cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of selective inhibition of protein kinase C, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, and Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase on neurite development in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

A variety of experimental evidence suggests that calmodulin and protein kinases, especially protein kinase C, may participate in regulating neurite development in cultured neurons, particularly neurite initiation. However, the results are somewhat contradictory. Further, the roles of calmodulin and protein kinases on many aspects of neurite development, such as branching or elongation of axons vs dendrites, have not been extensively studied. Cultured embryonic rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons develop readily identifiable axons and dendrites. We used this culture system and the new generation of highly specific protein kinase inhibitors to investigate the roles of protein kinases and calmodulin in neurite development. Neurons were cultured for 2 days in the continuous presence of calphostin C (a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C), KT5720 (inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase), KN62 (inhibitor of Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II), or calmidazolium (inhibitor of calmodulin), each at concentrations from approximately 1 to 10 times the concentration reported in the literature to inhibit each kinase by 50%. The effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (an activator of protein kinase C) and 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (an inactive phorbol ester) were also tested. At concentrations that had no effect on neuronal viability, calphostin C reduced neurite initiation and axon branching without significantly affecting the number of dendrites per neuron, dendrite branching, dendrite length, or axon length. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate increased axon branching and the number of dendrites per cell, compared to the inactive 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate. KT5720 inhibited only axon branching. KN62 reduced axon length, the number of dendrites per neuron, and both axon and dendrite branching. At low concentrations, calmidazolium had no effect on any aspect of neurite development, but at high concentrations, calmidazolium inhibited every parameter that was measured (including viability). These results suggest that these three protein kinases selectively modulate different aspects of neurite development. The university of effects caused by calmodulin inhibition make it impossible to determine if there are specific targets of calmodulin action involved in neurite development. Finally, our data indicate that some superficially similar characteristics of neuronal differentiation, such as neurite initiation and branching, may be controlled by quite different molecular mechanisms.
Perpetrator or victim? Effects of who suffers in an automobile accident on judgemental strictness

After reading of an automobile accident in which the driver and/or bystanders either suffered or did not suffer, participants rated the driver’s responsibility for the accident and sentenced him to a jail term. The purpose of this experiment was to contrast 3 theoretical models: defensive attribution, moral salience, and equity. Results indicated that male participants utilized an equity principle by relaxing their strictness of judgment, in terms of time sentenced to jail, when the accident perpetrator himself suffered harmful consequences. Females invoked a moral salience principle in that judgmental strictness increased only when bystanders were harmed. Regardless of sex, participants expressed a preference for information regarding the personal characteristics of the accident perpetrator as contrasted with information about the environment. This finding was considered in relation to recent developments in attribution theory.
Analysis of regional visibility in the southwest using principal component and back trajectory techniques

Abstract Approximately 3 years of visibility data from a 13-station teleradiometer network in the southwest desert is the basis for the analysis presented. Principal component analysis is employed to identify regions of similarly varying visibility for the enitre data set and by seasons. ‘North’, ‘Center’ and ‘South’ regions are identified in each of the four seasons. These regions change their size, shape and location somewhat through the seasons and thus are referred to as groups with each group containing four seasonal regions. Distinctive mean visibility levels and variations characterize the three groups. Back trajectoryanalysis techniques are developed to infer the nature and extent of influence of upwind areas on the three visibility groups. Two years of four daily back trajectories indicate primary detrimental influence from the southwest for the ‘North’ group and from the southeast for the ‘South’. Areas influencing the ‘Center’-group visibility are a combination of those affecting the other two groups. A method to calculate transport extinction budgets is demonstrated for the three visibility groups.
Revised Algorithm for Estimating Light Extinction from IMPROVE Particle Speciation Data

The Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) particle monitoring network consists of approximately 160 sites at which fine particulate matter (PM2.5) mass and major species concentrations and course particulate matter (PM10) mass concentrations are determined by analysis of 24-hr duration sampling conducted on a 1-day-in-3 schedule A simple algorithm to estimate light extinction from the measured species concentrations was incorporated in the 1999 Regional Haze Rule as the basis for the haze metric used to track haze trends. A revised algorithm was developed that is more consistent with the recent atmospheric aerosol literature and reduces bias for high and low light extinction extremes. The revised algorithm differs from the original algorithm in having a term for estimating sea salt light scattering from Cl(-) ion data, using 1.8 instead of 1.4 for the mean ratio of organic mass to measured organic carbon, using site-specific Rayleigh scattering based on site elevation and mean temperature, employing a split component extinction efficiency associated with large and small size mode sulfate, nitrate and organic mass species, and adding a term for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) absorption for sites with NO2 concentration information. Light scattering estimates using the original and the revised algorithms are compared with nephelometer measurements at 21 IMPROVE monitoring sites. The revised algorithm reduces the underprediction of high haze periods and the overprediction of low haze periods compared with the performance of the original algorithm. This is most apparent at the hazier monitoring sites in the eastern United States. For each site, the PM10 composition for days selected as the best 20% and the worst 20% haze condition days are nearly identical regardless of whether the basis of selection was light scattering from the original or revised algorithms, or from nephelometer-measured light scattering.
Corporate link and competitive strategy in multinational enterprises: a perspective from subsidiaries seeking host market penetration

