cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The evolutionary development of plant‐feeding insects and their nutritional endosymbionts

Herbivorous insects have evolved diverse mechanisms enabling them to feed on plants with suboptimal nutrient availability. Low nutrient availability negatively impacts insect herbivore development and fitness. To overcome this obstacle numerous insect lineages have evolved intimate associations with nutritional endosymbionts. This is especially true for insects that specialize on nitrogen-poor substrates, as these insects are highly dependent on intracellular symbionts to provide nitrogen lacking in their insect host's diet. Emerging evidence in these systems suggest that the symbiont's and/or the insect's biosynthetic pathways are dynamically regulated throughout the insect's development to potentially cope with the insect's changing nutritional demands. In this review, we evaluate the evolutionary development of symbiotic insect cells (bacteriocytes) by comparing and contrasting genes and mechanisms involved in maintaining and regulating the nutritional symbiosis throughout insect development in a diversity of insect herbivore-endosymbiont associations. With new advances in genome sequencing and functional genomics, we evaluate to what extent nutritional symbioses are shaped by (i) the regulation of symbiont titer, (ii) the regulation of insect symbiosis genes, and (iii) the regulation of symbiont genes. We discuss how important these mechanisms are for the biosynthesis of essential amino acids and vitamins across insect life stages in divergent insect-symbiont systems. We conclude by suggesting future directions of research to further elucidate the evolutionary development of bacteriocytes and the impact of these nutritional symbioses on insect-plant interactions.
Deep Learning Applied to Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease

In order to better model complex real-world data such as biomedical signals, one approach is to develop pattern recognition techniques and robust features that capture the relevant information. In this paper, we use deep learning methods, and in particular multilayer perceptron, to build an algorithm that can predict subcortical structures of patients with Parkinson’s disease, based on microelectrode records obtained during deep brain stimulation. We report on experiments using a data set involving 52 microelectrode records for the structures: zona incerta, subthalamic nucleus, thalamus nucleus, and substantia nigra. The results show that the combination of features and deep learning produces 99.2% precision of detection and classification on the average of the subcortical structures under study. In conclusion, based on the high precision obtained in the classification, deep learning could be used to predict subcortical structure, and mainly the subthalamic nucleus for neurostimulation.
A Convex Optimization Approach to Distributionally Robust Markov Decision Processes With Wasserstein Distance

We consider the problem of constructing control policies that are robust against distribution errors in the model parameters of Markov decision processes. The Wasserstein metric is used to model the ambiguity set of admissible distributions. We prove the existence and optimality of Markov policies and develop convex optimization-based tools to compute and analyze the policies. Our methods, which are based on the Kantorovich convex relaxation and duality principle, have the following advantages. First, the proposed dual formulation of an associated Bellman equation resolves the infinite dimensionality issue that is inherent in its original formulation when the nominal distribution has a finite support. Second, our duality analysis identifies the structure of a worst-case distribution and provides a simple decentralized method for its construction. Third, a sensitivity analysis tool is developed to quantify the effect of ambiguity set parameters on the performance of distributionally robust policies. The effectiveness of our proposed tools is demonstrated through a human-centered air conditioning problem.
Brain-behavioral adaptability predicts response to cognitive behavioral therapy for emotional disorders: A person-centered event-related potential study

Single-trial-level analyses afford the ability to link neural indices of elaborative attention (such as the late positive potential [LPP], an event-related potential) with downstream markers of attentional processing (such as reaction time [RT]). This approach can provide useful information about individual differences in information processing, such as the ability to adapt behavior based on attentional demands ("brain-behavioral adaptability"). Anxiety and depression are associated with maladaptive information processing implicating aberrant cognition-emotion interactions, but whether brain-behavioral adaptability predicts response to psychotherapy is not known. We used a novel person-centered, trial-level analysis approach to link neural indices of stimulus processing to behavioral responses and to predict treatment outcome. Thirty-nine patients with anxiety and/or depression received 12 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Prior to treatment, patients performed a speeded reaction-time task involving briefly-presented pairs of aversive and neutral pictures while electroencephalography was recorded. Multilevel modeling demonstrated that larger LPPs predicted slower responses on subsequent trials, suggesting that increased attention to the task-irrelevant nature of pictures interfered with reaction time on subsequent trials. Whereas using LPP and RT averages did not distinguish CBT responders from nonresponders, in trial-level analyses individuals who demonstrated greater ability to benefit behaviorally (i.e., faster RT) from smaller LPPs on the previous trial (greater brain-behavioral adaptability) were more likely to respond to treatment and showed greater improvements in depressive symptoms. These results highlight the utility of trial-level analyses to elucidate variability in within-subjects, brain-behavioral attentional coupling in the context of emotion processing, in predicting response to CBT for emotional disorders.
Redesigning China’s superblock neighbourhoods: policies, opportunities and challenges

In February 2016, China’s State Council released a set of guidelines representing a change in the country’s approach toward neighbourhood design: to move away from superblock neighbourhoods and create a finer network of urban blocks and streets. The paper traces the circumstances that prompted this change, drawing on a comparative review of international literature and practice, and explores the opportunities and challenges for urban design. While modifications of the superblock are somewhat overdue, this current mode of organization should not be entirely abandoned. The suggestions and overall blueprint warrant a more circumspect approach and should be adopted with discretion.
Examination of the Use of Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics & Outlooks for the Future:

Heuristics are commonly employed throughout various stages of the design process to evaluate the usability of interfaces. Heuristic Evaluation (HE) provides researchers with a cost effective and pr...
Soluble phenylenedioxythiophene copolymers via direct (hetero)arylation polymerization: a revived monomer for organic electronics

