cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adult-born proopiomelanocortin neurons derived from Rax-expressing precursors mitigate the metabolic effects of congenital hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin deficiency

Abstract Objective Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus are essential regulators of energy balance. Selective loss of POMC production in these cells results in extreme obesity and metabolic comorbidities. Neurogenesis occurs in the adult hypothalamus, but it remains uncertain whether functional POMC neurons emerge in physiologically significant numbers during adulthood. Here, we tested whether Rax-expressing precursors generate POMC neurons in adult mice and rescue the metabolic phenotype caused by congenital hypothalamic POMC deficiency. Methods Initially, we identified hypothalamic Rax-expressing cell types using wild-type and Rax-CreERT2:Ai34D mice. Then we generated compound Rax-CreERT2:ArcPomcloxTB/loxTB mice in which endogenous hypothalamic Pomc expression is silenced, but can be restored by tamoxifen administration selectively in neurons derived from Rax+ progenitors. The number of POMC neurons generated by Rax+ progenitors in adult mice and their axonal projections was determined. The metabolic effects of these neurons were assessed by measuring food intake, bodyweight, and body composition, along with glucose and insulin levels. Results We found that Rax is expressed by tanycytes and a previously unrecognized cell type in the hypothalamic parenchyma of adult mice. Rax+ progenitors generated ~10% of the normal adult hypothalamic POMC neuron population within two weeks of tamoxifen treatment. The same rate and steady state of POMC neurogenesis persisted from young adult to aged mice. These new POMC neurons established terminal projections to brain regions that were involved in energy homeostasis. Mice with Rax+ progenitor-derived POMC neurons had reduced body fat mass, improved glucose tolerance, increased insulin sensitivity, and decreased bodyweight in proportion to the number of new POMC neurons. Conclusions These data demonstrate that Rax+ progenitors generate POMC neurons in sufficient numbers during adulthood to mitigate the metabolic abnormalities of hypothalamic POMC-deficient mice. The findings suggest that adult hypothalamic neurogenesis is a robust phenomenon in mice that can significantly impact energy homeostasis.
Retributivism revisited

I’ll raise a problem for Retributivism, the view that legal punishment is justified on the basis of desert. I’ll focus primarily on Mitchell Berman’s recent defense of the view. He gives one of the most sophisticated and careful statements of it. And his argument is representative, so the problem I’ll raise for it will apply to other versions of Retributivism. His insights about justification also help to make the problem particularly obvious. I’ll also show how the problem extends to non-retributive justifications of punishment. I’ll argue that Berman’s argument makes a questionable assumption about the standard of justification that justifications of punishment must meet to be successful. If we think about what it takes to justify punishment and reflect on the intuitions that retributivists appeal to, it turns out that the intuitions aren’t obviously up to the task.
Planned Home Birth.

1. Kristi Watterberg, MD* 1. *University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM The percentage of women planning to give birth at home varies greatly by country. In the United States the percentage is quite low (∼1%) but increasing, primarily among white, non-Hispanic women. In this population, the rate of planned home birth has exceeded 2% in recent years. In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic brought a new surge of interest in giving birth at home. The incidence also varies by state, with rates greater than 2% in some states and well under 1% in others. Laws regarding the practice of midwifery also differ greatly among states, leading to a patchwork of regulations and practices across the country. Finally, the number of women planning a home birth remains approximate because most US birth certificates include the place of birth but not the planned place of birth. Rates of transfer from home to hospital are reported to be between 10% and 40% in various studies, which can skew the apparent rate of planned and unplanned home births as well as the outcome statistics for mothers and their infants born at home. In 2012, Oregon began recording both the planned and actual places of birth on birth certificates, permitting a more accurate evaluation of the effects of planned birthplace on outcomes. A study based on these data, including both homes and birthing centers, confirmed that planned out-of-hospital births were associated with both fewer obstetric interventions and an increase in perinatal death. Importantly, when those infants who were planned to be born outside of the hospital but were transferred to the hospital before birth were included in the in-hospital birth group, there was no significant difference in neonatal mortality. However, when the transfers were included in the planned out-of-hospital birth group, the neonatal mortality rate was more than double that of the planned in-hospital birth group …
Family Adjustment to Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant During COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for families across the world due to fears about infection risk, increased social isolation, and significant changes in family roles and routines. Families with a child undergoing pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) may be at even greater risk for poor adjustment during COVID-19 given their child's increased risk for infection. The purpose of the current study was to qualitatively examine the impact of COVID-19 on family adjustment during pediatric HCT to inform clinical care. METHODS: Twenty-nine caregivers of children (≤12 years) who underwent an HCT within the past 2 years completed semi-structured qualitative interviews and demographic questionnaires in the first 4 months following initial COVID-19 quarantine. RESULTS: Twenty-two themes emerged from the interviews using grounded theory methodology. Although nearly half of caregivers described COVID-19 as a stressor, 69% of caregivers reported adequate adjustment to COVID-19. Caregivers generally attributed their positive adjustment to HCT preparing the family for COVID-19 and more difficult adjustment to increased physical or social isolation and COVID-19 amplifying germ fears. The child's HCT treatment status also had important implications on family adjustment to COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that families undergoing pediatric HCT are uniquely prepared to cope with the impacts of a global pandemic; however, families experiencing certain risk factors (e.g., more recent transplant, impaired access to social support, reduced access to coping tools) may experience poorer adjustment during pandemics such as COVID-19 and may benefit from increased psychosocial support from their healthcare team.
Linking morphodynamic response with sediment mass balance on the Colorado River in Marble Canyon: Issues of scale, geomorphic setting, and sampling design