Abstract This study examines how the corporate link between a foreign subsidiary and its corporate members (parent and peer subsidiaries) is influenced by the subsidiary's competitive strategy in a specific host country. The mainstream logic, especially that of Michael Porter, suggests that corporate link should be stronger when a multinational enterprise (MNE) focuses on cost leadership than on product differentiation because of greater needs for system-related efforts, such as sharing global economies of scale, optimizing factor costs across countries, and leveraging existing knowledge. Departing from this view, we present that this logic may not hold true for an MNE's foreign subsidiaries seeking local market penetration in promising yet increasingly competitive emerging markets. Corporate link may be stronger when these subsidiaries emphasize product differentiation than using low cost due to heightened needs of corporate resource support tailored to the specific host market and due to declined contributions of system-related efforts to maintain a differentiation-based competitive foothold there. Our analysis of subsidiaries that emphasize host market penetration in China demonstrates that the strength of corporate link increases along cost leadership, strategic focus, and product differentiation strategies. Subsidiaries with such configurations tend to perform better than those without these configurations in terms of profitability. Moreover, there is a stronger correspondence between corporate link and competitive strategy when subsidiaries are wholly owned (compared to joint ventures), involve larger scope of products, or become more important to overall success of their corporate groups.
Susceptibility of DNA in aquatic organisms to strand breakage: Effect of x-rays and gamma radiation

Abstract An increase in the number of strand breaks in DNA can be used as an indicator of exposure to genotoxic agents, many of which are chemicals that pollute the marine environment. The technique of alkaline unwinding has been used successfully for the detection of chemically induced strand breakage in the DNA of aquatic organisms and in this study was used to evaluate the extent of such damage in the DNA of fathead minnows ( Pimephales promelas ) exposed to X-rays and gamma radiation. Exposure to 1000 rad of gamma rays at a dose rate of 36 rad/min resulted in strand breaks at a level of 2·1 breaks per alkaline-unwinding unit of DNA. The repair of this level of DNA damage proceeds at a linear rate and was essentially completed 24 h post-exposure. However, repair of strand breaks resulting from a dose of 3000 rad was not evident in the first 24 h after irradiation. At a dose of 6000 rad of X-rays, rejoining of strand breaks was also inhibited, as no repair was observed 6 h post-exposure. These observations demonstrate the susceptibility to damage of both DNA and its repair system(s) by ionizing radiation.
Influence of the Parathyroids on Plasma Hydroxyproline Levels

Plasma levels of hydroxypro line were studied in rats subjected to dietary limitation, parathyroidectomy, nephrectomy and combinations of these conditions. Total hydroxyproline levels were determined on hydrolyzed samples and compared with the amounts observed without hydrolysis in aliquots of the same samples. Parathyroidectomy consistently lowered plasma hydroxyproline levels, although the changes were minimal in hydrolyzed plasma samples taken from animals maintained on normal diets. Nephrectomy lowered the values of nonhydrolyzed plasma samples, but increased markedly the total hydroxyproline content as determined by hydrolysis. It is suggested that one source of plasma hydroxyproline was collagen which was broken down as a result of parathyroid-bone interactions in the process of maintaining a constant plasma calcium level. Nephrectomy, which increases endogenous parathyroid activity, appears to increase the breakdown of bone collagen, transferring the hydroxyproline residues to plasma in a bound form.
Studies on virus induction by 5-bromodeoxyuridine in nonproducer murine sarcoma virus-transformed 3T3 cells

Abstract Treatment with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) of nonproducer BALB 3T3 cells (KA31 cells) transformed by the Kirsten strain of murine sarcoma virus (Ki-MSV) induced the synthesis of DNA polymerase-containing particles which band in sucrose gradients at a density of 1.16 and utilize poly(I) (dC) 12–18 , a template-primer specific for RNA-directed DNA polymerase. In order to establish optimal conditions for virus induction, the induction process was studied by analysis of the culture fluid for polymerase activity and the induced cells for viral proteins by immunofluorescence and virus particles by electron microscopy. By varying the concentration and time of exposure to BrdU, it was found that the maximal level of polymerase activity was induced when cells were treated with 20 μg of BrdU for a 24-hr period, 24 hr after seeding. Under these conditions about 15% of the cells were induced to synthesize viral antigens detected with anti-Moloney MSV rat serum. The level of polymerase activity in the culture fluid and viral antigen in the cells became maximal at 3 days after BrdU treatment and decreased rapidly. Electron microscopy showed a large increase in the proportion of cells containing incomplete virus particles and in the number of particles per cell at 2 and 3 days after BrdU treatment. At 3 days after treatment, 82% of the cells contained incomplete virus particles within dilated vesicles of the endoplasmic reticulum as compared to 18% for untreated cultures. A high level of virus production could be maintained for at least 15 days by continuous maintenance of cells on 4 μg/ml of BrdU. It is not clear whether the mechanism involves continuous reinduction of virus or overcoming the normal inhibition of virus multiplication in these cells. Under these conditions, BrdU reversed the rounded, transformed appearance of KA31 cells to a flat fibroblastic morphology.
Dynamic stress intensity factor for a propagating semi-infinite crack in orthotropic materials

