cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Turbidity, Light Level, and Cover on Predation of White Sturgeon Larvae by Prickly Sculpins

Abstract White sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus occur in rivers of the western United States and southwestern Canada, but some populations are in decline because of recruitment failure. Many river systems in this area have been altered as a result of development that has caused major environmental changes. Our goal was to examine how three changes—lower turbidity levels, higher light levels, and altered substrates—might affect predation by prickly sculpin Cottus asper on white sturgeon larvae. We experimentally investigated predation at various turbidity levels and found that significantly more white sturgeon yolk sac larvae were eaten at lower turbidity levels. The effects of light level (1–4 and 7–15 lx), the presence or absence of rocks as cover, and prey size (14–17 mm and 20–24 mm total length) on the outcome of predator–prey interactions were also examined. Significantly fewer white sturgeon were eaten during trials that combined the lowest light level, cover, and the smallest larvae. Our results su...
The immunohistochemical localization of superoxide dismutase activity in the avian epithelial growth plate

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a ‘scavenger’ enzyme which catalyses the dismutation (reduction—oxidation) of the superoxide anion (O2−), a toxic free radical generated during normal cellular respiration. Light microscopy employing immunohistochemistry was utilized for localizing SOD activity in the chick epiphyseal cartilage. Antibodies to mammalian liver CuZn—SOD were prepared and the avidin—biotin—peroxidase technique (ABC complex) was utilized to localize activity for this enzyme in the growth plate cartilage. The localization of enzyme activity varied in accordance with the characteristic zonation pattern of the growth plate (zone of proliferation, zone of maturation, zone of cell hypertrophy and zone of matrix calcification). In the upper regions of the epiphyseal cartilage (the zones of proliferation and maturation), where the vascularity is poor and the oxygen tension low, SOD activity was localized within the chondrocytes. No extracellular activity was observed. However, in the lower regions of the growth plate (the zones of cell hypertrophy and matrix calcification), where both the vascularity and the oxygen tensions are increased, SOD activity was intense in both the chondrocytes and the surrounding extracellular matrix. Thus, the distribution of SOD enzyme activity in this tissue seems to vary in accordance with the level of oxygen present. The significance of the extracellular SOD activity, seen in the lower aspects of the growth plate cartilage, may indicate the sensitivity of matrix components, especially collagen, to toxic free radicals such as the superoxide anion.
Bispecific agents target endogenous murine T cells against human tumor xenografts.

A variety of immunological approaches to cancer treatment are currently being explored. These include strategies designed to enhance or redirect the activity of T cells against tumors. Bispecific antibodies comprise a class of agents capable of redirecting T cells by binding to a tumor antigen and the T-cell receptor (TCR). In vivo pre-clinical testing of bispecific antibodies against human tumors has to date been limited to the use of immunodeficient mice that receive the bispecific agent, activated human effector T cells, and human tumor cells. In this report, we show that TCR transgenic/RAG-1 knockout mice (TCR/RAG) serve as a unique model allowing endogenous T cells to be redirected against transplanted human tumors. The findings show that TCR/RAG mice (i) accepted transplants of human tumors, including the folate-receptor-positive tumor line KB; (ii) contained endogenous cytotoxic T lymphocytes that could be activated in vivo with an antigenic peptide recognized by the transgenic TCR; (iii) rejected human tumors after treatment with the activating peptide and bispecific agents that contained folic acid co-valently linked to an anti-TCR antibody. Successful rejection was achieved with folate conjugates of Fab or scFv fragments. Treatment with activating agents and bispecific conjugates resulted in the complete eradication of freshly transplanted tumors as well as significantly prolonging the survival of mice bearing established solid tumors. Our results highlight the importance of including T-cell-activating modalities in combination with bispecific antibodies. Additionally, we introduce a system that allows endogenous T cells to be redirected against human tumor xenografts and in which the T cells may be followed in vivo by use of a clonotypic marker. Int. J. Cancer 83:141–149, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cannabis findings in drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs in Finland from 2006 to 2008.

Abstract The authors examined driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) cases which were found to be positive in whole blood for cannabis in Finland from 2006 to 2008. Factors studied were the number of cases positive for any combination of Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the metabolites 11-hydroxy-Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-OH) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH). Concurrent use of amphetamines, benzodiazepines and/or alcohol was also recorded, as well as the drivers’ age and gender. Altogether 2957 cannabis positive cases were retrieved from the database of the Alcohol and Drug Analytics Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare. Drug findings were examined in relation to the zero-tolerance policy operated towards DUID in Finland. The number of cannabis positive cases in each year was approximately 1000 and the main demographic of cases was males aged 20–30 years. In the majority of cases (51.6%) the inactive metabolite THC-COOH was the only indication of cannabis use, however, associated use of amphetamines (58.8% of all cases) and/or benzodiazepines (63.9%) in cannabis positive drivers was very common. Detections for amphetamines and/or benzodiazepines were especially common in drivers with THC-COOH only (92.8% of these cases). Combined use of alcohol (25.7%) was also prevalent. Suspect DUID cases generally arise from suspicion on behalf of the police and the zero-tolerance policy offers an expedient means to deal with the challenges presented in DUID, particularly in view of the high incidence of multiple drug use – the legislation is not unduly punitive when enforced in this manner.
The Role of Context in the Development of Psychopathology: A Conceptual Framework and Some Speculative Propositions

