cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of a new member of the PBAN family of neuropeptides from the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta.

Neuropeptide hormones produced by neurosecretory cells in the central or peripheral nervous systems regulate various physiological and behavioral events during insect development and reproduction. PBAN/ Pyrokinin is a major neuropeptide family, characterized by a 5-amino-acid C-terminal sequence, FXPRLamide. This family of peptides has been implicated in regulating various physiological functions including, pheromone biosynthesis, muscle contraction, diapause induction or termination, melanization, and puparium formation in different insect species. In the present study, we report a new member of the PBAN family from the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta , Soi-PBAN, composed of 26-AA (GSGEDLSYGDAYEVDEDDHPLFVPRL). Three additional peptides were deduced from SoiPBAN cDNA: 15-AA (TSQDIASGMWFGPRL), 8-AA (QPQFTPRL) and 9-AA (LPWIPSPRL), that correspond to diapause hormone (DH), β -neuropeptide (NP), and γ NP, which are found in many lepidopteran moths. Five peptides, DH, α α α , β , γ NPs, and PBAN are encoded from PBAN genes of lepidopteran moths, but in the fire ant the α -NP is missing. Each of the four synthetic peptides from the fire ant Soi-PBAN cDNA showed significant pheromonotropic activity in a moth model, indicating that these peptides are cross-reactive. Soi-β β β -NP induced the highest amount of pheromone production of the four peptides evaluated. The Soi-DH homologue had the lowest pheromonotropic activity, but was still significantly greater than control values. When the deduced amino acid sequences (entire ORF domains) from Soi-PBAN cDNA were compared with other known sequences, the fire ant was most similar to the honey bee, but phylogenetically distant from moth and beetle species. Soi-PBAN (26-AA) unlike the other three peptides shows a low degree of sequence identity with honeybee PBAN (33-AA). Based on the amino acid sequences encoded from insect PBAN genes identified to date, neuropeptide diversity is correlated with the taxonomic or phylogenetic classification of Insecta. From the present study we report the first neuropeptide identified and characterized from the central nervous system of Formicidae.
Regulation of cocaine-reinstated drug-seeking behavior by κ-opioid receptors in the ventral tegmental area of rats

Rationale Relapse is one of the main challenges facing the current treatment of cocaine addiction. Understanding its neurobiological mechanism is a critical step toward developing effective anti-relapse therapies.
Pragmatic deficits with syntactic consequences?: L2 pronominal subjects and the syntax–pragmatics interface

Contemporary acquisition theorizing has placed a considerable amount of attention on interfaces, points at which different linguistic modules interact. The claim is that vulnerable interfaces cause particular difficulties in L1, bilingual and adult L2 acquisition (e.g. Platzack, 2001; Montrul, 2004; Muller and Hulk, 2001; Sorace, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005). Accordingly, it is possible that deficits at the syntax–pragmatics interface cause what appears to be particular non-target-like syntactic behavior in L2 performance. This syntax-before-discourse hypothesis is examined in the present study by analyzing null vs. overt subject pronoun distribution in L2 Spanish of English L1 learners. As ultimately determined by L2 knowledge of the Overt Pronoun Constraint (OPC) (Montalbetti, 1984), the data indicate that L2 learners at the intermediate and advanced levels reset the Null Subject Parameter (NSP), but only advanced learners have acquired a more or less target null/overt subject distribution. Against the predictions of Sorace (2004) and in line with Montrul and Rodriguez-Louro (2006), the data indicate an overuse of both overt and null subject pronouns. As a result, this behavior cannot be from L1 interference alone, suggesting that interface-conditioned properties are simply more complex and therefore, harder to acquire. Furthermore, the data from the advanced learners demonstrate that the syntax–pragmatics interface is not a predetermined locus for fossilization (in contra e.g. Valenzuela, 2006).
in situ measurements of HOx in aircraft exhaust plumes and contrails during SUCCESS

In situ flight measurements of the hydroxyl (OH) and hydroperoxyl (HO2) radicals were performed in the exhaust plume of a Boeing 757 and in the contrail of a Douglas DC-8 flying under typical cruise conditions in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere during the SUCCESS mission of April and May 1996. Measurements were made in a range of exhaust plume ages from roughly 10 seconds to 20 minutes. OH mixing ratios were found to be greatly enhanced in the plumes, to 2–5 pptv from a background of 0.3–0.5 pptv in young plumes, and to 0.6 pptv from a background of ≤0.2pptv in older contrails. HO2 mixing ratios were heavily suppressed in the plumes, to 2–4 pptv from a background of 10–20 pptv, for both young plumes and older contrails.
Ship navigation for geophysical applications using Kalman-filtered GPS fixes

