cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, accumulation, and release of d‐aspartate in the Aplysia californica CNS

d-Aspartate (d-Asp) is an endogenous molecule that is often detected in CNS and endocrine tissues. Using capillary electrophoresis and a variety of radionuclide detection techniques, we examine the synthesis, release, and uptake/accumulation of d-Asp in the CNS of the marine mollusk Aplysia californica. We observe the preferential synthesis and accumulation of d-Asp over l-aspartate (l-Asp) in neuron-containing ganglia compared to surrounding sheath tissues. Little conversion of d-Asp to l-Asp is detected. The Ca(2+) ionophore ionomycin and elevated extracellular potassium stimulates release of d-Asp from the cerebral ganglia. Lastly, radioactive d-Asp in the extracellular media is efficiently taken up and accumulated by individual F-cluster neurons. These observations point to a role for d-Asp in cell-to-cell signaling with many characteristics similar to classical transmitters.
Scaling Runtimes for Irregular Algorithms to Large-Scale NUMA Systems

The Galois system can automatically parallelize irregular algorithms written in a serial programming model and execute them efficiently on nonuniform memory access (NUMA) machines. Experimental results for five complex irregular algorithms show that the system scales up to 420× on large NUMA systems at 512 threads.
Is the Romantic–Sexual Kiss a Near Human Universal?

Scholars from a wide range of human social and behavioral sciences have become interested in the romantic–sexual kiss. This research, and its public dissemination, often includes statements about the ubiquity of kissing, particularly romantic–sexual kissing, across cultures. Yet, to date there is no evidence to support or reject this claim. Employing standard cross-cultural methods, this research report is the first attempt to use a large sample set (eHRAF World Cultures, SCCS, and a selective ethnographer survey) to document the presence or absence of the romantic–sexual kiss (n = 168 cultures). We defined romantic–sexual kissing as lip-to-lip contact that may or may not be prolonged. Despite frequent depictions of kissing in a wide range of material culture, we found no evidence that the romantic–sexual kiss is a human universal or even a near universal. The romantic–sexual kiss was present in a minority of cultures sampled (46%). Moreover, there is a strong correlation between the frequency of the romantic–sexual kiss and a society's relative social complexity: the more socially complex the culture, the higher frequency of romantic–sexual kissing. [kiss, kissing, romantic, sexual, intimate]
Playing practical games with bacteria and viruses: exploring the molecular mechanisms behind clever cellular stratagems

How do pathogenic bacteria sense their environment to deploy different survival strategies? Why do some viruses, like HIV, allow their host to live for long periods whereas others like Ebola do not? How precisely are these strategies encoded in the organism's biochemistry and genetics and how closely do they need to be followed to guarantee its survival? What are the optimal strategies for defeating these organisms or forcing them to do our bidding for industrial or medical benefit? Here I will demonstrate, using examples from our research on Bacillus subtilis stress response and the design of HIV gene therapeutic strategies, how molecular biology combined with methods from statistical physics, nonlinear dynamics, and game theory can be used to pose and partially answer these questions as well as illustrate some of the profound challenges in doing so.
Optimization of baseline and folding in spectra obtained using the TPPI format

Recently Bax and colleagues ( 1) have shown that one avoids the problem of baseline distortion when acquiring complex data by using a sampling delay of one-half the dwell time. In addition, aliased signals, that lie outside the spectral window, are either in phase or 180” out of phase with the nonaliased signals. These characteristics are particularly desirable when signals in the indirectly detected dimensions of a multidimensional NMR experiment are recorded. Herein we show that similar features occur when real (i.e., single-channel) data are acquired using a sampling delay of one dwell time. In the case of real data, signals that lie outside the spectral window fold, rather than alias as they do for complex data (2). The phase relationship between folded and nonfolded signals can be understood with the aid of Fig. 1. We assume that we are acquiring real data and designate the carrier and Nyquist frequencies as w, and UN, respectively. All frequencies are defined relative to the reference at zero frequency. For simplicity we assume that the sample contains a single spin that precesses at frequency o. The coordinate system in Fig. 1B is the rotating frame defined by w,. We suppose that a 90” pulse is applied along the Y axis in this frame, which places the magnetization along the positive X axis. We further suppose that the initial receiver reference phase is chosen to detect the signal component that lies along the X axis. In this case the detected signal sampled at time td is given by
Blue Flame from Common Salt

I AM perfectly aware that, as Dr. Gladstone points out in your last issue, I have not proved HCl to be the origin of the blue flame, but I will give some of my reasons for thinking so.
Ventilator-Dependent Children and the Health Services System. Unmet Needs and Coordination of Care

Rationale: Children dependent on mechanical ventilation are a vulnerable population by virtue of their chronic disability and are therefore at increased risk for health disparities and access barriers. The present study is the first, to our knowledge, to conduct a large-scale survey of caregivers of ventilator-dependent children to develop a comprehensive socio-demographic profile.Objectives: To describe the demographic and health status profile of ventilator-dependent children, to identify the types of unmet needs families caring for a child on a ventilator face, and to determine the correlates of access to care coordination.Methods: A survey was administered to 122 parents whose children attended a pediatric home ventilator clinic at a large tertiary Midwestern medical center (84% of the clinic population).Measurements and Main Results: Half of the patient population had severe functional limitations, and 70% had one or more comorbidities. One quarter of caregivers reported current financial struggles, ...
Amino-terminal sequence of a phospholipid transfer protein from rat lung.