Despite the explosion of studies assessing relations between various contextual factors and various forms of psychological disturbance, about the only firm conclusion one can draw regarding the environment's role in the development of psychopathology is that “bad” things have “bad” effects among some — but not all — people, some — but not all — of the time. We argue that extant research has confused two different roles of context and suggest that (1) environmental factors act as nonspecific stressors in the elicitation of psychopathology by provoking autonomic arousal, with specificity of expressed psychopathology governed by individual differences in endogenous factors; and that (2) context is specific in affecting the course of psychopathology by influencing the extent to which the behavioral, affective, or cognitive components of the pathology are repeated.
Physical defence traits enhance seedling survival of neotropical tree species

Summary 1 Physical defence traits of stems and leaves should enhance biomechanical strength and survival of seedlings. For eight neotropical tree species that differ widely in life-history strategies, we compared stem and leaf biomechanical traits of 1 and 7-month-old seedlings grown in the shaded forest understorey and in the laboratory. 2 Material traits (biomechanical traits per unit volume, mass or cross sectional area) were positively associated with seedling survival across species. Shade tolerant species that survive well in the forest understorey had stems and leaves with greater modulus of elasticity (stiffness), fracture toughness (resistance to tear), tissue density and fibre contents, compared to less shade tolerant species. 3 Seedling survival was most strongly correlated with stem tissue density at both 1 and 7 months (Spearman's correlation coefficient rs = 0·93 and 0·90), but was also strongly correlated with leaf density and stem toughness at 7 months (rs = 0·93 and 0·89, respectively). 4 Multiple material traits were strongly and positively correlated with each other in both stems and leaves. However, these traits varied independently of seed and seedling size among species, indicating the unique importance of physical defence as functional traits. 5 Structural traits of stems that integrate size with material traits, including % critical buckling height, flexural stiffness, work-to-bend and stem flexibility, showed no significant interspecific correlation with seedling survival. 6 Modulus of elasticity and fracture toughness of stems generally increased as seedlings aged from 1 to 7 months, especially in species with high tissue density. In contrast, fracture toughness of leaf mid-vein and lamina showed inconsistent ontogenetic changes across species. 7 These results demonstrate that biomechanical traits including tissue density and fracture toughness should be considered as important functional correlates of seedling survival and overall life-history strategies of tree species.
Linear independence of the principal solutions at ∞ and −∞ for formally self-adjoint differential systems

Abstract Linear independence of the principal solutions at ∞ and −∞ for identically normal, formally self-adjoint differential systems U′ = AU + BV, V′ = CU − A ∗ V , with B ⩾ 0, which are disconjugate on (−∞, ∞), is characterized by the condition W−∞
Homogeneous alkylcysteine lyase of Acacia farnesiana: Fresh seedlings vs. acetone powders

Abstract Alkyleysteine lyase (EC 4.4.1.6) was purified essentially to homogeneity from both fresh hypocotyls of 5- to 8-day-old etiolated seedlings of Acacia farnesiana and acetone powders of such hypocotyls. The enzyme from the fresh material had twice the specific activity of that from the acetone powder. Sodium dodecylsulphate gel electrophoresis showed that both enzymes were composed of a subunit of Mrca 42 000. The final enzyme solutions were quite different in their absorbance spectra. The fresh hypocotyl enzyme had an absorbance maximum at 425 nm in addition to the 280 nm protein absorbance. This maximum in the visible region is due to bound pyridoxal phosphate. The acetone powder enzyme had the same maxima and in addition peaks at 498 and 340 nm. The fresh enzyme contained 1.8 mol cofactor/mol enzyme and the acetone powder enzyme 1.0 mol/mol. The KKm for the probable natural substrate L -djenkolate was the same for both enzymes, 0.8 mM, but the Vmax for the fresh was twice that of the acetone powder enzyme. The common practice of using acetone powder preparations for starting material in enzyme purifications would appear to require some caution.
Cocaine, the contras, and the United States: How the U.S. government has augmented America's drug crisis

A study of Washington's connections to Honduran and other contra supporters in the illicit drug traffic shows that such gray alliances for covert operations are themselves a major part of this country's drug problem. It is true that the U.S. has arrested contra supporters on drug charges; but, time after time, these drug arrests have come after the U.S. has ceased to promote the contra faction which those arrested had been supporting. The new Bush drug strategy seems unlikely to affect the window of drug smuggling opportunity opened by Washington's relations with the corrupt Honduran military, and may well open new such windows by new grey alliances with the corrupt right-wing forces in the Andean countries of origin. The following has been abstracted from , by Peter Dale Scott and Jonathan Marshall (Berkely and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1991). Some of Jonathan Marshall's research has been incorporated into this paper.
Alteration of Tropomyosin Function and Folding by a Nemaline Myopathy-Causing Mutation