Measurements of morphologic change are often used to infer sediment mass balance. Such measurements may, however, result in gross errors when morphologic changes over short reaches are extrapolated to predict changes in sediment mass balance for long river segments. This issue is investigated by examination of morphologic change and sediment influx and efflux for a 100 km segment of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, Arizona. For each of four monitoring intervals within a 7 year study period, the direction of sand-storage response within short morphologic monitoring reaches was consistent with the flux-based sand mass balance. Both budgeting methods indicate that sand storage was stable or increased during the 7 year period. Extrapolation of the morphologic measurements outside the monitoring reaches does not, however, provide a reasonable estimate of the magnitude of sand-storage change for the 100 km study area. Extrapolation results in large errors, because there is large local variation in site behavior driven by interactions between the flow and local bed topography. During the same flow regime and reach-average sediment supply, some locations accumulate sand while others evacuate sand. The interaction of local hydraulics with local channel geometry exerts more control on local morphodynamic response than sand supply over an encompassing river segment. Changes in the upstream supply of sand modify bed responses but typically do not completely offset the effect of local hydraulics. Thus, accurate sediment budgets for long river segments inferred from reach-scale morphologic measurements must incorporate the effect of local hydraulics in a sampling design or avoid extrapolation altogether.
Challenges in the packaging of an eight way server

Summary form only given. The Saber system by Intel's Enterprise Server Division is an excellent example of the multivariable driven nature of system packaging for cost, performance, use and service that characterizes high volume servers. The Saber is based around the Intel Xeon processor and the Profusion eight way capable chip-set and provides excellent performance on TPM-C performance and cost/performance benchmarks. The system supports eight Pentium III Xeon processors with up to 32 GB of PC-100 SDRAM, 10 hot plug PCI-66 slots and fully redundant power and cooling. The package is compliant to major OEM requirements, being 7U in height and 28" deep with space for hot plug hard drives to support the OS boot and swap space requirements as well as some data space. This presentation describes some of the challenges and solutions to the packaging of the Saber eight way system. The system required chip-set and board-set partitioning that supported the dual 100 MHz front side buses accommodating the Pentium III Xeon processors and the memory array. Use of high performance connectors and improved board materials were made while simulation and verification allowed the integration to meet cost and performance goals. For package longevity, processor power was set at 75 W in anticipation of one more performance stepping, putting a serious load on cooling. Airflow paths for the processors, memory and PCI slots were integrated into a complete model along with the chassis and power supplies to arrive at a solution. User serviceability and OEM differentiability were key to industrial design and packaging of the system and its modules.
RTP801 Regulates Maneb‐ and Mancozeb‐Induced Cytotoxicity via NF‐κB

Environmental factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Maneb (MB) and mancozeb (MZ) have been extensively used as pesticides. Exposure to MB lowers the threshold for dopaminergic damage triggered by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. MB and MZ potentiate 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridium (MPP(+))-induced cytotoxicity in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells partially via nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation. RTP801 dramatically increased by oxidative stresses and DNA damage is the possible mechanism of neurotoxins-induced cell death in many studies. This study demonstrated that MB and MZ induced DNA damage as seen in comet assay. The expressions of RTP801 protein and mRNA were elevated after MB and MZ exposures. By knocking down RTP801 using shRNA, we demonstrated that NF-κB activation by MB and MZ was regulated by RTP801 and cell death triggered by MB and MZ was associated with RTP801 elevation. This revealed that the toxic mechanisms of dithiocarbamates are via the cross talk between RTP801 and NF-κB.
Gaming the System: The Exemption of Professional Sports Teams From the Fair Labor Standards Act

This article examines a little known exemption to the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) that relieves seasonal recreational or amusement employers from their obligation to pay the minimum wage and overtime. The article evaluates the existing, confused case law surrounding the exemption and proposes a new, simplified framework for applying the provision. It then applies this framework to a recent wave of FLSA lawsuits brought against professional sports teams by cheerleaders, minor league baseball players, and stadium workers who claim they received less than the hourly minimum wage and/or were denied overtime pay. In particular, it determines that, when viewed properly, sports teams will often qualify for the exemption in at least some aspects of their operations. The article concludes by considering the policy implications of exempting this class of employers — some of which are worth up to three billion dollars — from the FLSA’s wage and hour requirements.
Categorization of humans in biomedical research: genes, race and disease

