cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gonadal alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase: In vivo and in vitro effects of psychoactive and endocrine agents

Abstract The in vivo effect of amantadine, chlorpromazine and reserpine on testicular aldehyde dehydrogenase (T-ALDH) was studied as a function of mouse strain. The effect of Leu-enkephaline and tetrahydropapaverine on rodent T-ALDH was also studied in vivo. The in vitro effect of chlorpromazine, papaverine and scopolamine on rodent subcellular T-ALDH and testicular alcohol dehydrogenase (T-ADH) were evaluated. A strain-linked difference in endogenous T-ALDH among the three mouse strains studied was determined. Individual injection of chlorpromazine or reserpine inhibited only albino ICR T-ALDH which was alleviated by pretreatment with amantadine and, thereby, suggesting antagonism between amantadine and these agents. The Leu-enkephaline administration induced T-ALDH from saline control. Tetrahydropapaverine did not influence the enzymes studied in vivo compared to an insignificant in vitro induction of T-ADH by the O-methylated analogue papaverine. Chlorpromazine noncompetitively inhibited T-ADH in vitro. The results indicate the modulation of enzymes studied, which are involved in both detoxification of ethanol and biogenic amine-derived aldehyde intermediates, by agents affecting the endocrine system. This suggests the potential of these testicular enzymes in the evaluation of alcohol- and drug-induced endocrine adverse reactions.
Peptide and protein-based inhibitors of HIV-1 co-receptors

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) afflicts an estimated 30 million people globally, making it a continuing pandemic. Despite major research efforts, the rate of new infections has remained relatively static over time. This article reviews an emerging strategy for the treatment of HIV, the inhibition of the co-receptors necessary for HIV entry, CCR5 and CXCR4. The aim of this article is to highlight potential therapeutics derived from peptides and proteins that show particular promise in HIV treatment. Molecules that act on CCR5, CXCR4 or on both receptors will be discussed herein.
Subdiaphragmatic vagal afferent innervation in activation of an opioidergic antinociceptive system in response to colorectal distension in rats.

Abstract In a number of different experimental paradigms of somatic pain, there is evidence for a vagally mediated antinociceptive system. This pathway probably involves opioid mechanisms. However, whether this pathway is activated in visceral pain or if it involves subdiaphragmatic vagal afferents is unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine whether subdiaphragmatic vagal afferents mediate antinociception in response to a visceral stimulus and whether this involves an opioid pathway. Colorectal distension was performed in fasted, conscious male Sprague-Dawley rats using a balloon catheter connected to an electronic distension device. The number of abdominal contractions (visceromotor response) in response to a tonic colorectal distension (60 mmHg for 10 min) was recorded. Experiments were performed in sham or subdiaphragmatically vagotomized, perineural vehicle- or capsaicin-treated rats (to functionally denervate vagal afferents) before and after administration of naloxone (25 mg kg(-1) bodyweight intraperitoneally). Vagotomy, capsaicin and naloxone pretreatments all significantly enhanced the visceromotor response to colorectal distension. The effect of naloxone in capsaicin-treated rats did not appear to be additive. These results suggest that activation of subdiaphragmatic afferents, which can be blocked by capsaicin, may play a role in opioid-dependent antinociceptive pathways activated by a noxious visceral stimulus.
Commentary on Implications of the Genographic Project

First, I would like to thank George Nicholas and Julie Hollowell for inviting me to comment on this important panel discussion. Second, I would like to thank all the panelists for their articulate and highly stimulating discussion, which deftly illustrates the range of cultural, historical, and political complexities that inform not only the Genographic Project but also research conducted with Indigenous peoples and indigenous communities more generally.
Cesium Abolishes the Barium‐Induced Pacemaker Potential and Current in Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocytes

Cesium Abolishes Barium-Induced PM Current. Introduction: The ability of cesium to block barium-induced diastolic depolarization (“Ba-DD”) and pacemaker current was tested in isolated ventricular myocytes. Because Ba-DD is due to decreasing k conductance and there is no If at the resting potential, this approach permits verification of whether Cs+ is a specific blocker of I, or if it instead also blocks a K+ pacemaker current. Methods and Results: Guinea pig isolated ventricular myocytes were studied by a discontinuous, single electrode, voltage clamp method. During hyperpolarizing voltage clamp steps from -80 up to -140 mV in Tyrode's solution, the inward current increased as a function of voltage but did not change us a function of time (no If or K+ depletion). Cesium (4mM) reduced the current size during the hyperpolarizing steps hut did not induce or unmask time-dependent currents. Barium (0.05 to 0.1 mM) induced diastolic depolarization, and, in its presence, depolarizing voltage clamp steps were followed by an outward tail current that reversed at -92.0 ± 1.3 mV. Outward tail currents were larger at -50 mV than at the resting potential, and inward tail currents decayed more rapidly and to a larger extent during larger hyperpolarizing steps. In the presence of Ba2+, Cs+ (4 mM) had little effect on the steady-state current but markedly reduced or abolished undershoot, Ba-DD, and time-dependent tail currents at potentials both positive and negative to the resting potential. Cs+ had a smaller effect on the steady-state current-voltage (I-V) relation in the presence than in the absence of Ba2+, as part of the Ikl channels were already blocked by Ba2+ and the time-dependent changes induced by Ba2+ were not present. Both Ba2+ and Cs+ had little blocking effect on the steady-state current positive to the negative slope region of the I-V relation. Conclusion: In ventricular myocytes, Cs+ abolishes the Ba2+-induced pacemaker current by blocking the time-dependent change in K+ conductance, not by blocking If. Because Cs+ can also block a decaying K+ pacemaker current, the abolition of a pacemaker current by Cs+ in other cardiac tissues cannot be taken as unequivocal proof that the blocked current is If
Soy consumption is not protective against diabetes in Hawaii: the Multiethnic Cohort

