cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical imaging of pancreatic beta cells in living mice expressing a mouse insulin I promoter-firefly luciferase transgene.

We generated transgenic mice expressing firefly (Photinus pyralis) luciferase (luc) under the control of the mouse insulin I promoter (MIP). The mice have normal glucose tolerance and pancreatic islet architecture. The luciferase-expressing beta cells can be readily visualized in living mice using whole-body bioluminescent imaging. The MIP-luc transgenic mice may be useful for monitoring changes in beta cell function or mass in living animals with normal or altered metabolic states. genesis 43:80–86, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Point Defects in 4H SiC Grown by Halide Chemical Vapor Deposition

Halide chemical vapor deposition (HCVD) allows for rapid growth while maintaining the purity afforded by a CVD process. While several shallow and deep defect levels have been identified in 6H HCVD substrates using electrical techniques, here we examine several different point defects found in 4H n-type HCVD SiC using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. One spectrum, which exhibits axial symmetry and broadens upon heating, may represent a collection of shallow defects. The other prominent defect has the g tensor of the negatively charged carbon vacancy, but additional hyperfine lines suggest a more complex center. The role of these defects is not yet determined, but we note that the concentrations are similar to those found for the electrically detected defect levels, making them a reasonable source of electrically active centers.
Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint and osteomyelitis of the proximal clavicle caused by prevotella melaninogenicus: a case with several features delaying diagnosis.

A 50-year-old woman with noninsulin-dependent diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver from hepatitis-B infection presented with right-sided neck and severe shoulder pain. Minimal tenderness and swelling of the right sternoclavicular joint were noted. After 8 days, extensive studies, and several attempts at therapy to relieve the shoulder pain, the right sternoclavicular joint had become more swollen, extremely tender, warm, and erythematous. An arthrotomy of the right sternoclavicular joint revealed pyoarthosis of the joint and osteomyelitis of the adjacent clavicle. Both tissue and blood cultures grew Prevotella melaninogenicus. A site of origin for the infection was never found. The patient had an uneventful recovery after treatment with open drainage and parenteral antibiotics. Although this anaerobic organism is known to cause infection at other joint sites, this seems to be the first report of infection of the sternoclavicular joint and proximal clavicle by Prevotella melaninogenicus.This case illustrates the following: 1) neck and shoulder pain may be the presenting symptoms of occult septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint, 2) clinical signs of infection, such as fever and leukocytosis, may be absent in the setting of anaerobic joint infections, 3) an arthrotomy should be performed as soon as an infection of the sternoclavicular joint is suspected, 4) anaerobic as well as aerobic cultures should be taken when evaluating septic arthritis 5) 2 or more weeks may be required for identification of an anaerobic organism, such as Prevotella melaninogenicus.
Factors impacting stem cell mobilization failure rate and efficiency in multiple myeloma in the era of novel therapies: experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib have increasingly been incorporated in first-line induction therapies for multiple myeloma. Concerns regarding the impact of these agents, especially lenalidomide, on stem cell mobilization prompted us to re-evaluate the risk factors that impact mobilization, including exposure to novel induction regimens. Among 317 patients who proceeded to stem cell collection after induction therapy between 2000 and 2009, the rate of mobilization failure, defined as the inability to collect 5 × 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg following the first collection attempt, was 13%. By multivariate analysis, independent risk factors associated with mobilization failure included older age (P=0.04), lower platelet count (P=0.002) and use of single-agent G-CSF for mobilization (P<0.0001). When considering for outcome measurement stem cell collection efficiency measured by the number of CD34+ cells yielded per pheresis performed during first collection attempt, lower platelet count, use of single-agent G-CSF and older age were also associated with lower efficiency. In this population mobilized mostly with cyclophosphamide and G-CSF, the use of lenalidomide during induction was not associated with a lower stem cell collection efficiency by multivariate analysis. The data support the current International Multiple Myeloma Working Group guidelines recommending the use of cyclophosphamide and G-CSF based mobilization for patients previously exposed to lenalidomide.
Sexual dimorphism in the defensive secretion of a carabid beetle.

The defensive secretions of male and femaleOodes americanus display striking qualitative differences. Altogether 13 carboxylic acids were identified in the secretions of the two sexes. Methacrylic, crotonic, and tiglic acids are produced exclusively by the female; the male lacks these unsaturated components, but produces their saturated analogs. 2-Methylbutyric acid is a major component produced by both sexes. Shared components also include hexanoic, (E)-2-hexenoic, benzoic, and (E)-2-octenoic acid, of which the latter two had not previously been reported from carabid beetles.
Predicting EuroQoL EQ-5D preference scores from the SF-12 Health Survey in a nationally representative sample.