Abstract The elastodynamic response of an infinite orthotropic material with a semi-infinite crack propagating at constant speed is examined. Solution for the stress intensity factor history around the crack tip is found for the loading modes I and II. Laplace and Fourier transforms along with the Wiener–Hopf technique are employed to solve the equations of motion. The asymptotic expression for the stress near the crack tip is analyzed which lead to a closed-form solution of the dynamic stress intensity factor. It is found that the stress intensity factor for the propagating crack is proportional to the stress intensity factor for a stationary crack by a factor similar to the universal function k ( v ) from the isotropic case. Results are presented for orthotropic materials as well as for the isotropic case.
Transcriptional regulation of the lactate dehydrogenase A subunit gene by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

Abstract Regulation of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (EC 1.1.1.27) isozymes occurs through a multitude of physiological signals. Here, we show that modulation of LDH A subunit occurs via the protein kinase C pathway. Activators of protein kinase C, such as tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) and dioctanoylglycerol (DG), caused a 3–4-fold accumulation of LDH A subunit mRNA in rat C6 glioma cells. The specific protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide GF 109203X prevented the TPA-induced increase of LDH A subunit mRNA. To analyze the molecular basis of these effects in more detail, the transcription-modulatory effects of TPA and DG were evaluated in transient transfection assays using plasmids which contain LDH A subunit promoter fragments fused to a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. Both effector agents caused a marked increase of the transcriptional activity of an LDH −830 +25 bp promoter/CAT construct. In contrast, a phorbol ester which fails to activate protein kinase C, phorbol 12β,13α-didecanoate, had no effect on the LDH promoter activity. Transient transfection analysis of LDH promoter deletion/CAT constructs, DNA/protein binding assays, including footprint and gel shift analyses, identified a TRE AP-1 enhancer module at position −294 bp which was the target for the protein kinase C-mediated signal transduction pathway. Thus, our data demonstrate an active role of the protein kinase C signal pathway in regulating LDH A subunit gene expression which may be significant in regulating LDH isozyme patterns under various physiologic conditions.
Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Glycosphingolipid Antigens

Glycosphingolipids (GSL's) belong to the glycoconjugate class of biomacromolecules, which bear structural information for significant biological processes such as embryonic development, signal transduction, and immune receptor recognition 1-2 . They contain complex sugar moieties in the form of isomers, and lipid moieties with variations including fatty acyl chain length, unsaturation, and hydroxylation. Both carbohydrate and ceramide portions may be basis of biological significance. For example, tri-hexosylceramides include globotriaosylceramide (Galα4Galβ4Glcβ1Cer) and isoglobotriaosylceramide (Galα3Galβ4Glcβ1Cer), which have identical molecular masses but distinct sugar linkages of carbohydrate moiety, responsible for completely different biological functions 3-4 . In another example, it has been demonstrated that modification of the ceramide part of alpha-galactosylceramide, a potent agonist ligand for invariant NKT cells, changes their cytokine secretion profiles and function in animal models of cancer and auto-immune diseases 5 . The difficulty in performing a structural analysis of isomers in immune organs and cells serve as a barrier for determining many biological functions 6 . Here, we present a visualized version of a method for relatively simple, rapid, and sensitive analysis of glycosphingolipid profiles in immune cells 7-9 . This method is based on extraction and chemical modification (permethylation, see below Figure 5A, all OH groups of hexose were replaced by MeO after permethylation reaction) of glycosphingolipids 10-15 , followed by subsequent analysis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) and ion trap mass spectrometry. This method requires 50 million immune cells for a complete analysis. The experiments can be completed within a week. The relative abundance of the various glycosphingolipids can be delineated by comparison to synthetic standards. This method has a sensitivity of measuring 1% iGb3 among Gb3 isomers, when 2 fmol of total iGb3/Gb3 mixture is present 9 . Ion trap mass spectrometry can be used to analyze isomers. For example, to analyze the presence of globotriaosylceramide and isoglobtriaosylceramide in the same sample, one can use the fragmentation of glycosphingolipid molecules to structurally discriminate between the two (see below Figure 5). Furthermore, chemical modification of the sugar moieties (through a permethylation reaction) improves the ionization and fragmentation efficiencies for higher sensitivity and specificity, and increases the stability of sialic acid residues. The extraction and chemical modification of glycosphingolipids can be performed in a classic certified chemical hood, and the mass spectrometry can be performed by core facilities with ion trap MS instruments.
Conversational Themes and Marital Relationship Definitions Quantitative and Qualitative Investigations