Abstract Mutations in the human TPM3 gene encoding γ -tropomyosin ( α -tropomyosin-slow) expressed in slow skeletal muscle fibers cause nemaline myopathy. Nemaline myopathy is a rare, clinically heterogeneous congenital skeletal muscle disease with associated muscle weakness, characterized by the presence of nemaline rods in muscle fibers. In one missense mutation the codon corresponding to Met-8, a highly conserved residue, is changed to Arg. Here, a rat fast α -tropomyosin cDNA with the Met8Arg mutation was expressed in Escherichia coli to investigate the effect of the mutation on in vitro function. The Met8Arg mutation reduces tropomyosin affinity for regulated actin 30- to 100-fold. Ca 2+ -sensitive regulatory function is retained, although activation of the actomyosin S1 ATPase in the presence of Ca 2+ is reduced. The poor activation may reflect weakened actin affinity or reduced effectiveness in switching the thin filament to the open, force-producing state. The presence of the Met8Arg mutation severely, but locally, destabilizes the tropomyosin coiled coil in a model peptide, and would be expected to impair end-to-end association between TMs on the thin filament. In muscle, the mutation may alter thin filament assembly consequent to lower actin affinity and altered binding of the N-terminus to tropomodulin at the pointed end of the filament. The mutation may also reduce force generation during activation.
Visual space is compressed in prefrontal cortex before eye movements

Saccadic eye movements cause substantial shifts in the retinal image as we take in visual scenes, but our perception is stable and continuous; here, visual receptive fields are shown to shift dramatically towards the saccadic goal, running counter to the long-standing hypothesis of receptive field remapping as the basis of perceived stability. As we take in a visual scene we make rapid eye movements — called saccades — that bring different parts of the scene to the fovea, the region of the retina with highest acuity. These eye movements cause substantial shifts in the retinal image, but our perception of the visual world is stable and continuous. Tirin Moore and colleagues find a possible mechanism for this stability in prefrontal neurons. They show that during preparation for eye movement, neurons shift their visual receptive fields (those regions of space that neurons are most responsive to) in order to massively over-represent behaviourally relevant areas, consistent with human visual perception. These findings run counter to a long-standing hypothesis — that receptive fields predictively remap, shifting the representation of visual space by neurons in the brain in anticipation of the outcome of each eye movement. We experience the visual world through a series of saccadic eye movements, each one shifting our gaze to bring objects of interest to the fovea for further processing. Although such movements lead to frequent and substantial displacements of the retinal image, these displacements go unnoticed. It is widely assumed that a primary mechanism underlying this apparent stability is an anticipatory shifting of visual receptive fields (RFs) from their presaccadic to their postsaccadic locations before movement onset1. Evidence of this predictive ‘remapping’ of RFs has been particularly apparent within brain structures involved in gaze control2,3,4. However, critically absent among that evidence are detailed measurements of visual RFs before movement onset. Here we show that during saccade preparation, rather than remap, RFs of neurons in a prefrontal gaze control area massively converge towards the saccadic target. We mapped the visual RFs of prefrontal neurons during stable fixation and immediately before the onset of eye movements, using multi-electrode recordings in monkeys. Following movements from an initial fixation point to a target, RFs remained stationary in retinocentric space. However, in the period immediately before movement onset, RFs shifted by as much as 18 degrees of visual angle, and converged towards the target location. This convergence resulted in a threefold increase in the proportion of RFs responding to stimuli near the target region. In addition, like in human observers5,6, the population of prefrontal neurons grossly mislocalized presaccadic stimuli as being closer to the target. Our results show that RF shifts do not predict the retinal displacements due to saccades, but instead reflect the overriding perception of target space during eye movements.
Optimal timing of abdominal CT in children: relationship to injection rate.

PURPOSE: To study computed tomographic (CT) scanning technique in relationship to rate of injection of contrast material for imaging of the liver and other abdominal organs in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The time from start of injection of 2 mL/kg iohexol to peak opacification in the aorta, hepatic vein, liver, and kidney was determined for injection rates of 0-0.99, 1.00-1.99, 2.00-2.99, 3.00-3.99, and 4.00 mL/kg or more per minute in 77 pediatric patients. RESULTS: Peak liver opacification varied only slightly with different injection rates, but the time from start of injection to peak opacification in the aorta, hepatic vein, liver, and kidney did vary with injection rate. CONCLUSION: Data provided by this study should allow CT scanning to be timed in relation to injection rate to ensure that maximal organ opacification is achieved as the middle of the organ is being scanned, that adequate hepatic and portal vein opacification is achieved, and that streaking from the renal pelvis is mini...
Decreased energetics in murine hearts bearing the R92Q mutation in cardiac troponin T