Abstract A phospholipid transfer protein from rat lung has been characterized in terms of the amino-terminal sequence. The sequence is Val-Leu-Leu-Lys-Glu-Tyr-Arg-Val-Ile-Leu-Pro-(Val)-His-Val-Asp-Glu-Tyr-Gln-Val-Gly. Comparison of the amino-terminal sequence of the protein from lung with sequences from phosphatidylcholine transfer protein and non-specific phospholipid transfer protein from bovine liver revealed no apparent sequence homology. The sequence showed no homology with fatty acid binding proteins or cellular retinoid binding proteins.
Wondering About Dialogic Theory and Practice

This commentary engages with essentially contestable questions raised by the School of the Dialogue of Cultures. It focuses on questions about how theory should relate to practice and how a "dialogic" approach can involve students in simultaneously rigorous and relevant academic discussions.
Equivalent T and Pi Sections for the Quarter-Wavelength Line

An equivalent T section is derived for the high-frequency quarter-wavelength line, and the action of the line is shown to follow the behavior of its equivalent network. An equivalent pi section for the line is similarly derived and discussed.
Determination of the molecular weight of Saccharomyces cerevisiae nuclear DNA

Abstract Viscoelastic retardation-time experiments on the DNA released from spheroplasts of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae yield a molecular weight of 2 × 10 9 for the largest DNA, assuming linear unbranched DNA, and of 4.3 × 10 9 assuming circular unbranched DNA. Both log and stationary-phase cells give the same results. Comparison of these results with the nuclear DNA content of S. cerevisiae determined by renaturation kinetics suggests that the largest piece of DNA in the yeast nucleus may, at least during part of the cell cycle, consist of from one-fourth to all of the yeast genome.
Transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsy of recurrent vaginal mass in a 23 month old girl

We present a transrectal needle aspiration biopsy in a 23 month old white female with a history of vaginal rhabdomyosarcoma and a recurrent vaginal mass
Outcomes of Vitrectomy for Retained Lens Fragments

Abstract Purpose: Retained lens fragments after cataract surgery is an infrequent, but potentially serious surgical complication. The aim of this study is to evaluate outcomes after vitrectomy has been performed for removal of retained lens material. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to evaluate all cases of pars plana vitrectomy for removal of retained lens fragments performed at Wills Eye Hospital from April 1991 through August 1994. Results: A total of 121 eyes of 121 patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy with removal of retained lens material over the 3 1/2-year period. Visual acuity on presentation was 20/200 or worse in 95 eyes (79%). Visual acuity after vitrectomy was 20/40 or better in 82 eyes (68%). The postoperative visual acuity was 20/50 to 20/400 in 21 eyes (17%), and counting fingers or worse in 18 eyes (15%). Nineteen eyes (16%) had retinal detachment (RD): 8 were noted at the time of vitrectomy and 11 occurred after vitrectomy. Of the 19 eyes with RD, visual acuity was 20/200 or worse in 12 (63%) and counting fingers or worse in 6 (32%) at the time of last follow-up. The use of posterior segment phacofragmentation was associated with higher rate of RD, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Major causes of poor final visual outcome included RD (6 eyes), cystoid macular edema (4 eyes), and glaucoma (2 eyes). Conclusion: The timing of vitrectomy did not have a statistically significant impact on visual outcome. Neither the type of intraocular lens nor the timing of lens implantation significantly altered the final visual acuity. Most eyes with retained lens fragments do well after vitrectomy, with the majority recovering good vision. However, the risk of RD is increased, and visual outcome may be adversely affected if RD occurs.
Characteristics of patients with small-volume residual ovarian cancer unresponsive to cisplatin-based ip chemotherapy: Lessons learned from a gynecologic oncology group phase II trial of ip cisplatin and recombinant α-interferon

Abstract The Gynecologic Oncology Group conducted a phase II trial of intraperitoneal (ip) cisplatin plus recombinant human α-interferon in patients with small-volume persistent/recurrent ovarian cancer. This study was based on the known single agent activity of the drugs administered by the ip route and experimental evidence of cytotoxic synergy between the agents. In 18 evaluable patients, only 1 partial response was observed (5.5% response rate). In an effort to explain these disappointing findings, patients were retrospectively divided into two groups; those with favorable disease (documented response to systemic platinum and absence of surgical findings of diffuse carcinomatosis at laparotomy prior to initiation of ip therapy) or unfavorable disease (no evidence of response to systemic platinum and/or laparotomy findings of diffuse carcinomatosis before ip treatment). The favorable patient population would be predicted to have a far greater chance of responding to local therapy, but only 3 of the evaluable patients fell into this category. In the 15 unfavorable patients, only 1 partial response was observed (7% response rate). We conclude that patients who have failed to demonstrate a response to systemic cisplatin or carboplatin or who have diffuse carcinomatosis at second-look laparotomy are poor candidates for second-line ip cisplatin-based therapy, even if they are considered to have small-volume residual disease (each individual tumor nodules
On-campus cooperative education

