cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Separate and shared lysosomal transport of branched and aromatic dipolar amino acids

Abstract Transport systems analogous to the T and L carriers for aromatic and bulky dipolar amino acids in plasma membranes have been characterized in the membranes of intact lysosomes isolated from human fetal skin fibroblasts. While system L appears ubiquitous in plasma membranes, system T has previously been discriminated only in the plasmalemma of human red blood cells and freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. Our findings with the lysosomal systems, provisionally designated tandl, reveal both shared and dissimilar properties with the plasma membrane systems. These properties include a lack of dependency on extralysosomal Na+, differential sensitivities to the classical system L analog, 2-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-car☐ylic acid (BCH), and the system T analog, d -tryptophan, as well as susceptibility to thiol modification at the membrane by reactivity with N-ethylmaleimide. A transport system in lysosomes from the FRTL-5 rat thyroid cell line has been described by Bernar et al. ((1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 17107–17112) resembles a composite of both carrier systems reported in this work.
Abstract 4623: Capsaicin represses transcriptional activity of β-catenin in human colorectal cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Capsaicin is a pungent ingredient in chili red peppers and has been linked to suppression of growth in various cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanism(s) by which capsaicin induces growth arrest and apoptosis of cancer cells is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated whether capsaicin alters β-catenin signaling in human colorectal cancer cells in vitro. Exposure of human colorectal cancer cells to capsaicin suppressed cell proliferation. Transient transfection with β-catenin responsive reporter gene indicated that capsaicin suppressed transcriptional activity of β-catenin. Capsaicin treatment resulted in a decrease of intracellular β-catenin levels and a reduction of β-catenin transcripts. These results were confirmed by a reduced luciferase reporter activity driven by β-catenin promoter. In addition, capsaicin destabilized β-catenin through enhancement of proteosomal-dependent degradation. Western blot and immunoprecipitation studies indicated that capsaicin treatment disrupted interaction of TCF-4 and β-catenin and suppressed TCF-4 expression. This study identifies an important capsaicin-mediated pathway that contributes to anti-cancer activity of human colorectal cancer cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4623. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4623
Minimally Invasive Video-Assisted Thyroidectomy 2.0: Expanded Indications in a Tertiary Care Cancer Center

The incidence of well-differentiated thyroid cancer is increasing mainly as a result of the number of incidental thyroid nodules being detected by the increased use of imaging such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and PET scans.1 As a result, surgeons are performing more thyroid surgery than ever before. Many of these thyroid operations are carried out on small volume thyroid glands with small nodules. Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT), first described by Miccoli et al2 in 1999, is an ideal technique for managing these types of patients with benefits that include a smaller scar, less extensive surgical dissection, and decreased postoperative pain.3 Patients often experience a shorter healing time, with some centers performing the surgery on an outpatient basis. In addition, improved voice and swallow outcomes have also been reported with MIVAT over conventional open thyroidectomy.4 Several high-volume thyroid surgical centers have now adopted MIVAT, and the safety of the procedure has been well reported.3,5 The early studies on MIVAT used limited indications for the surgery. Initial contraindications included large nodules (>25–30 mm), thyroiditis, an abnormal thyroid gland (>20 cm3), prior neck surgery, central compartment neck metastases, and large malignant tumors with extrathyroidal extension.5 With increasing experience it is now possible to carry out this technique with expanded indications. The objective of this retrospective study was to report the outcomes of patients undergoing MIVAT at a high-volume academic tertiary cancer center using expanded indications that include patients with prior neck surgery, larger thyroid glands, larger thyroid lesions, and the presence of thyroiditis.
On efficient simulations of multiscale kinetic transport

We discuss a new class of approaches for simulating multiscale kinetic problems, with particular emphasis on applications related to small-scale transport. These approaches are based on a decomposition of the kinetic description into an equilibrium part, which is described deterministically (analytically or numerically), and the remainder, which is described using a particle simulation method. We show that it is possible to derive evolution equations for the two parts from the governing kinetic equation, leading to a decomposition that is dynamically and automatically adaptive, and a multiscale method that seamlessly bridges the two descriptions without introducing any approximation. Our discussion pays particular attention to stochastic particle simulation methods that are typically used to simulate kinetic phenomena; in this context, these decomposition approaches can be thought of as control-variate variance-reduction formulations, with the nearby equilibrium serving as the control. Such formulations can provide substantial computational benefits in a broad spectrum of applications because a number of transport processes and phenomena of practical interest correspond to perturbations from nearby equilibrium distributions. In many cases, the computational cost reduction is sufficiently large to enable otherwise intractable simulations.
INTERBAND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF QUANTUM WIRES: THEORY AND APPLICATION

The electronic states near the fundamental gap largely determine the most commonly investigated linear and nonlinear optical properties of quantum wires. We first discuss heavy-hole-light-hole band-mixing effects and illustrate the consequences with an application in opto-electronics, namely a quantum-wire-array based polarization modulator. Next, an overview of polariton effects which determine the time scale for excitonic radiative decay is given and comparison with recent experiments made.
Protein changes associated with extended storage of sterile unheated skimmilk.