The thin filament protein cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is an important regulator of myofilament activation. Here we report a significant change in cardiac energetics in transgenic mice bearing the missense mutation R92Q within the tropomyosin-binding domain of cTnT, a mutation associated with a clinically severe form of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This functional domain of cTnT has recently been shown to be a crucial modulator of contractile function despite the fact that it does not directly interact with the ATP hydrolysis site in the myosin head. Simultaneous measurements of cardiac energetics using 31P NMR spectroscopy and contractile performance of the intact beating heart revealed both a decrease in the free energy of ATP hydrolysis available to support contractile work and a marked inability to increase contractile performance upon acute inotropic challenge in hearts from R92Q mice. These results show that alterations in thin filament protein structure and function can lead to significant defects in myocardial energetics and contractile reserve.
The end replication problem: More than one solution

The connection between telomerase and oncogenesis may be more complex than initially thought (pages 1271–1274).
Purification and Properties of a Monoclonal Antibody Specific to the Free β-Subunit of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCGβ) and Its Use in the Isolation of Free hCGβ Produced by Choriocarcinoma Cells

The free beta-subunit of hCG is secreted by several tumors and is reported to be different from native hCG beta. We have developed a monoclonal antibody, B158, specific for free hCG beta to facilitate the detection and isolation of tumor-derived free hCG beta in the presence of intact hCG and hCG alpha. B158 belongs to the immunoglobulin G1 subclass, has high affinity for hCG beta (Ka, 1.05 X 10(9) M-1), and can be obtained in large quantities. The sensitivity of this antibody to detect free hCG beta in a RIA is less than 1 ng. B158 has negligible cross-reactivity with hCG, human LH, and other intact glycoprotein hormones and reacts with the free beta-subunits of deglycosylated hCG, human LH, and ovine LH. The antibody completely inhibits the recombination of hCG beta with hCG alpha indicating the antigenic site to be in the subunit interaction region or its vicinity. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of the various cross-reacting and noncross-reacting hormones indicates that the antigenic site may be discontinuous and conformational. B158 was purified to homogeneity from ascites fluid by DEAE-Affi-Gel blue and hCG beta affinity chromatography. Immobilized pure B158 antibody was used to isolate free hCG beta in a homogeneous form and high yield from BeWo choriocarcinoma cell culture supernatants. This free hCG beta has a slightly higher mol wt than standard hCG beta and recombines normally with hCG alpha. BeWo cells appear to produce only one species of free hCG beta.
WILL THEY STAY, OR WILL THEY GO? Sex-Atypical Work among Token Men Who Teach

This study investigates competing propositions about the effect of workplace sex composition on men who do “women's work,” and it contributes to our understanding of how men's experience with sex-a...
Use of Pressure Sensitive Paint for Diagnostics in Turbomachinery Flows With Shocks

The technology of pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) is well established in external aerodynamics. In internal flows in narrow channels and in turbomachinery cascades, however, there are still unresolved problems. In particular, the internal flows with complex shock structures inside highly curved channels present a challenge. It is not always easy and straightforward to distinguish between true signals and 'ghost' images due to multiple internal reflections in narrow channels. To address some of the problems, investigations were first carried out in a narrow supersonic channel of Mach number 2.5. A single wedge or a combination of two wedges was used to generate a complex shock wave structure in the flow. The experience gained in a small supersonic channel was used for surface pressure measurements on the stator vane of a supersonic throughflow fan. The experimental results for several fan operating conditions are shown in a concise form, including performance map test points, midspan static tap pressure distributions, and vane suction side pressure fields. Finally, the PSP technique was used in the NASA transonic flutter cascade to compliment flow visualization data and to acquire backwall pressure fields to assess the cascade flow periodicity. Lessons learned from this investigation and shortcomings of the PSP technology for internal flow application are presented in the conclusion of the paper.
On the Definition of `Formal Deduction'

The following remarks apply to many functional calculi, each of which can be variously axiomatized, but for clarity of exposition we shall confine our attention to one particular system Σ. This system is to have the usual primitive symbols and formation rules of the pure first-order functional calculus, and the following formal axiom schemata and formal rules of inference.Axiom schema 1. Any tautologous wff (well-formed formula).Axiom schema 2. (a) A ⊃ B, where A is any wff, a and b are any individual variables, and B arises from A by replacing all free occurrences of a by free occurrences of b.Axiom schema 3. (a)(A ⊃ B)⊃(A⊃ (a)B). where A and B are any wffs, and a is any individual variable not free in A.Rule of Modus Ponens: applies to wffs A and A ⊃ B, and yields B.Rule of Generalization: applies to a wff A and yields (a)A, where a is any individual variable.A formal proof in Σ is a finite column of wffs each of whose lines is a formal axiom or arises from two preceding lines by the Rule of Modus Ponens or arises from a single preceding line by the Rule of Generalization. A formal theorem of Σ is a wff which occurs as the last line of some formal proof.
Novel micro-patterning processes for thin film NiTi vascular devices

