cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Negligible glucose-6-phosphatase activity in cultured astroglia.

2-Deoxy[ 14 C]glucose-6-phosphate (2-[ 14 C]DG-6-P) dephosphorylation and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) activity were examined in cultured rat astrocytes under conditions similar to those generally used in assays of glucose utilization. Astrocytes were loaded with 2-[ 14 C]DG-6-P by preincubation for 15 min in medium containing 2 mM glucose and 50 μM 2-deoxy[ 14 C]glucose (2-[ 14 C]DG). The medium was then replaced with identical medium including 2 mM glucose but lacking 2-[ 14 C]DG, and incubation was d for 5 min to diminish residual free 2-[ 14 C]DG levels in the cells by either efflux or phosphorylation. The medium was again replaced with fresh 2-[ 14 C]DG-free medium, and the incubation was continued for 5, 15, or 30 min. Intracellular and extracellular 14 C contents were measured at each time point, and the distribution of 14 C between 2-[ 14 C]DG and 2-[ 14 C]DG-6-P was characterized by paper chromatography. The results showed little if any hydrolysis of 2-[ 14 C]DG-6-P or export of free 2-[ 14 C]DG from cells to medium; there were slightly increasing losses of 2-[ 14 C]DG and 2-[ 14 C]DG-6-P into the medium with increasing incubation time, but they were in the same proportions found in the cells, suggesting they were derived from nonadherent or broken cells. Experiments carried out with medium lacking glucose during the assay for 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphatase activity yielded similar results. Evidence for G-6-Pase activity was also sought by following the selective detritiation of glucose from the 2-C position when astrocytes were incubated with [2- 3 H]glucose and [U- 14 C]glucose in the medium. No change in the 3 H/ 14 C ratio was found in incubations for as long as 15 min. These results indicate negligible G-6-Pase activity in cultured astrocytes.
Laparoscopic orchiectomy for unilateral intra-abdominal testis.

Abstract Purpose A brief description of laparoscopic orchiectomy for undescended testis and a representative case report. Methods A 22-year-old Chinese man was admitted for removal of an intra-abdominal testis. Laparoscopic orchiectomy was used to remove the testis at the time of laparoscopic orchiectomy. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. Results A concurrent inguinal hernia was discovered during the procedure and repaired. Conclusions The use of laparoscopic surgery has proven to be a safe and effective means of treatment for the intra-abdominal testis.
Vector specificity, host range, and genetic diversity of Tomato chlorosis virus

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), family Closteroviridae, genus Crinivirus, causes interveinal chlorosis, leaf brittleness, and limited necrotic flecking or leaf bronzing on tomato leaves. ToCV can cause a decline in plant vigor and reduce fruit yield. It is emerging as a serious production problem for field and greenhouse tomato growers, and has been increasing in prevalence in many parts of the world. The virus is unique among known whitefly-transmitted viruses, due to its ability to be transmitted by four whitefly vectors from two genera. Studies demonstrated that transmission efficiency and virus persistence in the vector varies significantly among the different whitefly vectors. Trialeurodes abutilonea and Bemisia tabaci biotype B are highly efficient vectors of ToCV. B. tabaci biotype A and T. vaporariorum are less efficient vectors, but are fully capable of transmission. ToCV persists for up to 5 days in T. abutilonea, 2 days in B. tabaci biotype B, and only 1 day in B. tabaci biotype A and T. vaporariorum. ToCV has a moderately wide host range, infecting 24 host plant species in seven families. A portion of the coat protein coding region of five geographically diverse ToCV isolates was compared and found to be highly conserved. This information, coupled with existing information on conservation within the heat shock protein 70 homologue coding region, suggests that many ToCV isolates throughout the world are related very closely, and may have been distributed on plant material.
On the experimentally determined dipole moment function of CO a 3Π

We review precision dipole moment measurements for CO a 3Π and the use of these data to extract the dipole moment function over a limited range of internuclear distance. Some of the subtleties involved in the analysis are discussed.
Infrared spectroscopy: a new frontier in medicine

As we enter the second half of the nineties, one of the major challenges for biological infrared spectroscopists is to transfer the knowledge we have gained from studies on isolated molecules to the complex world of medicine. That it is possible to meet this challenge is suggested by comparison with the development of other biophysical techniques, such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging, which have already found their place in medical research and practice. The Spectroscopy Group in Winnipeg is developing and evaluating a variety of new IR techniques for the analysis of body fluids and tissues, both in vitro and in vivo. Herein, we review these methodologies, which comprise both instrumental (imaging and spatially localized IR spectroscopy) and interpretational procedures aimed at optimizing the measurements and their conversion to biodiagnostic information.
Manufacturing of Multifunctional Nanocrystalline ZnO Thin Films

