cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MOLECULAR CLONING OF A NOVEL LUTEINIZING-HORMONE/HUMAN-CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN-RECEPTOR CDNA : IDENTIFICATION OF A LONG 3' UNTRANSLATED REGION AND CDNA SEQUENCE OF THE MAJOR TRANSCRIPT IN RAT OVARY

The biological action of luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin (lutropidchoriogonadotropin) in the ovary is mediated by interaction with its specific receptor. Lutropinlchoriogonadotropin-receptor hnRNA is processed into multiple mRNAs. However, nucleotide sequences for many of the transcripts, including the major form (6.7 kb), have yet to be determined. In an attempt to identify a cDNA encoding the major transcript, we have isolated a 3.5-kb cDNA clone from a rat ovary cDNA library. The 3.5-kb cDNA recognized only two (6.7 kb, 4.4 kb) of the three (6.7, 4.4, 2.6 kb) ovarian lutropidchoriogonadotropin-receptor transcripts when used as a probe. The first 732 nucleotides of the newly identified 3.5-kb cDNA showed 98% identity to the 3‘ untranslated region (3’ UTR) of the previously cloned cDNA corresponding to the 4.4-kb transcript. Southern blot analysis indicated that the 3.5-kb cDNA and the C-terminal domain of the lutropinlchoriogonadotropin-receptor originate from the same gene. Oligonucleotide-directed cleavage of the 6.7-kb lutropin/ choriogonadotropin-receptor mRNA by RNase H revealed that the newly identified 3.5-kb cDNA is a 3‘ extension of the 4.4-kb transcript. We propose that the nucleotide sequence of the 6.7-kb lutropidchoriogonadotropin-receptor transcript, the major form found in rat ovary, contains a long 3’ UTR, which has not been previously identified.
Dictionary-sparse and disjointed recovery

We consider recovery of signals whose coefficient vectors with respect to a redundant dictionary are simultaneously sparse and disjointed — such signals are referred to as analysis-sparse and analysis-disjointed. We determine the order of a sufficient number of linear measurements needed to recover such signals via an iterative hard thresholding algorithm. The sufficient number of measurements compares with the sufficient number of measurements from which one may recover a classical sparse and disjointed vector. We then consider approximately analysis-sparse and analysis-disjointed signals and obtain the order of sufficient number of measurements in that scenario as well.
Familial loading for alcoholism and offspring behavior: mediating and moderating influences.

Background: Familial loading for alcoholism is an important marker of risk for early-onset alcohol problems, but the early expression of this risk in community samples of children is understudied. Methods: This study tested, for 452 8- and 10-year-old children, whether the density of alcohol problems in their biological relatives was associated with externalizing behaviors that are risk factors for later alcohol problems. Results: Density of alcohol problems in first- and second-degree biological relatives was associated with behavioral disinhibition (BD; e.g., poor inhibitory control, attentional shifting, beta = 0.10, p = 0.04) and conduct problems (CP; i.e., defiance, aggression, delinquency, beta = 0.18, p = 0.00). These relations were moderated by parenting practices (parental warmth, discipline consistency, and parental monitoring). The density-behavior association lost statistical significance when at least 2 of 3 parenting practices were rated above median levels for the sample (p = 0.67 to 0.36). The density-behavior association was mediated by current demographic advantage (p = 0.00 for BD, p = 0.00 for CP), current maternal mental health (p = 0.01 for BD, p = 0.00 for CP), and current maternal deviant behavior (for CP only, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Findings support previously proposed but untested pathways in etiologic models of alcoholism and show the potentially important role of active parenting in reducing the expression of inherited vulnerability to alcoholism in childhood. Language: en
Translation and processing of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens extracellular RNase.

Abstract Bacillus amyloliquefaciens extracellular RNase has been previously cloned and expressed in Bacillus subtilis. Site-specific mutagenesis experiments have identified codon -39 as the start site of translation. We have determined the primary signal peptide cleavage site of preprobarnase and propose a pathway for the conversion of probarnase to mature barnase.
Homotopy Conditions for Tolerant Geometric Queries

Algorithms for many geometric queries rely on representations that are comprised of combinatorial (logical, incidence) information, usually in a form of a graph or a cell complex, and geometric data that represents embeddings of the cells in the Euclidean space Ed. Whenever geometric embeddings are imprecise, their incidence relationships may become inconsistent with the associated combinatorial model. Tolerant algorithms strive to compute on such representations despite the inconsistencies, but the meaning and correctness of such computations have been a subject of some controversy. This paper argues that a tolerant algorithm usually assumes that the approximate geometric representation corresponds to a subset of Edthat is homotopy equivalent to the intended exact set. We show that the Nerve Theorem provides systematic means for identifying sufficient conditions for the required homotopy equivalence, and explain how these conditions are used in the context of geometric and solid modeling.
The Mechanism of Heterokaryotic Growth in VERTICILLIUM DAHLIAE.