Based on the hypothesis that soy consumption may improve glucose tolerance, we examined the association of soy intake with diabetes risk in the Hawaii component of the Multiethnic Cohort. Among 29 719 Caucasian, 35 141 Japanese American and 10 484 Native Hawaiian men and women, 8564 incident diabetes cases were identified during 14 years of follow-up. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios while adjusting for known confounders with stratifications by sex, ethnicity and weight status. We observed no protective effect of soy food consumption on diabetes risk in this population, which has a wide range of soy intakes though lower than in Asian populations. Indeed, higher soy food intake was associated with a weakly elevated diabetes risk across ethnic groups; the higher risk was limited to overweight and obese individuals. The current findings do not support a protective effect of modest levels of soy food consumption against diabetes.
An experimental investigation into micro-fabricated solid oxide fuel cells with ultra-thin La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Fe0.2O3 cathodes and yttria-doped zirconia electrolyte films

Abstract Thin-film solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) were fabricated with both Pt and mixed conducting oxide cathodes using sputtering, lithography, and etching. Each device consists of a 75–150 nm thick yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte, a 40–80 nm porous Pt anode, and a cathode of either 15–150 nm dense La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (LSCF) or 130 nm porous Pt. Maximum powers produced by the cells are found to increase with temperature with activation energies of 0.94–1.09 eV. At 500 °C, power densities of 90 and 60 mW cm−2 are observed with Pt and LSCF cathodes, respectively, although in some conditions LSCF outperforms Pt. Several device types were fabricated to systematically investigate electrical properties of components of these fuel cells. Micro-fabricated YSZ structures contacted on opposite edges by Pt electrodes were used to study temperature-dependent in-plane conductivity of YSZ as a function of lateral size and top and bottom interfaces. Si/Si3N4/Pt and Si/Si3N4/Au capacitor structures are fabricated and found to explain certain features observed in impedance spectra of in-plane and fuel cell devices containing silicon nitride layers. The results are of relevance to micro-scale energy conversion devices for portable applications.
Lipopolysaccharide-induced increases in cytokines in discrete mouse brain regions are detectable using Luminex xMAP technology.

Methods to determine cytokine protein content in samples of interest, such as Enzyme- Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA), are often labor-intensive and costly. Furthermore, because ELISA requires relatively large sample volumes and protein concentrations, it is difficult using this technique to determine protein content for multiple cytokines from individual samples. Recently, Luminex® has developed an open source hardware platform combining flow cytometry and bead-based antibody capture that is capable of detecting multiple analytes from a single sample. In the present study we employed the Luminex 200® platform, to determine the cytokine protein content in discrete brain regions of C57BL/6J mice. In spike-and-recovery experiments, known concentrations of murine recombinant interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α were added either singly or as a mixture of all three to whole brain homogenates containing known quantities of total protein. Spiked samples were assayed for either a single cytokine or for multiple cytokines using 1-plex or 3-plex assay kits, respectively. In whole mouse brain homogenate we recovered between 81% to 103% of the recombinant cytokines. We then injected C57BL/6J mice intraperitoneally with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and sacrificed them 4 h later. We detected in samples taken from LPS-stimulated mice 4 to 870 fold increases in serum or spleen cytokine protein, and 1.5 to 16 fold increases in cytokine protein in discrete brain regions, relative to protein content in samples obtained from vehicle-treated animals. These results indicate that multiple cytokines may be reliably assayed from discrete regions of mouse brain using a single sample.
Cell surface glycoproteomic analysis of prostate cancer-derived PC-3 cells

Most clinically approved biomarkers of cancer are glycoproteins, and those residing on the cell surface are of particular interest in biotherapeutics. We report a method for selective labeling, affinity enrichment, and identification of cell-surface glycoproteins. PC-3 cells and primary human prostate cancer tissue were treated with peracetylated N-azidoacetylgalactosamine, resulting in metabolic labeling of cell surface glycans with the azidosugar. We used mass spectrometry to identify over 70 cell surface glycoproteins and biochemically validated CD146 and integrin beta-4, both of which are known to promote metastatic behavior. These results establish cell-surface glycoproteomics as an effective technique for discovery of cancer biomarkers.
Pilot study of high-dose, concurrent biochemotherapy for advanced melanoma.