A debate has arisen regarding the validity of racial/ethnic categories for biomedical and genetic research. Some claim 'no biological basis for race' while others advocate a 'race-neutral' approach, using genetic clustering rather than self-identified ethnicity for human genetic categorization. We provide an epidemiologic perspective on the issue of human categorization in biomedical and genetic research that strongly supports the continued use of self-identified race and ethnicity.
VDIS: A System for Morphological Detection & Identification of Vehicles in RGB images

With the growth of urban centers worldwide, the number of vehicles in and around these areas has also increased. Traffic-related data plays an important role in spatial planning, for example, optimizing road networks and in the estimation or simulation of air and noise pollution. This information is important as it reflects the changes taking place around us. Additionally, data collected can be used for a wide array of applications including law enforcement, fleet management, and supporting other analyses at varying scales. In this paper, we present a method for the detection and identification of vehicles from low altitude, high spatial resolution Red Blue Green (RGB) images, utilizing both object spectra and image morphology. Results show an identification performance upwards of 62% with false positives occurring from the use of images with sun glare and vehicles with similar spectra values.
Drawing with the Flow: a sketch-based interface for illustrative visualization of 2D vector fields

This paper presents Drawing with the Flow, a sketch-based interface for illustrating 2D vector fields. Drawing with the Flow explores the problem of making scientific visualization tools accessible to artists and illustrators, who have a finely tuned visual design sense, but do not typically have the programming or mathematical background required to work with modern visualization algorithms and tools. Using a sketch-based interface that is accessible to illustrations, Drawing with the Flow makes it possible for illustrators to explore new visual designs for streamline placement in order to create illustrations of 2D vector fields, such as simulated fluid flows. The interface includes a method for interpreting hand-drawn marks relative to an underlying vector field, utilizing an "ink-data settling" procedure to subtly maintain an image consistent with the underlying data. A variable-density interactive streamline seeding algorithm tied to sketch-based input is also introduced, and design lessons learned and limitations are discussed. Several example illustration results have been created during sessions ranging from five to twenty-five minutes. The results presented demonstrate different styles of illustration for describing simulated data for 2D flows past a cylinder and 2D flows that include several different types of critical points.
Insulin secretion, obesity, and potential behavioral influences: results from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS).

Background This work was conducted to evaluate associations of insulin secretion with overall and central obesity, dietary fats, physical activity, and alcohol. Methods A frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) was used to assess acute insulin response to glucose (AIR) and insulin sensitivity (SI) among adult participants (n=675 with normal, NGT; n=332 with impaired glucose tolerance, IGT) in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS). Disposition index (DI) was calculated as the sum of the log-transformed AIR and SI to reflect pancreatic compensation for insulin resistance. Obesity was measured as body mass index (kg/m2, BMI) and central fat distribution by waist circumference (cm). Dietary fat intake (total, saturated, polyunsaturated, oleic acid), physical activity, and alcohol intake were assessed by standardized interview. Results In unadjusted analyses, BMI and waist were each positively correlated with AIR among NGTs (r=0.26 and 0.23, respectively; p<0.0001) but correlations were weaker among the IGTs (r=0.10, NS; r=0.13, p<0.05 for BMI and waist, respectively). BMI and waist were inversely correlated with DI among NGTs (r=−0.13 and −0.20, respectively; p<0.0001) and among IGTs (r=−0.20 and −0.19, respectively, p<0.0001). Dietary fat variables were positively related, and alcohol was inversely related, to AIR among NGTs (p<0.01) but not among IGTs. With all factors considered simultaneously in a pooled analysis of IGTs and NGTs, waist, but not BMI, was positively associated with AIR (p<0.001) and inversely associated with DI (p<0.01). None of the behavioral variables were independently related to either outcome. Conclusion Among non-diabetic patients, central obesity appears to be related to higher insulin secretion, but to lower capacity of the pancreas to respond to the ambient insulin resistance. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trippings along the trail to the molecular mechanisms of biological clocks

Abstract Solving the mechanism of circadian clocks has become an important goal, in part because daily rhythms are running in such a wide variety of organisms, and contribute to many aspects of their well being. Systematic genetic approaches to studying ‘the clock' were initiated in fruitflies more than 20 years ago as a novel means by which neural-pacemaking mysteries might be solved. Such chronogenetic investigations gained momentum when they spread to other species, and became molecular. However, the molecular studies were misleading, that is, until some elementary neuro-anatomical observations, involving the expression of a ‘clock gene' in Drosophila , gave the experiments in this molecular-neurogenetic area of chronobiology a new direction. The initially neuro-descriptive studies led to the current investigations that involve negatively acting transcription factors and other clock molecules that are presumed to interact with them. In addition, new mutants and clones have been isolated in a timely manner. These mutations and molecules should permit chronogeneticists, working on a wide variety of organisms, to unravel further details of how the clock works, how environmental information finds its way to it, and how it sends information out into the organism's physiology, biochemistry and behavior.
Abdominal Electric Stimulation Facilitates Penile Vibratory Stimulation for Ejaculation After Spinal Cord Injury: A Single-Subject Trial