Heterokaryons of Verticillium dahliae, forced between complementary auxotrophs, were stable at 21 degrees and resembled the wild type morphologically. In such heterokaryons the hyphal cells were predominantly uninucleate, and no nuclear migration from cell to cell was observed. Heterokaryosis was apparently confined to binucleate, interhyphal, anastomosed cells that arose 1-2 mm behind the colony front. Such anastomosed cells thereby fed and maintained large homokaryotic areas including the colony edge. This stable mosaic colony is in sharp contrast to the heterokaryon of Neurospora.-Heterokaryons of V. dahliae cannot continue growth at 30 degrees because the high temperature prevents hyphal anastomosis. Heterozygous diploids sector out from heterokaryons after 8-12 days at 30 degrees . Interhyphal anastomosed cells are apparently the site of karyogamy.
A computational perspective on autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests as a heterogeneous set of social, cognitive, motor, and perceptual symptoms. This system-wide pervasiveness suggests that, rather than narrowly impacting individual systems such as affection or vision, autism may broadly alter neural computation. Here, we propose that alterations in nonlinear, canonical computations occurring throughout the brain may underlie the behavioral characteristics of autism. One such computation, called divisive normalization, balances a neuron’s net excitation with inhibition reflecting the overall activity of the neuronal population. Through neural network simulations, we investigate how alterations in divisive normalization may give rise to autism symptomatology. Our findings show that a reduction in the amount of inhibition that occurs through divisive normalization can account for perceptual consequences of autism, consistent with the hypothesis of an increased ratio of neural excitation to inhibition (E/I) in the disorder. These results thus establish a bridge between an E/I imbalance and behavioral data on autism that is currently absent. Interestingly, our findings implicate the context-dependent, neuronal milieu as a key factor in autism symptomatology, with autism reflecting a less “social” neuronal population. Through a broader discussion of perceptual data, we further examine how altered divisive normalization may contribute to a wide array of the disorder’s behavioral consequences. These analyses show how a computational framework can provide insights into the neural basis of autism and facilitate the generation of falsifiable hypotheses. A computational perspective on autism may help resolve debates within the field and aid in identifying physiological pathways to target in the treatment of the disorder.
Punctuated cell cycling in the regeneration blastema of urodele amphibians

Abstract We previously assumed that all cells in the regeneration blastema are randomly distributed throughout the cell cycle and actively cycling towards the next mitotic division. We now show that data from continuous labeling (3H-thymidine) experiments do not support this view and favor instead the hypothesis that the blastema cell cycle is punctuated in the g1 phase wherein cells can enter what we term a transiently quiescent (TQ) position. We call this hypothesis the punctuated cycling (PC) hypothesis. We further propose that the relative sizes of the quiescent and actively cycling populations explain (1) variations in rates of regeneration in different sizes of urodele amphibians, (2) the rate and success of regeneration in different species, and (3) how various controlling factors, such as injury, nerves, growth factors, wound epidermis, and hormones, influence the initiation and progression of the regeneration process. This PC hypothesis is important for interpreting previous pulse labeling data, is consistent with recently obtained continuous labeling data, and is experimentally testable.
CONCEPTUALIZING SOCIAL INTEGRATION AMONG FORMERLY HOMELESS ADULTS WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS

The multiple dimensions of social integration among formerly homeless adults with severe mental illness have not been well-studied. Previous studies have focused on clinical measures or narrow components of social integration. We used a multisite study of chronically homeless adults who were provided housing to (a) identify the main factors related to social integration, (b) examine the association between clinical symptoms and social integration, and (c) examine whether social integration is associated with life satisfaction. A factor analysis identified six components of social integration: housing, community participation, civic activities, religious faith, social support, and treatment support. Social integration was found to be largely independent of clinical symptoms and had only a weak association with life satisfaction. These findings suggest supported housing programs needed to focus on improving client outcomes in several domains of social integration regardless of symptoms and that additional efforts are needed to improve life satisfaction among clients.
Micropuncture Study of Postnatal Functional Maturation of the Rat Parotid

The postnatal function maturation of the rat parotid was investigated using micropuncture and microanalytical techniques. The cationic composition of the luminal fluid at different levels of the duct system, the net transductal fluxes of Na, K, and H2O and the salivary excretion of protein and amylase in immature and mature rats were determined.
Nichtproteinogene Aminosäurebausteine für Peptidgerüste aus nichtribosomalen Peptiden und hybriden Polyketiden