BACKGROUND Durable complete response rates ranging from 5% to 20% have been reported in association with biochemotherapy for patients with metastatic melanoma, with response rates on the low end of this range being observed in trials that used lower doses and less intense treatment schedules. In the current study, the authors addressed the feasibility of increasing the doses of agents used in concurrent biochemotherapy. METHODS Three patients with metastatic melanoma were enrolled at each of six concurrent biochemotherapy dose levels. The doses were as follows: dacarbazine 800 mg/m2 or 1000 mg/m2 (Day 1); cisplatin 25 mg/m2 or 30 mg/m2 (Days 1–4); vinblastine 1.6 mg/m2 or 1.8 mg/m2 (Days 1–5); interleukin-2 9 million units (MU) per m2 or 12 MU/m2 as a 24-hour continuous infusion (Days 1–4); and interferon-alpha-2b 5 MU/m2, 10 MU/m2, or 15 MU/m2 (Days 1–5) and 5 MU/m2 (Days 7, 9, and 11) administered subcutaneously. RESULTS Of the 19 patients who were enrolled, 18 were evaluable for toxicity and response. Sixty-nine treatment courses were administered in total (median, 4 courses per patient; range, 1–6 courses per patient), with reduction of the dose of at least 1 agent being required in 7 courses (10%). Twenty-six courses were delayed by a median of 7 days (range, 3–29 days), with interferon-alpha-2b administration frequently omitted because of thrombocytopenia, most often after Day 5. Blood product support was required in 40 courses. Dose-limiting toxic effects included global encephalopathy, renal and hepatic dysfunction, pancreatitis, and ileus. There was 1 complete response, and there were 10 partial responses. The median time to disease progression was 6.9 months, and the median survival duration was 12.2 months. CONCLUSIONS Although dose intensification can be achieved safely in patients with advanced melanoma, other strategies should be pursued to enhance the clinical activity of biochemotherapy as a response induction regimen. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
"Edukating" Pop: Hans Weingartner's Die fetten Jahre sind vorbei and the Legacy of '68 in Contemporary Germany

Against the backdrop of the Spasgesellschaft of the late 1990s and critiques of the student movement's continuing impact forty years later, Hans Weingartner's film Die fetten Jahre sind vorbei [ The Edukators ] (2004) attempts to foster identification with political activism in a global context. Despite pronounced differences between G-8 Summit protesters and the contented prototypes of Pop novels, the film joins historical ideals with a postmodern sensibility that taps into a contemporary Zeitgeist . Intertextuality, above all with the Wachowski brothers' film The Matrix , provides the means with which utopian ideals—writ large as an escape to an outside space beyond the structures that shape identity—can be coupled with political activism. By breaking into expensive villas and piling up, rather than stealing the possessions they find, the film's three leads tap into the roots of a postmodern aesthetic consisting of collage forms. Similarly, by hacking into computerized surveillance technology, they scramble the system and suggest ways for transforming human copies into a more fully conscious selfhood. In the process, Weingartner demonstrates how Pop's playfulness and political activism can be joined in powerful, effective ways. (MM)
Synthesis and solid-state NMR structural characterization of polysiloxane-immobilized thiol and thiol-amine ligands

Abstract Thiol and thiol-amine ligand systems that are immobilized in a polysiloxane matrix have been synthesized via the sol-gel process by hydrolytic condensation of mixtures of Si(OEt)4 and (MeO)3Si(CH2)3SH, as well as (EtO)3Si(CH2)3NH2 or (MeO)3Si(CH2)3NH(CH2)2NH2 for thiol-amine systems. In these systems, most of the amine groups can be protonated by aqueous acid solution. Solid-state 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra confirm the fact that these materials, in analogy to polysiloxane-immobilized amine systems, undergo leaching of small oligomers containing ligand groups when they are treated with aqueous acid. 15N NMR spectra indicate that the amine groups in these systems may be involved in hydrogen bonding with silanols or with other ligand groups. 13C-detected and 29Si-detected T1H values were measured on the polysiloxane-immobilized thiol system, thiol-monoamine system and thiol-diamine system. The T1H results suggest that the ligand groups in these systems are evenly distributed in the polysiloxane networks.
The photoaffinity probe 8-N3[α-32P]ATP labels the ATP-binding sites of rabbit neutrophil and skeletal muscle actin

Abstract 8-Azido-[α- 32 P]ATP (8-N 3 -ATP) was used as a photoaffinity label for ATP binding sites in the subcellular fractions of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils. The radioactive 8-N 3 -ATP was specifically incorporated into one major protein of 43 kDa. The isoelectric point, molecular mass and subcellular distribution of this labeled protein closely resemble those of the actin. 8-N 3 -[α- 32 P]ATP was further tested as a photoaffinity label for the ATP binding site in the purified rabbit skeletal muscle G-actin. The radioactive 8-N 3 -ATP was specifically incorporated into the actin band in SDS—polyacrylamide gel. The results indicate that 8-N 3 -ATP can be used as a photoaffinity label for actin.
Characterization of Selectively Deposited Cobalt Capping Layers: Selectivity and Electromigration Resistance