Abstract Changes in the protein system of sterile unheated skimmilk during extended storage were investigated with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results reveal that decreases in the concentration of immune globulins, blood serum albumin, β -casein, and α s -casein occurred during a 15-day storage period at 30C, with the effect being greater and occurring more rapidly for the casein components. No changes in the proteins were observed during 15 days' storage at 4C. Storage of the skimmilk beyond 15 days at 30C resulted in coagulation and serum separation.
Model for quantifying photoelastic fringe degradation by imperfect retroreflective backings

In any automated algorithm for interpreting photoelastic fringe patterns it is necessary to understand and quantify sources of error in the measurement system. We have been considering how the various components of the coating affect the photoelastic measurement, because this source of error has received fairly little attention in the literature. Because the reflective backing is not a perfect retroreflector, it does not preserve the polarization of light and thereby introduces noise into the measurement that depends on the angle of obliqueness and roughness of the reflective surface. This is of particular concern in resolving the stress tensor through the combination of thermoelasticity and photoelasticity where the components are sensitive to errors in the principal angle and difference of the principal stresses. We have developed a physical model that accounts for this and other sources of measurement error to be introduced in a systematic way so that the individual effects on the fringe patterns can be quantified. Simulations show altered photoelastic fringes when backing roughness and oblique incident angles are incorporated into the model.
How Often Are Patients With Ischemic Stroke Eligible for Decompressive Hemicraniectomy

Background and Purpose—Malignant middle cerebral artery infarction is estimated to occur in 10% of ischemic strokes, but few patients undergo decompressive hemicraniectomy, a proven therapy. We determined the proportion of patients with ischemic stroke without significant baseline disability with large middle cerebral artery infarction who would have been potentially eligible for hemicraniectomy in an era before publication of recent hemicraniectomy trials. Methods—Ischemic stroke cases that occurred in 2005 among residents of the 5-county Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area were ascertained. Two study physicians reviewed all clinical and neuroimaging data for patients with baseline modified Rankin Scale score 50% of the middle cerebral artery territory or >145 mL on diffusion-weighted MRI. Other eligibility criteria for hemicraniectomy, based on the pooled analysis of...
On the role of constant-stress surfaces in the problem of minimizing elastic stress concentration

Cases involving antiplane shear deformation, axisymmetric torsion, and plane strain theory, with surfaces of constant stress magnitude optimal in terms of minimizing stress, are investigated. Results for the plane theory refer to exterior doubly connected domains. Stresses generated by torsion of an elastic solid lying within a radially convex region of revolution with plane ends, body force absent, and lateral surface traction-free, are examined. The unknown portion of the boundary of such domains may involve a hole, fillet, or notch.
Government Publications in New Zealand Libraries and the University of Oregon: A Comparison.

Abstract The kind and size of a library determines the need to collect and the method of controlling government publications. New Zealand libraries tend to handle these publications like any other book with the exception of official records and statistics. As a rule, public, rather than academic libraries, are the designated depositories. In comparing the concept of New Zealand libraries to that of the University of Oregon Library concerning government publications, I found that New Zealand libraries collect and store official and statistical publications and give them partial use; most government publications are integrated into the general collection (use is not known), and few libraries have separate government publication sections with special librarians governing the collection. On the other hand the University of Oregon collects all types of government publications for optimum use; many have been integrated into the general collection (use is not known); and a separate documents section is open to the public with several librarian specialists in attendance. Government publications in the general collection are not, as a rule, recognized as government publications by the public, but those publications are readily accessible. Many government publications at the University of Oregon Library are housed in the general collection, but since 1974 publications of the United States, Canada and many international organizations are shelved in the Documents Section. Use of the various classification schemes has proved successful; however, changes and improvements should be considered frequently to make the government publications collection the best able to serve the public.
Transistor analogue computing amplifiers for flight simulators

A WIDELY used flight-simulation method for flight trainers is the use of an analogue computing system employing a modulated 400-cycle-per-second (cps) carrier. A recent paper1 described four basic computing components that have been developed for use in computing systems of this type. Two of these components are vacuum-tube amplifiers. These are: 1. a summing amplifier of the voltage feedback type having a 1-per-cent accuracy of summation; and 2. a power amplifier for servomotor operation. This paper describes the design and characteristics of two transistor amplifiers that are directly interchangeable with these vacuum-tube amplifiers.
Energetic ion, atom, and molecule reactions and excitation in low-current H2 discharges: model.