Purpose. To predict the EuroQoL EQ-5D utility index from the SF-12 Health Survey for a US national sample of adults.Methods. The authors used the 2000 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to examine the relationship between instruments. Linear regression was used to predict EQ-5D scores from Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores of the SF-12. A prediction model was derived in one half of the sample and validated in the other half.Results. Complete responses to both measures were available for 14,580 adults; 7313 (50.2%) surveys were used for the derivation set. The 2-variable model predicted 61% of the variance in EQ-5D scores and provided reasonable ability to predict mean EQ-5D scores from mean PCS and MCS scores. Confidence intervals are dependent on sample size and variance of PCS and MCS scores.Conclusions. EQ-5D scores can be reasonably predicted from the SF-12. This model allows researchers to estimate utility data for use in decision and cost-utility analyses.
Intraoperative hemodynamics and liver function in adult-to-adult living liver donors.

Indocyanine green (ICG) can be used to measure cardiac output (CO), hepatic function, and blood volume. We used ICG to describe the effect of right hepatectomy for living liver donation on intraoperative hemodynamics and perioperative liver function. ICG disposition was determined in 12 healthy adult living liver donors during the dissection phase and immediately after removal of the right hepatic lobe. In addition, measurements were repeated postoperative day 5. After injecting ICG, plasma concentrations were obtained for approximately 10 minutes by noninvasive pulse dye densitometry. CO was significantly higher and systemic vascular resistance was significantly lower immediately after removal of the right lobe compared with those obtained before resection (6.02 +/- 1.12 v 10.28 +/- 3.84 L/min; P .05). Findings show profound intraoperative hemodynamic changes during living liver donation. In addition, we show that functional recovery of the liver is likely to be slower than morphological recovery, and such clinical parameters as coagulation profile may not be a good index of fully restored hepatic function.
Delta-opioid receptor activation prolongs respiratory motor output during oxygen-glucose deprivation in neonatal rat spinal cord in vitro.

Abstract Delta opioid receptor (DOR) activation protects the adult mammalian brain during oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), but it is not known whether neonatal spinal motor circuits are also protected. Also, it is unclear whether the timing of spinal DOR activation relative to spinal OGD is important for neuroprotection. Thus, a split-bath in vitro neonatal rat brainstem/spinal cord preparation was used to record spontaneous respiratory motor output from cervical (C4-C5) and thoracic (T5-T6) ventral spinal roots while exposing only the spinal cord to OGD solution (0 mM glucose, bubbled with 95% N 2 /5% CO 2 ) or DOR agonist drugs (DADLE, DPDPE). Spinal OGD solution application caused respiratory motor output frequency and amplitude to decrease until all activity was abolished (i.e. end-point times) after 25.9±1.4 min (cervical) and 25.2±1.4 min (thoracic). Spinal DOR activation via DPDPE (1.0 μM) prior-to and during spinal OGD increased cervical and thoracic end-point times to 35–48 min. Spinal DADLE or DPDPE (1.0 μM) application 15 min following spinal OGD onset increased cervical and thoracic end-point times to 36–45 min. Brief spinal DPDPE (1.0 μM) application for 10 min at 25 min before spinal OGD onset increased cervical and thoracic end-point times to 41–46 min. Overall, the selective DOR agonist, DPDPE, was more effective at increasing end-point times than DADLE. Naltrindole (DOR antagonist; 10 μM) pretreatment blocked DPDPE-dependent increase in end-point times, suggesting that DOR activation was required. Spinal naloxone (1.0 μM) application before and during spinal OGD also increased end-point times to 31–33 min, but end-point times were not altered by Mu opioid receptor (MOR) activation or DOR activation/MOR blockade, indicating that there are complex interactions between OGD and opioid signaling pathways. These data suggest DOR activation before, during, and after spinal OGD protects central motor networks and may provide neuroprotection during unpredictable perinatal ischemic events.
Reverse Remodeling From Cardiomyoplasty in Human Heart Failure External Constraint Versus Active Assist

Background Cardiomyoplasty (CM) is a novel surgical therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy. In this procedure, the latissimus dorsi muscle is wrapped around the heart and chronically paced synchronously with ventricular systole. While studies have found symptomatic improvement from this therapy, the mechanisms by which CM confers benefit remain uncertain. This study sought to better define these mechanisms by means of serial pressure-volume relation analysis. Methods and Results Serial pressure-volume studies were performed by the conductance catheter method in three patients (total to date) with dilated cardiomyopathy (New York Heart Association class III) who underwent CM. Data were measured at baseline (before surgery) and at 6 and 12 months after CM. Chronic left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic changes induced by CM were evaluated with the stimulator in its stable pacing mode (every other beat) and after temporarily suspending pacing. CM-stimulated beats were compared with pacing-off beats to evaluate active systolic assist effects of CM. In each patient, CM resulted in a chronic lowering of cardiac end-diastolic volume and an increased ejection fraction. Most notably, the end-systolic pressure-volume relation shifted leftward, consistent with reversal of chronic chamber remodeling. In contrast, the diastolic pressure-volume relation was minimally altered, and the loops shifted down along the same baseline relation. These marked chronic changes in LV function measurable with CM stimulation off contrasted to only minor acute effects observed when the muscle wrap was activated. This suggests that the benefit of CM derived less from active systolic assist than from remodeling, perhaps because of an external elastic constraint. Conclusions These data, while limited to a small number of patients, suggest that CM can reverse remodeling of the dilated failing heart. While systolic squeezing assist effects of CM may play a role in some patients, our study found that this was not required to achieve substantial benefits from the procedure. We speculate that CM may act more passively, like an elastic girdle around the heart, to help reverse chamber remodeling.
Relationship Between O18/O16 Ratios in Coexisting Minerals of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks

Oxygen isotopic analyses of coexisting minerals in igneous rocks indicate the crystallization history and mineral paragenesis of these rocks. Detailed variations in the O^(18)/O^(16) fractionations among minerals can be readily explained on the basis of equilibrium crystallization of magma with incomplete reaction. In every instance in which conclusive information exists, the isotopic results are in excellent agreement with the crystallization sequence determined by conventional geologic criteria. Most rocks analyzed fall into a consistent pattern with respect to petrologic type. As is to be expected on the basis of their lower-temperature origin, O^(18)/O^(16) fractionations among coexisting minerals in metamorphic rocks are in general somewhat larger than in igneous rocks. These data also suggest, however, that oxygen isotopic equilibrium is not always established during metamorphism. The higher the grade the greater is the apparent tendency for a metamorphic rock to approach the igneous-rock range of oxygen isotopic composition. This is most probably a result of exchange with a reservoir of relatively constant oxygen isotopic composition during metamorphism.
Cyberspace and the Ecotopian Dream

In his recent book The Alphabet vs the Goddess, Leonard Shlain argues that we are presently in the midst of an iconic revolution in which written language is being superceded by a new visual language, and that this represents a return of the Goddess to her prehistoric and rightful place. Despite the certain decline of literacy in our time, we feel that the new medium is actually a partnership of written and iconic languages—namely, hypermedia: the multimedia text, hypertext, and hypergraphic medium of the World Wide Web—and that this presages a return of the partnership aspect of prehistoric societies. While the World Wide Web is indeed collective knowledge, it will not truly be collective intelligence in the sense of Pierre Levy until it combines hypermedia with the computer modeling and simulation of natural and social systems by means of complex dynamical systems techniques. This paper relates this vision of a dynamic cyberspace with the ecotopian dreams of our time.
Synergistic Catalysis of Dimetilan Hydrolysis by Metal Ions and Organic Ligands

Hydrolysis of the insecticide dimetilan, which possesses a N,N-dimethylcarbamate moiety and a N,N-disubstituted urea moiety, has been used to explore metal ion-organic ligand synergistic effects on the degradation of agrochemicals. Dimetilan hydrolysis is strongly catalyzed by +II transition metal ions exhibiting strong affinities for nitrogen- and oxygen-donor ligands (NiII, CuII, and ZnII) but not PbII, which exhibits only a weak affinity. Comparisons among these four metal ions strongly suggest that metal ion coordination of dimetilan is necessary for catalysis to occur. A combined mechanism of metal ion coordination of dimetilan and the generation of a MeOH+ nucleophile is most plausible for the metal-catalyzed hydrolysis. In the absence of metal ions, citric acid (CIT), ethylenediamine (EN), and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (HEEN) ligands alone do not affect dimetilan hydrolysis. However, addition of these ligands significantly changes the catalytic effect of metal ions. CIT and EN reduce the ca...
Urinary Continence After Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy: Relationship with Membranous Urethral Length on Preoperative Endorectal Magnetic Resonance Imaging

ABSTRACTPurpose: We determined whether membranous urethral length on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is predictive of urinary continence after radical retropubic prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: Membranous urethral length was measured on preoperative endorectal MRI in 211 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer before radical retropubic prostatectomy performed by a single surgeon. Neurovascular bundle resection was done in 60 cases. After surgery the time to stable postoperative continence was recorded in 180 cases and the level of stable continence was graded on a 5-point scale of 1—complete continence to 5—complete incontinence.Results: After controlling for age and surgical technique multivariate analysis showed that membranous urethral length was related to time to stable postoperative continence (p = 0.02), such that a longer membranous urethra was associated with a shorter time to stable continence. For example, 1 year after surgery 120 of the 134 patients (89%) w...
Activation by Cdc42 and Pip2 of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (Wasp) Stimulates Actin Nucleation by Arp2/3 Complex

We purified native WASp (Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein) from bovine thymus and studied its ability to stimulate actin nucleation by Arp2/3 complex. WASp alone is inactive in the presence or absence of 0.5 μM GTP-Cdc42. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PIP2) micelles allowed WASp to activate actin nucleation by Arp2/3 complex, and this was further enhanced twofold by GTP-Cdc42. Filaments nucleated by Arp2/3 complex and WASp in the presence of PIP2 and Cdc42 concentrated around lipid micelles and vesicles, providing that Cdc42 was GTP-bound and prenylated. Thus, the high concentration of WASp in neutrophils (9 μM) is dependent on interactions with both acidic lipids and GTP-Cdc42 to activate actin nucleation by Arp2/3 complex. The results also suggest that membrane binding increases the local concentrations of Cdc42 and WASp, favoring their interaction.
Inversion of vegetation canopy reflectance models for estimating agronomic variables. V. Estimation of leaf area index and average leaf angle using measured canopy reflectances