Co films were selectively deposited as Cu capping layers by chemical-vapor-deposition technique. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy determined the Co deposition selectivity as a function of the deposition temperature and substrate materials. The Co/Cu interfacial property was characterized and revealed no detectable oxygen at the interface. The selectivity of the Co deposition process and the property of the resulted Co/Cu interface were further confirmed with time-dependent-dielectric-breakdown and electromigration tests.
Cation and anion ideal vacancy induced gap levels in some III–V compound semiconductors

Abstract A systematic study of the ideal cation and anion vacancy induced neutral deep levels in GaSb, GaAs, GaP, InSb, InAs and InP is presented which establishes a correlation with ionicity of the bulk material. The study shows that an accurate description of the charge distribution of the bulk material, in addition to its band structure, is essential for a quantitatively reliable determination of the deep level energies, regardless of the theoretical scheme used. In particular, the established connection between photothreshold and ionicity is shown to provide a criterion which for the first time makes the empirical tight binding method suitable for studies of trends in a whole class of materials.
Excess Gestational Weight Gain Is Associated with Child Adiposity among Mothers with Normal and Overweight Prepregnancy Weight Status

There are inconsistencies in the literature regarding the association between gestational weight gain (GWG) and child adiposity. GWG is hypothesized to act on child adiposity directly through intrauterine programming and indirectly through birth weight. It is unclear if the relative importance of these pathways differs by prepregnancy BMI status. We analyzed data from 3600 participants of the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort. Child BMI Z-score was calculated from height and weight measured at 5 y. Using linear regression, controlling for sociodemographics and family lifestyle, we examined prepregnancy BMI-specific associations between GWG and child BMI Z-score. There was a nonlinear association among normal (P < 0.001) and overweight mothers only (P = 0.013), such that GWG beyond the midpoint of the 2009 Institute of Medicine recommendations was associated with a significant increase in child BMI Z-score. After the addition of birth-weight-for-gestational-age and breastfeeding to the model, the association remained among normal-weight mothers (P = 0.005) and was slightly attenuated among overweight mothers (P = 0.09). No significant association was observed between GWG and child BMI Z-score among underweight or obese mothers. We used path analysis to decompose the total effect into direct and indirect effects. This indicated the presence of a stronger direct than indirect effect. In conclusion, low GWG is not associated with BMI Z-score among any prepregnancy BMI group. Excess GWG is associated with an increase in child BMI Z-score among normal and overweight mothers only. Prevention of excess GWG may be a strategy to prevent childhood obesity.
The Influence of Individual, Job, and Organizational Characteristics on Correctional Staff Job Stress, Job Satisfaction, and Organizational Commitment

As staff performance is vital to the survival of correctional institutions, much empirical attention has been paid to studying the causes and consequences of their attitudes and behaviors. The current study adds to this body of knowledge by examining the factors that explain three central occupational attitudes—job stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. More specifically, using survey data collected from a large county correctional system in Orlando, Florida, this research assesses the impact of key demographic, job, and organizational characteristics within and across jail staff attitudes toward job stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. This article finds that the more powerful predictors of each of these attitudes are job and organizational characteristics. Among the dependent variables, job stress has an inverse relationship with job satisfaction, and job satisfaction had a powerful positive association with organizational commitment.
Explaining public resistance to genetically modified corn: an analysis of the distribution of benefits and risks.

Genetically modified (GM) crops have met with widespread approval among scientists and policy makers in the United States, but public approval of GM crops, both domestically and abroad, is progressing much more slowly. An underlying cause of public wariness may be that both nations and individual consumers do not perceive significant benefits to themselves from GM crops, while fearing the risks they may incur. In this study, an economic analysis is conducted to determine whether the benefits of one type of GM corn, Bt corn (genetically modified to resist damage from the ECB and Southwestern corn borer), outweigh the potential risks; and who the “winners” and “losers” are among stakeholder groups that may be affected by Bt corn. It is found that Bt corn growers, consumers, and industry all benefit from Bt corn adoption, though the purported health and environmental benefits of reducing chemical pesticide usage through Bt corn are negligible. Though the aggregated public benefit is large, the welfare gain to individual consumers is small and may not make up for perceived risks. While environmental and health risks of Bt corn are unlikely, the potential market risks— impacting both the organic corn market and total U.S. corn exports—are found to be significant. Currently, distributional analysis is not a part of regulatory decision making of Bt corn in the United States; yet it may help to explain why decision makers at both the government and individual-consumer levels have failed to embrace Bt corn and other GM crops.
SPATIAL PATTERN OF RISK OF COMMON RAVEN PREDATION ON DESERT TORTOISES