In the past, on-site cooperative education has been the primary means of providing practical experience for computer science students. On-campus cooperative education is proposed as a viable alternative. This paper describes on-campus cooperative education as practiced at BYU. Advantages and disadvantages for the sponsoring company, university, students, faculty, and company personnel involved are also presented. The last part of the paper describes several guidelines which, if followed, should improve the educational experience.
Development of a Vibrio Bioluminescence Gene|[ndash]|Set to Monitor Phytopathogenic Bacteria During the Ongoing Disease Process in a Non|[ndash]|Disruptive Manner

Bioluminescence (lux) genes from Vibrio fischeri were cloned as a promoter–less gene set into the broad–host–range vector, pUCD4, resulting in the recombinant plasmid pUCD607 that was mobilized into a variety of plant pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria. All bacteria harboring the lux genes under the control of a constitutive promoter in pUCD607 constitutively bioluminesced. Virulence remained unaffected in pathogens carrying pUCD607, and bacterial invasion in host plant tissues was visually followed. The light generated is quantifiable and directly reflects the growth of the pathogen population in host tissue even before the onset of visual symptoms. pUCD607 is relatively stable in bacteria in planta in the absence of selective pressure. Bioluminescence can thus be successfully used to tag genetically engineered bacteria for subsequent monitoring during interactions with plants and in determining their fate in the environment.
Series Spectra in Oxygen and Sulphur

A FEW months ago I wrote a paper (Abstract, Physical Review, 21, 710, 1923) on “New Series Spectra in Oxygen.” It was read at the meeting of the American Physical Society in Washington, D.C., last April. Some questions arose there concerning these series because of their rather unusual character. Hence I re-photographed the spectra of oxygen and obtained data that confirm and extend my earlier results. I also studied the element sulphur, which oresembles oxygen in its spectroscopic properties, and obtained, for the first time I think, sulphur spectra in the region of wave-lengths shorter than 2500.
Conversions of non-biological polyunsaturated fatty acids in rat liver.

Abstract 1. 1. 7,10,13,16-Nonadecatetraenoic, 6,9,12,15,18-heneicosapentaenoic, 6,9,12,15-eicosatetraenoic, and 6,9,12,15-heneicosatetraenoic acids were prepared labeled with 14C. They were administered to rats deficient in essential fatty acids and their metabolism was compared with that of 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic (arachidonic) and 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acids. 2. 2. All these acids and their conversion products were incorporated mainly into phospholipids. In phosphatidyl cholines they were in position 2. 3. 3. Incorporation of polyunsaturated acids was close to 8% with all non-biological acids and with arachidonic acid. Incorporation of 4,7,10,13,16.19-docosahexaenoic acid was 16%. The extent of conversion depended on the structure of the acids. Docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid formed the least amounts of conversion products. 4. 4. Highest conversion products of all non-biological acids had the proximal structure 5,8,… and among them 5,8, 11,14,17-docosapentaenoic acid, which derived from 6,9,12,15-eicosatetraenoic acid, was prominent in amount.
Infectious complications of implantable venous access devices in patients with sickle cell disease.

PURPOSE To evaluate the incidence of implantable venous access device infection in patients with sickle cell disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors performed a retrospective search of their hospital's information system from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2001 to identify hospital admissions with ICD-9 codes related to sickle cell anemia. This search yielded 2,703 admissions in 293 patients. A search of the radiology information system identified 23 of these patients who had placement of an implantable venous access device. Excluding two patients who were lost to follow-up, the population of this study included eight men and 13 women aged 23 to 62 years old (mean, 37 years). A total of 30 implantable venous access devices (25 venous ports, five tunneled catheters) were placed by interventional radiologists. Cases of device infection were identified based on clinical data, microbiology, reports of device removal, and clinical follow-up. Infections were defined according to the Centers for Disease Control criteria for catheter-related bloodstream infection. The incidence of infection, organism, and time from device placement to infection was determined. RESULTS In 21 patients with 30 devices, 18 device infections (60%) occurred in 12 patients (57%) involving 15 venous ports and three tunneled catheters. There were a total of 12,389 days of catheter use and a rate of 1.5 infections per 1,000 catheter days. Infections occurred from 16 to 1,542 days (mean, 349 days) after device placement. Blood, wound, and catheter tip cultures yielded solitary organisms in 13 cases and mixed organisms in four cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (59%). One patient was considered infected based on clinical signs and purulent discharge from the port site, despite negative cultures after partial antibiotic treatment. One patient died of sepsis resulting from an infected port. CONCLUSION This study shows a high incidence of infection associated with placement of implantable venous access devices in patients with sickle cell disease. Therefore, the authors avoid placing these devices in this patient population.
Treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Progress achieved and challenges remaining

