was performed, although none died within 48 h. There was one thoracoscopy-related death. Sixty-two (34%) patients died within 6 months of thoracoscopy (death by all causes). Forty-seven (48%) patients who had intrathoracic malignancy present at thoracoscopy died within 6 months. Patients found to have malignant pleural disease by thoracoscopy were more likely to have a preoperative history of a malignancy (p=0.001). Age more than 50 years was associated with finding malignancy at thoracoscopy (p=0.04). A combined lymphocytic and hemorrhagic effusion was associated with malignancy (p=0.004). Preoperative pleural data showed that idiopathic effusions had a significantly lower median lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) value (192, which was normal) compared with malignant or benign effusions. Conclusions (1) Thoracoscopy increases yield for malignant and benign disease when thoracentesis and closed pleural biopsy are nondiagnostic. (2) Thoracoscopy directly affects clinical management in 85% of patients. (3) Significant complications can occur in patients receiving tertiary care. (4) For the evaluation of suspected malignant pleural disease, thoracoscopy has its greatest diagnostic yield in older patients who have a history of malignancy and who present with a lymphocytic, hemorrhagic, high LDH effusion.
Reading Engagement Offsets Declines in Processing Capacity for Health Literacy

Understanding patient skills, abilities, and other resources related to health literacy is crucial for improvement of self-care knowledge and behaviors. The current study explored links between cognitive abilities, knowledge, and reading engagement within the framework of process-knowledge model of health literacy (e.g., Chin et al., 2011) as measured using the S-TOFHLA (Baker et al., 1999). The data suggest that more reading engagement compensates limits of processing capacity for better health-related literacy. The results imply that patient education about the benefits of engagement in reading activities may potentially improve health literacy and comprehension of self-care information among older adults with lower processing capacity.
Event-driven simulations of a plastic, spiking neural network.

We consider a fully connected network of leaky integrate-and-fire neurons with spike-timing-dependent plasticity. The plasticity is controlled by a parameter representing the expected weight of a synapse between neurons that are firing randomly with the same mean frequency. For low values of the plasticity parameter, the activities of the system are dominated by noise, while large values of the plasticity parameter lead to self-sustaining activity in the network. We perform event-driven simulations on finite-size networks with up to 128 neurons to find the stationary synaptic weight conformations for different values of the plasticity parameter. In both the low- and high-activity regimes, the synaptic weights are narrowly distributed around the plasticity parameter value consistent with the predictions of mean-field theory. However, the distribution broadens in the transition region between the two regimes, representing emergent network structures. Using a pseudophysical approach for visualization, we show that the emergent structures are of ``path'' or ``hub'' type, observed at different values of the plasticity parameter in the transition region.
Use of tissue plasminogen

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a new intravenously administered thrombolytic agent currently being tested for emergency treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This report summarizes our clinical experience using t-PA to treat AMI in the emergency department and describes current protocols for its use in treating AMI. Between September 1985 and August 1986, t-PA was administered to 105 patients with AMI according to clinical research protocols. All were treated within six hours of the onset of pain. Thrombolysis was achieved in 80 patients (76%). Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed acutely for residual stenosis in 58 (55%). Thirty-three patients (31%) exhibited cardiac arrhythmias during treatment, 18 (17%) requiring emergency intervention. Periaccess hematoma developed in 50 patients (48%); transfusion of one or more units of blood was required in 22 of 97 (23%), excluding those undergoing urgent coronary artery bypass grafting. Overall 30-day survival was 94%. Recombinant t-PA appears to be an effective thrombolytic agent that may soon be standard emergency therapy for patients with AMI. Administration begun in the ED can achieve a high rate of reperfusion, but requires careful monitoring and the support of a coordinated acute cardiac care program, including emergency cardiac catheterization and cardiac surgery, to achieve the best results.
Eccrine angiomatous naevus revisited

Hamartomatous, circumscribed swellings of the extremities make an interesting study. Presentations are manifold and the naevi are not always present from birth. Excessive growth of hairs leads to remarkable appearance of such swellings. A young woman presented to the dermatology department, complaining of tenderness over 4(th) finger of her left hand. The defect was present for the last couple of years and was typified by visible hyperhidrosis on gentle tapping. Counseling of the affected lady made her agree for a skin biopsy. The histopathology revealed it to be of the nature of eccrine angiomatous hamartoma. Blood vessels were scarce. Eccrine ducts were plentiful without other associated anomalies. The deformity was removed by simple excision with good result.
Cyclazocine disruption of operant behavior is antagonized by naloxone and metergoline.