Common Ravens (Corvus corax) in the Mojave Desert of California, USA are subsidized by anthropogenic resources. Large numbers of nonbreeding ravens are attracted to human developments and thus are spatially restricted, whereas breeding ravens are distributed more evenly throughout the area. We investigated whether the spatial distribution of risk of predation by ravens to juveniles of the threatened desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) was determined by the spatial distribution of (1) nonbreeding ravens at human developments (leading to “spillover” predation) or (2) breeding individuals throughout developed and undeveloped areas (leading to “hyperpredation”). Predation risk, measured using styrofoam models of juvenile desert tortoises, was high near places attracting large numbers of nonbreeding ravens, near successful nests, and far from successful nests when large numbers of nonbreeding ravens were present. Patterns consistent with both “spillover” predation and “hyperpredation” were thus observed, attr...
Putative nociceptive modulatory neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla of the rat display highly correlated firing patterns.

Recent work in this laboratory has identified two classes of putative nociceptive modulating neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) of the rat: “off-cells,” which pause beginning just prior to the tail flick response (TF) evoked by noxious heat, and “on-cells,” which accelerate shortly before the occurrence of the TF. In the unstimulated, lightly anesthetized rat, the spontaneous firing pattern of individual on- and off-cells consists of alternating periods of silence and activity lasting from several seconds to a few minutes.In the present study, simultaneous recordings were made from pairs of TF-related neurons, and the relationships among the firing patterns of cells within a class and between cells of different classes were determined. All cells of a given class showed fluctuations in spontaneous discharge that were in phase. On the other hand, there was a striking reciprocity of firing between the two cell classes, such that a decrease in activity of cells of one class was accompanied by a...
Biogeography and evolution of the Galapagos: integration of the biological and geological evidence

Biogeographic tracks are mapped for Galapagos endemics representing 25 plant and animal taxa and including organisms with good and poor means of dispersal. These patterns confirm standard biogeographic tracks linking Galapagos with Central America, western North and South America, the Caribbean, Asia and Australasia. Discovery of the Galapagos Gore in the 1970s corroborates the biogeographic prediction for a major tectonic centre associated with the Galapagos. The biogeographic model developed by Croizat in 1958 of Galapagos colonization involving an ancestral biota inhabiting eastern Pacific geosynclinal forelands is congruent with plate tectonic models supporting a Pacific island arc origin for western American terranes. American relatives of Galapagos endemics may have originated within an eastern Pacific paleogeography rather than representing centres of origin for dispersal to the Galapagos. Galapagos colonization by an eastern Pacific biota between late Cretaceous and mid-Tertiary has significant implications for understanding the tempo and mode for both the origins of island biota and general models of evolutionary differentiation. Popular assertions that overwater dispersal represents the only viable origin for the entire Galapagos biota is no longer biogeographically or geologically tenable.
Specification and patterning of the respiratory system

This chapter focuses on the mechanisms of specification, expansion and patterning of the respiratory progenitors during lung development. Currently little is known about the signals required for induction of the respiratory lineage and that generate cellular diversity in the respiratory epithelium. Studies in different species implicate Fgfs, retinoids, Wnt, and transcription factors such as Tbx, Nkx2 and Sox in the regulation of the initial developmental events in the lung. We will review the role of these regulators and how they interact. We will also discuss aspects related to the identification and behavior of putative stem/progenitor cells of the lung.
Fuselage metal fatigue in large commercial aircraft

Details of a recent aircraft fuselage metal fatigue forensic analysis are presented. Different methods for determining total fatigue cycles are given and compared. The results of this investigation are placed in context with respect to all known catastrophic fatigue failures of commercial aircraft fuselages in the modern era.
Choreoathetoid disorder associated with amphetamine-like drugs

Three cases of an acute choreoathetoid disorder that developed after the use of an amphetamine-like drug are reported. Because of the dramatic improvement in symptoms over a few hours in these cases, we recommend observation, supportive care, and the careful oral administration of activated charcoal.
Functions of the vibrissae in the defensive and aggressive behavior of the rat

Removal of mystacial vibrissae for strange rats placed in an established rat colony produced reliable decrements in defensive boxing for these animals, and corresponding increases in freezing. In a subsequent experiment, removal of the vibrissae of the attacking colony males did not change the attack behavior of the vibrissectomized animals. These results indicate that the vibrissae are involved in defensive boxing behavior, but play no essential role in the elicitation or maintenance of conspecific attack in the rat.
Energetic challenges unmask the role of ovarian hormones in orchestrating ingestive and sex behaviors.