In order to create microscale features in thin film NiTi for use in vascular endografts, a novel 'lift-off process' was developed for use with deep reactive ion etching. A wet etching approach is compared to two variations of this new 'lift-off' process. The first lift-off process (lift-off I) used Si posts to define the features of NiTi film deposited on the Si substrate. This method produced fractures in the NiTi when the film was released. The lift-off II process used Si islands as substrate for the film while the Si wafer defined the specific geometric features. Lift-off II process allowed for the creation of various shape patterns (i.e., ellipse, diamond, circle, square, etc) in the range of 5?180??m. The lift-off II process produced smooth and well aligned micro-patterns in thin film NiTi without the undercutting found in wet etching techniques. The micro-patterned thin film NiTi formed from the lift-off II process was used to cover a stent. In?vivo tests were performed to evaluate the endothelialization though patterned thin films. Angiography, histopathology and SEM showed patency of the artery and uniformly promoted endothelial layer covering without thrombosis in both a medium and small artery.
Noninvasive dualMRI-based strains vary by depth and region in human osteoarthritic articular cartilage.

summary Objective: To noninvasively assay the mechanical and structural characteristics of articular cartilage from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to further relate spatial patterns of MRI-based mechanical strain to joint (depth-wise, regional) locations and disease severity. Methods: Cylindrical osteochondral explants harvested from human tissue obtained during total knee replacement surgery were loaded in unconfined compression and 2D deformation data was acquired at 14.1 T using a displacements under applied loading by MRI (dualMRI) approach. After imaging, samples were histologically assessed for OA severity. Strains were determined by depth, and statistically analyzed for dependence on region in the joint and OA severity. Results: Von Mises, axial, and transverse strains were highly depth-dependent. After accounting for other factors, Von Mises, axial, and shear strains varied significantly by region, with largest strain magnitudes observed in explants harvested from the tibial plateau and anterior condyle near exposed bone. Additionally, in all cases, strains in late-stage OA were significantly greater than either early- or mid-stage OA. Transverse strain in mid-stage OA explants, measured near the articular surface, was significantly higher than early-stage OA explants. Conclusion: dualMRI was demonstrated in human OA tissue to quantify the effects of depth, joint region, and OA severity, on strains resulting from mechanical compression. These data suggest dualMRI may possess a wide range of utility, such as validating computational models of soft tissue deformation, assaying changes in cartilage function over time, and perhaps, once implemented for cartilage imaging in vivo, as a new paradigm for diagnosis of early- to mid-stage OA.
Remote spectral measurements using entangled photons

In the process of spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC), occasionally the coherent nonlinear interaction in a nonlinear material leads to the annihilation of one high frequency pump photon and the simultaneous creation of two photons (signal and idler) satisfying the phase matching conditions:
Experience With Botulinum Toxin Type A in Medically Intractable Pediatric Chronic Daily Headache

In adults, botulinum toxin type A has been studied as a potentially effective treatment for chronic daily headache. For pediatric chronic daily headache, the literature evaluating efficacy of botulinum toxin type A is sparse, with no studies assessing tolerability. The purpose of this retrospective case series study was to assess tolerability and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of pediatric chronic daily headache. The series comprises 10 patients (ages 11-17 years) who received a standard 100-unit dose of onabotulinumtoxinA (trade name, Botox) for refractory chronic daily headache. Attention was given to therapeutic history, efficacy, and tolerability. The patients had attempted an average of 8.0 ± 2.40 S.D. therapies prior to botulinum toxin type A. Most patients reported adverse events from at least one of these prior medications. With botulinum toxin type A, four patients (40%) reported subjective but clinically meaningful relief, consisting of a decrease in headache intensity, and two patients additionally noted a decrease in headache frequency. The four responders noted improvements in quality of life. Three patients experienced minor adverse events from botulinum toxin type A. This case series suggests that botulinum toxin type A can be well tolerated and may be a useful therapeutic in pediatric patients with highly medically intractable chronic daily headache.
EPR studies of the mechanism of intermolecular cation transfer reactions and the detection of intermediate triple and quadruplet ions

Abstract A new mechanism involving an intermediate triple ion or ion quadruplet is suggested for intermolecular cation transfer reactions in radical anions. Experimental spectra were compared with computer simulated spectra obtained by solving the modified Bloch equation for the reaction M + A − + M *+ ⇌ M + A − M *+ ⇌ M + + A − M *+ . Excellent agreements were obtained between the observed spectra and the simulated ones. The lifetimes of intermediate species were determined from the linewidth analyses.
Lack of correlation in JNK activation and p53-dependent Fas expression induced by apoptotic stimuli.