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children. Careful building upon past clinical trials and thoughtful application of our limited knowledge of pharmacology have provided steady improvement in outcome for newly diagnosed patients. Precise identification of the many patients who are unlikely to relapse with current effective regimens is required to avoid the morbidity of further intensification of therapy. Progress is sorely lacking for relapsed patients. Most patients who relapse die. Gene expression arrays and comparative genomic hybridization have further extended our appreciation of the known immunophenotypic and genetic diversity of childhood ALL. Insight into the molecular mechanisms of treatment failure may provide guidance for future efforts.
Investigating different similarity measures for a case-based reasoning classifier to predict breast cancer

This paper investigates the effects of using different similarity measures for a case-based reasoning (CBR) classifier to predict breast cancer. The CBR classifier used a mammographer's BI-RADSTM description of a lesion to predict breast biopsy outcome. The classifier compared the case to be examined to a reference collection of cases and identified those that were similar. The decision variable was formed as the ratio of similar cases that were malignant to all similar cases. A reference collection of 1027 biopsy-proven cases from Duke University Medical Center was used as input. Both Euclidean and Hamming distance measures were compared using all possible combinations of nine BI-RADSTM features and age. Performance was evaluated using jackknife sampling and ROC analysis. For all combinations of features, it was found that Euclidean distance measure produced greater ROC areas and partial ROC areas than Hamming. The differences were significant at an alpha level of 0.05. The greatest ROC area of 0.82 +/- 0.01 was generated using six of the features and Euclidean distance measure. The results of both distance measures yielded greater ROC areas than previously reported values and were similar to results generated with an Artificial Neural Network using 10 features.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells with layered PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+δ perovskite cathode

Abstract BaZr 0.1 Ce 0.7 Y 0.2 O 3− δ (BZCY7) exhibits adequate protonic conductivity as well as sufficient chemical and thermal stability over a wide range of SOFC operating conditions, while layered perovskite PrBa 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 2 O 5+ δ (PBSC) has advanced electrochemical properties. This research fully takes advantage of these advanced properties and develops a novel protonic ceramic membrane fuel cell (PCMFC) of Ni–BZCY7|BZCY7|PBSC. Experimental results show that the cell may achieve the open-circuit potential of 1.005 V, the maximal power density of 520 mW cm −2 , and a low electrode polarization resistance of 0.12 Ωcm 2 at 700 °C. Increasing operating temperature leads to the decrease of total cell resistance, among which electrolyte resistance becomes increasingly dominant over polarization resistance. The results also indicate that PBSC perovskite cathode is a good candidate for intermediate temperature PCMFC development, while the developed Ni–BZCY7|BZCY7|PBSC cell is a promising functional material system for SOFCs.
Pulmonary function in children with a history of laryngotracheobronchitis.

Baseline, postexercise, and postisoproterenol lung function was studied in 27 children, 8 to 18 years of age, with a past history of laryngotracheobronchitis (croup) and in ten children without such a history. The LTB subjects were divided into two groups, based on the presence or absence of allergies. Baseline flow tests were similar in all groups but small airway function was mildly abnormal in several members of each group. There was no consistent response to isoproterenol inhalation among those who had had croup and normal subjects. Following exercise, however, a significant ( P
Application Of Pattern Recognition Techniques To Process Cartographic Data

Graphical representation of cartocraphic data consists of symbols assigned to physical entities, interconnections to denote spatial and structural relationships among such symbols, and text to describe and identify these symbols and interconnections. An image understanding system to extract useful information from geographical maps is proposed. Pattern recognition techniques are applied to identify geometrical forms of various symbols. For each valid symbol identified, a set of files is created to store pertinent structural information extracted from the image. These files, in conjunction with a knowledge base of geographic data, are used to answer simple queries related to the spatial organization of the objects in the map.
Intraoperative needle localization during neck reexploration

Abstract Background Recurrent cervical adenopathy can be difficult to identify intraoperatively during a neck reexploration. Although local preoperative imaging techniques are available, these are not useful in the operative theater. Methods We introduce an intraoperative technique of ultrasound-guided needle localization to identify and guide the resection of suspicious cervical lymphadenopathy. Conclusions This intraoperative approach to localizing the suspicious lymph node under ultrasound-guided needle localization makes surgical extirpation of lymph node metastasis easy.
Heparin kinetics during paediatric open-heart operations

Heparin levels before and during cardiopulmonary bypass were measured in two groups of children undergoing open heart operations. Patients in Group I weighed more than 10 kg (14 ± 3.5, SD) and those in Group II weighed less than 10 kg (6.5 ±.2.2, SD). The concentration of heparin in the pump prime was 2.40 ± 0.3 units/ml in Group I and 4.6 ± 1 .6 units/ml in Group II. (Smaller patients received relatively larger volumes of heparinized blood in the pump prime.) After a 300-units/kg loading dose of heparin, levels in Group I peaked at 5.4 ± 0.8 units/ml and declined to 4.04 ± 1.2 immediately before bypass. Group II levels peaked at 4.1 ± 1.1 and declined to 3.2 ± 0.9 units/ml. After bypass began, heparin levels in both groups approached those of the pump prime: levels in Group I fell to 2.7 ± 0.4 units/ml whereas those in Group I I rose to 4.0 ±1.1. The change in heparin level when bypass began could be predicted (r = 0.97), regardless of group, by using multiple linear regression analysis. We conclude that...
Iron Absorption by Human Milk-fed Premature Infants Receiving Supplemental Iron ♦ 1551