Optical, surface and structural properties of ZnO thin films fabricated by reactive radio- frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering and sol-gel coating methods are comparatively investigated. The optical properties of films produced by both techniques have very similar characteristics, however; the surface morphology and degree of crystallinity have different behaviors. The nanostructure columnar zinc oxide thin films can be synthesized by sol-gel coating methods which can have numerous applications requiring larger surface area. Also, the process scalability and large-scale manufacturing of these materials are discussed. It indicated that the nanostructure ZnO thin films can be synthesized with sol-gel methods at wafer levels with nano-grains and improved surface properties compared with reactive rf magnetron sputtering deposition.
Maternal vaccination: moving the science forward

BACKGROUND Infections remain one of the leading causes of morbidity in pregnant women and newborns, with vaccine-preventable infections contributing significantly to the burden of disease. In the past decade, maternal vaccination has emerged as a promising public health strategy to prevent and combat maternal, fetal and neonatal infections. Despite a number of universally recommended maternal vaccines, the development and evaluation of safe and effective maternal vaccines and their wide acceptance are hampered by the lack of thorough understanding of the efficacy and safety in the pregnant women and the offspring. METHODS An outline was synthesized based on the current status and major gaps in the knowledge of maternal vaccination. A systematic literature search in PUBMED was undertaken using the key words in each section title of the outline to retrieve articles relevant to pregnancy. Articles cited were selected based on relevance and quality. On the basis of the reviewed information, a perspective on the future directions of maternal vaccination research was formulated. RESULTS Maternal vaccination can generate active immune protection in the mother and elicit systemic immunoglobulin G (IgG) and mucosal IgG, IgA and IgM responses to confer neonatal protection. The maternal immune system undergoes significant modulation during pregnancy, which influences responsiveness to vaccines. Significant gaps exist in our knowledge of the efficacy and safety of maternal vaccines, and no maternal vaccines against a large number of old and emerging pathogens are available. Public acceptance of maternal vaccination has been low. CONCLUSIONS To tackle the scientific challenges of maternal vaccination and to provide the public with informed vaccination choices, scientists and clinicians in different disciplines must work closely and have a mechanistic understanding of the systemic, reproductive and mammary mucosal immune responses to vaccines. The use of animal models should be coupled with human studies in an iterative manner for maternal vaccine experimentation, evaluation and optimization. Systems biology approaches should be adopted to improve the speed, accuracy and safety of maternal vaccine targeting.
The New South and Black Economic and Political Development: Changes From 1970 To 1980

Tr HE 20TH CENTURY has witnessed a profound shift in the regional concentration of black Americans. Beginning the century as a population overwhelmingly located in rural areas of the South, by 1970 the great majority of black Americans resided in the larger metropolitan areas outside the states of the Old Confederacy. Indeed, the northward migration beginning about 1900 represents one of the most remarkable population movements in American history. The transfer of population from the rural South to the urban North was stimulated largely by the desire of blacks to improve their economic and political conditions. The earlier migration to northeastern states was followed by emigration from the South to selected manufacturing centers of the midwest. Migration continued through each decade and well into the post-World War II era. By 1960, trends had resulted in a concentration of blacks in most of the nation's urban centers outside the South (Rose 1971). Blacks leaving the South were doubtless motivated by a belief, later confirmed by various social science research efforts, that the South was less satisfactory than other regions of the nation in promoting black economic and political development. No area of the nation had avoided the tragedy of racism; yet the open, often legal, and extreme acts of racial discrimination including lynching, Jim Crow legislation, rigid segregation, and overt violence were more frequent in the South (Lewinson 1932; Key 1949). Opposition to the simplest forms of black electoral participation and political organization continued in the South well into the 1960s (Matthews and Prothro 1966). Furthermore, research over the past decade confirms the on-going nature of problems in the South. For example, there have been findings that black public-sector employment is less equitable in the South than elsewhere (Sigelman 1976); there is less proportional black representation on city councils in the South (Jones 1976; Karnig 1976; 1979a; Engstrom and McDonald 1982); there is less likelihood of a black mayor in the South (Marshall and Meyer 1975; Karnig and Welch 1980); and Census reports have shown consistently that black economic and education levels are lower in the South. Indeed, in a study focused largely on
A prospective study of weight and metabolic syndrome in young hispanic children.

This study examined weight in young Hispanic children over a 2-year period and investigated the relations among overweight, physical activity (PA), caloric intake, and family history in the development of the metabolic syndrome (MS). Forty-seven children (ages 5–8) from diverse Hispanic backgrounds recruited from elementary schools were evaluated. Laboratory analyses, anthropometric data, and measures of PA and caloric intake were included. The majority of the children were overweight at baseline (66%) and at follow up (72%). Children who were overweight at baseline were more likely to exhibit MS at follow up than were those who were not overweight at baseline. Overweight appears to be an independent predictor of MS among Hispanic children.
A rapid detection method for the ryanodine receptor 1 (C7360G) mutation in Quarter Horses.