Frei vorkommende nichtproteinogene Aminosauren sind schon lange wegen ihrer antimetabolen Eigenschaften bekannt. Entdeckt werden sie meist aufgrund der Reaktivitat gegenuber der katalytischen Wirkung der Zielenzyme. Fuhrt man sie regiospezifisch in biogene Peptide und Proteine ein, kann es moglich werden, eine neue Ara der Medizinalchemie an der Grenze zwischen kleinen und grosen Wirkstoffen einzuleiten. Auserdem eroffnet die ortsspezifische Funktionalisierung von Proteinen besonders attraktive Strategien fur die posttranslationale Proteinmodifizierung. Auch bieten viele der Aminosauren, die von der Natur nicht fur den Einbau in Proteine ausgewahlt wurden, reiche architektonische Moglichkeiten bei Einfuhrung in ribosomal hergestellte Polypeptide. Dieser Aufsatz fasst die Biosynthesewege zu den wichtigsten Klassen nichtkanonischer Bausteine und deren Stoffwechsellogik zusammen, die in nichtribosomalen Peptidgerusten und nichtribosomalen Peptid-Polyketid-Hybriden resultieren.
Progression of Mass Effect After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose—While the evolution of mass effect after cerebral infarction is well characterized, similar data regarding intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are scant. Our goal was to determine the time course and cause for progression of mass effect after ICH. Methods—Patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH who underwent ≥2 CT scans were identified in our prospectively collected database. CT lesion size and midline shift of the pineal and septum pellucidum were retrospectively measured and correlated with clinical and CT characteristics. Causes for increased midline shift were determined by 2 independent observers. Results—Seventy-six patients underwent 235 scans (3.1±1.3 per patient). Initial CT was obtained within 24 hours of ICH in 66. Twenty-five scans were repeated on day 1, 80 on days 2 through 7, 31 on days 8 through 14, and 24 >14 days after ICH. Midline shift was present on 88% of the initial scans. There were 17 instances of midline shift progression: 10 occurred early (0.2 to 1.7 days...
Arterial Grafting in the Horse An Experimental Study

The feasibility of repairing an arterial defect with a graft was evaluated in the horse. Arterial autografts, venous autografts, and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular prostheses were used. Four 3 cm grafts of each type were used to replace a 3 cm section of medial palmar artery that had been removed from 12 forelimbs of 11 horses. Patency was assessed by arteriography performed 30 days after the grafting procedure. All four arterial autografts, one of four venous autografts, and two of four PTFE grafts were patent at 30 days. Thrombosis caused the failure of one venous autograft and two PTFE grafts. Fibrous replacement caused the failure of two venous autografts. Results indicate that arterial grafting is feasible in the horse.
Ethical Issues in Rehabilitation Counselor Supervision and the New 2010 Code of Ethics

The 2010 revision of the Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors addresses changes in ethical standards related to rehabilitation counselor supervision. In an effort to promote aw...
Elevated ovarian follicular fluid stem cell factor concentrations are associated with improved pregnancy rates in in-vitro fertilization cycles.

Abstract Objective: To determine whether ovarian follicular fluid (FF) stem cell factor concentrations are associated with successful IVF pregnancies. Design: Nested case-control design evaluation of stem cell factor levels from the FF of oocytes fertilized and transferred after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Setting: University-based ART program. Patient(s): Infertile women undergoing IVF in a university-based ART program. Intervention(s): Fifty-seven FF samples from a cohort of patients ( n = 13) with tubal factor and unexplained infertility were stored at −80°C and subsequently evaluated for stem cell factor concentration. Patients with endometriosis, polycystic ovary disease, and male factor infertility were excluded. Stem cell factor concentrations were measured using a commercially available ELISA kit according to the manufacturer's specifications. The groups were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance, and significance was determined using the X 2 analysis of contingency table, the unpaired t-test, or the Mann-Whitney rank-sum test. Main Outcome Measure(s): FF stem cell factor concentration, pregnancy. Result(s): Stem cell factor concentrations were significantly higher in the FF of the patients who achieved successful pregnancies than in those who did not (641.7 ±75.2 pg/mL versus 475.5 ±50.58 pg/mL). Conclusion(s): Elevated FF stem cell factor concentrations are associated with an increased likelihood of IVF success. Therefore, stem cell factor may play a role in human follicular and oocyte development, and increasing infrafollicular stem cell factor concentrations may improve pregnancy rates after oocyte retrieval, fertilization, and ET.
Confidence intervals for the median of a finite population based on the sign test

This article presents methods for constructing confidence intervals for the median of a finite population under simple random sampling without replacement, stratified random sampling, and cluster sampling. The confidence intervals, as well as point estimates and test statistics, are derived from sign estimating functions which are based on the well-known sign test. Therefore, a unified approach for inference about the median of a finite population is given.
Comparison of bottom-track to global positioning system referenced discharges measured using an acoustic Doppler current profiler

Summary A negative bias in discharge measurements made with an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) can be caused by the movement of sediment on or near the streambed. The integration of a global positioning system (GPS) to track the movement of the ADCP can be used to avoid the systematic negative bias associated with a moving streambed. More than 500 discharge transects from 63 discharge measurements with GPS data were collected at sites throughout the US, Canada, and New Zealand with no moving bed to compare GPS and bottom-track-referenced discharges. Although the data indicated some statistical bias depending on site conditions and type of GPS data used, these biases were typically about 0.5% or less. An assessment of differential correction sources was limited by a lack of data collected in a range of different correction sources and different GPS receivers at the same sites. Despite this limitation, the data indicate that the use of Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) corrected positional data is acceptable for discharge measurements using GGA as the boat-velocity reference. The discharge data based on GPS-referenced boat velocities from the VTG data string, which does not require differential correction, were comparable to the discharges based on GPS-referenced boat velocities from the differentially-corrected GGA data string. Spatial variability of measure discharges referenced to GGA, VTG and bottom-tracking is higher near the channel banks. The spatial variability of VTG-referenced discharges is correlated with the spatial distribution of maximum Horizontal Dilution of Precision (HDOP) values and the spatial variability of GGA-referenced discharges is correlated with proximity to channel banks.
Field trial of honey bee colonies bred for mechanisms of resistance against Varroa destructor