To evaluate optimal methods of delivering iron (Fe) to human milk (HM)-fed preterm infants, we measured Fe utilization by 8 HM-fed premature infants[birth weight 1.0 (0.2) kg, gestational age 27 (2) wk, weight at start of study 1.4 (0.3) kg] who were receiving full feedings of human milk fortified with a commercial human milk fortifier. Supplemental Fe was given daily for 7-14 days before the study as 2 mg/kg of ferrous sulfate administered between feedings. On the first study day, 57Fe (2 mg/kg) which had been premixed with a 24-hour supply of fortified HM was fed to the infants, and 58Fe (70 mcg) was administered intravenously (IV). On study day 2, no Fe was mixed with the HM, but 54Fe (2 mg/kg) was administered as ferrous sulfate by orogastric gavage between feedings. Two weeks later, a 1-mL blood sample was collected and red blood cell incorporation (RBC-inc) was calculated from measurement of the isotope enrichment performed using magnetic sector thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Percent absorption was calculated by dividing the RBC-inc of 54Fe and 57Fe by the RBC-inc of 58Fe. All data are mean (SD).
Does High School Economics Turn Off Too Many Students

Few, if any, published studies have considered the possibility that students exposed to high school economics may actually leave a course knowing less about economics than when they entered. This a...
Influence of 2012 Screening Guidelines on National Pap Test Volume in the United States

Introduction:Monitoring Pap test volume is important for decisions related to the future of cytotechnology. The 2012 screening guidelines will have a greater impact on Pap test volume compared to prior guidelines due to increased screening intervals (5-year for women with negative co-testing) and elimination of screening for women < 21 YO. We estimate the expected changes in Pap test volume if 2012 guidelines are followed. Materials and Methods: The study focuses on the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) relative to the number of Pap tests in the preceding 6 years, having an abnormal Pap test or having a hysterectomy. Coverage, frequency and volume were estimated using SAS (SAS Institute, NC). Volume estimates of HPV positive/cytology negative tests in 30-65 year old women were obtained from the largest published study on cotesting. Women were stratified into six groups likely to be influenced by 2012 guidelines. The percent of women in these groups and their Pap test volume was then calculated for 2010 NHIS data with scenarios in which the guidelines were strictly followed. Results: In 2010, 121 million women were eligible for screening in the US; an estimated Pap test volume of 66.0 million (95% C.I. 63.9-68.2 million) and a coverage in the preceding 3 years of 79%. If 2012 guidelines were strictly followed, there would have been 26.4 million Pap tests (95% C.I. 24.9, 28 million) appropriately utilized and 39.9 million, (95% C.I. 38.7, 41.1 million), over-utilized (Table). This would have resulted in a 60% reduction in Pap test volume for the year 2010. Conclusions: 2012 guidelines did not recommend primary HPV test or change the screening pattern for vaccinated women, however, reducing frequency especially for women with normal co-testing will result in a significant decrease Pap test volume.
Quantitative measurements of fibroin messenger RNA synthesis in the posterior silk gland of normal and mutant Bombyx mori.

Abstract The amount of newly synthesized and accumulated fibroin messenger RNA has been measured quantitatively at various stages of posterior silk gland development in Bombyx mori. The two-step method involves fractionation on a Bio-Gel column which excludes the large mRNA, followed by RNAase T1 digestion, and fractionation of the oligonucleotides on DEAE-Sephadex. Larvae in the feeding stages of the third and fourth instar synthesize and accumulate fibroin mRNA to about 2% of cellular RNA; this corresponds to 0.2 and 2 μg per pair of posterior glands in the third and fourth instars, respectively. More than 70% of this mRNA is degraded in vivo during the third and fourth moulting stages. Fibroin mRNA synthesis resumes again within the first 24 hours of the fifth instar; the mRNA accumulates and predominates over other DNA-like RNAs as the stage proceeds until finally it comprises about 3.5% of cellular RNA in a mature larva (170 μg per pair of posterior glands). These results indicate that more than 99% of the fibroin mRNA detected in the fifth instar is synthesized during this stage. Four spontaneous mutants of B. mori which synthesize very low levels of fibroin have been analyzed for their RNA content in the middle fifth instar. The total cellular RNA of the posterior gland is reduced to 4 to 7% of normal. Fibroin mRNA is more severely reduced to 1% of normal. In three heterozygotes, which have mutant phenotypes with respect to fibroin production, only slight increases of total cellular RNA and fibroin mRNA were observed. Thus, the primary biochemical lesion in these mutants is still unknown. The presumed ancestor to B. mori, the wild silkworm B. mandarina, was also analyzed for its fibroin mRNA. The mRNA isolated from fifth instar larvae of B. mandarina is indistinguishable from that of B. mori with respect to its nucleotide sequence, molecular weight and fraction of total cellular RNA.
Parallel programming framework for large batch transaction processing on scale-out systems