Background: Anesthetic-induced malignant hyperthermia has been documented in Quarter Horses and is caused by a single-point mutation in the ryanodine receptor 1 gene at nucleotide C7360G generating a R2454G amino acid substitution. An accurate, faster molecular test that is less prone to contamination would facilitate screening for the mutation in horses intended for breeding, in those undergoing surgical procedures, and in those with clinical signs compatible with malignant hyperthermia. Objective: To report a rapid and accurate method for the detection of the ryanodine receptor 1 C7360G mutation. Animals: Eleven diseased, 10 healthy, and 225 randomly selected Quarter Horses. Methods: This study included horses with the ryanodine receptor 1 C7360G mutation as detected by gene sequencing. Available genomic and complementary DNA extracted from whole blood, hair or skeletal muscle was used for genetic analysis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) melting curve analysis was performed by equine specific primers and 2 hybridization probes (sensor and anchor probes) that contain the site of the mutation. Results from this method were blinded and compared with nucleic acid sequencing for validation. Results: A rapid genotyping assay with fluorescence resonance energy transfer probes and melting curve analysis was accurate (100% agreement, K= 1) for identification of affected horses. The prevalence of the mutation in a random population of Quarter Horses was 1.3%. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Malignant hyperthermia in Quarter Horses can be rapidly and accurately detected by RT-PCR melting curve genotyping with hybridization probes.
Delayed mortality responses of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) adults subjected to short exposures on spinosad-treated wheat

Abstract Laboratory studies were conducted to characterize post-exposure (delayed) mortality responses of adults of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), following brief exposures to wheat treated with dry and liquid spinosad formulations at the labeled rate of 1 mg (a.i.) kg −1 of grain. Exposure of R. dominica adults to a dry spinosad formulation at the labeled rate for 4 h resulted in 16–34% mortality. When these adults were placed on untreated wheat, post-exposure mortality continued to increase in a non-linear fashion, with 100% mortality observed at 60 h. Similarly, when R. dominica adults were exposed to wheat treated with a liquid spinosad formulation at the labeled rate for 0.5–48 h, 100% post-exposure mortality on untreated wheat occurred within 24–168 h. Exposure for 72 h resulted in 100% mortality on spinosad-treated wheat itself. There was an inverse relationship between exposure of adults to spinosad-treated wheat and time to 100% mortality on untreated wheat. These results suggested that short exposures (0.5–48 h) of R. dominica adults to wheat treated with the labeled rate of spinosad will ensure its complete control even after removal from treated grain. Adults of R. dominica which disperse to untreated grain after brief exposures to spinosad-treated wheat may eventually die because of delayed toxicity effects of spinosad against this economically important insect species.
Lesions of the basolateral amygdala reverse the long-lasting interference with shuttle box escape produced by uncontrollable stress

Abstract Exposure to an uncontrollable, but not a controllable, stressor produces a constellation of behaviors called learned helplessness. In rodents, uncontrollable stress interferes with the ability to learn to escape from escapable shocks delivered in a shuttle box. The stress-induced shuttle box escape deficit is a common screening tool for potential antidepressant strategies. Inconsistencies in the literature exist regarding the time-course of, and mechanisms underlying, stress-induced escape deficits. When no common cues are shared between the stressor and testing environment, the escape deficit is short lived and independent of conditioned freezing. In contrast, when stress and testing occur in the same or similar environments, the escape deficit is very long lasting. The current studies address the hypothesis that the long-lived escape deficit produced by uncontrollable stress is dependent upon conditioned fear and the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Rats received bilateral excitotoxic lesions of the BLA 2 weeks following uncontrollable foot shocks. One week after surgery, rats were tested for conditioned freezing and escape behavior in the same shuttle boxes in which prior foot shocks were delivered. Stressed rats with sham lesions displayed robust conditioned freezing and failed to escape during shuttle box testing. Lesions of the BLA eliminated conditioned freezing and completely restored stressed rats’ ability to perform the escape contingency. These data indicate that the long-lived stress-induced escape deficit produced under conditions in which the stressor and testing environments share common cues is dependent upon conditioned freezing elicited by the BLA. Results have important implications for the mechanisms underlying learned helplessness phenomena.
Identification of a Negative Allosteric Site on Human α4β2 and α3β4 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

Acetylcholine-based neurotransmission is regulated by cationic, ligand-gated ion channels called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These receptors have been linked to numerous neurological diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and nicotine addiction. Recently, a class of compounds has been discovered that antagonize nAChR function in an allosteric fashion. Models of human α4β2 and α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) extracellular domains have been developed to computationally explore the binding of these compounds, including the dynamics and free energy changes associated with ligand binding. Through a blind docking study to multiple receptor conformations, the models were used to determine a putative binding mode for the negative allosteric modulators. This mode, in close proximity to the agonist binding site, is presented in addition to a hypothetical mode of antagonism that involves obstruction of C loop closure. Molecular dynamics simulations and MM-PBSA free energy of binding calculations were used as computational validation of the predicted binding mode, while functional assays on wild-type and mutated receptors provided experimental support. Based on the proposed binding mode, two residues on the β2 subunit were independently mutated to the corresponding residues found on the β4 subunit. The T58K mutation resulted in an eight-fold decrease in the potency of KAB-18, a compound that exhibits preferential antagonism for human α4β2 over α3β4 nAChRs, while the F118L mutation resulted in a loss of inhibitory activity for KAB-18 at concentrations up to 100 µM. These results demonstrate the selectivity of KAB-18 for human α4β2 nAChRs and validate the methods used for identifying the nAChR modulator binding site. Exploitation of this site may lead to the development of more potent and subtype-selective nAChR antagonists which may be used in the treatment of a number of neurological diseases and disorders.
Extraocular Muscle Size Comparison Using Standardized A-scan Echography and Computerized Tomography Scan Measurements