Abstract The technique described earlier (Goel and Thompson, 1984b) for estimating agronomic parameters from bidirectional crop reflectance data is applied to a fully covered soybean canopy, using data measured in the field. This technique employs the inversion of a canopy reflectance model. It is shown that using the SAIL model one can estimate leaf area index (LAI) as well as average leaf angle (ALA) quite well, provided that the other canopy parameters (leaf reflectance and transmittance, soil reflectance, and fraction of diffused skylight) are known. Some suggestions are made for improving the SAIL model. This should improve the accuracy of estimation of not only LAI and ALA but should also allow the estimation of the complete leaf angle distribution.
Electronic Reference and Reference Librarians: A Look through the 1990s.

The decade of the 1990s has seen a great increase in the variety of electronic reference options in academic libraries. Surveys of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) academic members in 1991/92, 1994/95, and 1997/98 show that nearly all ARL libraries now provide online catalogs, CD‐ROM databases, and World Wide Web access. A majority also offer locally loaded and end‐user online databases. The biggest change this decade is the widespread embrace of the Web. Library use instruction is changing as well, as librarians report more time is being devoted to formal instruction, point‐of‐use instruction, and remote instruction. The focus of classes is now on search strategies and how to select databases.
On the impossibility of explicit upper bounds on lengths of some provably finite algorithms in computable analysis

On etablit l'impossibilite de bornes superieures explicites pour les longueurs de quelques algorithmes finis en analyse calculable
Proton-induced physicochemical calcium release from ceramic apatite disks

When bone is cultured in acid medium there is net calcium efflux (JCa) and proton influx (JH) relative to the mineral. The acid medium appears to induce physicochemical mineral dissolution as well as cell-mediated bone resorption. To determine the independent effect of acid medium on physicochemical dissolution, we utilized cell-free synthetic ceramic apatite (CAP) disks, which contain carbonate (5.5%) in an apatite structure chemically similar to mammalian bone. CAP disks were cultured in control (Ctl, pH approximately equal to 7.44) or acid (Met, pH approximately equal to 7.11) medium for 48 h and compared to similarly treated neonatal (4-6 days old) mouse calvariae. Medium was changed and analyzed at 3, 24, and 48 h. At 3, 24, and 48 h there was significantly greater JCa from the CAP disks and calvariae incubated in Met compared to Ctl; over the entire 48 h time period there was a greater progressive increase in JCa from the CAP disks than the calvariae incubated in Met. There was no significant JCa at 3, 24, or 48 h from CAP disks or calvariae incubated in Ctl. At 3 h there was significantly greater JH into the CAP disks and calvariae incubated in Met compared to Ctl; JH was greater into the CAP disks than the calvariae. Utilizing a synthetic model of bone mineral we demonstrated that acid medium induces physicochemical calcium efflux and proton influx relative to the mineral.
Substrate-Triggered Addition of Dioxygen to the Diferrous Cofactor of Aldehyde-Deformylating Oxygenase to Form a Diferric-Peroxide Intermediate

Cyanobacterial aldehyde-deformylating oxygenases (ADOs) belong to the ferritin-like diiron-carboxylate superfamily of dioxygen-activating proteins. They catalyze conversion of saturated or monounsaturated C(n) fatty aldehydes to formate and the corresponding C(n-1) alkanes or alkenes, respectively. This unusual, apparently redox-neutral transformation actually requires four electrons per turnover to reduce the O2 cosubstrate to the oxidation state of water and incorporates one O-atom from O2 into the formate coproduct. We show here that the complex of the diiron(II/II) form of ADO from Nostoc punctiforme (Np) with an aldehyde substrate reacts with O2 to form a colored intermediate with spectroscopic properties suggestive of a Fe2(III/III) complex with a bound peroxide. Its Mossbauer spectra reveal that the intermediate possesses an antiferromagnetically (AF) coupled Fe2(III/III) center with resolved subsites. The intermediate is long-lived in the absence of a reducing system, decaying slowly (t(1/2) ~ 400 s at 5 °C) to produce a very modest yield of formate (<0.15 enzyme equivalents), but reacts rapidly with the fully reduced form of 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium methylsulfate ((MeO)PMS) to yield product, albeit at only ~50% of the maximum theoretical yield (owing to competition from one or more unproductive pathway). The results represent the most definitive evidence to date that ADO can use a diiron cofactor (rather than a homo- or heterodinuclear cluster involving another transition metal) and provide support for a mechanism involving attack on the carbonyl of the bound substrate by the reduced O2 moiety to form a Fe2(III/III)-peroxyhemiacetal complex, which undergoes reductive O-O-bond cleavage, leading to C1-C2 radical fragmentation and formation of the alk(a/e)ne and formate products.
Cannibals and culture: the anthropology of Michel de Montaigne