Models of the elastic, inelastic, and reactive collisions of energetic hydrogen ions, atoms, and molecules are developed for predicting ${\text{H}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ and ${\text{H}}_{2}$ near-uv emission, ${\text{H}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ Doppler profiles, and ion energy distributions for low-pressure, low-current discharges in ${\text{H}}_{2}$. The model is applied to spatially uniform electric field $E$ to gas density $N$ ratios of $350\text{ }\text{Td}\ensuremath{\le}E/N\ensuremath{\le}45\text{ }\text{kTd}$ and $8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{19}\ensuremath{\le}Nd\ensuremath{\le}10\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{21}\text{ }{\text{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, where $d$ is the electrode separation and $1\text{ }\text{Td}={10}^{\ensuremath{-}21}\text{ }\text{V}\text{ }{\text{m}}^{2}$. Mean ion energies at the cathode are 5--1500 eV. Cross sections for ${\text{H}}^{+}$, $\text{H}_{2}{}^{+}$, $\text{H}_{3}{}^{+}$, H, ${\text{H}}_{2}$, and excited $\text{H}(n=3)$ collisions with ${\text{H}}_{2}$ and reflection probabilities from electrodes are updated and summarized. Spatial and energy distributions of ions and fast neutrals are calculated using a ``multibeam'' technique. At the lower $E/N$ and $Nd$, electron excitation of ${\text{H}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ dominates near the anode. Excitation of ${\text{H}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ by fast H atoms near the cathode increases rapidly with pressure through a multistep reaction sequence. At higher $E/N$, fast H atoms produced at the cathode surface excite much of the ${\text{H}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$. The model agrees with experimental spatial distributions of ${\text{H}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ emission and Doppler profiles. Ion energy distributions agree with experiments only for $\text{H}_{2}{}^{+}$. Cross sections are derived for excitation of the near-uv continuum of ${\text{H}}_{2}$ by H atoms.
Cleidocranial dysplasia with severe parietal bone dysplasia: C-terminal RUNX2 mutations.

BACKGROUND Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an autosomal-dominant skeletal dysplasia syndrome that is characterized by widely patent calvarial sutures, clavicular hypoplasia, supernumerary teeth, and short stature. CCD is caused by mutations in the transcription factor RUNX2, which is known to function as a major regulator of bone differentiation. Despite the characterization of 67 unique mutations in 97 individual cases, and the availability of animal models, no obvious genotype-phenotype correlation has emerged. METHODS We describe 3 new cases that were ascertained on the basis of a severe calvarial phenotype, that were associated with 3 novel mutations in the C-terminal region of RUNX2 distal to the DNA-binding runt domain. In addition, a review of all previously described cases was undertaken in an effort to standardize mutation nomenclature, characterize the position of known mutations relative to the runt domain, and explore the hypothesis that C-terminal mutations that preserve the runt domain may lead to more-severe craniofacial phenotypes. RESULTS Upon mutational analysis of RUNX2, we identified either frameshift or splice-site mutations that affect the C-terminal region of the resultant protein distal to the runt domain. CONCLUSIONS In the context of previously described mutations, these cases suggest that C-terminal mutations that preserve the DNA-binding runt domain while disrupting the SMAD 1,2,3,5 binding domain and the nuclear matrix targeting signal may be responsible for the severe phenotype observed. Birth Defects Research (Part A) Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The bradykinin B1 receptor regulates Aβ deposition and neuroinflammation in Tg-SwDI mice.

The deposition of amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) in the cerebral vasculature, a condition known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy, is increasingly recognized as an important component leading to intracerebral hemorrhage, neuroinflammation, and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer disease (AD) and related disorders. Recent studies demonstrated a role for the bradykinin B1 receptor (B1R) in cognitive deficits induced by Aβ in mice; however, its involvement in AD and cerebral amyloid angiopathy is poorly understood. Herein, we investigated the effect of B1R inhibition on AD-like neuroinflammation and amyloidosis using the transgenic mouse model (Tg-SwDI). B1R expression was found to be up-regulated in brains of Tg-SwDI mice, specifically in the vasculature, neurons, and astrocytes. Notably, administration of the B1R antagonist, R715, to 8-month-old Tg-SwDI mice for 8 weeks resulted in higher Aβ40 levels and increased thioflavin S–positive fibrillar Aβ deposition. Moreover, blockage of B1R inhibited neuroinflammation, as evidenced by the decreased accumulation of activated microglia and reactive astrocytes, diminished NF-κB activation, and reduced cytokine and chemokine levels. Together, our results indicate that B1R activation plays an important role in limiting the accumulation of Aβ in AD-like brain, likely through the regulation of activated glial cell accumulation and release of pro-inflammatory mediators. Therefore, the modulation of the receptor may represent a novel therapeutic approach for AD.
The effect of encryption on Internet purchase intent in multiple vendor and product risk settings