Abstract In many clinical situations, the standard for evaluating extraocular muscle (EOM) size, particularly in thyroid ophthalmopathy, has been use of the computerized tomography (CT) scanner. The impression is generally reported as “enlarged or normal EOMs.” If the report of “normal EOM” on CT scan weighs heavily against the diagnosis of thyroid eye disease, how does this qualitative assessment compare with the diagnostic modality of ultrasound? The technique of standardized A-scan measurement of extraocular muscles has been extremely accurate. In this paper, standardized A-scan measurements and CT scan estimates of EOMs are compared in a series of ten patients with a clinical diagnosis of Graves' disease. Three of ten patients displayed enlarged EOMs by CT interpretations; seven of ten patients were categorized as consistent with Graves' disease by correlation with current ultrasonographic criteria for muscle enlargement, asymmetry, and high irregularity of tissue reflectivity.
Patterning of neuronal locus specificities in retinal ganglion cells after partial extirpation of the embryonic eye

A variety of transplantation procedures were used to analyze the determinants of locus specificity pattern in eye fragments prepared at stage 31/32. When right eye fragments were rotated through 0–360° in situ, or grafted to a stage 31/32 or stage 27/28 host, or grown in vitro 48 hours prior to reimplantation, the orientation of the retinotectal map always matched the anatomical orientation of the rounded-up fragment, while the internal organization of the map was characteristic for the original fragment type: normal or double-nasal in NF eye grafts, normal or double-temporal in TF eye grafts, normal or double-ventral in VF eye grafts. Fragments from stage 31/32 left eyes showed similar behavior, but mapped from the right orbit with one axis inverted as occurs after contralateral transplantation of whole left eyes. When one rounded-up fragment and one normal eye (or one rounded-up nasal fragment and one rounded-up temporal fragment) were placed side-by-side in the same orbit and allowed to “superinnervate” the same tectum, both retinae mapped across the entire tectum with no unshared tectal regions. Finally, in fragments prepared from previously-rotated (at stage 25/26) eyes, the organization and orientation of the map conformed to the new retinal axes, often in direct conflict with the anatomical polarity of the eye. The results are considered in terms of (1) the histogenesis of the retina in eye fragments; (2) the stability of the program for patterning of locus specificities, which is set down when the optic cup undergoes axial specification at stages 28–31; (3) the factors controlling selective modification of this program and their localization in eye fragments; and (4) the extent to which the range of locus specificities, deployed across the ganglion cell population of rounded-up fragments, approximates that found in the normal unoperated eye.
Genetics: Fish heads and human disease.

The expression level of a single gene can determine head size in zebrafish, mirroring a human anatomical feature associated with neurological disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. See Letter p.363 Copy number variants (CNVs) make an important contribution to genetic disorders, and some CNVs have been shown to have reciprocal phenotypic effects. For instance, duplication of chromosomal region 16p11.2 has been linked to autism, schizophrenia and microcephaly, and reciprocal deletion to autism, obesity and macrocephaly. By manipulating levels of expression — in pairwise combination — of zebrafish orthologues in this genomic interval, Nicholas Katsanis and colleagues identified KCTD13 as the locus that can recapitulate the macro- and microcephalic phenotype, which they show is underpinned by a proliferative defect. Together with further human genetic data, these results suggest that KCTD13 is a major driver for the neurodevelopmental phenotypes associated with 16p11.2 duplication/deletion. The approach used here also offers a way of identifying other dosage-sensitive loci.
Localization of Platelet-derived Growth Factor-stimulated Phosphorylation Cascade to Caveolae

Previously we showed that interleukin 1β stimulates the conversion of sphingomyelin to ceramide in the caveolae fraction of normal human fibroblasts. The ceramide, in turn, blocked platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulated DNA synthesis. We now present evidence that the PDGF receptor initiates signal transduction from caveolae. Cell fractionation and immunocytochemistry show caveolae to be the principal location of PDGF receptors at the cell surface. Multiple caveolae proteins acquire phosphotyrosine when PDGF binds to its receptor, but the hormone appears to have little effect on the tyrosine phosphorylation of non-caveolae membrane proteins. Five proteins known to interact with the phosphorylated receptor were found to be highly enriched in caveolae membrane. PDGF caused the concentration of three of these proteins to significantly increase in the caveolae fraction. Finally, PDGF stimulated the association of a 190-kDa phosphoprotein with the caveolae marker protein, caveolin. Therefore, ceramide may modulate PDGF receptor function directly in caveolae.
The effect of various minerals on the catalysed decomposition of ethyl diazoacetate: Implications for the reaction of ethyl diazoacetate with coal