We compared colonies selectively bred for both hygienic behavior and Suppression of Mite Reproduction (HYG/SMR) with colonies bred solely for hygienic behavior (HYG) and unselected control colonies. Colonies were evaluated for strength, brood viability, removal of freeze-killed brood, honey production, mite loads on adult bees and within worker brood, and mite reproductive success on worker brood for two years in two locations. By autumn in both years, the HYG/SMR colonies had significantly fewer mites on adult bees and in worker brood compared to the control colonies, and the HYG colonies had intermediate mite populations. Contrary to expectation, there were no differences among the lines in mite reproductive success. Further studies are required to determine if the genes and neural mechanisms that regulate the SMR trait are the same or different from those regulating hygienic behavior.
Synthesis, structure, and thermochemistry of the formation of the metal-metal bonded dimers [Mo(mu-TeAr)(CO)3(PiP3)]2 (Ar = phenyl, naphthyl) by phosphine elimination from *Mo(TePh)(CO)3(PiPr3)2.

The complexes (•TeAr)Mo(CO)3(PiPr3)2 (Ar = phenyl, naphthyl; iPr = isopropyl) slowly eliminate PiPr3 at room temperature in a toluene solution to quantitatively form the dinuclear complexes [Mo(μ-TeAr)(CO)3(PiPr3)]2. The crystal structure of [Mo(μ-Te−naphthyl)(CO)3(PiPr3)]2 is reported and has a Mo−Mo distance of 3.2130 A. The enthalpy of dimerization has been measured and is used to estimate a Mo−Mo bond strength on the order of 30 kcal mol-1. Kinetic studies show the rate of formation of the dimeric chalcogen bridged complex is best fit by a rate law first order in (•TeAr)Mo(CO)3(PiPr3)2 and inhibited by added PiPr3. The reaction is proposed to occur by initial dissociation of a phosphine ligand and not by radical recombination of 2 mol of (•TeAr)Mo(CO)3(PiPr3)2. Reaction of (•TePh)Mo(CO)3(PiPr3)2, with L = pyridine (py) or CO, is rapid and quantitative at room temperature to form PhTeTePh and Mo(L)(CO)3(PiPr3)2, in keeping with thermochemical predictions. The rate of reaction of (•TeAr)W(CO)3(PiPr3)2 a...
Correlation energy in LiH, BH, and HF with many‐body perturbation theory using slater‐type atomic orbitals

Many-body perturbation theory is applied to LiH, BH, and HF within the Slater orbital basis sets of Cade and Huo. Both a VV and a VN−1 potential for the “virtual” orbitals are considered. The energies obtained with the VV orbitals or the VN−1 set are comparable when the third-order contributions are included. The calculated correlation energy for HF is -0.2897 hartree or about 76% of the experimental value.
Reproducible mouse sciatic nerve crush and subsequent assessment of regeneration by whole mount muscle analysis.

Regeneration in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is widely studied both for its relevance to human disease and to understand the robust regenerative response mounted by PNS neurons thereby possibly illuminating the failures of CNS regeneration1. Sciatic nerve crush (axonotmesis) is one of the most common models of peripheral nerve injury in rodents2. Crushing interrupts all axons but Schwann cell basal laminae are preserved so that regeneration is optimal3,4. This allows the investigator to study precisely the ability of a growing axon to interact with both the Schwann cell and basal laminae4. Rats have generally been the preferred animal models for experimental nerve crush. They are widely available and their lesioned sciatic nerve provides a reasonable approximation of human nerve lesions5,4. Though smaller in size than rat nerve, the mouse nerve has many similar qualities. Most importantly though, mouse models are increasingly valuable because of the wide availability of transgenic lines now allows for a detailed dissection of the individual molecules critical for nerve regeneration6, 7. Prior investigators have used multiple methods to produce a nerve crush or injury including simple angled forceps, chilled forceps, hemostatic forceps, vascular clamps, and investigator-designed clamps8,9,10,11,12. Investigators have also used various methods of marking the injury site including suture, carbon particles and fluorescent beads13,14,1. We describe our method to obtain a reproducibly complete sciatic nerve crush with accurate and persistent marking of the crush-site using a fine hemostatic forceps and subsequent carbon crush-site marking. As part of our description of the sciatic nerve crush procedure we have also included a relatively simple method of muscle whole mount we use to subsequently quantify regeneration.
The curve is still out there: a reply to Bushman, Wang, and Anderson's (2005) "Is the curve relating temperature to aggression linear or curvilinear?".

This article replies to research conducted by B. J. Bushman, M. C. Wang, and C. A. Anderson (2005) and demonstrates that the results of prior research by E. G. Cohn and J. Rotton (1997) do support the existence of a curvilinear relationship between temperature and aggression when time of day is taken into consideration. The shape of the relationship between temperature and aggression also depends on a number of other factors, including season, amount of social interaction, type of violence, and type of setting. It appears that linear relationships between temperature and aggression identified by B. J. Bushman et al. (2005) are less ubiquitous than might be believed and that the curve is still out there.
Corporate social responsibility and advertising: Does it extend to taking stances on social issues?