Despite rapid growth, e-commerce proponents argue that individuals are still reluctant to reveal confidential information such as credit card account numbers to unknown third parties. To reduce individual transmission and privacy risk concerns, several web sites employ encryption techniques while others include assurance seals. We examine the impact of encryption on Internet purchase intent (PI) in multiple vendor and product risk settings. One hundred twenty-one MBA subjects completed our online experiment. Results indicate that the presence of encryption increases the likelihood that participants make an online purchase. Further, subjects assign similar PI to encryption and assurance seal scenarios. Vendor risk moderates product risk. When the vendor was unknown, increases in product risk (i.e. higher product price) result in decreases in PI. However, when the vendor was known, increases in product risk result in increases in PI.
Comet like periodic orbits in the N -body problem

Abstract Take any nonresonant relative equilibrium solution of the N -body problem. Then there is a periodic solution of the ( N + 1)-body problem where N of the particles remain close to the relative equilibrium solution and the remaining particle is close to a circular orbit of the Kepler problem encircling the center of mass of the N -particle system.
Relationships between expanding pinyon–juniper cover and topography in the central Great Basin, Nevada

Aim Increasing geographical range and density of conifers is a major form of land-cover change in the western United States, affecting fire frequency, biogeochemistry and possibly biodiversity. However, the extent and magnitude of the change are uncertain. This study aimed to quantify the relationship between changing conifer cover and topography. Location The central Great Basin in the state of Nevada, USA. Methods We used a series of Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite images from 1986, 1995 and 2005 to map change in pinyon–juniper woodlands (Pinus monophylla, Juniperus spp.) in the montane central Great Basin of Nevada. We derived fractional greenness for each year using spectral mixture analysis and identified all areas with an above average increase in greenness from 1986 to 1995 and 1995 to 2005. Results Areas with high fractional greenness in 2005 were most likely to occur at elevations between 2200 and 2600 m a.s.l. Increases in fractional greenness between 1986 and 2005 were most likely to occur at elevations below 2000 m a.s.l. and on south-facing slopes. However, relationships between elevation and increasing greenness for individual mountain ranges varied considerably from the average trend. Fractional greenness values measured by Landsat suggest that the majority of pinyon–juniper woodlands have not reached their maximum potential tree cover. Main conclusions Expansion of pinyon–juniper at low elevations and on south-facing slopes probably reflects increasing precipitation in the 20th century, higher water use efficiency caused by increasing atmospheric CO2 in the late 20th century and livestock grazing at the interface between shrubland and woodland. Identification of the spatial relationships between changing fractional greenness of pinyon–juniper woodland and topography can inform regional land management and improve projections of long-term ecosystem change.
Domain-engineered PPLN for entangled photon generation and other quantum information applications

We describe the design and application of domain-engineered, periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) for use to produce entangled photons and for other tools in quantum information and communications. By specially designing and controlling the PPLN poling pattern, multiple nonlinear optical processes can be simultaneously phasematched. This capability can be used to generate polarization-entangled photon pairs through type-II spontaneous parametric downconversion. The single PPLN crystal is designed to produce both the |HV〉 and |VH〉 states where the downconverted photons are distinguishable by wavelengths, which enables generation of post-selection-free, polarization-entangled twin photons. We describe the design and fabrication of the PPLN crystal, and initial experimental results for downconversion of a 775 nm pump to 1532 nm and 1567 nm orthogonally polarized photons. We also discuss other applications of engineered optical frequency conversion for quantum information including the use of dual-wavelength upconversion as a beamsplitter to route or analyze photons.
Open house: interaction as critical reflection

This paper describes Open House, a networked art installation by Jack Stenner and Patrick LeMieux that allows visitors to telematically squat in a Florida home undergoing foreclosure after the U.S. housing collapse. Virtual markets transformed this otherwise livable property into a ghost house. Prior to the collapse, the movements of global capital seemed like a distant reality to most homeowners, but in the end it was imaginary systems of value, not bricks and mortar, that fell apart. Through computer interaction that integrates computational processes, mechanical relays, and human interactions, Open House implicates the tendency to separate virtual and physical activity, an enabling mechanism and proximate cause for the current U.S. economic crisis.
Effects of kainic acid, a cyclic analogue of glutamic acid, on cyclic nucleotide accumulation in slices of rat cerebellum.

Abstract The concentrationof cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) in slices of rat cerebellum was increased markedly in the presence of 100 μM kainic acid, a cyclic analogue of glutamic acid. No activity was detected in other brain areas at various doses or incubation times. Kainic acid was significantly more potent than glutamic acid and other glutamate-like compounds. The increases in cAMP and cGMP could be differentially inhibited with theophylline or cocaine respectively, but both systems required calcium. Compounds similar in structure to kainic acid or glutamate did not block the effects of kainic acid.
AVAILABILITY OF SOIL MOISTURE FOR ACTIVE ABSORPTION IN DRYING SOIL.