The thermal decomposition of ethyl diazoacetate (N2CHCOOEt) to ethoxycarbonylcarbene (:CHCOOEt) and nitrogen with 22 minerals, many of which are known to be in coal, was studied kinetically by monitoring the evolution of nitrogen versus temperature. Copper sulphate (natural hydrocyanite) decomposed N2COCOOEt very rigorously below 25 °C and could not be monitored kinetically. Cuprite (Cu2O) decomposed N2CHCOOEt completely at 40 °C while chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) and hematite (Fe2O3) decomposed N2CHCOOEt very rigorously below 25 °C and could not be monitored kinetically. Cuprite the thermal decomposition of N2CHCOOEt between 100 and 130 °C. The thermal decomposition of NH2CHCOOEt with a Wyodak subbituminous B, Illinois No. 6 hvCB and Pennsylvania No. 2 anthracite coal was also studied and the kinetic profiles are consistent with minerals, containing Cu (II) and/or Fe (III) as the active catalyst in the coal.
Cellular metabolic rate is influenced by life-history traits in tropical and temperate birds.

In general, tropical birds have a “slow pace of life,” lower rates of whole-animal metabolism and higher survival rates, than temperate species. A fundamental challenge facing physiological ecologists is the understanding of how variation in life-history at the whole-organism level might be linked to cellular function. Because tropical birds have lower rates of whole-animal metabolism, we hypothesized that cells from tropical species would also have lower rates of cellular metabolism than cells from temperate species of similar body size and common phylogenetic history. We cultured primary dermal fibroblasts from 17 tropical and 17 temperate phylogenetically-paired species of birds in a common nutritive and thermal environment and then examined basal, uncoupled, and non-mitochondrial cellular O2 consumption (OCR), proton leak, and anaerobic glycolysis (extracellular acidification rates [ECAR]), using an XF24 Seahorse Analyzer. We found that multiple measures of metabolism in cells from tropical birds were significantly lower than their temperate counterparts. Basal and uncoupled cellular metabolism were 29% and 35% lower in cells from tropical birds, respectively, a decrease closely aligned with differences in whole-animal metabolism between tropical and temperate birds. Proton leak was significantly lower in cells from tropical birds compared with cells from temperate birds. Our results offer compelling evidence that whole-animal metabolism is linked to cellular respiration as a function of an animal’s life-history evolution. These findings are consistent with the idea that natural selection has uniquely fashioned cells of long-lived tropical bird species to have lower rates of metabolism than cells from shorter-lived temperate species.
Bioimpedance: A novel method for the determination of extravascular lung water

Extravascular lung water (EVLW) can be measured using the double indicator dilution technique (DD). However, because this method is highly invasive and complicated, its clinical use has been limited. In theory, changes in thoracic conductivity, or bioimpedance (BI), can reflect changes in EVLW. However, past studies were unable to directly quantitate changes in EVLW since the contribution of dynamic variables such as ventricular volumes, hematocrit (HCT), and EVLW to this impedance signal could not be discerned. Recent studies have shown that a thermodilution pulmonary artery catheter mounted with a fast response thermistor accurately measures right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV). With changes in the RVEDV and HCT known, the contribution of EVLW to the bioimpedance signal may be isolated and used to more directly measure changes in EVLW. This hypothesis was tested by creating acute sepsis in seven pigs by infusion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Changes in EVLW from baseline were measured using DD at 30 min and at 1, 2, and 4 hr and compared with the change in EVLW computed from a mathematical model comprising the measured changes in BI, RVEDV, and HCT at the same time points. Changes in EVLW using DD and BI were significantly correlated over the length of the study (r = 0.85, P < 0.01). In early sepsis (30 min), BI overestimated EVLW when compared with DD (P < 0.05). However, at 1, 2, and 4 hr there was no significant difference between the two methods. In conclusion, the use of bioimpedance and a volumetric catheter may provide a relatively simple and reliable method for continuously monitoring changes in EVLW in the intensive care setting.
Suppression of in vitro antibody production by corticotropin-releasing factor neurohormone.