Abstract Male-Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to press a lever on a fixed ratio-40 (FR-40) schedule for food reinforcement. Doses ranging from 0.5 to 16 mg/kg of the mixed narcotic agonist-antagonist cyclazocine (30-min pretreatment) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the number of reinforcements obtained and a reciprocal increase in “pausing” (IRT's greater than 10 sec). A 5-min pretreatment with 4 mg/kg of the narcotic antagonist naloxone attenuated the cyclazocine disruption. The 5-HT antagonist metergoline (1 mg/kg; 180-min pretreatment) also blocked cyclazocine effects to approximately the same degree as did naloxone. However, the shift of the dose response pattern of cyclazocine was not parallel for either antagonist. A greater degree of attenuation of the cyclazocine effects was observed when naloxone (4 mg/kg) and metergoline (0.1 mg/kg) were given together, indicating that cyclazocine disruption may be antagonized by either a narcotic antagonist or a 5-HT antagonist, and that these antagonists may operate synergistically. Thus, the behavioral effects of cyclazocine may relate to both opioid and serotonergic components.
T-cell receptor δ gene rearrangements in early thymocytes

The T-cell receptor δ-chain variable region can be assembled from as many as four distinct gene segments, V, D1 D2 and J, more than any other antigen-receptor gene. In fetal thymocytes V → D joinings are as common as D → J or VDJ rearrangements and one V gene segment predominates. Analysis of rearrangements at TCR γ and δ loci during fetal ontogeny suggests abrupt changes and possible coordinate control in the rearrangement and expression of these loci.
Schistosoma mansoni: Peripheral and tissue eosinophilia in infected rats

Abstract Peripheral eosinophilia is induced in Sprague-Dawley rats following infection with cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. Beginning 3 weeks after infection, peripheral eosinophil levels rise above the baseline range; they reach peak values during the fifth week. Following a decline from peak values, peripheral eosinophil levels remain elevated and are observed to fluctuate for the next 5 months. The magnitudes of both the initial peak response at 5 weeks and the subsequent chronic level of peripheral eosinophils are dependent upon dose of cercariae. The initial peak response phase of peripheral eosinophilia coincides in time with the period of adult worm elimination (Weeks 4–6) in the schistosome-infected rat. Histological examination of the liver at 5 weeks after infection reveals eosinophil-rich inflammatory reactions associated with both live and dead worms residing in the portal blood vessels. Around live worms the inflammatory cells are localized in a perivascular arrangement; around dead worms these cells are in the vascular lumen in contact with destroyed worms. The chronic phase of peripheral eosinophilia is associated, in part, with inflammatory reactions surrounding eggs deposited in the liver by the few worm pairs which survive more than 6 weeks and remain within the liver. Histological examination during this period reveals granulomatous lesions within the liver surrounding eggs and dead worms. The granulomas are predominately monocytic (lymphocytes, macrophages) at 11 and 16 weeks. The initial peak response phase of peripheral eosinophilia appears to be a marker for tissue-localized reactions of eosinophils with worms. There are relationships between inflammatory reactions and survival of adult worms.
Opiate antagonists improve spatial memory

Rats trained on an eight-arm radial maze were challenged by placing the maze in new spatial environments. Administration of opiate antagonists, either naloxone or diprenorphine, after exposure to the new environments significantly improved subsequent performance. The effect of naloxone on spatial memory was attenuated when drug administration occurred 2 hours after maze exposure.
Persistent hypoparathyroidism following magnesium repletion in burn-injured children.

Children suffering severe burns develop hypocalcemia, magnesium (Mg) depletion, hypoparathyroidism, and renal resistance to parathyroid hormone (PTH) infusion. We hypothesized that Mg depletion accounted for both the hypoparathyroidism and the renal resistance to PTH, and that Mg repletion would improve both. Due to a lack of PTH for infusion, we studied only the effect of Mg repletion on the relationship between ionized Ca (iCa) and PTH in the serum of 14 sequentially recruited children burned ≥40% total body surface area. All received a urinary Mg retention test a median of 20 days post burn (range 8–137 days). Seven (50%) of the children remained Mg depleted, which was not attributable to burn size or to time from burn to study. Combined enteral and parenteral Mg intakes were not different between the depleted and repleted groups, 12.2±4.4 (SD) mg/kg per day and 14.2±6.2 mg/kg per day, respectively. Both groups had low intact PTH levels in relation to serum iCa concentration, indicating persistent hypoparathyroidism. We conclude that Mg depletion is not the chief cause of hypoparathyroidism following thermal injury and we postulate that the persistent hypoparathyroidism is consistent with a reduced set-point for Ca suppression of PTH secretion.