Based on a state vector representation of ship position and velocity, we have developed a Kalman filter that provides accurate navigation from position fixes supplied by a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Quasi‐constant position offsets occurring for fixes associated with switches in observed satellite constellation are modeled by including constellation biases as state vector components. A proper choice of statistics for state propagation and measurement noise leads to improved positioning. However, it may also increase the statistical dependence of Kalman estimates over characteristic time periods. Since a quantitative measure of this dependence is generally important for further processing, we have derived general expressions for the autocovariance of state vector Kalman estimates. These expressions contain products of propagation matrices and Kalman gains and, hence, relate directly to stability properties of the filter. For many applications, only certain components of the state vector are o...
Salmonid predator–prey dynamics in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, USA

Our objective was to evaluate the long-term sustainability of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss populations subjected to a range of fishing mortality (F) in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, USA, while providing for bull trout Salvelinus confluentus and kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka recovery. In order to achieve our objective, we developed a density-dependent stochastic predator–prey simulation model for the three major predators (lake trout, rainbow trout, and bull trout) on kokanee in Lake Pend Oreille. As F increased from 0.0 to 1.0, lake trout numbers in 2015 declined 90% for gillnetting, 76% for angling, and 48% for trap netting. At fishing mortality rates observed in Lake Pend Oreille during 2006, all methods combined and angling alone suppressed the lake trout population, but not gillnetting or trap netting alone. As F increased from 0.0 to 0.3, rainbow trout numbers in 2015 declined by 38%. Abundance of adult bull trout increased by 5.8% per year during 1996–2006, after implementation of no-kill regulations, which met the Federal Recovery Plan criterion of a stable or increasing trend in abundance. By 2010, total consumption of kokanee by lake trout, rainbow trout, and bull trout would increase by 20% if fishing mortality on lake trout and rainbow trout declined by 30% from 1996 levels, and would decrease by 14% if fishing mortality on lake trout and rainbow trout increased by 30% from 1996 levels. At rates of fishing mortality exerted on lake trout and rainbow trout in 2006, the likelihood of kokanee collapse was 65% within the next decade. Therefore, fishing mortality would need to be at least 6% higher on both lake trout and rainbow trout to reduce the likelihood of kokanee collapse to 50%. We conclude that kokanee biomass is presently out of balance with predation in Lake Pend Oreille, because kokanee production cannot compensate for all predation loss. Our findings suggest that a combination of unusually high kokanee production and unusually low predation are likely needed for kokanee to survive the next decade in Lake Pend Oreille.
A new approach to conic section approximation of object boundaries

A new approach to generate conic section approximation for object boundaries is presented. The algorithm takes advantage of the geometric features of conic sections, such as the chord, the characteristic point, and the guiding triangle properties, to assist in formulating the conic sections. A generalized guiding triangle model is applied to extract the dominant features and then to derive the parameters of conic sections from a sequence of edge pixels. The approach has an O(nlog n) computational complexity which is lower than that most other conic fitting procedures.
Early and late chemokine cascades during acute allograft rejection

Chemokines are a superfamily of cytokines with chemoattractant properties for leukocytes. Many different chemokines are produced during virtually all inflammatory processes and function by recruiting specific leukocyte populations to the site. The role of chemokines in acute allograft rejection remains largely unknown. In acute rejection models of skin and cardiac allografts, 2 cascades of chemokines are induced in the allograft. An early set of chemokines is induced in both allografts and isografts within hours after transplantation. The chemokines in this cascade direct the recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages during healing of the injured graft tissue. As the early set subsides, a cascade of chemokines is induced that direct the recruitment of T cells into the allograft. Antagonism of either the early or late set of chemokines delays T-cell infiltration into the allograft and acute rejection.
Design of Machines With Compliant Bodies for Biomimetic Locomotion in Liquid Environments

The aim of this work is to investigate alternative designs for machines intended for biomimetic locomotion in liquid environments. For this, structural compliance instead of discrete assemblies is used to achieve desired mechanism kinematics. We propose two models that describe the dynamics of special compliant mechanisms that can be used to achieve biomimetic locomotion in liquid environments. In addition, we describe the use of analytical solutions for mechanism design. Prototypes that implement the proposed compliant mechanisms are presented and their performance is measured by comparing their kinematic behavior and ultimate locomotion performance with the ones of real fish. This study shows that simpler, more robust mechanisms, as the ones described in this paper, can display comparable performance to existing designs.
Effects of imposed delay of response and item complexity on auditory comprehension by aphasics.