Abstract Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a peptide hormone that regulates the synthesis of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived bioactive peptides from the cells of both neuroendocrine system and immune system. In this study, the effect of CRF on in vitro production of antibodies was investigated. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC), at a concentration of 1 × 106 cells ml−1, from several healthy blood donors were stimulated to produce immunoglobulins with 25 μg ml−1 pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in the presence of different concentrations of CRF (10−16 to 10−7 M range). After 7 days of incubation, the cell cultures were centrifuged, and the supernatants quantified for IgG, IgM, and IgA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). At concentrations of 10−13 M or greater, the CRF and three structurally related peptides (Tyr-CRF, α-helical CRF9−41, and sauvagine) caused a statistically significant (P
Delegation is inheritance

Inheritance and delegation are alternate methods for incremental definition and sharing. It has commonly been believed that delegation provides a more powerful model. This paper demonstrates that there is a “natural” model of inheritance which captures all of the properties of delegation. Independently, certain constraints on the ability of delegation to capture inheritance are demonstrated. Finally, a new framework which fully captures both delegation and inheritance is outlined, and some of the ramifications of this hybrid model are explored.
Patterns of Furanocoumarin Distribution and Insect Herbivory in the Umbelliferae: Plant Chemistry and Community Structure

A chemical survey of 12 species of Umbelliferae in Tompkins County, New York, USA, revealed that species possessing furanocoumarins are most frequently found in open habitats: either swamps or thickets (Sium, Cicuta, Angelica spp.) or disturbed areas such as roadsides or old fields (Conium, Pastinaca, Heracleum spp.). Woodland species (Osmorhiza, Zizia spp.) character- istically lack furanocoumarins, though they may possess dihydrofuranocoumarin glycosides. Restric- tion of furanocoumarin production to plants in high-light environments is in keeping with the presumed mechanism of furanocoumarin phototoxicity towards insects, that is, ultraviolet-activated cross link- age of insect DNA. Cluster analysis of the insects on these umbellifers demonstrates that insect herbivores distribute themselves according to host furanocoumarin chemistry. By using a weighting factor that takes into consideration the differential discriminatory powers of specialists and generalists, it was possible to show that the insect faunae of plants containing angular furanocoumarins are more similar to each other than they are to the faunae of plants lacking angular furanocoumarins. The same case holds for the faunae of plants containing linear furanocoumarins, and for plants lacking furanocoumarins al- together. The chemical complexity of a plant species is reflected in the degree of dietary specialization of its insect associates; the more complex the furanocoumarin chemistry, as measured by the number and type of structures, the more specialized the feeding habits of the insects on the plant. Thus, plants lacking furanocoumarins have faunae dominated by generalists while plants with both linear and angular furanocoumarins have faunae dominated by extreme specialists. On the community level, then, it appears that furanocoumarin chemistry can account for patterns in distribution and abundance of insect herbivores on Umbelliferae.
The Effect of Stress Concentration on the Reliability of Composite Materials

A model is presented for predicting reliability of brittle composite structures with complex multiaxial stress states. This model allows all of the stress components to con tribute to the probability of material fracture. The model is applied to an off-axis geometry and to a center through-hole off-axis geometry using several different material systems. Results for the off-axis geometry demonstrate the importance of using the correct specimen configuration when performing a reliability analysis. Stresses induced by the end-constraint may cause an over prediction of reliability or an underutilization of material strength, depending on the overall stiffness and strength characteristics of the material. Results for the center-notched off-axis geometry demonstrate the effect of strength variability on the localization of fracture prob ability. Low variability materials exhibit a localization of high probability of failure regions, implying a high repeatability of fracture initiation site. High variability mat...
Reply to Coen et al.: Exercise, hippocampal volume, and memory

Our recent study reported in PNAS (1) investigated exercise training effects on hippocampal volume, spatial memory, and BDNF in older humans. Our intervention included two training groups: an aerobic walking group and a stretching and toning group. The aerobic group showed increased hippocampal volume and improved memory performance after training. The toning group showed decreased hippocampal volume but also showed improved memory. In their critique, Coen et al. (2) suggest that we overstated the benefits of aerobic training for spatial memory performance, given that the toning group showed enhanced memory performance despite a decrease in hippocampal volume.
Chondrosarcomas of the synovium.

Chondrosarcoma of the synovium is a rare sarcoma with cartilaginous differentiation arising in the synovial tissues of joints, tendon sheaths, or bursae. It can be primary or secondary to a previous synovial chondromatosis. Knees and hips are the preferred locations, and it is usually found in adults 33–72 years of age. Rapid growth or recurrence of a known chondroid synovial lesion should be suspected of malignancy. Wide resection is the treatment of choice.
Improving Detection Delay in Cognitive Radios Using Secondary-User Receiver Statistics

In-band spectrum sensing (SS) requires that secondary users (SUs) periodically interrupt their communication to detect the emergence of the primary users (PUs) in the channel. A new approach referred to as spectrum monitoring (SM) was proposed by Boyd et al. , which allows the SU to employ its receiver statistics to detect the emergence of the PU during its own communication periods. In this paper, we construct a decision statistic for SM based on the SU's receiver error count. We then evaluate the detection probability of SM in the presence of interference from the PU signal. Next, we derive closed-form formulas for channel utilization and detection delay using two Markov chain models. Upper and lower bounds on channel utilization and detection delay are derived, and an optimization problem is formulated and solved to maximize channel utilization with a constraint on detection delay. Numerical results from analysis are compared with simulation results obtained for a BCH code and a convolutional code, which show the accuracy of the analysis and the significant improvement of a hybrid SM/SS over SS alone.
Re-inventing progressive community psychiatry: the use of history.