In this editorial for IJA, volume 33 issue 1, Charles R. Taylor examines the issue of corporate social responsibility in the light of gay and lesbian rights debates around the 2014 Winter Olympics held in Sochi, Russia. Many LGBT groups have criticised the responses of corporations who sponsor the Olympics Games and the conventional wisdom to avoid taking stances on controversial social issues may no longer be enough for marketers. Taylor calls for further research into this area, especially where the complex global economy may come into conflict with local cultural values.
Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery with a miniature in vivo surgical robot

Background The application of flexible endoscopy tools for Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is constrained due to limitations in dexterity, instrument insertion, navigation, visualization, and retraction. Miniature endolumenal robots can mitigate these constraints by providing a stable platform for visualization and dexterous manipulation. This video demonstrates the feasibility of using an endolumenal miniature robot to improve vision and to apply off-axis forces for task assistance in NOTES procedures.
Binding and catalytic contributions to site recognition by flp recombinase.

Flp catalyzes site-specific recombination in a highly sequence-specific manner despite making few direct contacts to the bases within its binding site. Sequence discrimination could take place in the binding and/or the catalytic steps. In this study, we independently measure the binding affinity and initial cleavage rate of Flp recombinase with ∼20 designed alternate target DNA sequences. Our results show that Flp specificity is largely, although not entirely, imparted at the binding step and is the result of a combination of direct and indirect readout. The Flp binding site includes an A/T-rich region that displays a characteristically narrow minor groove. We find that many A → T changes are tolerated at the binding step, whereas C or G substitutions tend to decrease binding affinity. The effects of the latter can be alleviated by replacing guanine with inosine, which removes the N2 amino group that protrudes into the minor groove. Some A → T changes reduce binding affinity, due to clashing with nearby residues, reinforcing that specificity requires avoiding negative contacts as well as creating positive ones. A tracts, which can lead to unusually rigid DNA structure, are tolerated during the binding step when placed within the region where the minor groove is already narrow. However, most A tracts slow catalysis more than C or G substitutions. Understanding what kind of sequence variation is tolerated in the binding and catalytic steps helps us understand how the target DNA is recognized by Flp and will be useful in guiding the design of Flp variants with altered specificities.
La logique culturelle de la loi révolutionnaire

L’article examine la facon dont le concept monarchique de « justice extraordinaire » fut transforme en concept republicain de « loi revolutionnaire » apres la chute de la monarchie le 10 aout 1792. L’auteur demontre que meme si les revolutionnaires ont emprunte a l’Ancien Regime cette idee de justice extraordinaire, c’etait pour en faire un usage nouveau : au lieu de chercher a preserver un regime, ils utiliserent une loi existante pour en creer une nouvelle. La loi revolutionnaire a, ce faisant, marque une rupture radicale avec la conception d’Ancien Regime de la loi d’urgence. En l’absence d’une constitution qui definisse la souverainete du peuple, les legislateurs revolutionnaires entre 1792-1795 ont ete confrontes au probleme de la repression de l’opposition a un regime dont les parametres avaient encore a etre definis. La loi penale offrait une piste en permettant aux deputes de la Convention de definir les crimes envers la nouvelle souverainete a travers une rhetorique en trois points : negation, abstraction et particularisation. L’article examine un ample corpus de 80 lois penales enregistrees devant le tribunal revolutionnaire entre le 10 mars 1793 et le 12 prairial an III, pour conclure que toutes ont echoue a construire une notion stable de l’identite republicaine.
Foreign exchange management—A strategic approach

Abstract Changes in exchange rates affect the value of the firm because of the sensitivity of corporate cash flows to exchange rate fluctuations. Notwithstanding innovation in foreign exchange risk management, there are situations where hedging does not protect the firm against the adverse impact of unanticipated changes in exchange rates. This paper discusses a particular, although very common, case of economic exposure in which firms have continuous contractual cash flows denominated in a foreign currency showing a persistent appreciation or depreciation vis-a-vis the firm's home currency. We present alternative strategic responses when hedging techniques are inadequate.
Three-Dimensional Constitutive Model for Anisotropic Inelastic Deformation of Unidirectional Reinforced Composites:

A three-dimensional constitutive model is proposed for anisotropic inelastic deformed continuous medium, and further adapted for unidirectionally fiber-reinforced composites. In the constitutive relation, the material anisotropic elastic, anisotropic yielding and anisotropic hardening behavior are considered. The model accommodates both compressible and incompressible deformation properties. With all six stress and strain components retained in the constitutive relation, the model can be applied to predict three-dimensional nonlinear deformation response of composites under different loadings.
A Monte Carlo Method for Approximating Critical Cluster Size in the Nucleation of Model Systems