This article examines relationship themes in the conversations of 52 married couples and suggests that implicit aspects of relationship definition are reflected, first, in the content of discussion themes and, second, in the way that different themes are integrated. As expected, “communal” themes (concerning togetherness, cooperation, and communication) were expressed more frequently and individual themes (concerning personality and individual differences) were expressed less frequently by couples who were more psychologically interdependent, more conventional, less assertive, more satisfied, and older. A qualitative analysis of transcripts considered how relationship themes were integrated, based on the chaining out of themes by successive speakers (i.e., “continuity”) and expression of shared superordinate themes (i.e., “hierarchy”). Three forms of interaction (“blending,”“differentiating,” and “balancing”) were identified that reflect different levels of integration. Relationship characteristics, such as marital ideology and satisfaction, were consistent with the degree of interdependence/autonomy suggested by each form of interaction.
Quantifying peptides in isotopically labeled protease digests by ion mobility/time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Ion mobility/time-of-flight techniques have been used to analyze mixtures of isotopically labeled peptides. The isotopic labels were generated by treatment of peptides with N-acetoxysuccinimide (or the deuterated analogue), which results in acetylation (or deuterioacetylation) of the primary amines (i.e., the N-terminus and lysine residues). The relative concentrations of a peptide in each sample are determined by comparing the peak intensities for isotopic pairs. An important consideration is that as mixtures become increasingly complex, isotopic pairs of peaks may overlap with other peaks in the mass spectrum. The influence of the acetyl and deuterioacetyl groups on the mobilities of peptides is considered. The coincidence in mobilities of isotopic pairs provides a means of distinguishing isotopic pairs from other isobaric interferences.
Measuring the Efficiency Cost of Rent Control

This paper estimates the burden of lost producer surplus imposed on landlords by rent control. The approach employed measures the reduction in Marshallian quasi-rent from the side of the derived demand for factors rather than the short-run supply of housing. A constant elasticity of substitution production function is employed to derive the input demand equation. The equation is estimated using post-war rent control data from five major New York State cities. It turns out that rent control reduced quasi-rent about 15%. The deadweight loss is estimated at 1.5% of gross rental payments or about 5% of net income before debt charges.
Inhibition of phytohemagglutinin-, periodate- and A23187-induced lymphocyte transformation by Vinca alkaloids

Abstract The effect of the Vinca alkaloids, vincristine and vinblastine, on mitogen-induced transformation of isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes has been investigated. Cells were subjected to a variety of mitogens (PHA, ionophore A23187 and sodium periodate) whose mechanism and site of action differ. Addition of vincristine or vinblastine to lymphocyte cultures prior to mitogen produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of cell transformation as determined by measurement of DNA synthesis and blast formation. The inhibitory effects were not due to decreased cell viability, since the drugs had little or no effect on cell viability. Vincristine and vinblastine were also found to impair [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation by prestimulated blast cells at the higher drug concentrations tested. The results presented in this communication show that the Vinca alkaloids block lymphocyte transformation induced by either lectin or non-lectin mitogens. This suggests that the inhibitory step(s) may occur after mitogen stimulation.
Handling of petroleum tanker disaster upsets Spanish Earth sciences community

In Spanish judicial and legislative arenas, and in the national press, investigations and accusations continue to be traded over exactly how the government made its decision to have the leaking petroleum tanker, Prestige, towed to a spot 220 kilometers off Spain's northwest coast—where it broke up—and whether this was the best way to keep the already-leaking tanker from spilling more oil. The incident occurred 19 November 2002; it has created one of Spain's worst environmental and economic disasters.
Importance of pituitary and brain receptors for corticotrophin-releasing factor in modulating alcohol-induced ACTH secretion in the rat.

Alcohol MOW releases ACTH through mechanisms that ultimately depend on the presence of endogenous corticotrophn-releasing factor (CRF), but we still do not know where alcohol acts within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The present study was designed to determine the respective importance of the activation of pituitary and/or hypothalamic CRF receptors in mediating the stimulatory effect of EtOH on ACTH secretion. We used two CRF antagonists: (1) α-helical CRF9–41 (α-hel ant.), which is very effective in interfering with biological responses mediated by brain CRF receptors, but relatively impotent in blocking pituitary CRF receptors; and (2) astressin, cyclo(30–33)[DPhe12,Nle21,38,GlU30,Lys33]r/hCRF12–41}, a member of the newest generation of antagonis capable of significantly blocking both brain and pituitary CRF receptors. The role of pituitary CRF receptors was shown by the ability of i.v. injected astressin, at doses shown to completely block CRF-induced ACTH release, to significantly (P 0.05) blunted by i.c.v. α-hel ant. Similarly, the stimulatory effect of alcohol on hypothalamic neuronal activation, measured by increases in the immediate early gene NGFI-B mRNA levels, was only slightly altered by blockade of hypothalamic CRF receptors. Collectively, these results suggest that during acute alcohol treatment, few brain pathways mediating the stimulatory effect of EtOH on ACTH release depend on the activation of CRF synapses. The induction of immediate early gene transcripts by alcohol similarly relies on hypothalamic circuits that stimulate CRF neurons relatively independently of the activation of CRF receptors. In contrast, functional pituitary CRF receptors are essential for the ACTH response to the drug.
Exclusionary labour arrangements: Interpreting evidence on employment trends in rural java