Induction of Fas expression by DNA-damaging agents is dependent on the expression of functional p53, and has been suggested to play an important role in apoptosis induction. JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), which is capable of phosphorylating p53, is also involved in apoptotic signaling induced by various apoptotic stimuli. Here, we report that although Fas induction is closely linked to the expression of wild type p53, it is not correlated with JNK activation induced by apoptotic stimuli. JNK activation does not necessarily lead to Fas expression, even in cells containing wild type p53. In addition, Fas expression can be induced without significant JNK activation. Furthermore, induction of Fas expression is not sufficient for apoptosis induction; however, it may sensitize cells to Fas-ligation induced apoptosis.
A Parallel Algorithm for an Inverse Problem Associated with a Hyperbolic System of Partial Differential Equations

Parallel computing was applied to the solution of an inverse problem arising from a hyperbolic system of two coupled linear first-order partial differential equations. A known sequential algorithm based on the method of invariant imbedding was parallelized by a mapping assigning processors to characteristics. Two implementations of an algorithm based on this mapping and suitable for a message-passing architecture, but differing in their relative demands on communication and local memory, are described. Timing estimates for these are developed, and various consequences of these, notably the corresponding estimates for efficiency, are compared with computational results obtained from implementations on a 64-node hypercube system.
Outcome in six patients with mitochondrial trifunctional protein disorders identified by newborn screening

Before the newborn screening era, disorders of the mitochondrial trifunctional protein (TFP) complex including long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHADD) presented with high morbidity and mortality. Data on outcome and prognosis of TFP deficiency disorders since implementation of screening are scarce. We here characterize 6 screened patients with a disorder of the TFP complex (3 of those with LCHADD) with respect to clinical presentation and molecular features. Three of 6 patients were symptomatic prior availability of screening results on days 4-5 of life. Of the three asymptomatic patients recognised by screening, one acutely died at 3months at home during an infection. Two patients remained asymptomatic with preventive measures during follow-up until the age of 3years. One of them had an older sibling with identical genotype born before the screening era, who became symptomatic with 15months. We conclude that newborn screening for disorders of the TFP complex allows identification of asymptomatic cases; however, the acute presentation in 3/6 babies before screening is noteworthy and troublesome. TFP and LCHAD deficiencies remain life-threatening disorders. This is in clear contrast to other defects of long-chain fatty acid oxidation after identification by newborn screening.
A 21st century paradigm for evaluating the health hazards of nanoscale materials

Over the past 5 years we have seen an increase in the attention focused on the assessment of the potential health risk posed by nanoscale materials. The diversity of these materials with respect to size, composition, and surface properties, and the rapid pace of their development and commercialization, poses significant challenges to traditional toxicity testing paradigms. At the same time the potential use of new high throughput "predictive "toxicity" strategies, such as that envisioned in the recent NRC report "Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century," have emerged as possible solutions to deal with the issue of how to assess the safety of the thousands of chemicals to which humans are potentially exposed. In this forum article we discuss how in some respects, the emergence of diverse engineered nanomaterials offers a tailor-made test case for the application of a new paradigm for assessing human heath risks. However, although this approach may have merit in the study of some specific nanomaterials, this approach does not consider the complexity involved in utilizing in vitro cell culture toxicology methods to evaluate the potential hazard of the wide array of current and future engineered nanomaterials.
Bridging the gap between textbook and real applications: A teaching methodology in digital electronics education

This paper describes a teaching methodology in digital electronics education. Its purpose is to bridge the gap between traditional textbooks using out-of-date discrete 74-series TTL chips and the current industry in which FPGA components and EDA design tools are becoming the standard. The principles and practices of digital components are presented to the students from five aspects, that is, classroom lecture, Multisim homework assignments, breadboard lab practices, Xilinx ISE computer design and simulation, and FPGA board verification. This approach is expected to help students better prepare for the current trends of digital systems design while not sacrificing the basic theories and principles. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 19: 268–279, 2011
Karyotype studies of cutaneous T cell lymphoma: evidence for clonal origin.

Neoplastic lymphocytes from 3 patients with wide-spread cutaneous T cell lymphoma were karyotyped, using a chromosome banding technique. None of the patients had previously received chemotherapy. Morphologically homogeneous populations of abnormal T cells were available from 2 distinct body regions of 2 of the individuals and from the bone marrow of the third. Karyotypes from each of the 3 patients indicated monoclonality of their lymphoma. These observations suggest that extracutaneous dissemination of cutaneous T cell lymphoma involves spread of neoplastic cells derived from a single clone. If future studies can demonstrate that those neoplastic T cells actually localized in the skin are also progeny of a single malignant cell, a widely accepted concept that cutaneous T cell lymphoma is of multifocal origin will have to be reexamined.
Evaluation of a takeoff performance monitoring system display