Effects of ovarian hormones on sex and ingestive behavior are well studied, and yet, their role in diverting attention from food to sex has not been examined directly, possibly because these functions are masked under conditions of excessive food abundance typical of the laboratory. Female Syrian hamsters were either fed ad libitum or food-restricted to 75% of their ad libitum intake for 8 days and then tested every day of the estrous cycle for their preference for males versus food, food hoarding and food intake in an apparatus designed to mimic aspects of their natural habitat. The food-restricted, but not the fed females, varied significantly over the estrous cycle in appetitive behaviors, which included their preference for males versus food and in the amount of food hoarded, with low food hoarding and high male preference on the night of ovulation. In contrast, there were no significant differences between restricted and ad libitum-fed females in the consummatory behaviors, namely, food intake or lordosis duration. In ovariectomized females, estradiol plus progesterone treatment delayed food restriction-stimulated hoarding and hastened feeding-inhibited hoarding without affecting food intake or lordosis duration. In summary, energy restriction and the presence of males unmasked an effect that was obscured in the normal laboratory conditions characterized by isolation and an over abundance of readily available food. These results are consistent with the idea that ovarian hormones orchestrate appetites for food and sex to optimize reproductive success under fluctuating energetic conditions.
Performance of a blind clustering equalizer for digital mobile radio channels

Performance characteristics of a blind clustering equalizer in the presence of frequency selective fading and Doppler effects in mobile communications environments is investigated. Performance of the equalizer is evaluated and compared with those of previously-proposed algorithms. Extensive simulation results indicate that this equalizer performs better than other algorithms for various modulation schemes and channel conditions. The results further illustrate that this algorithm converges very quickly thereby making it quite suitable for digital cellular environments where the channel needs to be equalized and updated within short time frames. >
Testicular prolactin receptors and serum growth hormone in golden hamsters: effects of photoperiod and time of day.

Investigations were conducted to determine effects of exposure to short photoperiod-with its accompanying reductions in serum prolactin (Prl) concentrations-for various durations on testicular Prl receptors. An additional study investigated the possibility of nyctohemeral fluctuations in testicular Prl receptors and serum growth hormone (GH) concentrations and their alteration by photoperiod. After 10 and 28 days of exposure to a short photoperiod consisting of 5 h of light and 19 h darkness (5L:19D) (and prior to changes in testicular weight), there were progressive and significant reductions in the concentration of testicular PrI receptors (fmol/ mg protein) when compared with long-photoperiod controls (14L: 1OD). After 12 weeks of 5L: 19D, when testicular weights were dramatically decreased, Pr! receptor concentration was reduced to 39% of long-photoperiod controls in one study, without alteration of affinity of Pr! receptors for their labeled ligand. When measured at 6-h intervals in hamsters on 14L:1OD, and on 5L: 19D for 12 weeks, there were no significant changes in concentration or total content (fmo!/testes) of testicular PrI receptors throughout the day. Although serum GH concentrations fluctuated markedly in hamsters on both photoperiods, no definitive nyctohemeral patterns were detected. These data provide indirect evidence for the ability of Prl to regulate its own testicular receptors, and demonstrate that diurnal fluctuations in testicular sensitivity to injected Prl are not a consequence of changes in Pr! receptors. The data also suggest the absence of effects of photoperiod on serum GH concentrations in male golden hamsters.
Image sampling properties of photoreceptors: a reply to Miller and Bernard.

Miller and Bernard argue that photoreceptor sampling occurs at the inner rather than outer segments. Foveal inner segments form a lattice-like array that should create visible Moire patterns when frequencies above 60 c/deg are image by interferometry. Despite a checkered past, this prediction is confirmed by recent experiments. Extrafoveally, frequencies above the nominal Nyquist limits of the cones are routinely present in the retinal image. Spectral analysis shows that the inner segments there form optimally irregular sampling arrays that avoid Moire distortion by scattering supra-Nyquist frequencies into broadband noise. Thus is appears that topological disorder in the receptor mosaic prevents aliasing outside the fovea--the only place it could occur in normal vision.
Validity of Heavy-Traffic Steady-State Approximations in Multiclass Queueing Networks: The Case of Queue-Ratio Disciplines

A class of stochastic processes known as semi-martingale reflecting Brownian motions SRBMs is often used to approximate the dynamics of heavily loaded queueing networks. In two influential papers, Bramson [Bramson M 1998 State space collapse with applications to heavy-traffic limits for multiclass queueing networks. Queueing Systems 30:89--148] and Williams [Williams RJ 1998b Diffusion approximations for open multiclass queueuing networks: Sufficient conditions involving state space collapse. Queueing Systems 30:27--88] laid out a general and structured approach for proving the validity of such heavy-traffic approximations, in which an SRBM is obtained as a diffusion limit from a sequence of suitably normalized workload processes. However, for multiclass networks it is still not known in general whether the steady-state distribution of the SRBM provides a valid approximation for the steady-state distribution of the original network. In this paper we study the case of queue-ratio disciplines and provide a set of sufficient conditions under which the above question can be answered in the affirmative. In addition to standard assumptions made in the literature towards the stability of the pre-and post-limit processes and the existence of diffusion limits, we add a requirement that solutions to the fluid model are attracted to the invariant manifold at a linear rate. For the special case of static-priority networks such linear attraction is known to hold under certain conditions on the network primitives. The analysis elucidates interesting connections between stability of the pre-and post-limit processes, their respective fluid models and state-space collapse, and identifies the respective roles played by all of the above in establishing validity of heavy-traffic steady-state approximations.
Mother-Directed Achievement of Children in Two Cultures