Abstract Goetz LL, Stiens SA. Abdominal electric stimulation facilitates penile vibratory stimulation for ejaculation after spinal cord injury: a single-subject trial. Objective To compare the success rate of penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) alone with PVS and abdominal electric stimulation (AES). Design Single-subject trials. Setting Outpatient. Participant Man with chronic T3 complete (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade A) spinal cord injury. Spasticity, Babinski response, anal wink, and bulbocavernosus reflexes were all present. Intervention Stimulation was presented to the frenulum using a Ferti Care Personal vibrator set at maximal settings (frequency, 110Hz; amplitude, 3.55mm). AES was applied to the abdomen using a commercially available muscle stimulator at maximal stimulus intensity and duration settings. Trials were randomized to PVS only or PVS plus AES. Main Outcome Measures Presence or absence of ejaculation, and time to ejaculation. Results Only 4 of 30 trials were positive with PVS alone, while 31 of 34 trials were positive with PVS plus AES. Additionally, 17 of 26 PVS trials, which were initially negative with PVS alone, were then positive with the addition of AES. This represents a clinically relevant improvement with use of AES. Time to ejaculation for positive trials with either technique was not statistically significant. Conclusions AES significantly lowered the threshold for ejaculation elicited with vibratory stimulation and increased the success rate over that when PVS alone was used.
Creating and Enhancing Radiology Student Interest Groups

Student interest groups are an important forum in which medical students learn about and develop interest in different medical specialties. To attract top students to radiology and promote understanding and appreciation of radiology among future physicians, it is important that radiology educators help to develop and sustain such groups at their institutions. This article reviews key considerations in creating and enhancing a radiology student interest group.
Relation between pancreatic lipase activity and gastric emptying rate in children with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract Objective To determine whether abnormal gastric emptying is responsible for the inability of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) to normalize fat digestion in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who are pancreatic-insufficient. Study design Gastric emptying of a solid meal and pancreatic lipase function were assessed in 10 children with CF and 12 healthy control subjects with noninvasive breath tests using 13 C-octanoic acid and 13 C-mixed triglyceride, respectively. Lipase function was assessed in the subjects with CF with and without PERT. Results Without PERT, the lipase activity for the patients was less than that for the control subjects ( P P >.05), but there was a negative correlation between gastric half emptying time and percentage improvement in 13 C-mixed triglyceride results of the patients with CF with pancreatic enzymes compared with placebo ( P Conclusions The success of PERT in improving pancreatic lipase activity is reduced in patients with slow gastric emptying, which could explain the variations in improvement of fat digestion with enzyme supplementation.
Altitude-aggravated illness: Examples from pregnancy and prenatal life

Nearly 40 million persons worldwide live permanently at elevation above 8,000 ft (2,439 m) and perhaps as great a number visit high-altitude regions annually. Health effects include the well-recognized altitude-specific syndromes of acute mountain sickness and high-altitude pulmonary edema. Emphasis is placed in this article on altitude-aggravated illness or those preexisting conditions that may be adversely affected by reduced O2 availability at high altitude. Examples from studies of pregnant women and their infants at high altitude are reviewed to demonstrate the effect of high altitude on maternal and fetal well-being. Increased maternal ventilation and ventilatory response to hypoxia during pregnancy at 10,200 ft (3,110 m) and 14,200 ft (4,329 m) raised arterial O2 saturation, helped to preserve arterial O2 content at levels present when nonpregnant, and correlated positively with the offspring's birth weight. Fetal growth retardation and an increased incidence of the complications of pre-eclampsia and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia at high altitude suggested that altitude may aggravate complications of pregnancy and prenatal life. Other conditions that may be aggravated at high altitude are reviewed. Virtually all studies on altitude-aggravated illness have been conducted on permanent residents. Future studies should seek to determine whether high altitude aggravates pre-existing conditions among the large and growing number of high-altitude visitors.
MRI shows a region-specific pattern of atrophy in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2