A formalism is presented for estimating critical cluster size as defined in classical models for nucleation phenomena. The method combines Bennett's Monte Carlo technique for determining free-energy differences for clusters containingn andn- 1 atoms with the steady state nucleation rate formalism. A simple form for the free energy of formation of then cluster [including a termA (n)n2/3] is used to predict critical cluster size and critical supersaturation ratio, S*. This approach is applied to Lennard-Jones vapor clusters at 60 K. Results for free-energy differences for the 13, 18, 24, and 43 clusters predict a critical cluster size of 70 ± 5 atoms at a critical supersaturation ratio given bylnS*=2,45 0.15. This method is intended to provide estimates of critical cluster size for more ambitious attempts to calculate cluster free energies or for initializing conditions in microscopic simulations of nucleating systems.
Suitability of estuarine nursery zones for juvenile weakfish ( Cynoscion regalis ): effects of temperature and salinity on feeding, growth and survival

Juvenile weakfish, Cynoscion regalis (Bloch and Schneider, 1801), exhibit significant spatial diffrences in growth rate and condition factor among estuarine nursery zones in Delaware Bay. The potential influence of temperature and salinity on the suitability of estuarine nursery areas for juvenile weakfish was investigated in laboratory experiments by measuring ad libitum feeding rate, growth rate and gross growth efficiency of juveniles collected in Delaware Bay in 1990 (40 to 50 mm standard length; 1.4 to 2.1 g) in 12 temperature/salinity treatments (temperatures: 20, 24, 28°C; salinities: 5, 12, 19, 26 ppt) representing conditions encountered in different estuarine zones during spring/summer. Feeding rates (FR) increased significantly with temperature at all salinities, ranging from 10 to 15% body wt d-1 at 20°C to 33–39% body wt d-1 at 28°C. Specific growth rates (SGR) ranged from 1.4 to 9.4% body wt d-1 (0.3 to 1.5 mm d-1) and gross growth efficiencies (K 1) varied from 13.6 to 26.4% across temperature/salinity combinations. Based on nonlinear multiple regression models, predicted optimal temperatures for SGR and K 1 were 29 and 27°C, respectively. Salinity effects on SGR and K 1 were significant at 24 and 28°C where predicted optimal salinity was 20 ppt. At these warmer temperatures, SGR and K 1 were significantly lower at 5 than at 19 ppt despite higher FR at 5 ppt. Therefore, maximum growth rate and growth efficiency occurred under conditions characteristic of mesohaline nurseries. This finding is consistent with spatial patterns of growth in Delaware Bay, implying that physicochemical gradients influence the value of particular estuarine zones as nurseries for juvenile weakfish by affecting the energetics of feeding and growth. Laboratory results indicate a seasonal shift in the location of physiologically optimal nurseries within estuaries. During late spring/early summer, warmer temperatures in oligohaline areas permit higher feeding rate and faster growth compared to mesohaline areas. By mid-late summer, spatial temperature gradients diminish and mesohaline areas provide more suitable physicochemical conditions for growth rate and growth efficiency whereas oligohaline areas become energetically stressful. Substantial mortality occurred at 5 ppt and 28°C, providing additional evidence that oligohaline conditions are stressful during late summer. Furthermore, juveniles provided a choice among salinities in laboratory trials preferred those salinities which promoted higher growth rates. The extensive use of oligohaline nurseries by juvenile weakfish despite the potential for reduced growth rate and growth efficiency suggests this estuarine zone may provide a substantial refuge from predation.
NMR relaxation study of avocado quality

Four nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation protocols are investigated as potential candidates for off-line and on-line determination of avocado maturity. Two-dimensionalT1-T2 andT2-D correlation spectroscopy provides the most information but is only suitable for off-line quality control. The CPMGT2 spectrum gives avocado oil content but requires intensive data processing. Suppression of the tissue water signal byT1-Null methods is shown to be unreliable but a new, single-shot pulse sequence which uses diffusive attenuation to suppress the tissue water is shown to give a good correlation with oil content and is suitable for both off-line and on-line implementation.
Local infiltration of epinephrine-containing lidocaine with bicarbonate reduces superficial bleeding and pain during labor epidural catheter insertion: a randomized trial.

Background Superficial bleeding after labor epidural catheter placement is a common phenomenon. In addition to delaying securing the epidural catheter, it may loosen the adhesive catheter dressing. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether skin infiltration with epinephrine-containing rather than plain lidocaine reduces superficial bleeding after catheter placement. Secondary objectives were to determine whether adding epinephrine and/or sodium bicarbonate affected infiltration pain. Methods After institutional review board approval and informed consent, 80 healthy women receiving epidural analgesia during labor were randomly assigned in a double-blind manner to four local anesthetic mixtures ( n =20 in each group): group L: lidocaine 1.5%, group LB: lidocaine 1.5% with 8.4% sodium bicarbonate, group LE: lidocaine 1.5% with epinephrine 1:200000, and group LEB: lidocaine 1.5% with epinephrine 1:200000 and 8.4% sodium bicarbonate. Clinical endpoints included the amount of superficial bleeding at the catheter site, pain during local anesthetic infiltration and epidural catheter movement during labor. Results Demographic data were similar among the groups. The addition of epinephrine to lidocaine significantly reduced superficial bleeding. Solutions containing epinephrine were well tolerated and caused no cardiovascular disturbances. The addition of epinephrine did not increase pain, while bicarbonate reduced it [verbal score (scale 0-10) 3.6±2.2 vs. 2.6±1.8; P =0.04]. There were no differences in epidural catheter movement among the groups; no catheters became displaced during labor. Conclusion Local infiltration of epinephrine-containing lidocaine before epidural catheter insertion reduces superficial bleeding and the addition of bicarbonate decreases pain during skin infiltration.
The Post Bifurcation Stage of Baroclinic Instability.