Abstract Ten aphasic and five control subjects were administered an auditory comprehension task similar to Levels I–IV of the Revised Token Test under conditions of 0, 5, 10, and 20 sec of imposed response delay. Responses were evaluated in terms of performance accuracy and response time. Aphasic subjects' response accuracy was significantly effected by an interaction between the length of delay imposed and the complexity of the stimulus. The aphasic group also demonstrated a significant main effect for item complexity. Control subjects' accuracy was not influenced by the treatment conditions. Latency measures indicated the aphasic subjects were slower to respond across all treatment conditions. Both groups' latency scores were significantly effected by item complexity. A comparison of mean latencies by condition did, however, suggest different patterns of response for the two groups. Results are discussed in terms of theoretical and clinical implications for the auditory comprehension deficits of aphasia.
Radionuclide cerebral imaging for confirmation of brain death in children: The significance of dural sinus activity

Radionuclide cerebral imaging revealed no cortical flow, but recorded persistent dural sinus activity in 14 of 55 clinically brain dead children. Of these 14 children, 13 had isoelectric electroencephalograms. Postmortem liquefactive necrosis was present in 7 cases. Although studies that demonstrated the absence of flow were confirmatory of brain death, dural sinus radioactivity in the delayed static images persisted in the presence of brain death.
TU‐B‐BRA‐01: CE: Functional/Molecular Imaging: PET for Planning/assessment

Purpose:Positron Emission Tomography(PET)images show physiological and biological information through the in vivo distribution of radioactive, positron‐emitting agents. PETimaging shows focal and distributed regions of cancer and its metastases. Initial PET uses in oncology include diagnosis and staging, which are important for determining treatment decisions. Current PET uses now include target definition for radiation planning followed by PET‐based assessment of treatment. Hybrid PET‐CT devices are beginning to be used as radiation treatment simulators. Method and Materials: F‐18‐labled Fluoro‐deoxyglucose (F‐18 FDG) is the most commonly used PETimaging agent. FDG shows regions of active glucose metabolism, such as local cancer, metastases, non‐cancer inflammation, and normal glucose use. Non‐FDG PET agents can be more specific in cell targeting (binding), and can image different aspects of tumor biology, like hypoxia (FMISO, CuATSM) and cell proliferation (FLT) Results:PETimaging has coarse spatial resolution compared to CT and MR. PET's clinical use is valued because of its great sensitivity for cancer detection. Voxel intensity and image fidelity depend on equipment design, patient size, anatomic site, and imaging study parameters. PET‐CT units enable CT‐based attenuation corrections and inclusion of CTinformation in a registered PET‐CT dataset. The Standardized Uptake Value (SUV) is a normalized intensity measure for quantitative indication of disease, and can be used to identify disease or possibly for target delineation, with certain limitations. While FDG remains the most promising agent for tumor detection, other, biologically more specific agents (e.g., FMISO, CuATSM for hypoxia imaging or FLT for cell proliferationimaging) might be more appropriate for target delineation and treatment assessment. Conclusion: This course reviews PET‐CT hybrid scanning devices, uses of FDG and non‐FDG PET for oncologyimaging, and quantitative aspects for PET‐based radiation target definition and treatment assessment. Example images demonstrate the potential contributions and limitations of FDG and non‐ FDG PEToncologyimaging. This review course is intended for both imaging and radiationoncology physicists. Educational Objectives 1. Describe FDG PETimaging and oncologic indications. 2. Review the uses and limitations of PETimages in radiation treatment. 3. Describe the SUV and other threshold parameters for target delineation. 4. Review non‐FDG PETimaging of tumor biology. 5. Discuss quantitative aspects of PETimaging for treatment assessment. Conflict of Interest: (JDB) Research sponsored in part by Varian Medical Systems.
Cobalt (III) carboxypeptidase A: Preparation and esterase activity

Abstract Co(II) carboxypeptidase A has been oxidized to Co(III) carboxypeptidase A with hydrogen peroxide. The resultant metalloprotein has an absorption spectrum different from that of the Co(II) enzyme and the metal is no longer removable by dialysis. The Co(III) carboxypeptidase A retains esterase activity comparable to that of the Co(II) enzyme and has very low peptidase activity. This demonstrates that scission of a bond to the first coordination sphere of the metal is not necessary for the hydrolysis of ester substrates.
Dissolved Organic Carbon in Ridge-Axis and Ridge-Flank Hydrothermal Systems

The circulation of hydrothermal fluid through the upper oceanic crustal reservoir has a large impact on the chemistry of seawater, yet the impact on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the ocean has received almost no attention. To determine whether hydrothermal circulation is a source or a sink for DOC in the oceans, we measured DOC concentrations in hydrothermal fluids from several environments. Hydrothermal fluids were collected from high-temperature vents and diffuse, low-temperature vents on the basalt-hosted Juan de Fuca Ridge axis and also from low-temperature vents on the sedimented eastern flanks. High-temperature fluids from Main Endeavour Field (MEF) and Axial Volcano (AV) contain very low DOC concentrations (average = 15 and 17 μM, respectively) compared to background seawater (36 μM). At MEF and AV, average DOC concentrations in diffuse fluids (47 and 48 μM, respectively) were elevated over background seawater, and high DOC is correlated with high microbial cell counts in diffuse fluids. Fluids from off-axis hydrothermal systems located on 3.5-Ma-old crust at Baby Bare Seamount and Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Hole 1026B had average DOC concentrations of 11 and 13 μM, respectively, and lowered DOC was correlated with low cell counts. The relative importance of heterotrophic uptake, abiotic sorption to mineral surfaces, thermal decomposition, and microbial production in fixing the DOC concentration in vent fluids remains uncertain. We calculated the potential effect of hydrothermal circulation on the deep-sea DOC cycle using our concentration data and published water flux estimates. Maximum calculated fluxes of DOC are minor compared to most oceanic DOC source and sink terms.
Algebraic realization of rotational dynamics