In this study, we used manual delineation of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the spatial and temporal characteristics of the cerebellar atrophy in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2). Ten subjects with SCA2 were compared to ten controls. The volume of the pons, the total cerebellum, and the individual cerebellar lobules were calculated via manual delineation of structural MRI. SCA2 showed substantial global atrophy of the cerebellum. Furthermore, the degeneration was lobule specific, selectively affecting the anterior lobe, VI, Crus I, Crus II, VIII, uvula, corpus medullare, and pons, while sparing VIIB, tonsil/paraflocculus, flocculus, declive, tuber/folium, pyramis, and nodulus. The temporal characteristics differed in each cerebellar subregion: (1) duration of disease: Crus I, VIIB, VIII, uvula, corpus medullare, pons, and the total cerebellar volume correlated with the duration of disease; (2) age: VI, Crus II, and flocculus correlated with age in control subjects; and (3) clinical scores: VI, Crus I, VIIB, VIII, corpus medullare, pons, and the total cerebellar volume correlated with clinical scores in SCA2. No correlations were found with the age of onset. Our extrapolated volumes at the onset of symptoms suggest that neurodegeneration may be present even during the presymptomatic stages of disease. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the cerebellar degeneration in SCA2 are region specific. Furthermore, our findings suggest the presence of presymptomatic atrophy and a possible developmental component to the mechanisms of pathogenesis underlying SCA2. Our findings further suggest that volumetric analysis may aid in the development of a non-invasive, quantitative biomarker.
R-MATRIX AND S-MATRIX STRENGTH FUNCTIONS.

Abstract Strength functions are defined for both R - and S -matrices as the energy average of the ratio of pole residues to pole spacings. The R -matrix strength functions exhibit no threshold effects, while the S -matrix strength function for channel c considered as a function of the energy has a branch point at that channel threshold. Although the R strength function for l = 0 neutrons may exhibit a giant resonance as a function of energy just above neutron threshold (e.g. for A ≈ 55 and 155), the S strength function does not as a direct consequence of its threshold branch point.
Cather-Based Approaches to Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation

The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a prominent source of cardioembolic stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). While systemic anticoagulation is the common therapeutic choice, these medications carry many contraindications and possible complications. Epicardial and endovascular techniques for occlusion of LAA have been explored and early clinical data is accumulating. In the coming years, this data will help guide the management of AF patients at risk of bleeding as well as potentially become first-line therapy to reduce the risk of thromboembolic stroke. The purpose of this article is to review current endovascular and epicardial catheter based LAA occlusion devices and the clinical data supporting their use.
Geothermal heat extraction by water circulation through a large crack in dry hot rock mass

One proposed geothermal heat extraction scheme relies on water circulation in a large vertical crack created by hydraulic fracturing in a hot dry impermeable rock mass. Water flow, heat convection and crack opening widths are analysed by finite elements. Governing field equations of the problem are first set up rigorously and then various small terms are identified and neglected, retaining the effects of pressure gradient, buoyancy, velocity head (kinetic energy) and head loss due to viscous friction in the water flow equation, and the effects of heat convection in water and heat conduction in rock in the heat transfer equation. The finite element scheme for water flow is based on a variational principle that is typical for diffusion problems, and for heat transfer it is based on the method of least-square residuals. The system of differential equations is highly non-linear. The non-linear terms and coefficients are treated in the fiaite element analysis as constant; the finite element analysisof, the steady-state pressures, fluxes and temperatures is then iterated, evaluating all non-linear terms and coefficients on the basis of the solution obtained in the previous iteration. Numerically calculated fields at various times after the start ofcooling are presented. They indicate some features favourable for the geothermal scheme, such as formation of eddy currents, and downward flux of water toward hotter rock. However, other important questions would have to be solved to gain full understanding, of this proposed geothermal scheme.
a natural system used in Mfantse litigation settlement

Because of the differing circumstances which surround each case, Mfantse litigation settlement involves complex decision making. The natural system which elders use to set pacification fees in these cases simplifies otherwise complex decisions by limiting the amount of information brought to bear on each case to a small number of salient criteria and by applying these criteria sequentially.
Negative Appraisal and Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Community Clients With Serious Mental Illness

We examined the relationship between negative appraisal and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among adults diagnosed with severe mental illness (SMI). It was hypothesized that negative appraisals of the self, the world, and self-blame would have a positive and significant association with traumatic stress symptoms in a clinical sample of community clients diagnosed with an Axis I primary diagnosis of either severe major mood disorder or schizophrenia-spectrum disorder when controlling for gender, total lifetime trauma, substance abuse, and severity of symptoms of psychosis and depression. Multiple regression was employed to conduct a secondary analysis of clinical data from 291 community support clients who were receiving services from three community mental health centers. Results supported the main hypotheses that all three types of negative appraisal with respect to self, world/others, and self-blame were positively and significantly associated with PTSD symptoms. The authors recommend impr...
Behavioral effects of the isomers of pentobarbital and secobarbital in mice and rats