Abstract A post bifurcation, finite-amplitude analysis of baroclinic instability is undertaken. The original motivation was to explore the possibility that baroclinic waves may be excited for a value of the wind shear below that predicted by linear theory. Accordingly, the post instability behavior of a linear combination of baroclinic waves, which are the natural eigenfunctions associated with the linear problem, is examined, particular attention being paid to those configurations of wavevectors which have strong quadratic nonlinear interactions. The resulting patterns are known as hexagons in the literature, a term we shall use but with the understanding that such a term is only descriptive of the solution pattern when the motions are stationary. It is proven that, while hexagons can dominate the flow pattern, they cannot sustain subcritical motions. The introduction of a small amount of viscosity proves to be singular not only in the specification of the neutral curve but also by ensuring that the grow...
Dose-volume and complication in interstitial implants for breast carcinoma.

Abstract A common radiotherapeutic technique for treating breast cancer is the combination of external beam radiation with an interstitial iridium-192 boost. When smaller tumors (T 1 and T 2 ) are treated using this technique, the soft tissue complication rate is small. However, with treatment of more advanced stages of disease, where large volumes of breast tissue must be treated to high radiation doses, the incidence of complication increases. This paper investigates the dose and volume relationships for breast tissue treated by interstitial technique and correlates this to the risk of soft tissue radiation injury. A method of analysis of interstitial radiation implants suitable for intra- or inter-institutional clinical evaluations is offered. The records of 111 patients treated at Georgetown University Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed and the five who had experienced radiation-related complications were compared to 51 randomly selected patients experiencing no complications. The volumes of tissue enclosed by selected isodose surfaces were calculated and used to determine a relationship between these dose-volumes and the probability of complication. The mean volume at specified dose levels between 10 Gy and 50 Gy was significantly higher ( p p
Localization of cyclic-AMP receptors with acidosomes in Dictyostelium discoideum

Earlier studies have shown that in Dictyostelium discoideum, a buoyant membrane fraction contained ∼90% of the vacuolar proton pump (V-H+-ATPase) activity, leading to its designation acidosomes. It was proposed that acidosomes may be involved in endocytosis, specially in the acidification of endosomes. In this study we further investigated the putative function(s) of acidosomes. The findings suggest that acidosomes contain abundant receptors for cyclic AMP (CAR1) and that it may be the site for recycling of internalized receptors. Acidosomes also contain an abundance of Rab4 (Bush et al. 1994), a marker for early endosomes. By these criteria, we suggest that the acidosomes are analogous to early or recycling endosome present in mammalian cells. These findings suggest that the structure earlier defined biochemically, morphologically and immunologically as acidosomes may represent early and/or recycling endosomes in this protist.
Defective growth hormone secretion in primary microcephaly.

The 24 hr variations of plasma growth hormone (GH) andlor GH secretion provoked by oral glucose load or by insulin-induced hypoglycemia were studied in five microcephalic children. Low levels of GH and, especially, complete lack of secretory episodes were detected in three of the five children, two of whom were brothers. GH deficiency may constitute the principal or a contributing factor of impaired growth in some microcephalic children. A possible association between the cerebral abnormality and the pituitary hypofunction is suggested. An analogy is made between the present cases and the neuroendocrine complexes reported as Kallmann's and de Morsier's syndromes, respectively.
Modeling tradeoffs in avian life history traits and consequences for population growth

Variation in population dynamics is inherently related to life history characteristics of species, which vary markedly even within phylogenetic groups such as passerine birds. We computed the finite rate of population change (λ) from a matrix projection model and from mark-recapture observations for 23 bird species breeding in northern Arizona. We used sensitivity analyses and a simulation model to separate contributions of different life history traits to population growth rate. In particular we focused on contrasting effects of components of reproduction (nest success, clutch size, number of clutches, and juvenile survival) versus adult survival on λ. We explored how changes in nest success or adult survival coupled to costs in other life history parameters affected λ over a life history gradient provided by our 23 Arizona species, as well as a broader sample of 121 North American passerine species. We further examined these effects for more than 200 passeriform and piciform populations breeding across North America. Model simulations indicate nest success and juvenile survival exert the largest effects on population growth in species with moderate to high reproductive output, whereas adult survival contributed more to population growth in long-lived species. Our simulations suggest that monitoring breeding success in populations across a broad geographic area provides an important index for identifying neotropical migratory populations at risk of serious population declines and a potential method for identifying large-scale mechanisms regulating population dynamics.
Electron Capture Cross Sections for Low Velocity Neq+ (q = 2,3,4,5 & 6) Incident upon Atomic Hydrogen