A scale-out system is a cluster of commodity machines, and offers a good platform to support steadily increasing workloads that process growing data sets. Sharding [4] is a method of partitioning data and processing a computation on a scale-out system. In a database system, a large table can be partitioned into small tables so each node can process its part of the computation. The sharding approach in a large batch transaction processing, which is important in financial area, presents two hard problems to programmers. Programmers have to write complex code (1) to transfer the input data so as to align the computations with the data partitions, and (2) to manage the distributed transactions. This paper presents a new parallel programming framework that makes parallel transactional programming easier by specifying transaction scopes and partitioners to simplify the code. Transaction scopes include series of subtransactions, each of which performs local operations. The system manages the distributed transactions automatically. A partitioner represents how the computation should be decomposed and aligned with the data partitions to avoid remote database accesses. Between paired of subtransactions, the system handles the data shuffling across the network. We implemented our parallel programming framework as a new Java class library. We hide all of the complex details of data transfer and distributed transaction management in the library. Our programming framework can eliminate almost 66% of the lines of code compared to a current programming approach without programming framework support. We also confirmed good scalability, with a scaling factor of 20.6 on 24 nodes using our modified batch program for the TPC-C benchmark.
Acute and long-term amphetamine treatments alter extracellular ascorbate in neostriatum but not nucleus accumbens of freely moving rats

The ability of amphetamine to alter the extracellular level of ascorbate, an apparent modulator of neostriatal function, was assessed voltammetrically in the neostriatum and nucleus accumbens of awake, behaving rats. Whereas acute administration (1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg d-amphetamine) produced a dose-dependent rise in neostriatal ascorbate, there was no change in the nucleus accumbens. Vehicle injections had no significant effect on ascorbate levels in either location. Administration of 5.0 mg/kg d-amphetamine for one week enhanced neostriatal ascorbate release even further, but this effect returned to acute levels when treatment continued for a second week. Multiple amphetamine injections for up to two weeks failed to alter extracellular ascorbate in the nucleus accumbens. The results of these experiments confirm a site-specific action of amphetamine on ascorbate release and suggest complex changes in the extracellular level of this substance in the neostriatum with long-term treatment.
Frequent and Efficient Use of the Sister Chromatid for DNA Double-Strand Break Repair during Budding Yeast Meiosis

Recombination between homologous chromosomes of different parental origin (homologs) is necessary for their accurate segregation during meiosis. It has been suggested that meiotic inter-homolog recombination is promoted by a barrier to inter-sister-chromatid recombination, imposed by meiosis-specific components of the chromosome axis. Consistent with this, measures of Holliday junction–containing recombination intermediates (joint molecules [JMs]) show a strong bias towards inter-homolog and against inter-sister JMs. However, recombination between sister chromatids also has an important role in meiosis. The genomes of diploid organisms in natural populations are highly polymorphic for insertions and deletions, and meiotic double-strand breaks (DSBs) that form within such polymorphic regions must be repaired by inter-sister recombination. Efforts to study inter-sister recombination during meiosis, in particular to determine recombination frequencies and mechanisms, have been constrained by the inability to monitor the products of inter-sister recombination. We present here molecular-level studies of inter-sister recombination during budding yeast meiosis. We examined events initiated by DSBs in regions that lack corresponding sequences on the homolog, and show that these DSBs are efficiently repaired by inter-sister recombination. This occurs with the same timing as inter-homolog recombination, but with reduced (2- to 3-fold) yields of JMs. Loss of the meiotic-chromosome-axis-associated kinase Mek1 accelerates inter-sister DSB repair and markedly increases inter-sister JM frequencies. Furthermore, inter-sister JMs formed in mek1Δ mutants are preferentially lost, while inter-homolog JMs are maintained. These findings indicate that inter-sister recombination occurs frequently during budding yeast meiosis, with the possibility that up to one-third of all recombination events occur between sister chromatids. We suggest that a Mek1-dependent reduction in the rate of inter-sister repair, combined with the destabilization of inter-sister JMs, promotes inter-homolog recombination while retaining the capacity for inter-sister recombination when inter-homolog recombination is not possible.
Social behaviour as a function of context in a cockroach

Abstract Intersexual (male-female) and intrasexual (male-male and female-female) behaviour in the cockroach Shawella couloniana were compared and contrasted. The parameters of interest were: frequencies and sequences of acts, agonistic intensity, mean numbers of acts per encounter, and presence and direction of asymmetry in encounters of varying lengths. Frequencies and sequences of acts differed depending on the sexes of the individuals involved. Intrasexual encounters were more intensely agonistic than intersexual encounters, with females being more intensely agonistic than males. Intersexual encounters were longer than intrasexual encounters in the mean numbers of acts. In intrasexual encounters involving two or three acts, the responder was usually the winner, while in four and five act encounters, the initiator was usually the winner. In encounters of more than five acts, neither the initiator nor the responder had an advantage.
Studies of the uptake and release of [3H]beta-alanine by frog spinal slices.