Mother-child pairs in a small Mexican town and in Los Angeles, California, were observed in two experimental situations in which the mother either controlled the rewards given to the child for success or failure or selected achievement goals for the child. The results of the first experiment were that mothers of both groups rewarded their children for success, but that Mexican mothers gave significantly more rewards for failure than did the Los Angeles mothers. The results of the second experiment were that the Los Angeles mothers chose significantly more difficult achievement goals for their children and did not lower the goal following failure, as did the Mexican mothers.
FAST RECONSTRUCTION ALGORITHMS FOR OPTICAL TOMOGRAPHY USING SPARSE MATRIX REPRESENTATIONS

This paper introduces a novel method for reconstructing optical tomography images using pre-computed transforms. Our approach is to pre-compute and store the inverse matrix required for MAP reconstruction using lossy source coding techniques. We show how lossy source coding techniques can be used to store the large and non-sparse matrix by applying a wavelet transform in the image space and appropriate orthonormal transforms in the sensor space. Lossy coding dramatically reduces the number of non-zero coefficients, thereby proportionately reducing both the required storage and computation time. However, if the number of sensor measurements is large, the storage and computation of the orthonormal transforms can become prohibitive. For this purpose, we introduce a general method for approximating any orthonormal transform by a series of sparse binary transforms. This sparse matrix transform technique is then used together with lossy coding to result in a fast reconstruction algorithm for optical tomography. Simulations indicate that the technique can dramatically reduce the storage and computation requirements in reconstruction by exploiting redundancy in the transformed matrices.
Vascular pedicle width in acute lung injury: correlation with intravascular pressures and ability to discriminate fluid status

Introduction: Conservative fluid management in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) increases time alive and free from mechanical ventilation. Vascular pedicle width (VPW) is a non-invasive measurement of intravascular volume status. The VPW was studied in ALI patients to determine the correlation between VPW and intravascular pressure measurements and whether VPW could predict fluid status. Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved 152 patients with ALI enrolled in the Fluid and Catheter Treatment Trial (FACTT) from five NHLBI ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) Network sites. VPW and central venous pressure (CVP) or pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) from the first four study days were correlated. The relationships between VPW, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), cumulative fluid balance, and PAOP were also evaluated. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the ability of VPW to detect PAOP <8 mmHg and PAOP ≥18 mm Hg. Results: A total of 71 and 152 patients provided 118 and 276 paired VPW/PAOP and VPW/CVP measurements, respectively. VPW correlated with PAOP (r = 0.41; P < 0.001) and less well with CVP (r = 0.21; P = 0.001). In linear regression, VPW correlated with PAOP 1.5-fold better than cumulative fluid balance and 2.5-fold better than PEEP. VPW discriminated achievement of PAOP <8 mm Hg (AUC = 0.73; P = 0.04) with VPW ≤67 mm demonstrating 71% sensitivity (95% CI 30 to 95%) and 68% specificity (95% CI 59 to 75%). For discriminating a hydrostatic component of the edema (that is, PAOP ≥18 mm Hg), VPW ≥72 mm demonstrated 61.4% sensitivity (95% CI 47 to 74%) and 61% specificity (49 to 71%) (area under the curve (AUC) 0.69; P = 0.001). Conclusions: VPW correlates with PAOP better than CVP in patients with ALI. Due to its only moderate sensitivity and specificity, the ability of VPW to discriminate fluid status in patients with acute lung injury is limited and should only be considered when intravascular pressures are unavailable.
Introduction to the Structure, Function, and Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrae and the Intervertebral Disc

The goal of this introductory chapter is to provide an overview of the design, evolution, and basic characteristics of the disc and the vertebrae that comprise the human spine. As with any survey, the state of current knowledge reflects the work of earlier cohorts of individuals whose insightful observations relied almost entirely on observation, argument, and inductive reasoning. Over the centuries, sequential observations by men like Aristotle, Vesalius, Hunter, and Winslow have all contributed to understanding how the oversized human head can restrictively swivel on the multiple bones of the vertebrate spine and in doing so provide our species with its huge biological advantage.
Reinstatement of Tetradesmus G. M. Smith (Sphaeropleales, Chlorophyta)

Earlier and more recent history of the relationship between the desmid genera Acutodesmus and Tetradesmus (Sphaeropleales, Chlorophyta) is discussed. It is pointed out that current taxonomic treatments are using the name Acutodesmus (Hegewald) Tsarenko, which dates as a genus only from 2001. Taxonomic treatments are now including in Acutodesmus A. wisconsinensis, which is the type species of the earlier generic name Tetradesmus of G. M. Smith (1913). Because of the priority of Tetradesmus, ten taxa are transferred to that genus. (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Critical Care Nursing Expertise during Air Transport