Abstract It is shown that the dynamics of a quantum rotor can be realized in terms of the SU(3) → SO(3) group algebra. Specifically, an analytic result is given for mapping from the hamiltonian of a trixial rotor to its algebraic image. Under the mapping invariants of the rotor are carried into Casimir invariants of the algebraic theory. Results for spectra and transition rates and various sums are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the mapping. The theory gives physical significance to operators that were first introduced by Racah as a means for resolving the SU(3) → SO(3) state labelling problem. As the SU(3) → SO(3) structure is common to the rotational limit of several nuclear models, the theory also offers an opportunity to explore in a new way the microscopic underpinnings of rotational phenomena in nuclei.
Use of assist devices and ECMO to bridge pediatric patients with cardiomyopathy to transplantation.

Abstract Background: Pulsatile ventricular assist devices (VADs) are used to bridge adults with end-stage heart disease to transplantation. A combination of external implantable pulsatile and continuous-flow external mechanical support now can be used to bridge pediatric patients with end-stage cardiomyopathy to orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Methods: We reviewed consecutive pediatric patients with cardiomyopathy ( n = 28) who required mechanical cardiac support from July 1995 to February 2001. All were OHT candidates with severe hemodynamic compromise despite maximal medical support. We excluded from this series patients who had undergone cardiotomy. Results: Nineteen patients received support from external continuous-flow devices, either with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or with centrifugal VADs, and 9 patients received pulsatile support. Nineteen of 28 (68%) patients were successfully bridged to transplant (17) or weaned (2) from their devices after recovery. Of the patients successfully bridged to transplant or recovery, 89% are alive to date. Univariate analysis revealed that a lower bilirubin concentration after 2 days of support was associated with a favorable outcome ( p = 0.006). As expected, the patients with pulsatile VADs had significantly higher rates of extubation and oral feeding. Conclusion: Pulsatile and continuous-flow devices can complement each other to significantly extend the lives of a wide range of pediatric patients with severe cardiomyopathies.
Cluster analysis to minimize sequence dependent changeover times

Cluster analysis is applied to reduce sequence dependent changeover times among products in a manufacturing setting. A product grouping procedure which aggregates like products with similar production and setup requirements forms the basis of a planning system designed to perform short-term scheduling at a particular manufacturing facility. Integration of the grouping technique served to implicitly minimize product changeover times and resulted in significantly improved schedules. When tested on randomly generated job sequencing problems, this grouping procedure generated good, near optimal solutions.
Infectious causes of chronic diarrhoea

Infections are an uncommon cause of chronic diarrhoea. Parasites are most likely, including protozoa like giardia, cryptosporidia and cyclospora. Bacteria are unlikely to cause chronic diarrhoea in immunocompetent individuals with the possible exception of Yersinia, Plesiomonas and Aeromonas. Infectious diarrhoea can trigger other causes of chronic diarrhoea, including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and "Brainerd-type" diarrhoea. A thorough evaluation should detect most infections causing chronic diarrhoea.
Periparturient Endocrine Changes of Conceptus and Maternal Units in Jersey Cows Bred for Milk-Yield

Abstract Control cows, sired by and bred to bulls with assumed zero estimated breeding values, and selected cows, sired by and bred to bulls of high predicted differences for milk yield, were used. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture on alternate days from 35 to 14 days prepartum, from 14 to 28 days postpartum, and daily from 14 days prepartum to 14 days postpartum. We examined blood hematocrit, and concentrations in plasma of protein, estrone, estradiol, estrone sulfate, progestins, glucocorticoids, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin. Total plasma volume was measured on days −21, −7, and +11. Weekly body weights, prepartum and postpartum, were recorded. All data were analyzed by least squares analysis of variance with day and hematocrit as continuous independent variables. Hematocrit was higher for selected cows throughout the sampling period. Prepartum concentrations of progesterone were higher in selected cows, but concentrations of estrone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin were lower than in control cows. Hormonal and physiological responses indicated that selection for milk yield influenced both the conceptus and maternal units as measured by prepartum endocrine function.
Evidence for oxygen isotope disequilibrium in selected geothermal and hydrothermal ore deposit systems