Intense controversy surrounds the interpretation of national survey and census data on employment trends in rural Java. The analysis of exclusionary labour arrangements developed in this paper helps resolve this controversy. It also sheds light on the mechanisms that underlie different labour arrangements, and the ways in which these mechanisms are connected with wider political and economic forces.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ESSENTIALISM: A REVIEW OF E. MARGOLIS AND S. LAURENCE (EDS.), CONCEPTS: CORE READINGS

Concepts: Core Readings (1999) is an edited volume of articles representing five major theories of concepts within cognitive psychology. Of the five, only the prototype theory can be interpreted in terms arising from a behavioral analysis. Two conceptual problems pervade nearly all of the papers in the volume. The first is an implicit commitment to essentialism; concepts are reified and are commonly discussed as though they have essential properties. Second, the theories suffer from a defective theory of verbal behavior. No distinction is made between verbal operants and words drawn from a hat.
The use of psychological research by the judiciary

The belief that a rational system of justice ought to incorporate within its decisions the knowledge and expertise of the social sciences has its roots in sociological jurisprudence.' This belief stresses the point that legal issues are imbedded in the social context and that the optimal resolution of social disputes by the legal system requires the decision maker to have an understanding of the social facts underlying the legal issues. If the judiciary ignores such facts, it may lose sight of the needs of the nation it seeks to serve.
Severity of illness scoring systems to adjust nosocomial infection rates: a review and commentary

Abstract Background: Nosocomial infections (NI) are often used by hospitals for external comparisons. In the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance system, NI rates from intensive care units (ICUs) are adjusted for extrinsic risk factors such as device use but would be enhanced if they were better adjusted with a direct measurement of patients' severity of illness. Method : We performed a Medline search on the literature during 1991 to 1996 to identify a severity of illness scoring system (SISS) that would be useful for further adjusting ICU NI rates. We assessed the scoring system for objectivity, simplicity, discriminating power, and availability. Results: Eleven studies reported the use of SISS. Seven used scoring systems developed to predict mortality rates. Four correlated SISS with all sites of NI and, in general, did not meet with success. Six showed some predictive value between SISS and nosocomial pneumonia. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score (version II or III), used in five studies, was the most commonly used SISS but performed inconsistently and may not be available in many ICUs. Conclusion: New approaches for measures of severity of illness need to be developed to adjust NI rates. Until such measures are available, comparative NI rates will be limited in their use as definitive indicators of quality of care.
Relationships between Swiss needle cast and ectomycorrhizal fungus diversity

Swiss needle cast (SNC) is a disease specific to Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) caused by the ascomycete Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii. Here we examine characteristics of the EM fungus community that are potentially useful in predictive models that would monitor forest health. We found that mean EM density (number of colonized root tips/soil core) varied nearly 10-fold among sites of varying levels of SNC, while mean EM fungus species richness (number of species/soil core) varied by about 2.5 times. Strong relationships were found between EM and SNC parameters: EM species richness was positively correlated with both Douglas-fir needle retention (R2 = 0.93) and EM density (R2 = 0.65); EM density also was significantly correlated with Douglas-fir needle retention (R2 = 0.70). These simple characteristics of the EM fungus community could be used to monitor forest health and generate predictive models of site suitability for Douglas-fir. Based on previous findings that normally common EM types were reduced i...
Visuoperceptual-orthographic reading abilities: A confirmatory factor analysis study

The current study examined the psychometric properties of a hypothetical visuoperceptual-orthographic (VPO) reading construct in a sample of nonimpaired college students (N = 152). Participants were administered a battery of standardized and experimental measures of VPO, including Woodcock–Johnson III (WJ-III) Letter–Word Identification (Woodcock, McGrew, & Mather, 2001), Visual-Naming Speed (word page of the Stroop), Letter-Identification Task, Same/Different Letter Decision Task, Word Matching Task, Homophone Decision Task, Pseudohomophone Decision Task, and Word Jumble Task. The LISREL 8.54 computer program (Joreskog & Sorbom, 2003) was employed for confirmatory factor analysis to assess the tenability of a multifaceted, unitary VPO reading construct. Goodness-of-fit statistics indicated that VPO is a hierarchically organized construct with one 2nd-order factor (i.e., VPO) and three 1st-order factors (i.e., perceptual processing speed, prelexical accuracy, and lexicosemantic accuracy). Alternative mode...
Narrative and time: A phenomenological reconsideration