The purpose of this study was to describe the practical knowledge possessed by registered nurses that are part of the Air Force's Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) and distinguish salient features of CCATT knowledge to critical care nursing in the hospital. This research study used descriptive, exploratory methods. Twelve CCATT nurses, identified as experts, were included in the study. Data were collected using written narratives by each participant; group interviews in which nurses discussed the written narratives; and individual interviews. Data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenology. Four major themes developed from the data. The knowledge embedded in CCATT nursing included: preflight preparation, in-flight assessment and environment, characteristics of CCATT nurse, and hospital vs. in-flight nursing practice. CCATT nurses improvise and provide nursing care based on past experiences using a broad critical care knowledge base. This has led to the development of a unique body of knowledge for nursing care. The areas of assessment and preparation described by the CCATT nurses can serve as a template for the Air Force's CCATT training program and CCATT orientation checklists. This study also identified several topics for future research.
Experimental Evidence of Age-Related Adaptive Changes in Human Acinar Airways

The progressive decline of lung function with aging is associated with changes in lung structure at all levels, from conducting airways to acinar airways (alveolar ducts and sacs). While information on conducting airways is becoming available from computed tomography, in vivo information on the acinar airways is not conventionally available, even though acini occupy 95% of lung volume and serve as major gas exchange units of the lung. The objectives of this study are to measure morphometric parameters of lung acinar airways in living adult humans over a broad range of ages by using an innovative MRI-based technique, in vivo lung morphometry with hyperpolarized (3)He gas, and to determine the influence of age-related differences in acinar airway morphometry on lung function. Pulmonary function tests and MRI with hyperpolarized (3)He gas were performed on 24 healthy nonsmokers aged 19-71 years. The most significant age-related difference across this population was a 27% loss of alveolar depth, h, leading to a 46% increased acinar airway lumen radius, hence, decreased resistance to acinar air transport. Importantly, the data show a negative correlation between h and the pulmonary function measures forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity. In vivo lung morphometry provides unique information on age-related changes in lung microstructure and their influence on lung function. We hypothesize that the observed reduction of alveolar depth in subjects with advanced aging represents a remodeling process that might be a compensatory mechanism, without which the pulmonary functional decline due to other biological factors with advancing age would be significantly larger.
Abel's Theorem on the Lemniscate

(1981). Abel's Theorem on the Lemniscate. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 88, No. 6, pp. 387-395.
Identity and Phylogenetic Significance of the Metapostnotum in Nonaculeate Hymenoptera

The metapostnotum is present and distinguishable in members of nearly all examined families of Hymenoptera; its anatomy and associated structures are described and figured for representatives of nonaculeate families. On the basis of the evidence from the metapostnotum and associated structures the Orussidae are the extant sister-group of the apocritan Hymenoptera, and the Cimbicidae are convergent with respect to metapostnotal structure with the Orussidae and Apocrita. Parallel reductions in the metapostnotum and associated muscles have occurred in the Ichneumonoidea, Chalcidoidea, Proctotrupoidea, Cynipoidea, and Ceraphronoidea; in all of these groups, at least some species have relatively unreduced structures.
A speech enhancement algorithm based on auditory masking and multi-band spectral subtraction

The speech enhancement is a powerful treatment technology for dealing with the noise pollution.According to the human auditory masking properties,the paper proposes an improved method of speech enhancement.In this method,it combines masking properties of human auditory system with multi-band spectral subtraction algorithm.Firstly,this method performs multi-band spectral subtraction,then,the estimated results can be used to compute the masking threshold of the speech,after that,the coefficients are adjusted according to perception.The simulation results show its excellent performance in background noise and musical noise in low SNR condition while keeping very low audible distortion.
Chronic fatigue syndrome: is it real?

PreviewBecause the exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is still unknown, management can be a frustrating proposition for both patient and physician. Each case should be carefully evaluated for possible organic and psychiatric factors. Dr Kroenke reviews the current controversy over etiology and suggests an approach to management.
Polymerization of fibrinogen in murine bleomycin-induced lung injury

Bleomycin lung injury in mice leads to an acute alveolitis followed by a fibroproliferative response characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix. Because distinct regions of the fibrin(ogen) molecule have unique in vitro biological effects on cells, we quantified, localized, and biochemically characterized the molecular form of extravascular fibrin(ogen) in methoxyflurane anesthetized, bleomycin-injured mice. Bleomycin or saline (controls) was administered intratracheally, and lung tissue was harvested and analyzed at several times thereafter. Immunoreactive fibrin tissue content increased to a maximal 50-fold over controls in a temporal and spatial pattern paralleling that of alveolitis and maximal fibroproliferation. The generation of gamma-gamma-chain dimers and alpha-chain polymers, together with the loss of free alpha- and gamma-chains, indicates that the fibrin is predominantly covalently cross-linked. In fibroproliferative-phase lungs, the fibrin fibrils are branched and colocalize with those of collagen at the electron microscopic level. These observations strongly suggest that fibrin is a significant molecular effector of the in vivo fibroproliferative response after lung injury.