There is considerable disagreement as to whether or not water is equally available to plants in drying soil over the entire range from field capacity to wilting percentage. Some workers have repeatedly stated that water is equally available over this range (5, 18, 23, 24) while considerable data have accumulated which indicate that physiological processes in plants are altered as a result of decreasing soil moisture content even before the onset of wilting (1, 2, 4, 6, 7,12, 16, 21, 25). As indicated by Kramer (15) some of this disagreement exists because of differences in soil moisture tensionsoil moisture content relations for different textural grades of soil. In certain coarse-textured soils most of the water in the range from wilting percentage to field capacity is held with a tension of less than one atmosphere and probably most of it is readily available. In some fine-textured soils, however, less than half of the available water may be held with a force of less than one atmosphere, and water is withheld from plants with appreciably greater energy over the lower part of the available range than over the upper part. Near the wilting percentage a small decrease in moisture content effects an enormous increase in tension. Data also are available which indicate that active absorption and root pressure specifically are depressed by low soil moisture contents above the wilting percentage. Litvinov and Gebhardt (17) have reported a qualitative correlation between drying of soil and cessation of exudation from stumps of detopped plants. Kramer (14) noted that removal of tops of unwilted herbaceous plants was not always followed by expected exudation. However, exudation usually began soon after the soil was watered. Working with coleus, sunflower and tomato, Kramer found that about 45% of the soil moisture between the moisture equivalent and the wilting percentage was unavailable to detopped plants. He concluded that the active absorption mechanism does not absorb against a diffusion pressure deficit greater than one or two atmospheres. The proportion of moisture in the "available range" over which exudation does not take place was essentially similar for clay, sand, and sandy loam. The uniformity of the results obtained indicated that the soil moisture content which limits exudation is determined predominantly by soil characteristics and not by plant characteristics. Using sunflower plants and a uniform, fertile sandy loam, McDermott (19) found that within a range of moisture content just above the wilting per-
Structural effects upon competitive decomposition pathways of Thiosulfoxide intermediates

Abstract Mixtures of sulfides and disulfides are obtained upon reaction of boron trisulfide with a series of allyl aryl suit oxides, with the product distributions dependent upon the structures of the intermediate thiosulfoxides.
The effects of distilled water on heteromorphosis in a tubularian hydroid, T. crocea

1) If distal pieces ofT. crocea are allowed to regenerate in sea-water whose concentration is reduced by adding distilled water until it is 50–70% of the concentration of the normal sea-water, a larger percentage of them will produce heteromorphic hydranths than if they are allowed to regenerate in normal sea-water. 2) The maximum number of heteromorphic hydranths produced occurs in sea-water diluted to about 55% of the normal sea-water. 3) Isosmotic solution of cane-sugar is poisonous to these animals and therefore cannot be used to determine whether decrease of osmotic pressure is the cause of the increase of the production of heteromorphic hydranths or not.
Treatment of proliferative and membranous lupus nephritis: Review of key clinical trials

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a common complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Renal involvement in SLE is heterogeneous; therefore, the treatment of LN is determined by the pathological type of LN and ranges from nonspecific measures such as maintenance of adequate blood pressure control and blockade of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system to the use of immunosuppressive medications. Cyclophosphamide in combination with prednisone has been the standard of care for the treatment of proliferative forms of LN. However, the high rates of progression to end-stage renal disease coupled with adverse side effects from cyclophosphamide and prednisone administration have lead to an intensive search for more effective and less toxic therapies for LN. The authors review available treatment options for proliferative and membranous LN and summarize the results of recently published clinical trials that add new perspectives to the management of kidney disease in SLE.
Evidence that reversal of mouse aggression is not related to beta blockade

The ED50s for reversal of mouse aggression were determined for nine beta adrenergic receptor blockers: metoprolol, nadolol, pindolol, propranolol, acebutolol, penbutolol, labetalol, timolol, and atenolol. Propranolol and penbutolol generated linear doseresponse curves, suggesting easy access to brain. To determine if beta blockade was actually occurring at the receptor level, upregulation of beta receptors after 10 days of chronic treatment with the ED50s was determined in the limbic system as well as other areas of brain. These areas included: olfactory bulbs, hypothalamus, septum, amygdala, cortex, midbrain, cerebellum, pons, and medulla. Upregulation occurred in all areas of the brain in animals treated with propranolol and penbutolol, suggesting that at the dose required to block aggressing in fighting mice, beta receptors were also effectively blocked. With other drugs (timolol, atenolol, pindolol, metoprolol, nadolol, and acebutolol) the ED50s produced localized upregulation of beta receptors, but nothing consistent in the limbic areas. The beta blocker labetalol at the ED50 for reversal of mouse aggression produced virtually no upregulation of brain receptors, suggesting no correlation between antiaggression and beta blockade.
Peripheral and central satiety factors in neuropeptide Y-induced feeding in rats.