The critique of culture in Of Cannibals is antithetical to cultural relativism, but Montaigne's humanism is congruent with the Rennaissance-based humanistic tradition in sociocultural anthropology. For Montaigne as well as for this anthropological tradition, sociocultural wellbeing is the rightfull property of every human being and is an inviolate aspect of the human by which sociocultural traditions can be compared and judged.
A method for preparing permanent mounts of phytoplankton for critical microscopy and cell counting1

A method is described for preparing permanent mounts of phytoplankton for critical microscopy and cell counting. Preserved phytoplankton are settled onto cover glasses (or slides), dehydrated by ethanol vapor substitution, and mounted in one of several ethanol-soluble resins. The resulting slides are permanent, quantitative, and of excellent optical quality. Resolution is very good and, with the appropriate resin, contrast is high enough to eliminate the need for phase shift or other contrast enhancement.
Extension of optical access networks

Passive optical networks (PONs) have emerged as the dominant optical access technology for broadband service. For various economic and business reasons, service providers wish to extend the reach of these passive networks beyond what can be provided given the optical power budgets of the used components. We will review the technologies that can provide such extension, and will discuss the trade-offs in performance that can be expected.
Structure of the mitochondria in the male germ cells of Helix as revealed by the electron microscope

Abstract The mitochondria of the male germ cells of Helix reveal longitudinally arranged filament-like structures. There are often 8 filaments that measure about 400 A in thickness in each mitochondrium. These filaments are interpreted as sections of 4 longitudinally arranged coaxial lamellae, that are continuous at the ends of the mitochondria in the form of dome-shaped structures. The regions at the center and between the lamellae are thought to constitute the mitochondrial matrix.
Three years' diagnostic experience with direct karyotyping of neonatal blood

Three years' experience with direct karyotyping of cord blood and neonatal venous blood is recorded. Fifty cord blood samples have been processed and 39 yielded satisfactory diagnostic results. Eight of 14 neonatal venous blood samples yielded diagnostic chromosome results after direct karyotyping. Factors which affected success are discussed.
Production of a sialylated N-linked glycoprotein in insect cells: Role of glycosidases and effect of harvest time on glycosylation

Using a nonengineered Trichoplusia ni insect cell line, Tn-4s, infected with an Autographa californica recombinant baculovirus, 20% sialylation of human secreted placental alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) was observed. In contrast to this level of sialylation, intermediate complex forms with terminal galactose or N-acetylglucosamine were found in low proportions (<3% and <1%, respectively). We tested whether time of harvest or degradation of intermediate complex forms is responsible for this distribution of glycoforms. Spinner-flask cultures were infected with the SEAP baculovirus expression vector, and the cultures were harvested 48, 72, and 96 h post-infection. Structural analysis revealed that the glycoform distribution of SEAP was very similar at the different times of harvest, indicating that the cellular machinery was not significantly affected by the progress of infection and that the glycoforms obtained were stable. High levels of beta-galactosidase and N-acetylglucosaminidase activity were detected throughout infection. In contrast, sialidase activity was below detection level both in cell extracts and in supernatants. These levels of glycosidases activities raise the possibility that intermediate complex glycoforms may be degraded while sialylated forms should not experience significant degradation in this cell line. However, culture in the presence of extracellular beta-galactosidase and N-acetylglucosaminidase inhibitors did not significantly improve glycosylation, suggesting that extracellular degradation processes are not taking place. Instead, results suggest that the intracellular machinery of the Tn-4s cells tends to either shunt the glycans to paucimannosidic forms or drive them completely to sialylation.
Abundance and state of phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma gene product in human pituitary tumors

Targeted disruptions of the retinoblastoma (Rb) gene result in a high frequency of pituitary tumors in heterozygous mice. While our group and others have reported that loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the Rb locus in human pituitary tumors is rare, these studies have not excluded small inactivating Rb-gene abnormalities more frequently found in human tumors and undetectable by LOH-PCR assays. As a more sensitive means of detecting evidence of these lesions, we have performed Western-blot analysis of several human pituitary tumors to identify Rb loss at the protein level as well as truncated forms of the Rb protein frequently associated with Rb-gene mutations. In 24 tumors, Rb protein was detected at levels 1.4- to 3.9-fold those detected in normal postmortem pituitary. There was no evidence of truncated forms of the Rb protein and only the hypophosphorylated (active) form of the protein was detected in normal and in pituitary tumor specimens. To investigate the possibility of loss of function mutations in certain tumors resulting in the expression of stable, mutant, hypophosphorylated Rb protein, we further performed SSCP analysis of exons 20 through 24 corresponding to the pocket domain of the Rb protein. Of 20 pituitary tumors examined, no mobility shifts could be demonstrated in this analysis. Our findings provide further evidence that primary Rb inactivation is not common in human pituitary tumors. Our detection of only the hypophosphorylated form of the Rb protein probably reflects the low proliferative state of these tumors.
Continuity and change in the visions of childhood in head start: Implications for early childhood teacher educators