Measurements of electron capture cross sections for low velocity Neq+ ions (q = 2,3,4,5 & 6) in collisions with atomic hydrogen will be discussed. The Ne ions are obtained from a recoil ion source using a F4+ pump beam from the EN tandem accelerator. Time-of-flight techniques and post interaction electrostatic analysis provide for the experimental determination of the electron capture cross sections. Comparisons to the theories of Olson and Salop and Ryufuku et al. will be presented.
Bremsstrahlung in wormhole spacetime with infinitely short throat

We consider the total energy loss and spectral density of uniformly moving electrically charged particles in the spacetime of a wormhole with an infinitely short throat. We show that the total energy loss $\mathcal{E}\ensuremath{\sim}{e}^{2}v\ensuremath{\gamma}{a}^{2}/{b}^{3}$, where $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ is relativistic factor, $a$ is the radius of the wormhole's throat, and $b$ is the impact factor. The spectrum of the energy for particles radially moving through the wormhole's throat is $\mathcal{E}\ensuremath{\sim}{e}^{2}v\ensuremath{\gamma}/a$. The spectral density of the total energy has a maximum at frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{m}\ensuremath{\sim}v\ensuremath{\gamma}/b$ and at ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{m}\ensuremath{\sim}v\ensuremath{\gamma}/a$ for radial motion.
Mechanisms of chemoprotection by oltipraz

1,2-Dithiole-3-thiones are five-membered cyclic sulfur-containing compounds with antioxidant, chemotherapeutic, radioprotective and cancer chemoprotective properties. One substituted dithiolethione, oltipraz [5-(2-pyrazinyl)-4-methyl-1,2-dithiole-3-thione], originally developed as an antischistosomal agent, has recently been observed to protect against chemically induced carcinogenesis in lung, trachea, forestomach, colon, breast, skin, liver and urinary bladder in rodents. The induction of electrophilic detoxication enzymes, which result in diminished carcinogen-DNA adduct formation and reduced cytotoxicity, appears to be an important component of the anticarcinogenic action of oltipraz and other dithiolethiones. Phase I trials of oltipraz are presently underway in the United States. Subsequent trials might be most appropriately targeted towards individuals at high risk for occupational or environmental exposures to genotoxic carcinogens.
A randomized trial of contingency management delivered by community therapists.

Objective Contingency management (CM) is an evidence-based treatment, but few clinicians deliver this intervention in community-based settings.
m-AMSA as a probe for transport phenomena associated with anthracycline resistance

Kinetics of transport of the acridine derivative 4′-(9-acridinylamino)-methanesulfon-m-anisidide (m-AMSA) were examined in P388 murine leukemia cells and in P388/ADR, a subline selected for adriamycin resistance and cross-resistant to variety of drugs including m-AMSA. Compared with the drug-responsive parent cell line, P388/ADR cells showed impaired accumulation of m-AMSA and an enhanced rate of drug exodus. Competition studies demonstrated structural specificity of the outward transport process. There was a low degree of intracellular m-AMSA binding, and steady-state drug levels were reached in <1in. These results suggest that m-AMSA will be a useful probe for studying transport systems associated with anthracycline resistance.
Design, fabrication and characterization of a conducting PDMS for microheaters and temperature sensors

In this paper, we present the design and fabrication procedure of a conducting polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and then evaluate its potential uses for heating and temperature sensing. The conducting PDMS was made up of a mixture of a PDMS prepolymer and metallic powder. Depending on purpose, i.e. heater or sensor, different weight ratios of the powder and geometric shapes were considered. Characterization of both the microheaters and the temperature sensors includes stability, repeatability, durability and time response. The results suggest that the microheater is feasible for constantly heating at a fixed temperature instead of running thermal cycles. The optimal heating range was estimated below 100 °C under the current setup and a power consumption of 210 ± 12 mW was needed for 92 °C. Hysteresis and time lag were observed in the temperature sensor. Accordingly, the sensor is recommended to be used for long-term monitoring instead of rapid temperature detections.
Sodium-dependent high-affinity binding of [3H] hemicholinium-3 in the rat brain: A potentially selective marker for presynaptic cholinergic sites

This report describes the membrane binding properties of [3H] hemicholinium-3 ([3H]HC-3), a selective inhibitor of sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake (SDHACU) in cholinergic nerve terminals. Under the described assay conditions, [3H]HC-3 binds with a saturable population of high-affinity (apparent Kd=1.9 nM) CNS membrane sites having the regional distribution: striatum ⪢ hippocampus > cerebral cortex > cerebellum. High-affinity [3H]HC-3 binding is entirely dependent upon the presence of sodium chloride (EC50=35–50 mM) and is markedly reduced when other salts of sodium or monovalent ions are substituted. [3H]HC-3 binding is inhibited by choline (Ki=6μM) and acetylcholine (Ki=35μM) but markedly less sensitive to other cholinergic agents and metabolic inhibitors. In light of the similar ionic dependencies, regional distributions and pharmacological specificities of [3H]HC-3 binding and SDHACU, closely associated sites may be involved in both processes.