Abstract There is ample evidence from geothermal systems that temperatures estimated from the oxygen isotope fractionation between alteration phases and coexisting aquifer fluids agree closely (±25°C) with measured bore-hole temperatures. Conversely, many hydrothermal systems exhibit varying degrees of apparent fluid-rock oxygen isotope disequilibrium (measured α rock-water ≠ equilibrium α rock-water ). A comparison of data from a variety of hydrothermal systems indicates that an increase in the degree of isotopic equilibration can be related, in a general way, to an increase in the temperature, salinity, and intensity of fracturing. This relationship is entirely consistent with calculations carried out for a simple closed-system model that estimates the fraction of isotope exchange between rock and fluid as a function of temperature, rock type, salinity of the fluid, grain size, water/rock ratio, and the rate of isotope exchange. The fact that many silicate-fluid reactions and their isotopic counterparts are fast leads us to conclude that observed variations in the degree of exchange may have resulted from local self-sealing of the fracture network prior to equilibration. The ability for fractures to remain open or to propagate, allowing continued fluid flow, may be the deciding factor in the attainment of isotopic equilibration.
Tests of a Spun Polyester Row Cover as a Barrier Against Seedcorn Maggot (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) and Cabbage Pest Infestations

Reemay, a spun polyester row-cover material, was tested as a barrier to insect pest infestations in two different systems. The row cover was ineffective in preventing infestation of seeds by seedcorn maggot, Delia platura (Meigen), suggesting that eggs or larvae were already present in the field at time of planting. The row cover dramatically reduced populations of cabbage insect pests (lepidopterous larvae, flea beetles, cabbage maggots, and aphids) as well as numbers of insect-damaged cabbage heads in both 1984 and 1986. In 1986, numbers of heads produced were lower under the row cover, probably because of bacterial rot due to excessive humidity. Marketable yields were still substantially higher under the row covers.
Phylogeny and biogeography of cichlid fishes (Teleostei: Perciformes: Cichlidae)

Family level molecular phylogenetic analyses of cichlid fishes have generally suffered from a limited number of characters and/or poor taxonomic sampling across one or more major geographic assemblage, and therefore have not provided a robust test of early intrafamilial diversification. Herein we use both nuclear and mitochondrial nucleotide characters and direct optimization to reconstruct a phylogeny for cichlid fishes. Representatives of major cichlid lineages across all geographic assemblages are included, as well as nearly twice the number of characters as any prior family-level study. In a strict consensus of 81 equally most-parsimonious hypotheses, based on the simultaneous analysis of 2222 aligned nucleotide characters from two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes, four major subfamilial lineages are recovered with strong support. Etroplinae, endemic to Madagascar (Paretroplus) and southern Asia (Etroplus), is recovered as the sister taxon to the remainder of Cichlidae. Although the South Asian cichlids are monophyletic, the Malagasy plus South Asian lineages are not. The remaining Malagasy lineage, Ptychochrominae, is monophyletic and is recovered as the sister group to a clade comprising the African and Neotropical cichlids. The African (Pseudocrenilabrinae) and Neotropical (Cichlinae) lineages are each monophyletic in this reconstruction. The use of multiple molecular markers, from both mitochondrial and nuclear genes, results in a phylogeny that in general exhibits strong support, notably for early diversification events within Cichlidae. Results further indicate that Labroidei is not monophyletic, and that the sister group to Cichlidae may comprise a large and diverse assemblage of percomorph lineages. This hypothesis may at least partly explain why morphological studies that have attempted to place Cichlidae within Percomorpha, or that have tested cichlid monophyly using only “labroid” lineages, have met with only limited success. © The Willi Hennig Society 2004.
Controlling multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli in your hospital: a transformational journey

During the past two decades, the world has experienced a proliferation of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms. This paper is an account of the author's personal experience of implementing a bundle of interventions aimed at controlling carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and of the cultural transformation that was required for effective control.
Differential expression and localization of de-novo synthesized endometriotic haptoglobin in endometrium and endometriotic lesions

Endometriosis protein-I (ENDO-I) mRNA expression and protein localization were evaluated using in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry in endometriotic lesions and eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis, and in eutopic endometrium from women without endometriosis (controls). When present, ENDO-I mRNA and protein were observed in the functionalis zone of endometrial stroma and the stroma of endometriotic lesions. Expression and localization differences were scored and statistically analysed. During the secretory stage, ENDO-I mRNA expression by endometriotic lesions and eutopic endometrium from women with disease was significantly greater than ENDO-I mRNA expression by proliferative stage eutopic endometrium from women with disease or eutopic endometrium from controls, regardless of cycle stage (P < 0.001). More ENDO-I protein was localized in endometriotic lesions and eutopic endometrium from women with disease than in eutopic endometrium from controls, regardless of cycle stage (P < 0.001). Differential expression and localization of ENDO-I may help develop minimally invasive diagnostic strategies for endometriosis. Further, as ENDO-I shares nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence with hepatic haptoglobin-which in certain disease states is immunosuppressive and angiogenic-differences in ENDO-I expression and localization in the peritoneal cavity may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis and/or facilitate development of unprecedented diagnostic or therapeutic approaches for management of this enigmatic disease.
Epstein-Barr virus PCR correlated with viral histology and serology in pediatric liver transplant patients.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–associated illnesses in posttransplant patients are difficult to diagnose. Attempts to aid in the diagnosis of such illnesses using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for EBV have met with variable success due to the potential exquisite sensitivity of the assay. We have designed a relatively insensitive EBV PCR assay and compared the results with objective evidence of EBV activity including serologic response and in situ hybridization for the EBV genome. Eighty-five specimens from 65 patients were analyzed by the EBV PCR using DNA from whole blood. EBV serologic evaluation was done on 53 of the samples and in situ hybridization for EBV (EBER-1 mRNA) on 46 paired liver biopsies. Of 85 samples, 25 (29%) were positive for EBV using the PCR assay. Intensity of amplification was graded 0.5–1+ (weak) to 3+ (strong). Using these criteria, 19 EBV PCR-positive samples were graded 0.5–1+, 5 were graded 2+, and 1 was graded 3+. Of the moderate to strongly positive samples (2+ or 3+...
Evaluating the function of hippocampal subregions with high-resolution MRI in Alzheimer's disease and aging.