Abstract This article explores continuity and change in the dominant social constructions of childhood, using a case study of Head Start, and examines their implications for the content of teacher education programs. I argue that it is important to understand how young children are viewed by society, because these understandings shape early childhood policy and practice, including the practice of teacher education. The main research questions are: What are the dominant views of childhood that have shaped the development of the Head Start program? What explicit attention might programs of early childhood teacher educators give to these views? After providing a brief history of the origins of Project Head Start during the War on Poverty, I discuss how the goals for Head Start, and for the children it serves, have evolved over the past several decades. I argue that there has been a shift from a holistic view of children's early development and learning to a more narrow view that prioritizes the acquisition o...
Redox Initiation of Bulk Thiol-Ene Polymerizations

The unique formation–structure–property attributes and reaction behavior of the thiol–ene “click” reaction have been explored extensively for photochemically and thermally initiated reactions but have been much less explored for redox initiation. Therefore, the objective of this work is to characterize fully the impact of the initiation system, monomer structure, degree of functionalization, and inhibitor level on the redox-mediated thiol–ene polymerization rate and behavior. Moreover, this study confirms the ability of redox initiation to achieve full conversion of desired thiol–ene “click” products for small molecules in solution. For the multifunctional thiol–ene systems, polymerization rate was shown to be comparable to photo- and thermally initiated systems, but with the additional advantages of unlimited depth of cure and mild reaction conditions. Additionally, the network properties of the redox-initiated thiol–ene systems were on par with a photocured material formulated with identical monomers and radical initiating potential. Lastly, control over the polymerization rate and preceding induction period was garnered from the concentration of inhibitor included in the reaction mixture. The mechanism of action of quinone inhibition in redox-mediated thiol–ene polymerizations is shown to depend on both the presence of an aniline reducing agent and the concentration of inhibitor, with quinone concentrations in great excess of oxidizing agent concentrations actually leading to heightened polymerization rates when aniline is present.
Cell junctions in early embryos of squid (Loligo pealei).

Squid embryos examined by freeze-fracture and thin-section electron microscopy exhibit identifiable gap junctions during mid-cleavage stages (stages 7–8), and junctional complexes composed of adherent appositions, elaborate septate junctions and gap junctions at slightly later stages (stages 12–13). During germinal layer establishment (stages 12–13) cytoplasmic bridges frequently link the embryonic cells. The presence of gap junctions in cleavagestage embryos provides the morphological substrate for a demonstrated pathway of direct cell-cell communication that is modifiable by experimental treatments and may be physiologically regulatable. The existence of septate junctions and adherent contacts at later stages suggests that some functional specialization, perhaps the establishment of a strongly joined framework of cells at the surface of the embryo, accompanies the formation of germinal layers.
Poly(N-acylethylenimine) copolymers containing pendant pentamethyldisiloxanyl groups. I. Synthesis.

10-(Pentamethyl disiloxanyl) decyl oxazoline (Si) was synthesized. It was copolymerized with either undecyl (U) or nonyl (N) oxazolines using methyl 4-nitrobenzenesulfonate as initiator. Two series of random poly(N-acylethylenimine) copolymers, U/Si and N/Si, were synthesized over the whole composition range of Si monomer with a total degree of polymerization of about 100. Narrow molecular weight distributions were obtained. At a monomer to initator ratio of about 1060, the final degree of polymerization was 374 with a polydispersity index of 1.93. This shows the effect of chain transfer in this system.
Near-earth turbulence and coherence measurements at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

Turbulence measurements were made at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, for five separate 24-h periods in August, 1971 to obtain data in support of laser beam propagation through the near-earth atmosphere. Twelve MRI bivanes were used to measure the three components of the wind in both line and space arrays, with bivanes at heights of 1 and 3 m above the surface. The site description, instrument layout and calibration, surface roughness and surface modifications are presented. Selected horizontal wind observations from the micrometeorological observations at Aberdeen Proving Ground, are analyzed in terms of coherence statistics. When plotted against the dimensionless frequency, Δf, coherence estimates follow a curve of the form exp (−aΔf) moderately well, but with considerable random scatter.
β-funaltrexamine (β-FNA) and neural tumor response in mice

Abstract The effects of β-FNA, a highly selective and irreversible μ opioid receptor antagonist, in altering tumor response in A/Jax mice inoculated with S20Y cells were determined. Inoculation of neuroblastoma cells in control subjects resulted in 100% tumor incidence within 16 days, and mean median survival times of 36 and 35 days, respectively, following tumor inoculation. Tumor incidence and survival times were comparable to controls for mice given chronic injections of 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg β-FNA every 48 h beginning 2 days after tumor inoculation. Tumor growth was subnormal in the 10 mg/kg β-FNA group. Both dosages of β-FNA were found to block morphine-induced analgesia for 48 h. These results suggests that, in and by themselves, μ receptors selectively antagonized by β-FNA do not play an important role in neuro-oncogenic events.
Early Wealth Effects of Emerging and Developed ADRs: Does Issue Type or Timing Matter?