The prevailing prespeclive on time in narrative has been articulated by structuralist narratologists who, on the basis of an objective model of time, insist that narrative is characterized by a duality of time—a demarcation between the time of the events (story) and the time of the telling (discourse). In recent years phenomenological theorists, whose perspective is more compatible with performance theory and practice, have used an experiential model of time to explore human temporality and its relationship to narrative structure. In Time, Narrative, and History, David Carr argues that human temporal existence is, in essence, narrative existence. Extrapolating from Carr's position, this essay argues that human beings are best understood as slorylivers rather than as storytellers, and explores the implications of a broadened understanding of time and narrative for the study of literary and natural narrative.
Free fatty acid turnover and lipolysis in septic mechanically ventilated cancer-bearing humans

Abstract Loss of body fat and lean body mass are features of critical illness, and anabolism is difficult to achieve despite parenteral nutrition. Resting energy expenditure (REE), free fatty acid turnover (FFT) and glycerol turnover (glyTO) were measured in septic, mechanically ventilated cancer-bearing patients, both fasting and immediately following or during a glucose infusion providing 87% of REE. No patient was in septic shock nor required pressor support. In the fasting state, REE was greatly elevated compared with basal energy expenditure calculated using the Harris-Benedict equations. Fasting FFT (14.2 ± 0.9 μmol/kg/min) and glyTO (4.7 ± 0.5 μmol/kg/min) were elevated compared with normal humans. Fasting respiratory quotient (RQ) was 0.68 ± 0.02 and did not rise significantly with glucose. Fat appears to be the preferred calorie source in septic, cancer-bearing humans even in the presence of glucose. As similar, but less pronounced, changes have been seen in septic and injured humans without cancer, it is likely that these changes are not cancer-specific.
Binding energies of on-axis hydrogenic and nonhydrogenic donors in GaAs/Ga1−xAl x As

In a previous work [Phys. Rev. B43(1991)9262], the binding energies of hydrogenic and nonhydrogenic on-axis donors in GaAs/Ga1−xA1 X As quantum-well wires of circular cross section have been calculated as functions of the radius of the quantum-well wire. In both the hydrogenic and nonhydrogenic cases, a variational trial wave function was chosen that could be written as the product of an “envelope function”, and a function containing the variational parameter. It was assumed in these calculations that the potential barrier that exists at the surface of the GaAs cylinder and the surrounding Ga1−xA1 X As matrix is infinite. For the envelope function, an ordinary Bessel function of the first kind and of order zero was chosen. This envelope function satisfies the boundary condition, the vanishing of the trial function at the surface of the quantum-well wire. The question arises: how sensitive are the calculated binding energies to the choice of the envelope function? In the present work, we attempt to provide a partial answer to this question by choosing another envelope function, a spherical Bessel function of order zero. This function also satisfies the boundary condition and makes the trial wave function vanish at the interface between the GaAs cylinder and the Ga1−xA1 X As matrix. Our calculations show that the binding energies of both the hydrogenic and the nonhydrogenic on-axis donors depend on the choice of the envelope function.
Cohorts, trials, and evidence: expanding our confidence in guidelines for antiretroviral resistance testing.

In this issue, Palella and colleagues investigated the utility of HIV drug resistance testing by analyzing patient survival as a function of whether a physician had ordered either a genotype or a p...
Development of connections within and between areas V1 and V2 of macaque monkeys.

We have investigated the development of intrinsic and interareal connections in areas V1 and V2 of the macaque monkey using postmortem transport of the lipophilic fluorescent tracer diI, applied to brains fixed at different pre- and postnatal ages. Intrinsic connections in the deep layers of V1 are evident on embryonic day 108 (ElOS), but are not robust in the superficial layers until around E118, when migration is largely complete. Both intrinsic horizontal projections and extrinsic projections to V2 initially have a continuous distribution. Patchy projections are first evident in V1 around E145, the same age at which cytochrome oxidase blobs appear, presumably signaling the differentiation of the blob-dominated and interblob-dominated streams in the primary visual cortex. The magnocellular-dominated stream becomes distinct at earlier stages (by E122), as judged by connectional and histochemical criteria. In area V2, intrinsic connections initially (at E108) involve only deep layer cells and do not have a clustered organization. By E130, superficial layer cells are involved and the V2 intrinsic connections have a patchy distribution; by E145, an adult-like pattern is present. The projection from V2 to Vl passes through an early stage (up to E133) of originating principally from deep layer cells, and thereafter originating from superficial as well as deep layers. We found evidence for changes in dendritic morphology during development. Most notably, at E118, many neurons in layer 6 which are involved in intrinsic or interareal connections have dendrites that extend well into the superficial layers, even into layer 1, a characteristic not reported in the adult. G? 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Building Organizational and Scientific Platforms in the Pharmaceutical Industry: A Process Perspective on the Development of Dynamic Capabilities