Abstract To determine what stereoselective differnces there may be in the behavioral effects of the isomers of phentobarbital and secobarbital, the effect of each isomer was determined on the spontaneous motor activity (SMA) and multiple fixed-ratio 30, fixed-interval 600-sec (mult FR30 FI600) responding of mice, and on the variable-interval 60 sec (VI60) responding of rats. The S(−) isomers of pentobarbital and secobarbital decreased SMA at lower doses than those required for the R-(+) isomers. At moderate to high doses of R-(+)-pentobarbital (30–42.5 mg/kg) and low to moderate doses of S(−)-secobarbital (5.6–17.5 mg/kg) SMA was increase in SMA following R-(+)-secobarbital was only observed at 30 mg/kg, and no increase were obseerved with S-(−)-pentobarbital. No potency differences were observed between the isomers of pentobarbital and secobarbital on the responding of mice under the mult FR30 FI600 schedule over a dose range 1–30 mg/kg. Increases in FI600 responding were only observed following moderate doses of the S-(−) isomer of pentobarbital (5.6–17.5 mg/kg). In rats responding under the VI60 schedule of food presentation, no qualitative stereoselective were observed in the behavioral effects of the isomers of pentobarbital (1–13 mg/kg) and secobarbital (1–13 mg/kg), but small differences in potency were observed. Thus, differences in the effects of the isomers were usually restricted to differences in potency, but in some differences in efficacy were observed.
Electrophoresis of the male accessory secretion and its fate in the mated female

Polyacrylamide disk gel electrophoresis of homogenates of the ejaculatory ducts of male houseflies, Musca domestica, yielded 20 stainable protein fractions; 12 proteins (ranging from 650 to 4150 in molecular weight) could be definitely attributed to the ducts, and the remaining 8 were presumed by virtue of the relative mobilities to result from contamination with haemolymph. Studies of the incorporation of 14C-labelled amino acids into the ducts showed that relatively more arginine and asparagine were taken up followed, in order, by lysine, phenylalanine, methionine, glycine, cysteine, tyrosine, valine, threonine, leucine, isoleucine, histidine, and serine. Only trace amounts of proline, tryptophan, aspartic acid, alanine, glutamic acid, and glutamine were found. Since the components of the ejaculatory duct transferred to the female via copulation were selectively absorbed by the head, thorax, and abdomen of the female, we have support for the hypothesis of a multi-functional role of the male accessory secretion in the regulation of female physiology.
Individual‐based modelling of recruitment variability and biomass production of bay anchovy in mid‐Chesapeake Bay

Production of bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli is highest in the larval and juvenile stages. The interplay between vital rates, stage durations, prey resources, and anchovy abundance ultimately determines the relative magnitude of recruitment (which in the model varies by about three-fold) and of stage-specific production. Changes in adult seasonal spawning patterns that increase the number of larval survivors result in only a slight increase in overall production due to density-dependent decreases in growth rates of later life stages. Bay anchovy in the mid-Chesapeake Bay may reach a compensatory threshold during late summer-autumn as fish growth is affected by competition for food resources. Density dependence in the population is evident in the relationships between spawner-recruit, size-recruit, and production of larval or juvenile to young-of-the-year life stages. Density-dependent growth acts differentially upon the early life stage that exceeds the compensatory threshold in any given year, due either to environmental variability or population size, or both. This could explain partially the relatively low recruitment variability observed for this anchovy.
Alterations in serotonin binding sites after 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine treatment in the rat spinal cord.

Abstract The 5-HT 1B subtype of serotonin (5-HT) receptor regulates the release of 5-HT in the rat spinal cord. In an attempt to confirm the presynaptic location of the 5-HT 1B receptor, serotonergic nerves were destroyed neurochemically with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) administered intrathecally. At 3, 7 and 14 days post 5,7-DHT, competitive radioligand binding assays were performed using 2 nM [ 3 H]5-HT and varying concentrations of trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP), a drug which interacts with 5-HT 1B and 5-HT 1A binding sites (affinity of 5-HT 1B site > 5-HT 1A site for TFMPP). The decrease in 5-HT 1B sites that was expected was not observed at any time following the lesion. However, the binding capacity of the 5-HT 1B site, as well as the 5-HT 1A site, increased significantly by 7 and 14 days postlesion, respectively. Thus, it appears that an up-regulation of 5-HT 1B sites occurred that may have obscured the ability to observe a reduction in a small population of sites located on the serotonergic nerve terminals.
ACR Appropriateness Criteria Imaging in the Diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a clinical entity characterized by compression of the neurovascular bundle, and may be associated with additional findings such as venous thrombosis, arterial stenosis, or neurologic symptoms. The goal of imaging is to localize the site of compression, the compressing structure, and the compressed organ or vessel, while excluding common mimics. A literature review is provided of current indications for diagnostic imaging, with discussion of potential limitations and benefits of the respective modalities. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 3 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances in which evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment. In this document, we provided guidelines for use of various imaging modalities for assessment of thoracic outlet syndrome.
Cyclosporin A Does Not Inhibit Epidermal Cell Growth at Therapeutic Levels

The direct effect of cyclosporin A on epidermal cells was examined by using a pig skin explant culture system. A dose-response study using cyclosporin concentration from one-tenth the expected serum level to 100 times the expected serum level was done, and epidermal outgrowth and the number of mitotic figures were measured. Cyclosporin inhibited epidermal cell outgrowth at concentrations of 60 and 100 times the expected serum level, but it did not inhibit epidermal cell outgrowth at the serum level or even at 30 times the serum level. Cyclosporin did not inhibit mitotic figures significantly. These results suggest that cyclosporin does not inhibit epidermal cells directly.
Inhibition of excitotoxicity in cultured rat cortical neurons by a mixture of conjugated linoleic acid isomers.