Over the last half-century progressives in community psychiatry have challenged the social order while addressing the needs of persons with psychiatric disorders. Recently, however, their vision and energy has faltered. A re-evaluation of the progressive position is essential, beginning with a review of its historical experience. Unfortunately, modern psychiatry has become increasingly ahistorical. Those histories that do exist reveal little about the experiences of progressive practive and tend to attack it from the right or from the left. There is a tremendous need to synthesize new socially-oriented histories of the progressive movement in community psychiatry.
Plant-mediated decisions by an herbivore affect oviposition pattern and subsequent egg parasitism

Natural enemies are important mortality factors for herbivores and thus may influence herbivore population dynamics. In response to natural enemy pressure, herbivores can alter life history decisions, such as oviposition behavior, so that offspring are protected from natural enemies. One such strategy is to deposit eggs into structures where vulnerability to natural enemies is reduced or eliminated, i.e., use enemy-free space. The plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is native to North America and has a broad host range (>350 plant species), including crops. This bug’s eggs are attacked by a native parasitoid, Anaphes iole Girault, and parasitism levels vary greatly among host plant species. Weed hosts are critical to contemporary L. lineolaris life history because they serve as an ecological bridge from one crop growing season to the next. We investigated the egg distribution pattern of L. lineolaris on 11 host plant species (nine weeds and two crops), and parasitism by A. iole, to determine whether oviposition choices by L. lineolaris females protect their eggs from parasitism and to demonstrate the mechanism of this protection. Our results indicate that the reproductive structures of Erigeron annuus, as well as those of several other host plant species, provide a refuge from parasitism for most L. lineolaris eggs. This refuge is due to the deposition of host eggs deeper in plant tissue than the length of the ovipositor of A. iole. Also, overall parasitism levels were greater on non-Asteraceae host plant species compared with host plant species belonging to Asteraceae. Oviposition site choice by female bugs appears to be a selective strategy to take advantage of enemy-free space.
Embeddable reference electrodes for corrosion monitoring of reinforced concrete structures

Mixed-metal oxide (MMO), graphite and laboratory-made Ag/AgCl electrodes were electrochemically characterized to be used as reference electrodes embedded in concrete structures. Electrodes were studied in both, aqueous solutions of pH ranging from 7 to 13.5 and embedded into cement mortars; and the electrochemical studies were carried out in the absence and presence of chloride ions. Potential evolution, polarisation behaviour, galvanostatic pulse response and impedance characteristics of the electrodes were carried out in aqueous solutions. Besides, the electrochemical stability of the electrodes embedded in mortar was studied for an exposure period of two years. It was found that the MMO pseudo-reference electrode is pH-sensitive, the graphite pseudo-reference electrode is oxygen sensitive and the Ag/AgCl pseudo-reference electrode is chloride sensitive. Then, regarding the corrosion monitoring of steel rebars, care should be taken to avoid misleading interpretations of the corrosion potential measurements. However, any of them can be used to measure the corrosion rate of the rebars by means of traditional electrochemical techniques.
Membrane progesterone receptor expression in the myometrium at term before and after the onset of labor

AT TERM BEFORE AND AFTER THE ONSET OF LABOR AMY MERLINO, HUIQING TAN, LI JUAN TAN, BRIAN MERCER, SAM MESIANO, CASEMetroHealth Medical Center, Department of Reproductive Biology, Cleveland, Ohio, Case Western Reserve University, Department of Reproductive Biology, Cleveland, Ohio OBJECTIVE: Progesterone maintains pregnancy by promoting myometrial quiescence through genomic and non-genomic pathways and labor is initiated by progesterone withdrawal. The role of non-genomic progesterone actions in human pregnancy and parturition are not clearly understood. Non-genomic progesterone actions are mediated by membrane-bound PRs (mPRs): mPRa, mPRb, mPRg, and progesterone receptor membrane components -1 and -2 (PGRMC-1 and PGRMC-2). The goal of this study was to measure the extent of mPR expression in the term human myometrium and determine whether levels change in association with the onset of labor. STUDY DESIGN: Myometrial biopsies from the upper margin of the uterine incision were obtained after delivery from consenting women undergoing lowtransverse cesarean section who were in active labor (IL: n=5) and from patients not in labor (NIL: n=7). Total RNA was extracted and purified and used to produce cDNA. Quantitative PCR was performed using SYBR green and primer sets for mPRa, mPRb, mPRg and PGRMC-1, PGRMC-2. Abundance of specific mRNAs relative to 18S rRNA was determined using the delta-CT method. Differences between relative mRNA abundances in the IL and NIL tissues were assessed by t test. RESULTS: mRNAs for each of the mPRs examined were detected in IL and NIL myometrium. Levels of mRNAs encoding PGRMC-1 and PGRMC-2 were more abundant than mPRa, -b and -g (least abundant). The onset of labor was associated with a significant (P!0.05) decrease in the relative abundance of mRNAs encoding mPRb, mPRg and PRGMC-2. CONCLUSION: The human pregnancy myometrium expresses robust levels of mPRs suggesting that progesterone may influence uterine contractility nongenomically via these receptors. The labor associated decrease in mPRb, mPRg and PRGMC-2 may reflect a potential mechanism for functional progesterone withdrawal whereby the pro-relaxation pathways of progesterone are attenuated by the specific decrease in key mPRs. Changes in expression of these receptors during pregnancy may be important for the hormonal control of parturition.
Perspectives on the Education and Training of Learning Disabled Adults