In this paper, we examine the process of dynamic capability development in a large pharmaceutical firm. Using interviews with multiple managers at different organizational levels, we developed two narratives of the process of developing two separate dynamic capabilities in the same firm. We focus on three areas that prior research has shown to be critical in the early stages of the process of implementing new strategic initiatives: the cognitive orientations of key personnel, managerial action undertaken within the firm, and the firm’s internal and external contexts. We provide evidence that managers undertake specific initiatives based on their own particular cognitive orientations, and that senior managers play a major role in the development of capabilities by imprinting the organization with their specific cognitive orientation and then orchestrating the multilevel organizational routines necessary for actualization of a capability. These replicable actions by senior management during the early stages of capability development can lead to the development of a capability that is not initially in the cognitive frames of lower level employees. Finally, we will show that internal and external contingencies have a profound impact on the decision to develop a capability, and to discontinue its development. Our findings thus suggest that the process of developing new capabilities shares common elements with other strategic initiatives.
Heavy metals in cement and cement kiln dust from kilns co-fired with hazardous waste-derived fuel: application of EPA leaching and acid-digestion procedures

Abstract Substantial leaching from cement and cement kiln dust (CKD) of specific metals, especially Cr and Ba, resulted from application of the standard Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). However, all TCLP concentrations are below limits for hazardous waste defined in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Four variations on the TCLP were assessed. The primary discernible enhancement of Tier-III metals release, relative to the standard TCLP, is increased leaching of Cr by chlorinated-water solutions. This likely results from enhancement of metal dissolution by chloride complexation. The final pH of each extract remained high. Thus, the capacities of these cement and CKD samples to buffer the acidity of the leaching solutions were not exceeded, even after two sequential exposures. This factor calls into question whether these high-pH solutions could represent any `real-world' condition and implies that the TCLP is not suitable for assessing the leaching behavior of alkaline systems such as cement and CKD. The EPA SW-846 microwave-assisted, acid-soluble procedure produces only partial recovery of any metal relative to dissolution-independent concentrations obtained by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Our results contradict previously published statements that TCLP and acid-soluble metal concentrations showed no consistent relationship. Both current results and re-evaluation of previously published data indicate correlations between TCLP and SW-846 acid-soluble concentrations, for several metals, that are significantly >0 at high levels of confidence.
MspA Porin-Gold Nanoparticle Assemblies: Enhanced Binding through a Controlled Cysteine Mutation.

In this study, the interactions of two gold nanoparticles of different sizes (average diameters of 3.7 ± 2.6 and 17 ± 3 nm) with octameric mycobacterial porin A from Mycobacterium smegmatis (MspA) and a mutant of MspA featuring a cysteine mutation in position 126 (Q126C) are investigated. From the observation of enhanced photoluminescence quenching, it is inferred that the presence of eight cysteines in the MspA Q126C mutant significantly enhances the binding of selected small gold nanoparticles within the inner pore of MspA. The large gold nanoparticle/porin complex shows photoluminescence enhancement, which is expected since the larger nanoparticles cannot dock within the homopore of MspA due to size exclusion. In addition to the fluorescence experiments, observation of energy transfer from the small gold nanoparticles to the MspA shows the close proximity of the small gold nanoparticles with the porin. Interestingly, the energy transfer of the large nanoparticle/MspA complex is completely missing. From...
Simultaneous Determination of Chlorophylls, Pheophytins, β-Carotene, Tocopherols, and Tocotrienols in Olive and Soybean Oils by High-performance Liquid Chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method is described for the simultaneous measurement of chlorophylls, pheophytins, β-carotene, tocopherols, and tocotrienols in vegetable oils using 2 spectrophotometers in series and 1 normal-phase silica column. Oil samples were diluted in the mobile phase, isopropanol-hexane (1.5:98.5 vol/vol), and injected directly onto the column. A programmable UV/Vis spectrophotometer was used to measure chlorophylls a and b, pheophytins a and b, and β-carotene at their appropriate absorption maxima (430, 452, 409, 433, and 452 nm, respectively). α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols and α-, γ-, and δ-tocotrienols were measured by fluorescence at 295-nm excitation and 330-nm emission. Samples of virgin olive oil, soybean oil, and palm oil were analyzed.
The abscisic acid-responsive kinase PKABA1 interacts with a seed-specific abscisic acid response element-binding factor, TaABF, and phosphorylates TaABF peptide sequences