A takeoff performance monitoring system (TOPMS) has been developed to provide a pilot with graphic/numeric information pertinent to his decision to continue or abort a takeoff. The TOPMS instrument display consists primarily of a runway graphic overlaid with symbolic status and advisory information including 1) current position and airspeed, 2) predicted locations for reaching decision speed V\ and rotation speed VR, 3) ground-roll limit for reaching VR, 4) predicted stop point for an aborted takeoff from current conditions, 5) engine-failure flags, and 6) an overall situation advisory flag that recommends continuation or rejection of the takeoff. In this study, over 30 experienced multiengine pilots evaluated the TOPMS display on the Langley B-737 real-time research simulator. The display was well received and judged easy to monitor and comprehend.
Improved metabolic phenotype of hypothalamic PTP1B-deficiency is dependent upon the leptin receptor

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a known regulator of central metabolic signaling, and mice with whole brain-, leptin receptor (LepRb) expressing cell-, or proopiomelanocortin neuron-specific PTP1B-deficiency are lean, leptin hypersensitive, and display improved glucose homeostasis. However, whether the metabolic effects of central PTP1B-deficiency are due to action within the hypothalamus remains unclear. Moreover, whether or not these effects are exclusively due to enhanced leptin signaling is unknown. Here we report that mice with hypothalamic PTP1B-deficiency (Nkx2.1-PTP1B–/–) display decreased body weight and adiposity on high-fat diet with no associated improvements in glucose tolerance. Consistent with previous reports, we find that hypothalamic deletion of the LepRb in mice (Nkx2.1-LepRb–/–) results in extreme hyperphagia and obesity. Interestingly, deletion of hypothalamic PTP1B and LepRb (Nkx2.1-PTP1B–/–:LepRb–/–) does not rescue the hyperphagia or obesity of Nkx2.1-LepRb–/– mice, suggesting that hypothalamic PTP1B contributes to the central control of energy balance through a leptin receptor-dependent pathway.
Two New Venezuelan Chiggers of the Genus Polylopadium (Acarina: Trombiculidae)

Polylopadium chaetolecanium, n. sp. off Proechimys guyannensis, Sucre, and P. tricholecanium, n. sp, off Proechimys sp., Falcon, are described and figured.
A minicomputer-based system for process control, data acquisition, and data analysis in a diverse fast kinetics facility

Abstract A minicomputer-based system is described for the control of fast kinetic instrumentation and the analysis of fast kinetic data. The software runs under the RSX-11M operating system on a dedicated PDP-11/34 computer and supports one electron pulse radiolysis and three laser flash photolysis units. Three transient digitizers are supported: the Biomation 8100, the Tektronix R7912, and the Hamamatsu Temporalanalyzer (streak camera). Transients are detected by optical absorption, fluorescence emission, and electrical conductivity techniques. To a large extent, the software makes the differences among the many possible combinations of these instruments transparent to the user. A total of 115 interactively selected options are available, including 15 different types of kinetic analysis. Data acquisition/analysis proceeds concurrently from two terminals equipped with interactive video graphics. The system is quickly learned by visiting scientists and requires no previous computer experience.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

Chronic Inflammatory polyneuropathies are an important group of neuromuscular disorders that present chronically and progress over more than 8 weeks, being referred to as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Despite tremendous progress in elucidating disease pathogenesis, the exact triggering event remains unknown. Our knowledge regarding diagnosis and management of CIDP and its variants continues to expand, resulting in improved opportunities for identification and treatment. Most clinical neurologists will be involved in the management of patients with these disorders, and should be familiar with available therapies for CIDP. We review the distinctive clinical, laboratory, and electro-diagnostic features that aid in diagnosis. We emphasize the importance of clinical patterns that define treatment responsiveness and the most appropriate therapies in order to improve prognosis.
Sustainability assessment of urban communities through rating systems

This paper focuses on the sustainability assessment of urban communities through multi-criterion rating systems. Recent interpretations of the concepts of sustainability, assessment and community are discussed before reviewing existing assessment systems. In particular, the systems BREEAM for Communities, LEED for Neighbourhood Development and CASBEE for Urban Development are presented and compared. Each one of these systems bases the assessment on the summation of rates for different criteria often similar to those considered in sustainability assessments of buildings. The comparison shows that existing systems often accept a weak sustainability where natural resources may be subsidized by other priorities. Missing assessment criteria are proposed mainly within the social and economic dimensions of sustainability. This paper also shows that the dynamicity of a community suggests considering the sustainability assessment systems as tools to monitor the evolution of communities. Finally, it shows that an increase in citizen engagement in the selection of assessment criteria is necessary to share priorities and customize sustainability goals for each community.
Embryonic diapause highlighted by differential expression of mRNAs for ecdysteroidogenesis, transcription and lipid sparing in the cricket Allonemobius socius