— [3H]β-Alanine was accumulated by frog spinal cord slices by two transport components with estimated Km values of 31 M (‘high-affinity’) and 11 HIM (‘low affinity’) respectively. The high affinity uptake exhibited sodium ion and energy dependence, temperature sensitivity, had a very low Vmax (10.4 nmol/g/min) compared to GABA and glycine, was competitively inhibited by GABA (Kt 2 M), and was significantly reduced by the presence of glycine and of taurine in the incubating medium. When slices preloaded with [3H]β-alanine were superfused with medium containing depolarizing concentrations of potassium ions, there was a small, but consistent, increase in [3H]β-alanine efflux: 1.4 times prestimulation rates in 40 mM potassium. When the superfusate was altered by omission of calcium and addition of concentrations of magnesium (10 mm), manganese (1 mM), and cobalt (1 mM) ions sufficient to block reflex transmission in the isolated in vitro frog cord, the potassium-evoked release was not blocked. Release was decreased by lanthanum ions (1 mM). Release of [3H]GABA and [3H]glycine in parallel experiments was inhibited by magnesium, manganese, cobalt and lanthanum. Veratridine significantly increased the release of [3H]GABA and [3H]glycine but not of [3H]β-alanine. These observations demonstrate the non-specificity of β-alanine uptake and the unconventional nature of the calcium-dependence of β-alanine release and therefore do not lend support to the hypothesis that β-alanine functions as a neurotransmitter in frog spinal cord.
Engrailed Negatively Regulates the Expression of Cell Adhesion Molecules Connectin and Neuroglian in Embryonic Drosophila Nervous System

Abstract Engrailed is expressed in subsets of interneurons that do not express Connectin or appreciable Neuroglian, whereas other neurons that are Engrailed negative strongly express these adhesion molecules. Connectin and Neuroglian expression are virtually eliminated in interneurons when engrailed expression is driven ubiquitously in neurons, and greatly increased when engrailed genes are lacking in mutant embryos. The data suggest that Engrailed is normally a negative regulator of Connectin and neuroglian . These are the first two "effector" genes identified in the nervous system of Drosophila as regulatory targets for Engrailed. We argue that differential Engrailed expression is crucial in determining the pattern of expression of cell adhesion molecules and thus constitutes an important determinant of neuronal shape and perhaps connectivity.
A Peculiar River: Geology, Geomorphology, and Hydrology of the Deschutes River, Oregon

Eos:Why write a book about this particular river? Grant: We really didn't know how unusual the Deschutes was when we set out to study it. Its peculiarities emerged in the course of our investigations, which were initially directed at understanding how several large hydropower dams that were being relicensed might have affected the structure of the downstream channel. From studies on other rivers, we expected that we would find clear signals of physical changes to channel morphology, such as channel incision or a textural coarsening of the riverbed, which we could attribute to the dams. But what we found during the course of our studies was that the Deschutes was not like other rivers and that the classic, expected responses were not in evidence. We learned that our own preconceptions of how rivers work—how they respond to disturbances such as dams—needed rethinking.
An assay system for localisation of pyruvate and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity on polyacrylamide gels and its application to detection of these enzymes in tissue and cell extracts.

Abstract A method is described for detection of pyruvate and phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxylase activities in polyacrylamide gels. The procedure is characterised for specificity of response and, with the exception of a lag phase, the band intensities are shown to be linear functions of time and enzyme concentration over specificied ranges. Single bands of catalytic activity are observed for phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase after electrophoresis of cell-free extracts and partially purified preparations obtained from Escherichia coli B ; and for pyruvate carboxylase after electrophoresis of extracts of rat liver homogenates or mitochondria, and of cell-free extracts of Azotobacter vinelandii OP . Two bands of phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxylase activity are, however, observed after electrophoresis of a concentrated cell-free extract of Chlamydomonas reinhardii in accord with the previous report of such isoenzymes in a more highly purified preparation (Chen, J. H. and Jones, R. F. (1970) Biochem. Biophys. Acta 214 , 318–325)
Multiple modes of cytoplasmic dynein regulation

In performing its multiple cellular functions, the cytoplasmic dynein motor is subject to complex regulation involving allosteric mechanisms within the dynein complex, as well as numerous extramolecular interactions controlling subcellular targeting and motor activity. Recent work has distinguished high- and low-load regulatory modes for cytoplasmic dynein, which, combined with a diversity of targeting mechanisms, accounts for a very broad range of functions.
Introductory review on quantum field theory with space–time resolution

We review the steps needed to reduce quantum field theory to quantum mechanics as its limiting case. While processes involving a changing number of particles require a quantum field theoretical description, some works used quantum mechanical data based on the single particle Dirac equation to predict the outcome. These non-quantum field theoretical approaches have led to conceptual controversies that are often related to the negative energy states, which are characteristic of the Dirac equation. As a result, the issues about the physical reality of the relativistic localisation phenomenon, the Zitterbewegung and the Klein paradox are widely discussed in many textbooks. In order to contribute to this discussion, we review recent computer simulations of oversimplified model systems based on quantum field theory. The direct visualisation of intrinsically quantum field theoretical process with full spatial and temporal resolutions can provide us with some first insight into the spontaneous electron–positron p...
Seasonal variations in the burying depth of Macoma balthica (L.) and its accessibility to wading birds