The abscisic acid (ABA)-induced protein kinase PKABA1 is present in dormant seeds and is a component of the signal transduction pathway leading to ABA-suppressed gene expression in cereal grains. We have identified a member of the ABA response element-binding factor (ABF) family of basic leucine zipper transcription factors from wheat (Triticum aestivum) that is specifically bound by PKABA1. This protein (TaABF) has highest sequence similarity to the Arabidopsis ABA response protein ABI5. In two-hybrid assays TaABF bound only to PKABA1, but not to a mutant version of PKABA1 lacking the nucleotide binding domain, suggesting that binding of TaABF requires prior binding of ATP as would be expected for binding of a protein substrate by a protein kinase. TaABF mRNA accumulated together with PKABA1 mRNA during wheat grain maturation and dormancy acquisition and TaABF transcripts increased transiently during imbibition of dormant grains. In contrast to PKABA1 mRNA, TaABF mRNA is seed specific and did not accumulate in vegetative tissues in response to stress or ABA application. PKABA1 produced in transformed cell lines was able to phosphorylate synthetic peptides representing three specific regions of TaABF. These data suggest that TaABF may serve as a physiological substrate for PKABA1 in the ABA signal transduction pathway during grain maturation, dormancy expression, and ABA-suppressed gene expression.
MATURATION OF MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM VIRUS (MCV) IN VIVO: QUANTITATIVE ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC AUTORADIOGRAPHY

To determine the rate of maturation of MCV in vivo, we injected tritiated thymidine intradermally into 23 lesions of molluscum contagiosum and obtained biopsies at intervals from 1 hour to 8 days later. The tissues were processed for electron microscopic autoradiography, and the patterns of viral maturation were determined by the localization of silver grains over developing virions at different time intervals. The findings demonstrate that maturation of molluscum contagiosum (MCV) in vivo is asynchronous. Some virions mature rapidly, within 1 to 2.5 hours, but the majority mature more slowly; 94 percent are mature in 5 days. A comparative study revealed that maturation of virions in infected cells occurred more rapidly in the granular layer than in the malpighian layer. Uncoated virions in newly infected cells were seen in viable epidermal cells in all layers, including dividing basal cells. "Second-stage uncoating" together with "viral factory" formation were observed only in malpighian cells at the time intervals examined.
Role of large arteries in regulation of blood flow to brain stem in cats.

1. The goal of this study was to examine the regulation of resistance in the large arteries and small vessels that supply the brain stem. 2. We used a new method in anaesthetized cats to measure blood flow to the medulla (microspheres) and pressure (servo-null) in branches of the basilar artery that supply the medulla. Resistance was determined during normocapnia, hypercapnia, hypocapnia and seizures (produced with intravenous bicuculline). 3. Pressure in arteries that supply the medulla (150 microns internal diameter) was 71 +/- 4% (mean +/- S.E. of mean) of aortic pressure and large artery resistance was 31 +/- 4% of the total resistance in the medulla. Hypercapnia and seizures decreased large artery resistance by 67 and 50%, respectively, and hypocapnia increased large artery resistance by 58%. Small vessel resistance decreased by 82% during hypercapnia and by 43% during seizures, and increased by 96% during hypocapnia. 4. Thus, resistance of the large arteries (greater than 150 microns diameter) accounts for about one-third of the total vascular resistance in the brain stem. Both large arteries and small vessels respond to alterations in arterial carbon dioxide tension and seizures, and contribute to the regulation of blood flow to the brain stem.
Uncovering an Epidemic — Screening for Mental Illness in Teens

Dr. Richard Friedman writes that in 2005, 16.9% of U.S. high school students seriously considered suicide, and 8.4% had attempted suicide at least once during the preceding year. These grim statistics argue strongly for early detection and intervention and provide a rationale for mental health screening among teenagers.
Anionic synthesis and detection of fluorescence-labeled polymers with a terminal anhydride group

To monitor polymer–polymer coupling reactions between two different monofunctional polymers in dilute polymer blends, fluorescence-labeled anhydride-functional polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were prepared by conventional anionic polymerization. Sequential trapping of lithiopolystyrene by 1-(2-anthryl)-1-phenylethylene (APE) and then di-t-butyl maleate (4) provided, after pyrolysis, anhydride-functional fluorescent PS. Fluorescent PMMA anhydride (8) was synthesized with sec-butyllithium/APE as an initiator for the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate, trapping by 4, and pyrolysis. These polymers could be reacted with amine-functional polymers by melt blending, and the reaction progress could be monitored by gel permeation chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection. This technique not only allows monitoring of the coupling reaction with high sensitivity (ca. 100 times more sensitive than refractive index detection) but also permits selective detection because unlabeled polymers are invisible to fluorescence detection. This highly sensitive and selective detection methodology was also used to monitor the coupling reaction of 8 with PS-NH2 at a thin-film interface, which was otherwise difficult to detect by conventional methods. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2177–2185, 2000
Synthesis and investigation with creatine kinase of trans-2-imino-1,3-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane-8-carboxylic acid, a bicyclic analog of creatine

Abstract A synthesis of racemic trans -2-imino-1,3-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane-8-carboxylic acid in six steps from the known compound 2-benzylcarbamyl-5-carbethoxypyrrolidine is described. The compound, which is a bicylic analog of creatine, was shown to be neither a substrate nor an inhibitor of creatine kinase.