Embryos of the ground cricket, Allonemobius socius, enter diapause 4-5 days post-oviposition and overwinter in this dormant state that is characterized by developmental arrest. Suppressive subtractive hybridization and quantitative real-time PCR reveal eight candidate genes in pre-diapause embryos that show promise as regulators of diapause entry, when compared with embryos not destined for diapause. Identifications are based both on the magnitude/consistency of differential mRNA abundances and the predicted functions of their products when placed in context of the physiological and biochemical events of diapause characterized in our companion paper. The proteins CYP450, AKR and RACK1 (associated with ecdysteroid synthesis and signaling) are consistently upregulated in pre-diapause, followed by major downregulation later in diapause. The pattern suggests that elevated ecdysone may facilitate onset of diapause in A. socius. Upregulation seen for the transcription factors Reptin and TFDp2 may serve to depress transcription and cell cycle progression. Cathpesin B-like protease, ACLY and MSP are three downregulated genes associated with yolk mobilization and/or metabolism that we predict may promote lipid sparing. Finally, embryos that have been in diapause for 10 days show a substantially different pattern of mRNA expression compared with either pre-diapause or embryos not destined for diapause, with the majority of mRNAs examined being downregulated. These transcript levels in later diapause suggest that a number of upregulated genes in pre-diapause are transiently expressed and are less essential as diapause progresses.
Ozone heating and the destabilization of traveling waves during summer

The effects of ozone heating on the linear stability of lower stratospheric traveling waves of the summertime, extratropical circulation are examined. Based on coupled equations for the quasigeostrophic potential vorticity and ozone volume mixing ratio, it is shown that the diabatic heating arising from ozone advection can offset the damping due to Newtonian cooling, leading to wave amplification and significant changes in the structure and zonally rectified fluxes of the wave fields in both the lower stratosphere and troposphere. The vertical profile of the zonal mean wind plays a crucial role in determining whether the ozone heating destabilizes eastward and/or westward traveling disturbances.
Structure and epitaxy of evaporated cadmium sulfide films

Abstract Cadmium sulfide films, 100–500 A in thickness, evaporated onto four different single-crystal substrates: (0001)MoS 2 , (001) muscovite mica, (111)CaF 2 , and (001)NaCl, held at 23°–500°C at various deposition rates, 2–10 A/sec, have been investigated by reflection electron diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Films deposited on all substrates consisted of hexagonal (wurtzite) phase at 23°C and a mixture of hexagonal and cubic (sphalerite) phases at 100°–500°C. Epitaxial orientation of the hexagonal phase was observed on all substrates at about 100°C and nearly completed at about 400°C. The cubic phase generally coexisted in a small amount in films and showed epitaxial orientation, including {111} microtwins, on all substrates. But, no appreciable change of the amount of cubic phase was observed on these substrates. These results also indicate that the cubic phase might not be produced by the influence of crystal structure of the substrate.
Sex differences in blood pressure control in SHR: lack of a role for EETs

The mechanisms responsible for the gender difference in blood pressure (BP) in humans are not clear. Over the past several years we have studied the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) as a model of sex differences in BP control. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that renal vascular and microsomal epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) levels are higher in females than males, and increasing vascular EETs by blocking epoxide hydrolase with AUDA will reduce BP more in males than females. Renal vascular and microsomal EETs were higher in female SHR than males. Mean arterial pressure (MAP by telemetry) was higher in males than females during the baseline period of 6 days, and although the epoxide hydrolase inhibitor, AUDA, given for 10 days increased renal microvascular EETs in both groups, AUDA did not affect MAP in either group. These data suggest that EETs do not contribute to the sex differences in hypertension in young SHR.
Negative Domain Wall Contribution to the Resistivity of Microfabricated Fe Wires

The effect of domain walls on electron transport has been investigated in microfabricated Fe wires (0.65 to 20 mm linewidths) with controlled stripe domains. Magnetoresistance (MR) measurements as a function of domain wall density, temperature, and the angle of the applied field are used to determine the low field MR contributions due to conventional sources in ferromagnetic materials and that due to the erasure of domain walls. A negative domain wall contribution to the resistivity is found. This result is discussed in light of a recent theoretical study of the effect of domain walls on quantum transport. [S0031-9007(98)06392-3]
The embodiment of emotion: Language use during the feeling of social emotions predicts cortical somatosensory activity

Complex social emotions involve both abstract cognitions and bodily sensations, and individuals may differ on their relative reliance on these. We hypothesized that individuals’ descriptions of their feelings during a semi-structured emotion induction interview would reveal two distinct psychological styles—a more abstract, cognitive style and a more body-based, affective style—and that these would be associated with somatosensory neural activity. We examined 28 participants’ open-ended verbal responses to admiration- and compassion-provoking narratives in an interview and BOLD activity to the same narratives during subsequent functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Consistent with hypotheses, individuals’ affective and cognitive word use were stable across emotion conditions, negatively correlated and unrelated to reported emotion strength in the scanner. Greater use of affective relative to cognitive words predicted more activation in SI, SII, middle anterior cingulate cortex and insula during emotion trials. The results suggest that individuals’ verbal descriptions of their feelings reflect differential recruitment of neural regions supporting physical body awareness. Although somatosensation has long been recognized as an important component of emotion processing, these results offer ‘proof of concept’ that individual differences in open-ended speech reflect different processing styles at the neurobiological level. This study also demonstrates SI involvement during social emotional experience.