This study provides excess performance analysis of the 193 emerging market and 169 developed market equities traded on the New York Stock Exchange as American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). The samples are broken down by type of issue (IPOs versus SEOs) and timing of the issue (listed in 1990s versus 2000s). With the emerging issues, SEOs tend to outperform IPOs in the short term, while the opposite is true for the developed sample. Also, for the emerging issues, SEOs did better in early trading in the 1990s, while IPOs did better in the 2000s. Once again, the opposite is true for the developed market ADR.
Genetic diversity in Swiss cheese starter cultures assessed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis and arbitrarily primed PCR.

Aims: To assess intraspecific genetic heterogeneity among commercial Swiss cheese starter culture strains of Lactobacillus helveticus , Streptococcus thermophilus and Propionibacterium freudenreichii and to compare the efficacy of two genetic typing methods. Methods and Results: Two genetic typing methods, pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and arbitrarily primed PCR (AP-PCR), were used. Nine Strep. thermophilus strains revealed eight PFGE and five AP-PCR genotypes. Seventeen Lactobacillus strains yielded 16 and five genotypes by PFGE and AP-PCR, respectively. Eleven Propionibacterium strains yielded 10 PFGE genotypes. Cluster analysis of PFGE profiles generated similarity coefficients for Strep. thermophilus , Lact. helveticus and Prop. freudenreichii strains of 29·5%, 60·3%, and 30·5%, respectively. Milk acidification rates for Strep. thermophilus and Lact. helveticus were determined. Conclusions: Pulsed field gel electrophoresis is more discriminatory than AP-PCR. The Lact. helveticus group is more homogeneous than the other species examined. Strains with > 87% similarity by PFGE consistently had the same acidification rate and AP-PCR profile. Significance and Impact of the Study: Bacterial strains sold for Swiss cheese manufacture in the United States are genetically diverse. Clustering of genetically related bacteria may be useful in identifying new strains with industrially relevant traits.
Binding of hsp90 to the glucocorticoid receptor requires a specific 7- amino acid sequence at the amino terminus of the hormone-binding domain

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) HBD must be bound to the protein chaperone hsp90 in order to acquire the high affinity steroid binding conformation. Despite this crucial role of hsp90, its binding site in GR remains poorly defined. Large portions of the GR HBD have been implicated and no similarity has been established between steroid receptor HBDs and the catalytic domains of the protein kinases (e.g. pp60(src), Raf) that also form stable heterocomplexes with hsp90. Thus, it has been thought that some general property of the proteins, such as exposure of hydrophobic residues in partially denatured regions, determines the assembly of stable hsp90 heterocomplexes. In this work, we have studied fusion proteins containing glutathione S-transferase (GST) and very short amino-terminal truncations just before and at the beginning of the rat GR HBD that are otherwise intact to the carboxyl terminus. Overexpression in COS cells of the chimeras GST537C and GST547C was found to yield receptors that were bound to hsp90 and had wild-type steroid binding affinity. However, removal of 7 more amino acids to form GST554C resulted in a fusion protein that did not bind either hsp90 or steroid. Additional mutations revealed that the role of these 7 amino acids was neither to provide a spacer between protein domains nor to expose a protein surface by introducing a bend in the conserved alpha-helix. Instead, these observations support a model in which the sequence of the 7 amino acids directly or indirectly affects hsp90 binding to the GR HBD. Thus, a region of GR that has not been thought to be relevant for hsp90 binding is now seen to be of critical importance, and these data argue strongly against the commonly accepted model of receptor-hsp90 heterocomplex assembly in which the chaperone initially interacts nonspecifically with hydrophobic regions of the partially denatured HBD and subsequently assists its folding to the steroid binding confirmation.
WHY CHILDHOOD TUBERCULOSIS IS NOT PREVENTED. † 668

Most cases of childhood tuberculosis (TB) result from the primary infection, indicating recent transmission. Rapid contact investigation of adult TB cases is essential for preventing childhood tuberculosis by interrupting transmission and providing early treatment of infection in the child. An important indicator of the effectiveness of a TB control program is the proportion of childhood TB cases that could have been prevented under optimal conditions. We compared the epidemiology of preventable cases of childhood TB in Houston from 1985 through 1987 with those from 1994 through June 1995, following changes implemented to improve the TB case contact tracing and monitoring of therapy.
Protective effect of herpes simplex virus‐mediated neurotrophin gene transfer in cisplatin neuropathy

Attempts to develop clinical treatments for neuropathy using neurotrophins have not been successful. We tested whether neurotrophin gene delivery to dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) using non-replicating herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based vectors could prevent the development of neuropathy caused by administration of cisplatin. Following subcutaneous inoculation of HSV vectors expressing nerve growth factor (NGF) or neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), neurons in the DRG were transduced to produce NGF or NT-3 in vivo. Inoculation of either the NGF- or the NT-3-expressing vectors 3 days before the start of a 6-week course of cisplatin treatment protected against cisplatin-induced neuropathy assessed by electrophysiological, histological and behavioural measures 2 months later. Iatrogenic neuropathy caused by administration of chemotherapeutic drugs represents an excellent target for a human trial to assess the potential of gene therapy to prevent neuropathy.
Physical vapor transport crystal growth of ZnO