Abstract Glutamate excitotoxicity, which is mediated by both N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors, directly contributes to the neuronal cell loss associated with both acute insults and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of dienoic derivatives of linoleic acid shown to have anticarcinogenic and antioxidative activities. To evaluate the effect of a mixture of CLA isomers ( cis -9, trans -11 and cis -10, trans -12 octadecadienoic acids) on glutamate- and NMDA-induced excitotoxicity, primary cultures of rat cortical neurons were treated for 15 min with 300 μM glutamate or NMDA in the presence of various concentrations of CLA. After the exposure, cell cultures were maintained at 37 °C for 18 h in minimum essential medium supplemented with glucose. Neuronal injury was measured by a colorimetric cell proliferation assay, and a qualitative assessment was made by phase-contrast microscopy. CLA inhibited glutamate- and NMDA-induced neuronal cell death in a concentration-dependent fashion with the most effective dose for neuroprotection being 500 μM. These results demonstrate that a mixture of CLA isomers exhibits protective action against glutamate- and NMDA-induced excitotoxicity.
THE “PERMANENT DEPOSIT” OF HEGELIAN THOUGHT IN DEWEY’S THEORY OF INQUIRY

In this essay, Jim Garrison explores the emerging scholarship establishing a Hegelian continuity in John Dewey’s thought from his earliest publications to the work published in the last decade of his life. The primary goals of this study are, first, to introduce this new scholarship to philosophers of education and, second, to extend this analysis to new domains, including Dewey’s theory of inquiry, universals, and creative action. Ultimately, Garrison’s analysis also refutes the traditional account that claims that William James converted Dewey from Hegelian idealism, after which Charles Sanders Peirce inspired him to rebuild his instrumentalism along radically different lines.
Exercise Does Not Protect against MPTP-Induced Neurotoxicity in BDNF Happloinsufficent Mice

Exercise has been demonstrated to potently protect substantia nigra pars compacta (SN) dopaminergic neurons from 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity. One mechanism proposed to account for this neuroprotection is the upregulation of neurotrophic factors. Several neurotrophic factors, including Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), have been shown to upregulate in response to exercise. In order to determine if exercise-induced neuroprotection is dependent upon BDNF, we compared the neuroprotective effects of voluntary exercise in mice heterozygous for the BDNF gene (BDNF+/−) with strain-matched wild-type (WT) mice. Stereological estimates of SNpc DA neurons from WT mice allowed 90 days exercise via unrestricted running demonstrated complete protection against the MPTP-induced neurotoxicity. However, BDNF+/− mice allowed 90 days of unrestricted exercise were not protected from MPTP-induced SNpc DA neuron loss. Proteomic analysis comparing SN and striatum from 90 day exercised WT and BDNF+/− mice showed differential expression of proteins related to energy regulation, intracellular signaling and trafficking. These results suggest that a full genetic complement of BDNF is critical for the exercise-induced neuroprotection of SNpc DA neurons.
Fluorescence and nucleic acid binding properties of the human T-cell leukemia virus-type 1 nucleocapsid protein.

Abstract We used intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence to study the nucleocapsid protein from human T-cell leukemia virus-type one, HTLV-1 p15, an 85-amino-acid protein with two Trp-containing zinc-finger motifs. Fluorescence spectra suggested an interaction between the two zinc fingers and another interaction involving the C-terminal tail and the zinc fingers. Titrations with nucleic acid revealed similar, sub-micromolar affinity for poly(dT) and poly(U) in 1 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7. Double-stranded DNA bound an order of magnitude weaker, suggesting helix-destabilizing activity. Base preference of p15 was T≈U>I≈C≈G>A; affinity spanned about one order of magnitude. HTLV-1 p15 bound weaker and with less variation than reported values for either human or simian immunodeficiency virus homologues. The low affinity of p15 for nonspecific nucleic acids distinguishes it from other nucleocapsid proteins, and may suggest its involvement in additional steps of the virus life cycle other than RNA packaging.
Total and ionization cross sections in a simplified model of electron-hydrogen scattering

The total cross section (inclusive of all scattering) is calculated as a function of energy for a simplified model of electron-hydrogen scattering in which all terms involving nonzero angular momenta are neglected. Only the $^{1}S$ state is considered. The two-body Schr\"odinger equation is integrated numerically, and the optical theorem is used to determine the total cross section. The results agree rather well with those obtained from a pseudostate expansion. High and low bounds are given for the ionization cross section, and these are compared with estimates of ionization obtained from a pseudostate expansion.
479 DEVELOPMENT OF PANCREATIC SECRETORY FUNCTION