Adults with learning disabilities often face significant obstacles in their efforts toward leading satisfying lives. In spite of increasing attention toward the education and training of this popul...
The extracellular space in the developing rat brain: Its variation with changes in osmolarity of the fixative, method of fixation and maturation

Considerable extracellular space was demonstrated in the newborn rat cerebral cortex. The extent of this space could be easily modified by changes in the osmolarity of the glutaraldehyde fixative. With maturation this space became progressively less, generally from the deeper layers outward, and attained adult dimensions by the end of the second week. However, in the white matter, between subpial astrocytes, between ependymal cells and between the cells of the choroid plexus, much narrower spaces were present at all ages. These results compare well with the morphologic findings reported by others following primary glutaraldehyde fixation or freeze-substitution, as well as with the physiologic measurements of the cerebral extracellular spaces in the immature brain also reported by other investigators. Following immersion fixation, the extracellular space was somewhat narrower. The most marked decrease in the extracellular space was noted after immersion fixation in isotonic fixative. All these observations of a relatively large extracellular space in the immature brain contrast with the narrow space seen following primary osmium tetroxide fixation reported by other investigators. It is concluded that the cerebral cortical extracellular space in the immature brain is quite large, but that its true in vivo extent cannot be definitely demonstrated because of the sensitivity of the immature brain to the processes of fixation and embedding.
Household Status and Headship among Unmarried Asian Indian Women in Later Life: Availability, Feasibility, and Desirability Factors

This study applies a conceptual framework to the living arrangements of older unmarried Asian Indian women in the United States that allows for the evaluation of cultural diversity. The model holds that living arrangements at the end of the life cycle are determined by three sets of factors: availability of kin, feasibility as related to economic and health status, and desirability of living arrangements as related to cultural identity and adaptation. The multinomial logistic regression results show that despite the strong family norms of Asian Indians and their minority group status, older unmarried Asian Indian females are more likely than their White counterparts to live alone. In a separate analysis of Asian Indian women, the evidence shows that acculturated Asian Indian females are more likely than less acculturated members of this ethnic group to live alone as compared to living as part of a larger household without headship.
Evolution of the immunoglobulin superfamily by duplication of complementarity.

Since the original finding that the/jr microglobulin (/J2m) has considerable amino acid sequence homology to immunoglobulin(Ig) domains ~, the members of this Ig superfamily have been steadily increasing in number (see Ref. 2). Apart from Igs, MHC (major histocom- patibility complex) class I and II antigens 3'4 and their functional partner, the T-cell antigen receptor 5'6, are the most important family members, as both are recognition molecules in the T-cell immune system. Other MHC class I antigens are encoded in the mouse QaJTL region and are expressed in lymphoid cells or liver 7'8. The Thy- 1 antigen, expressed predominantly in neuronal cells and fibroblasts, also belongs to the superfamily but its func- tion is unknown 9. In addition, receptor proteins for transport of IgM and IgA show a remarkable resemb- lance to Igs ~°. The last example may provide us with an insight into the mechanism of evolution of the Ig super- family. One of the questions is how evolutionarily related proteins came to possess similar but diverse functions of immunological importance. A structural feature that characterizes the Ig super- family is that they are composed of a globular domain or domains ~. Each domain is constructed from two sheets made of several antirparallel/J-helices of approximately 100 amino acid residues. The whole domain structure is stabilized by a disulfide linkage and many are glyco- sylated to various extents. Most members are composed of protein subunits of more than two domains each, whereas the Thy-1 and /J2m represent single domain molecules. I will argue in this article that pre-existing inter- domain interactions based on mutual complementarity have been repeatedly used in the evolution of Ig super- family molecules. The duplication of complementarity in receptors
TEM characterization of dislocation loops in irradiated bcc Fe-based steels

Abstract In this study, we describe a methodology to examine dislocation loops in irradiated steels based on a combination of crystallographic information and g⋅b invisibility criteria. Dislocation loops in transmission electron microscope (TEM) images can be conveniently analyzed using this method. Through this analysis approach, dislocation loops in reduced activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steels irradiated at 400 °C have been examined. The predominant types of loops found in irradiated RAFM steels were 〈1 0 0〉{2 0 0} and 1/2〈1 1 1〉{1 1 1}. The size, density, and density anisotropy of these two types of dislocation loops were quantified. It was observed that the 〈1 0 0〉{2 0 0} loop density is more than twice that of 1/2〈1 1 1〉{1 1 1} loops. A large density anisotropy of 〈1 0 0〉{2 0 0} loops was identified.