Memory ability declines in older age groups. There is a growing list of physiological processes that target the hippocampal formation in an age-related fashion, and some might underlie the hippocampal component of memory decline. The hippocampal formation is comprised of separate subregions, and physiological processes differentially target these subregions. The ability to evaluate the functional integrity of individual subregions-performing subregional analysis-is a major clinical goal since it can aid in the diagnosis of memory decline, as well as in elucidating mechanisms of disease and testing potential interventions. Because of its superior spatial resolution, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is best suited to accomplish this goal. Despite limited success, most functional MRI (fMRI) protocols have difficulty in performing complete subregional analysis of the hippocampal formation. Here we address sources of difficulty by (1) generating T2* -weighted maps of the hippocampal formation with sub-millimeter resolution; and (2) by adapting an approach used by animal investigators to identify the hippocampal subregions using anatomical landmarks. The protocol is tested in patients with Alzheimer's disease and in healthy controls, in an effort to determine whether it can detect neuronal dysfunction. Results showed diminished signal in the hippocampal formation of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to controls, and multivariate analysis showed that this difference was most prominent in the entorhinal cortex. The protocol can be used to perform subregional analysis of the hippocampal formation. Testing the protocol in other clinical populations is needed to demonstrate its efficacy in evaluating the neuronal integrity of all hippocampal subregions.
Lysophosphatidic Acid Activates Lipogenic Pathways and de Novo Lipid Synthesis in Ovarian Cancer Cells

One of the most common molecular changes in cancer is the increased endogenous lipid synthesis, mediated primarily by overexpression and/or hyperactivity of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). The changes in these key lipogenic enzymes are critical for the development and maintenance of the malignant phenotype. Previous efforts to control oncogenic lipogenesis have been focused on pharmacological inhibitors of FAS and ACC. Although they show anti-tumor effects in culture and in mouse models, these inhibitors are nonselective blockers of lipid synthesis in both normal and cancer cells. To target lipid anabolism in tumor cells specifically, it is important to identify the mechanism governing hyperactive lipogenesis in malignant cells. In this study, we demonstrate that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a growth factor-like mediator present at high levels in ascites of ovarian cancer patients, regulates the sterol regulatory element binding protein-FAS and AMP-activated protein kinase-ACC pathways in ovarian cancer cells but not in normal or immortalized ovarian epithelial cells. Activation of these lipogenic pathways is linked to increased de novo lipid synthesis. The pro-lipogenic action of LPA is mediated through LPA(2), an LPA receptor subtype overexpressed in ovarian cancer and other malignancies. Downstream of LPA(2), the G(12/13) and G(q) signaling cascades mediate LPA-dependent sterol regulatory element-binding protein activation and AMP-activated protein kinase inhibition, respectively. Moreover, inhibition of de novo lipid synthesis dramatically attenuated LPA-induced cell proliferation. These results demonstrate that LPA signaling is causally linked to the hyperactive lipogenesis in ovarian cancer cells, which can be exploited for development of new anti-cancer therapies.
New type of superconductivity in very high magnetic fields.

A new superconducting state is proposed that can coexist with very high magnetic fields, provided that Pauli pair breaking is absent. Such a state may arise, for example, in multivalley semiconductors and semimetals, where the valley degrees of freedom play the role of the electron spins in the usual BCS theory. Below the transition temperature, such superconductors show no resistance to a current flowing in the direction parallel to the field; in the plane perpendicular to the field, under suitable conditions, their conducting properties will be reminiscent of a quantum liquid of bosons of charge $2e$. There is no orbital upper critical field for such superconductors.
Brain regions where cholecystokinin suppresses feeding in rats