Abstract In the first study, injection of NPY into the hypothalamic paraventricular neucleus (PVN) caused a robust feeding effect that was attenuated by intravenous infusions of glucose, but not fructose. It is suggested that increased blood glucose has a direct central effect on NPY feeding mechanisms. In a second study, and contrary to a previous report, peripheral administration of CCK-8 had a marked satiety effect in NPY-treated rats. Thus, NPY-induced feeding is, at least for a short time, possibly subject to the satiating action of prandially-released CCK. In a final study, NPY was shown to be without effect on gastric emptying of a solid test meal.
Ionic interactions near the loop L4 are important for maintaining the active-site environment and the dimer stability of (pro)caspase 3

We have examined the role of a salt bridge between Lys242 and Glu246 in loop L4 of procaspase 3 and of mature caspase 3, and we show that the interactions are required for stabilizing the active site. Replacing either of the residues with an alanine residue results in a complete loss of procaspase 3 activity. Although both mutants are active in the context of the mature caspase 3, the mutations result in an increase in Km and a decrease in kcat when compared with the wild-type caspase 3. In addition, the mutations result in an increase in the pKa value associated with a change in kcat with pH, but does not affect the transition observed for Km versus pH. The mutations also affect the accessibility of the active-site solvent as measured by tryptophan fluorescence emission in the presence of quenching agents and as a function of pH. We show that, as the pH is lowered, the (pro)caspase dissociates, and the mutations increase the pH-dependent instability of the dimer. Overall, the results suggest that the contacts lost in the procaspase as a result of replacing Lys242 and Glu246 are compensated partially in the mature caspase as a result of new contacts that are known to form on zymogen processing.
An empirical evaluation of instantaneous and one-zero sampling of chimpanzee behavior

The behavior category in progress at theend of every 15 seconds of observation of chimpanzee behavior was recorded (instantaneous sampling) as was the occurrence or nonoccurrence of all defined categoriesduring every 15 second observation interval (one-zero sampling). The scores obtained using the above procedures were then correlated with the percent of net observation time, hourly rate, and mean bout duration of the behavior categories. One-zero sampling scores correlated very strongly with percent of net observation time and moderately with hourly rate and mean bout duration. Instantaneous sampling scores correlated very strongly with percent of net observation time and moderately with hourly rate and mean bout duration.
Social norms shift behavioral and neural responses to foods

Obesity contributes to 2.8 million deaths annually, making interventions to promote healthy eating critical. Although preliminary research suggests that social norms influence eating behavior, the underlying psychological and neural mechanisms of such conformity remain unexplored. We used fMRI to investigate whether group norms shift individuals' preferences for foods at both behavioral and neural levels. Hungry participants rated how much they wanted to eat a series of healthy and unhealthy foods and, after each trial, saw ratings that ostensibly represented their peers' preferences. This feedback was manipulated such that peers appeared to prefer each food more than, less than, or as much as participants themselves. After a delay, participants rerated each food. Participants' second ratings shifted to resemble group norms. Initial consensus, as compared to disagreement, with peers produced activity in the nucleus accumbens, a region associated with reward prediction errors. Furthermore, the strength of this activity predicted the extent to which participants' ratings conformed to peer ratings, suggesting that the value associated with consensus drives social influence. Ventromedial prefrontal cortex vMPFC, a region associated with value computation, initially responded more strongly to unhealthy, as compared to healthy, foods. However, this effect was "overwritten" by group norms. After individuals learned their peers' preferences, vMPFC responses tracked the popularity, but not the healthfulness, of foods. Furthermore, changes in vMPFC activity tracked social influence over behavioral ratings. These data provide evidence that group norms can shift food preferences, supporting the use of norms-based interventions to promote healthy eating.
Slotting Allowances and Resale Price Maintenance: A Comparison of Facilitating Practices

Producers in a perfectly competitive industry compete to obtain shelf space at the retail level. Barring contract observability problems, slotting allowances are observed in equilibrium. Producers charge a high wholesale price, but they give back their profits via up-front payments to retailers. However, if the individual supplier-retailer wholesale price terms are unobservable by competitors, then resale price maintenance will be seen, but the coverage will not be universal. The equilibria can be ranked by the usual social welfare criteria. Resale price maintenance, though worse than simple marginal cost wholesale pricing, yields greater surplus than the slotting allowance equilibrium.
Teaching module for laminar and turbulent forced convection on a flat plate