Physical vapor transport (PVT) growth of mm-size, polycrystalline ZnO has been demonstrated at temperatures exceeding 1600°C under air at atmospheric pressure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the growth of grains and microcrystals with strong faceted morphologies suggesting near-equilibrium growth conditions. In addition, a temperature-dependent formula for the O 2 sticking coefficient has been developed to predict the maximum growth rate of PVT ZnO. Combining this formula with an existing one-dimensional analytical model for PVT growth of bulk AlN, the value of the growth rate of PVT ZnO as a function of temperature and oxygen vapor partial pressure has been studied. This analysis predicts that growth rates in the order of 1mm/h could be theoretically achieved using the PVT method under non-stoichiometric oxygen-rich vapor pressures and temperatures exceeding 1600°C.
Ecological and life-history factors influencing the evolution of maternal antibody allocation: a phylogenetic comparison

Maternally derived yolk antibodies provide neonates with immune protection in early life at negligible cost to mothers. However, developmental effects on the neonate's future immunity are potentially costly and thus could limit yolk antibody deposition. The benefits to neonatal immunity must be balanced against costs, which may depend on neonate vulnerability to pathogens, developmental trajectories and the immunological strategies best suited to a species' pace of life. We measured yolk antibodies and life-history features of 23 species of small Neotropical birds and assessed the evidence for each of several hypotheses for life history and ecological effects on the evolution of yolk antibody levels. Developmental period and yolk antibodies are negatively related, which possibly reflect the importance of humoral immune priming through antigen exposure, and selection to avoid autoimmunity, in species with a slower pace of life. There is also a strong relationship between body size and yolk antibody concentration, suggesting that larger species are architecturally equipped to produce and transfer higher concentrations of antibodies. These results suggest that developmental effects of maternally derived antibodies, such as imprinting effects on B-cell diversity or autoimmune effects, are important and deserve more consideration in future research.
Common or Variable Cycle Length Policy for a more Efficient Network Performance

To coordinate signals along a corridor or in a network, the conventional wisdom of using a common cycle length for all coordinated intersections has been widely used and has led to very desirable results. On the other hand, using variable cycle length for this purpose may result in good signal coordination as well, however, the effectiveness and appropriateness of this method remains unknown. In this study, we compare the effects of using a common cycle length, to the effects of using a variable cycle length on signal coordination in a network of oversaturated intersections. For this comparison, we have used our microscopic-simulation-based Intelligent Dynamic Signal Timing Optimization Procedure (IDSTOP) that uses Genetic Algorithms to find near-optimal signal timing parameter in a network of oversaturated intersections. IDSTOP determines near-optimal signal timing parameters on a network of oversaturated intersections with a) fixed cycle length policy, and b) variable cycle policy. In both cases, we have made sure that the network was working at its near-optimal condition. In the first policy, IDSTOP determined a common cycle of 144 seconds and offsets and green splits so that in each corridor the through movements were coordinated. For the common cycle policy, the network processed 4854 vehicles that traveled 482 vehicle-miles, and on average each vehicle experienced 1.27 minutes of delay. The analysis of offsets showed that through traffic movements were coordinated in each corridor of the network. In the second policy, IDSTOP determined cycle length that ranged from 136 to 156 seconds. This shows that the cycle lengths were not similar but the range of that was narrow. The network processed 5298 vehicles, that travelled 501 miles, and the delay was 1.23 minutes. With the variable cycle policy the network processed 8.4% vehicles more than the first policy, vehicle miles travelled were significantly increased, and the average delay per vehicle did not change significantly. The analysis of the offsets showed that through traffic movements were coordinated when needed. These figures show a significant improvement over the traditional common cycle policy. The finding, as an example of other conditions that were analyzed, indicated that using variable signal timing policy results in a considerably higher number of vehicles processed by the network as well as a significantly lower delay in the network compared to a common cycle length.
Nature of induced persistent vaginal cornification in mice. I. Effect of neonatal treatment with various doses of steroids.

Various doses of estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, or cholesterol were injected daily for five days, beginning within 24 hours after birth, into female RIII and BALB/c mice. Daily examination of vaginal smears of these animals revealed that neonatal administration of estradiol or testosterone, but not of progesterone or cholesterol, was effective in inducing persistent vaginal cornification. Mice of the RIII strain appeared to be more sensitive than BALB/c animals to the induction of persistent vaginal estrus by steroids. The existence of both ovary-dependent and ovary-independent types of persistent vaginal cornification was demonstrated. Ovariectomy completely eliminated vaginal estrus in most animals which had been treated neonatally with low doses of steroids. In contrast, neither ovariectomy nor combined ovariectomy + adrenalectomy + hypophysectomy had this effect in the majority of mice which had received higher dose levels of the same steroids neonatally. A single high dose of estradiol did not restore ovary-dependent vaginal cornification in ovariectomized mice, and the administration of a high dose of progesterone for 15 days failed to block completely ovary-independent vaginal cornification in mice of the BALB/c strain.