Abstract The seasonal relationship between shell length and depth buried in Macoma balthica (L.) was studied on an area of intertidal flat in the Wash. Although the larger animals buried deeper than the smaller ones very few (0·28%) occurred below a depth of 7·5 cm. The study showed that M. balthica migrated within the substratum apparently in response to day length, so that they were nearest the surface in June and buried deepest in December. The maximum depth buried, in December, by an animal was found to be proportional to the length of its inhalent siphon. During December the accessibility of M. balthica to knot [Calidris canutus (L.)] was reduced to 4% of the total biomass.
A CENTRAL LIMIT THEOREM FOR m(n) AUTOCOVARIANCES

Many of the fundamental results in time series analysis depend on the joint asymptotic normality of a fixed number m of the sample autocovariances. However, in practice, the m is often chosen after the number of observations, n, is known, with m then treated as fixed. In this paper a Berry-Esseen type result is proved for m(n) autocovariances for m growing at a certain rate.
Minimum Probability of Error for Asynchronous Multiple Access Communication Systems

Consider an ideal white gaussian channel shared by K users that transmit independent data streams by modulating antipodally a set of assigned signal waveforms without maintaining relative synchronism among them. This paper investigates the probability of error achievable by an optimum K-user coherent detector. It is shown that unless signals with poor cross-correlation properties are used or the interfering users are comparatively weak, the minimum error probabilities have the same asymptotic behavior as in a single-user communication system, i.e. there is no performance degradation due to the presence of other users. As illustrated by several examples, this implies that in the SNR region of interest, the error probability of the conventional detector is not necessarily close to the minimum even if signals with low cross-correlations are used.
Effects of Cytokines on Insulin-Like Growth Factor- Binding Protein Secretion by Muscle Cells in Vitro*

The insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) stimulate muscle cell proliferation and/or differentiation (depending upon the culture conditions). They also increase IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) levels in muscle cell conditioned media and in some instances there is a direct correlation between the apparent rate of IGFBP secretion and muscle cell proliferation. We have investigated the effect of other cytokines on muscle cell IGFBP conditioned media levels using rat skeletal (L6), mouse myocytes (BC3H-I) and porcine vascular smooth (pVSM) muscle cells in vitro to determine if this relationship is maintained. IGFBP levels in conditioned media (CM) were measured by an [125I]IGF-I binding capacity assay and by western blot analysis. Immunoblots indicated that BC3H-1 and L6 cells secrete IGFBP-5 (31-32,000 M(r)), L6 cells secrete IGFBP-4, and pVSM cells secrete IGFBP-2 (34,000 M(r)). Both L6 and BC3H-1 cells responded to transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), in a dose-dependent manner, with suppre...
Paramagnetism of Liquid Helium Three

The elaboration of a theoretical model describing the paramagnetic properties of liquid Heg throughout the region of existence of this phase is presented. The model is based on a molecular field theoretical type of approach. The ratios of the actual paramagnetic susceptibility of liquid He/sup 3/ to the one it would have if it were an ideal paramagnet are predicted to be representable through a unique function depending on the reduced temperature variable. The latter contains the characteristic temperature of the nuclear spin system, which, at the present time, is only available empirically through the susceptibility ratio data. In the susceptibility ratio-reduced temperature representation all susceptibility ratios of liquid He/sup 3/ fall on a single curve. This theoretical ratio curve describes very closely the experimental ratios up to values of the reduced temperature of 0.90 --1.0. Beyond this range the experimental susceptibility ratios become systematically larger than the calculated ratios, the differences between them being small. Quantitative arguments are advanced that appear to explaln satisfactorily these discrepancies and to indicate that the theory should be valid throughout the whole range of the natural reduced temperature variable. The spin entropyspin susceptibility relation, established and used previously, yields, with the theoretical paramagnetismmore » model, rigorous lower limits of the entropy, heat capacity, and expansion coefficient of the liquid throughout the region of existence of this phase. With the recent extension of the melting pressure data to quite low temperatures, the rigorous spin entropy of the liquid along the melting line allows one to estimate the entropy of the solid along the melting line and at low temperatures. Here the solid entropy turns out to be less than R In2, per mole, yielding the temperature of its heat capacity anomaly to be below one hundredth of a degree Kelvin. The discussion of the liquid He/sup 3/-solid He/sup 3/ equilibrium, on the basis of these results, seems to render questionable any analysis of the thermal properties of the solid that ignores the existence of its nuclear spin system even at medium temperatures. A semiquantitative description of the entropy-pressure diagram of He/sup 3/ discloses various singular characteristics of the liquid entropy along the melting line in its pressure dependence, as well as the peculiar features of the solid entropy at and around the melting pressure anomaly. (auth)« less