This article describes a PC-based teaching module for the classical problem of forced convection over a heated flat plate. The transformed boundary layer equations for an incompressible fluid are solved using a finite-difference numerical procedure on a grid that grows along with the boundary layer. Simple transition and mixing length turbulence models allow the algorithm to be used across a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The program returns a colored contour plot of the thermal boundary layer on the screen and shows the edge of the velocity boundary layer. The effects of the Reynolds number and Prandtl numbers are dramatically demonstrated. The user can use a slider mechanism to take local measurements of the plate temperature and surface temperature gradient, and from these data develop local and overall “virtual” convection correlations. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 6: 115–125, 1998
Morphological and Physiological Characteristics Associated with Heat Tolerance in Creeping Bentgrass

Growth of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) is limited by heat stress during summer. Understanding the morphological and physiological characteristics associated with heat tolerance of creeping bentgrass would facilitate breeding programs in improving those characteristics. The objectives of this experiment were to study responses of single-leaf photosynthetic capacity, tillering, and root growth to heat stress for two creeping bentgrass cultivars differing in performance under heat stress and to determine the relative importance of these factors in heat tolerance. The cultivars L-93 (heat tolerant) and Penncross (heat sensitive) were exposed to day/night temperatures of 20/15 degrees C (control) and 35/30 degrees C (heat stress) in growth chambers. Canopy net photosynthetic rate (Pn), single-leaf Pn, and RuBP carboxylase (Rubisco) activity were reduced by heat stress for both cultivars. Canopy Pn of L-93 was significantly higher (more than double at 64 d of treatment) than that of Penncross under heat stress. Cultivars were not different in single-leaf Pn and Rubisco activity under either control or heat stress conditions. High temperature reduced plant density, tiller density, root number, and root fresh weight for both cultivars. L-93 had higher plant and tiller densities, greater root to tiller ratio, and more and finer roots than Penncross under control and high temperature conditions. The better performance of L-93 under heat stress was due largely to its morphological characteristics, including tillering and root growth, but was not related to single-leaf photosynthetic capacity. Narrow leaves, small plants, dense tillers, big root system, and high root-to-shoot ratio could be used to select heat tolerant cultivars.
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-AB Promotes the Generation of Adult Bone Marrow–Derived Cardiac Myocytes

The directed generation of cardiac myocytes from endogenous stem cells offers the potential for novel therapies for cardiovascular disease. To facilitate the development of such approaches, we sought to identify and exploit the pathways directing the generation of cardiac myocytes from adult rodent bone marrow cells (BMCs). In vitro cultures supporting the spontaneous generation of functional cardiac myocytes from murine BMCs demonstrated induced expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A and -B isoforms with alpha- and beta-myosin heavy chains as well as connexin43. Supplementation of PDGF-AB speeded the kinetics of myocyte development in culture by 2-fold. In a rat heart, myocardial infarction pretreatment model PDGF-AB also promoted the derivation of cardiac myocytes from BMCs, resulting in a significantly greater number of islands of cardiac myocyte bundles within the myocardial infarction scar compared with other treatment groups. However, gap junctions were detected only between the cardiac myocytes receiving BMCs alone, but not BMCs injected with PDGF-AB. Echocardiography and exercise testing revealed that the functional improvement of hearts treated with the combination of BMCs and PDGF-AB was no greater than with injections of BMCs or PDGF-AB alone. These studies demonstrated that PDGF-AB enhances the generation of BMC-derived cardiac myocytes in rodent hearts, but suggest that alterations in cellular patterning may limit the functional benefit from the combined injection of PDGF-AB and BMCs. Strategies based on the synergistic interactions of PDGF-AB and endogenous stem cells will need to maintain cellular patterning in order to promote the restoration of cardiac function after acute coronary occlusion.
Prediction and Assessment: Differences in Goals

This book is intended to provide guidance in the creation of a software quality measurement program utilizing the OPA Framework and Software Quality Indicators. Two points of emphasis throughout the description are: (1) the evolutionary nature of large, complex software systems, and (2) the project perspective supported by software measurement. Both are important in their influences on the presentation. Large software systems, be they “mission-critical,” also termed “embedded systems,” “real-time systems,” “time-critical systems” or “automated information systems” (AIS), exhibit complexities that can overwhelm the typical software engineer, systems engineer or project manager. Measurement, or the more popular term “software metrics,” offers a means of dealing with those problems that arise in the creation of any large, complex system. The project perspective can apply equally to mission-critical or AIS systems, although within DoD, the term is associated more with the former. Indicative of the project perspective is the focus on objectives, and for software-intensive projects, the prioritization among software engineering objectives.
Correspondence detection in diffusion tensor images