The gut-brain peptide, cholecystokinin (CCK), inhibits food intake when injected either systemically or within the brain. To determine whether CCK's effect in the brain is anatomically specific, CCK-8 (0. 8, 4, 20, 100, 500 pmol) was microinjected into one of 14 different brain sites of rats, and its impact on subsequent food intake was measured. CCK-8 at 500 pmol significantly suppressed intake during the first hour post-injection following administration into six hypothalamic sites (anterior hypothalamus, dorsomedial hypothalamus, lateral hypothalamus, paraventricular nucleus, supraoptic nucleus, ventromedial hypothalamus) and two hindbrain sites (nucleus tractus solitarius, fourth ventricle). Although lower doses were sometimes effective (anterior hypothalamus, dorsomedial hypothalamus, nucleus tractus solitarius), there appeared to be no significant difference in potency among sites. Injections into the medial amygdala, nucleus accumbens, posterior hypothalamus, dorsal raphe, and ventral tegmental area were either ineffective or produced a delayed response. The higher doses required for most sites, as well as the widespread effectiveness of CCK-8 within the hypothalamus, suggest that spread of CCK-8 to adjacent brain sites, and (or) to the periphery, may have been required for anorexia to occur. Findings reported in an accompanying paper provide strong evidence that paraventricular nucleus injection of CCK-8 (500 pmol) did not increase plasma CCK-levels sufficiently to suppress feeding by a peripheral mechanism. Together, these results suggest that CCK may be acting as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator within two different brain regions to produce satiety - one region which includes the nucleus tractus solitarius in the hindbrain, and another more distributed region within the medial-basal hypothalamus.
Magnetron Studies in Phase and Frequency Locking

Our work has centered on researching methods and components required for building a phase locking system for S band CW and pulsed magnetrons. We examine injection and phase locking methods used for controlling magnetrons with external sources. A general system design is discussed, and progress toward practical realization is shown. In particular, a phase lock loop simulation is shown, based on an analog devices design. Additionally, we show spectral measurements and analysis of a low power 2450 MHz magnetron, characterizing the CW performance of a Raytheon RK5609 based source. We also look at pulse performance of the Raytheon source using a Cober 606P pulse modulator. Performance measurements with a coaxial based system are presented. Further work was done with oven magnetrons and waveguide. Computer simulations of common waveguide sizes available for 2450 MHz were run and a WR284 system was assembled. Waveguide system performance data is presented.
Comments on the Recent Clinical Guidance Statement on HIV Screening

Although we agree in principle with the guidelines setforth by Qaseem and colleagues (1) regarding HIV screening and havegenerally adopted similar practices in our clinics, we are concerned thatsome consequences of universal screening were not addressed in thisarticle. Speciﬁcally, assuming the sensitivity and speciﬁcity to be greaterthan 99% and greater than 99.99%, respectively, for the sequentialscreening test (initial enzyme immunoassay followed by either conﬁrma-tory Western blot or immunoﬂuorescent assay) and the U.S. populationestimate for number of persons older than 13 years to be 244 926 386persons (2), then applying sequential universal screening to this popula-tion would result in 24 393 false-positive HIV test results. This is anunfortunate consequence of universal screening, and no mention ismade of the cost of misdiagnosis, which could involve unnecessary med-ical intervention and squandering of limited health care resources (3).In addition, persons with false-positive results may develop se-vere psychosocial distress (4) and be unable to obtain health insur-ance. These cases may result in substantial ﬁnancial cost to the healthcare system with respect to litigation (5). Furthermore, many thou-sands of persons would test positive on the initial enzyme immuno-assay before testing negative on a conﬁrmatory test, which wouldresult in psychosocial stress for these persons as well. Therefore, al-though broader screening approaches are warranted, medical practi-tioners who initiate HIV screening must be educated on the poten-tial of false-positive test results before future guideline statements areconstructed for universal HIV screening.
The Methylation of Transfer and Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid in Human Fibroblasts: Normal Methylation of Ribonucleic Acid in Cystic Fibrosis

Extract: A comprehensive study of tRNA and 18 S and 28 S rRNA methylation in human fibroblasts is presented. Cells from normal volunteers and patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) were examined during exponential growth by incubation with L-(methyl-14C)methionine and (3H)uridine. The ratio of 14C to 3H counts per minute in isolated RNA serves as a measure of the extent of methylation and was found to be similar in normal and CF fibroblasts for tRNA, 18 S rRNA, and 28 S rRNA. Hydrolyzed samples of (14C)- methyl-labeled RNA species were analyzed by two dimensional chromatography and autoradiography. The methylated base and nucleoside compositions of tRNA and rRNA agree well with data for HeLa cells and other eurkaryote cells such as those from yeast, mouse, and chicken. RNA methylation patterns in CF fibroblasts were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those observed in normal cells for 4 S, 18 S, and 28 S RNA. There is no evidence that RNA species from patients with cystic fibrosis are deficient in any methylated components.
Optimizing the management of blunt splenic injury in adults and children.

Abstract Background: The treatment for splenic injury is evolving to an increased use of nonoperative management. We studied patients with blunt injury to the spleen to determine the overall success with splenic salvage and the reason that adults and children have different outcomes. Methods: Patient records were reviewed retrospectively for information and parameters that may influence outcome. Patients were categorized by age and type of management. Results: Two hundred sixty-seven patients (222 adults; 45 children P P P P Conclusions: Splenic preservation is possible in most adults and children with blunt injury with the appropriate use of both operative salvage and nonoperative treatment. The higher salvage rate and decreased need for operation in children is due to their lower severity of overall injury and splenic injury. Operative salvage has become less common in adults because more patients are selected for nonoperative management. (Surgery 1999:126:805-13.)
Synthesis and characterization of rat interleukin-10 (IL-10) cDNA clones from the RNA of cultured OX8- OX22- thoracic duct T cells.