Morphological maturation of rodent pancreas and developmental increases in enzyme content are virtually completed prenatally. However, very little is known about secretory function in the perinatal period. Accordingly, pancreatic amylase secretion was studied in vitro using tissue fragments suspended in continuously gassed Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution and exposed for varying periods of time to hormones or other secretagogues. Term fetal pancreas was refractory to all doses of carbachol and CCK-PZ used(10−4 and to 10−11M). By contrast, amylase secretion was significantly augmented when tissue was exposed to Ca++ ionophore (A23187, 3 μg/ml) or to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM),8-bromocyclic GMP(1 mM) or theophylline(3 mM). The latter agent when combined with either cyclic nucleotide potentiated the secretory effects. Neither carbachol(10−6M) nor A23187(3 μg/ml)increased intracellular levels of cyclic GMP in fetal pancreas despite presence of theophylline(3 mM) in incubation media. Postnatally (days 1 & 8),amylase secretion in response to hormones was brisk as much as 36% of the total amylase content of the gland being released in 60min. By 8 days of age, both carbachol and A23187 produced 2-4 fold increases in tissue cyclic GMP levels within 5 min. of exposure. These data demonstrate that certain secretory mechanisms in term fetal rat pancreas are immature and that acquisition of mature function occurs rapidly after birth. The findings suggest that a critical perinatal event is responsible for the rapid and dramatic change in responsiveness to hormones.
Exchange Anisotropy—A Review

Exchange anisotropy describes a magnetic interaction across the interface between two magnetic materials. A shifted hysteresis loop, sinθ torque curve, and rotational hysteresis in magnetic fields greater than 2K / Ms may result from this interaction if one of the materials is antiferromagnetic. This interaction has been found to exist between ferro‐antiferromagnetic materials, ferri‐antiferromagnetic materials, and ferri‐ferromagnetic materials. The work of various people is discussed in terms of the expected behavior in these exchange coupled systems. Some interesting results of the exchange interaction are reviewed. These include improved properties of fine particle magnets, a memory effect in a mixed ferrimagnetic spinel, a rotatable anisotropy in thin films, and an explanation for the reverse magnetization of a deposit in the earth's crust. The interfacial conditions necessary to obtain the interaction between the two magnetic systems are discussed, and it is shown that they are met in several cases. Models are presented which yield rotational hysteresis in magnetic fields greater than 2K / Ms as has been found in all of the exchange coupled systems.
Anesthetic considerations in the multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes.

Purpose of reviewThe multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes present a diverse array of challenges to the anesthesiologist. The tumors and their effects are often underdiagnosed and potentially discovered only when the patient is undergoing surgery for either a component of one of the syndromes
Background Diet and Fat Type Alters Plasma Lipoprotein Response but not Aortic Cholesterol Accumulation in F1B Golden Syrian Hamsters

Dietary modification alters plasma lipoprotein profiles and atherosclerotic lesion progression in humans and some animal models. Variability in response to diet induced atherosclerosis has been reported in hamsters. Assessed was the interaction between background diet composition and dietary fat type on aortic cholesterol accumulation, lipoprotein profiles, hepatic lipids and selected genes. F1B Golden Syrian hamsters (20/group) were fed (12 weeks) semi-purified or non-purified diets containing either 10 % (w/w) coconut oil or safflower oil and 0.15 % (w/w) cholesterol. The non-purified diets relative to semi-purified diets resulted in significantly higher TC (72 % [percent difference] and 38 %, coconut oil and safflower oil, respectively) and nHDL-C (84 and 61 %, coconut oil and safflower oil, respectively), and lower HDL-C (−47 and −45 %, coconut oil and safflower oil, respectively) concentrations. Plasma triacylglycerol concentrations in the hamsters fed the non-purified coconut oil-supplemented diets were three- to fourfold higher than non-purified safflower oil-supplemented, and both semi-purified diets. With the exception of HDL-C, a significant effect of fat type was observed in TC, nHDL-C and triacylglycerol (all P < 0.05) concentrations. Regardless of diet induced differences in lipoprotein profiles, there was no significant effect on aortic cholesterol accumulation. There was an inverse relationship between plasma nHDL-C and triacylglycerol, and hepatic cholesteryl ester content (P < 0.001). Diet induced differences in hepatic gene transcription (LDL receptor, apoB-100, microsomal transfer protein) were not reflected in protein concentrations. Although hamsters fed non-purified and/or saturated fatty acid-supplemented diets had more atherogenic lipoprotein profiles compared to hamsters fed semi-purified and/or polyunsaturated fatty acid-supplemented diets these differences were not reflected in aortic cholesterol accumulation.