This paper presents a kernel-based method of correspondence detection in diffusion tensor images (DTI), a key step towards their deformable registration. The proposed method is driven by a few focus points chosen in white matter, characterized by a unique morphological signature which incorporates the anisotropy, orientation and the anatomic context by using "oriented" Gabor filters and several candidate matches for each focal point, defined using tensorial similarity of these orientation specific signatures. The final focal point correspondences are defined via minimization of a function that seeks to satisfy three criteria: sparsity, which enforces unique correspondence, tensorial similarity of Gabor features, and smoothness, and are obtained by solving a constrained non-linear optimization problem with inequality bound constraints, using an optimization solver that employs primal-dual interior point algorithms and which ensures global convergence. The solution of the optimization problem produces the best correspondences for the focal points and uses these correspondences to obtain the optimal kernelized interpolation parameters for non-focal points. Experimental results on human brain data in which datasets with tumor are matched with normal brains, demonstrates the ability of the method in determining very good correspondences in the white matter, and its applicability to datasets with large mass effect as in tumors.
Partial response class I signaling applied to high density magnetic recording

For high density magnetic recording systems, equalizing to partial response signals of the form (1-D)(1+D)/sup n/ and applying modulation codes with spectral nulls at DC and the Nyquist frequency have been proposed in Karabed and Siegel (1991). The present authors consider using the same DC/Nyquist-free codes, but equalizing to class I partial response signals with polynomial, (1+D). They find that when the received signal is detected by a Viterbi detector based upon a trellis that combines the equalized channel with the modulation constraint, the simpler detector for class I performs comparably to class IV, (1-D/sup 2/), or extended class IV (1+D-D/sup 2/-D/sup 3/) detectors. >
Odds ratios and logistic regression: further examples of their use and interpretation

Logistic regression is perhaps the most widely used method for adjustment of confounding in epidemiologic studies. Its popularity is understandable. The method can simultaneously adjust for confoun...
Multi-cycle forecasting of congressional elections with social media

Twitter has become a controversial medium for election forecasting. We provide further evidence that simplistic forecasting methods do not perform well on forward-looking forecasts. We introduce a new estimator that models the language of campaign-relevant Twitter messages. We show that this algorithm out-performs incumbency in out-of-sample tests for the 2010 election on which it was trained. That success, however, collapses when the same algorithm is used to forecast the 2012 election. We further demonstrate that volume-based and sentiment-based alternatives also fail to forecast future elections, despite promising performance in back-casting tests. We suggest that whatever information these simplistic forecasts capture above and beyond incumbency, that information is highly ephemeral and thus a weak performer for future election forecasts.
Superior Vena Cava Perforation in a Child from a Lawnmower Projectile

Lawnmowers are one of the most frequent causes of mutilating injuries to children. The majority of accidents are caused by negligence of the operator. Most injuries of this type are caused by direct contact with the spinning blade and, less frequently, by projectiles propelled by the blade. Such projectiles usually produce bruises, but can penetrate skin and soft tissues. This report presents a 6-year-old child who suffered a small, outwardly insignificant puncture wound of the chest from a lawnmower-propelled projectile who presented with fever and chest pain the following day. The diagnostic work up and treatment of this deceptively life-threatening wound are discussed.
Shock synthesis of lanthanum-III-pernitride

Lanthanum-III-pernitride is unique amongst pernitrides because of the seemingly misfit charge balance and stoichiometry. La+3N2 has been predicted to be stabilized by resonance between two mesomeric states of bonding in the pernitride group, which include a remarkable N‒N single bond limiting state. However, successful synthesis of this compound remained extant. Here, we report synthesis of LaN2 through shock-driven decomposition of lanthanum nitrate. The result is noteworthy as a first quantitative measure of the stability of N‒N single bonds in solids formed at GPa-level pressure and with respect to a possible cross-over of redox potentials in the nitrogen- and oxygen-systems at high pressure and temperature.
Extraction of 3d transition metals from molten cesium-sodium-potassium/acetate eutectic into dodecane using organophosphorous ligands

Abstract Measurements have been made of the transfer of the transition metal cations Cr3+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+ from molten cesium acetate-sodium acetate-potassium acetate eutectic (50-25-25 mol%, mp ∼90°C) into dodecane solutions containing selected acidic and neutral organophosphorous extracting ligands. The ordering of the transition metals according to their relative extents of extraction into the dodecane phase when the ligand bis(2-ethylhexyl)-phosphinic acid, H[DEPH], is employed (and the conditions of extraction are the same for each cation) is Co2+>Fe2+>Cr3+ > Ni2+. Comparisons of results obtained using the acidic ligand H[DEPH] and the neutral ligand tri-n-octylphosphine oxide, TOPO, indicate that the extractible TM complex does not contain acetate as a charge neutralizing ligand, but rather requires complete displacement of inner sphere acetate ions by protonated and/or deprotonated alkylphosphinate groups. The mechanism controlling the transfer kinetics has not been elucidated, but the rates of ex...
Weakly nonlinear non-symmetric gravity waves on water of finite depth

A weakly nonlinear Hamiltonian model for two-dimensional irrotational waves on water of finite depth is developed. The truncated model is used to study families of periodic travelling waves of permanent form. It is shown that non-symmetric periodic waves exist, which appear via spontaneous symmetry-breaking bifurcations from symmetric waves.