Abstract A cDNA of the complete coding region of rat IL-10 was cloned and sequenced using RNA isolated from a cultured population of thoracic duct T-lymphocytes obtained from Trichinella spiralis infected animals. The OX8 − OX22 − T-helper cells were stimulated in vitro with Concanavalin A for 24 hours prior to harvest. Reverse transcription of cellular RNA was primed with oligo-dT followed by amplification of IL-10 specific cDNA by polymerase chain reaction with synthetic oligo nucleotide primers chosen from two highly conserved regions of mouse and human IL-10. The sequence of the coding region of the amplified, cloned rat IL-10 cDNA is 90% identical to the mouse and 82% identical to the human IL-10 cDNA coding regions.
Environment, planning processes, and organizational performance of churches

Churches have rarely been the foclus of research dealinig with strateggic mnagement issues, although their in ipact on individuals, as well as oni society as a whole, is equal to or greater than the imnpact of nmany butsiness organizations. The study reported hereii was designaed to fill some of the inaformationa void. Data were obtained from a samiple of 175 chii 7ches, and the relationships of chuirch size and growth to perceptiotns of the environment anid to planning processes were examined. The results indicated that perceptions of the environmilenit, or more specifically the importance of certain entvironmiental factors used in decision-mnaking, were related to the level of planning sophistication. In addition, platning sophisticationi was found to be related to the size and growth of churches.
Modeling Microbial Growth Curves with GCAT

In this work, we introduce the Growth Curve Analysis Tool (GCAT). GCAT is designed to enable efficient analysis of high-throughput microbial growth curve data collected from cultures grown in microtiter plates. GCAT is accessible through a web browser, making it easy to use and operating system independent. GCAT implements fitting of global sigmoid curve models and local regression (LOESS) model. We assess the relative merits of these approaches using experimental data. Additionally, GCAT implements heuristics to deal with some peculiarities of growth curve data commonly encountered in bioenergy research. GCAT server is publicly available at http://gcat-pub.glbrc.org/ . The source code is available at http://code.google.com/p/gcat-hts/ .
Paleogeographic significance of a Permian sedimentary megamictite in the Central Belt of the northern Sierra Nevada

The Central Belt of the northern Sierra Nevada at Oroville Lake, California, includes large outcrops of Permian limestone as clasts surrounded by siliceous diamictite. Limestone ranges from pebbles to megaboulders as much as 100 m in size, and five clasts contain Wolf-campian to Leonardian corals and fusulinids. The diamictite which encloses limestone clasts has a pebbly mud texture and a chaotic fabric. Paleozoic megafossils occur in the mud matrix of the diamictite, and mixing of limestone clasts and diamictite was a Permian event. The diamictite and enclosed limestone megaboulders, collectively termed a “megamictite,” probably represent a base-of-slope sedimentary deposit. Limestone boulders and megaboulders are tabular stratigraphic fragments which detached from lithified carbonate escarpments and moved downslope by sliding along their flat surfaces. Lithologies of limestone clasts indicate derivation from a shallow carbonate platform. Corals and fusulinids within limestone clasts include endemic taxa found in the McCloud Limestone of the Eastern Klamath Mountains, and they represent a Permian biogeographic province distinct from those of western terranes of the Klamath Mountains and the North American craton. A large carbonate platform in the eastern Klamath area is proposed as the source of limestone clasts in the Central Belt at Oroville Lake.
Agreement as a Function of Initial Choice and Stay Response Probabilities in Status Characteristics Research

Expectation states theories of status processes have consistently shown that participation and influence patterns in groups are a function of differences in external status characteristics. A branch ofthis theoretical research program, Status Characteristics Theory (SCT) deals specifically with the processes by which external status characteristics come to determine the allocation ofstatus positions within groups. The authors pose three arguments relevant to this program. First, agreement on the final choice is a much more likely outcome than disagreement in situations that meet most of the conditions of the standardized experimental setting, even when the probability of staying with one's own answer given disagreement is high for group members. Second agreement is yet more likely to be the final outcome in groups that are differentiated on some status characteristic that leads to differential likelihood of staying with one's own initial choice. Third, cooperative allocation of status position is more likely to occur in these groups than competitive position allocation.
A search for differentiation markers in prostatic fluid components with two-dimensional electrophoresis and multiple protein detectors

Components of prostatic fluid resolved by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were detected by dye, silver stain, and autoradiography. Five components identified by autoradiography were not recognized by the dye or silver stain. While labeled components were found in primary fractions of split ejaculates and seminal fluid in addition to prostatic fluid, they have not been found in tissue extracts of heterologous organs or human serum.