Dioxyheterocycles, particularly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), have proven to be useful building blocks for conjugated materials targeting various applications. The 3,4-phenylenedioxythiophene (PheDOT) unit is similar to the EDOT unit in terms of planarity and steric interactions, but has different electronic properties because of the attached phenyl ring. This unit has been incorporated into soluble alternating copolymers for the first time via direct (hetero) arylation polymerization (DHAP). These polymers are effective electrochromes with vibrantly colored charge neutral states and colorless, transmissive oxidized states. Spray cast films are highly stable to redox switching, showing only a 1% decrease in contrast after 2000 switches without film encapsulation.
Food Insecurity and Violence in the Home: Investigating Exposure to Violence and Victimization Among Preschool-Aged Children:

Children experiencing or witnessing violence in the home are at risk of a number of cognitive, social, and behavioral challenges as they age. A handful of recent studies have suggested that food insecurity may be one factor associated with violence against children in the home. The present study uses data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Birth Cohort to explore the link between household food insecurity during the first three waves of data collection (i.e., the first few years of life) and witnessing or being the victim of violence in the home among very young children (~ age 4). The results suggest that the predicted probability of early childhood exposure to violence and/or victimization in the home is nearly 6 times more likely in persistently food-insecure households (i.e., households that are food insecure across all three waves) relative to food secure households. Limitations and avenues for future research are noted.
The Living Donor Lost Wages Trial: Study Rationale and Protocol.

This paper describes the background, rationale, and design of an NIH-funded, single-center study to test the impact of offering reimbursement for donor lost wages incurred during the post-nephrectomy recovery period on the live donor kidney transplant (LDKT) rate in newly evaluated kidney transplant candidates, to examine whether offering reimbursement for donor lost wages reduces racial disparity in LDKT rates, and to determine whether higher reimbursement amounts lead to higher LDKT rates. LDKT is the optimal treatment for renal failure. However, living kidney donation has declined in the past decade, particularly among men, younger adults, blacks, and low-income adults. There is evidence that donation-related costs may deter both transplant candidates and potential donors from considering LDKT. Lost wages is a major source of financial loss for some living donors and, unlike travel and lodging expenses, is not reimbursed by financial assistance programs. The study addresses the transplant community’s call to reduce the financial burden of living donation and examine its impact on LDKT rates. Findings have the potential to influence policy, clinical practice, LDKT access, and income-related and racial disparities in LDKT and living donation. Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT03268850.
Protein Kinase C Modulation of Serotonin Transport by Pulmonary Endothelial Cells

We (Riggs et al., 1989) and others (Gardaz et al., 1988) have noted that phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) reduces serotonin (5-HT) extraction in intact lungs. This effect can be produced in perfused rabbit lungs without the presence of granulocytes (Myers and Pitt, 1988; Merker and Gillis, 1988) suggesting a direct effect of PMA on lung tissue. The effect does not seem to be merely a function of loss of vascular surface area due to pulmonary vasoconstriction since PMA-induced depression of 5-HT occurs without a significant change in the maximal velocity of pulmonary angiotensin-converting enzyme in the presence of: a) catalase in the intact lung (Riggs et al., 1989); or b) papaverine in the perfused lung (Myers and Pitt, 1988). Furthermore, PMA inhibits 5-HT uptake in the perfused lung at a time when surface area is unchanged as assessed by minimal changes in propranolol uptake (Merker and Gillis,1988). Although the mechanism underlying PMA-induced decrease in 5-HT transport is unclear, we recently reported that PMA inhibits 5-HT uptake in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells in culture and that this effect is associated with translocation of protein kinase C (Myers et al,1989). We also noted that staurosporine, a putative inhibitor of PKC, blocked the PMA-induced depression in 5-HT uptake in cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells (Myers et al., 1989)as well as perfused lungs (Weng and Pitt, 1990). Other activators of PKC, including diterpene derivatives (e.g. phorbol dibutyrate) and non-phorbol esters (e.g. mezerein), also inhibited 5-HT uptake in both cultured cells (Myers et al., 1989) and perfused lungs (Weng and Pitt, 1990). These data are consistent with a negative modulatory role of activation of intracellular PKC on endothelial cell transport of 5-HT. We hypothesize that such activation may underlie other observations regarding decreased serotonin transport and acute lung injury (Pitt et al.,in press).
Sulfur Amino Acids in the Reproductive Tract of Male Guinea Pigs, Rats, Mice and Several Marine Animals

Androgens stimulate growth1 in a number of tissues other than the accessory sex organs of the male. The influence of castration and androgen on the free amino acids of several of the responsive tissues2-6 was determined as an aid in the delineation of the anabolic action of androgens. On analysis of the seminal vesicles of the guinea pig2 an unknown amino acid peak appeared just before taurine on slight adjustment of the pH of the elution buffer. The unknown compound was of particular interest because it nearly disappeared after castration and was restored to or near normal by androgen administration. The elution rate of this compound proved to be identical with that of hypotaurine, thus, suggesting an influence of androgens on the metabolism of sulfur amino acids. The studies, therefore, were extended to the reproductive tract of two other laboratory rodents4–7 and five marine animals.
Potential Impacts of Transgenic and Genetically Manipulated Fish on Natural Populations: Addressing the Uncertainties through Field Testing

Fishes can be subjected to many types of genetic modification (Chourrout, 1987), including gene transfer, chromosome set manipulation, and chimera production. Fish so manipulated are the subject of substantial experimentation for scientific, aquaculture, and fisheries management applications.
Ultrasonographic and CT accuracy in localising surgical- or necropsy- confirmed solitary hepatic masses in dogs.

Objectives To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound and CT for localising solitary hepatic masses to particular liver divisions. Materials and methods Dogs diagnosed with a solitary liver mass by ultrasound and/or CT, with surgical or necropsy confirmation within 1 month of imaging. Ultrasound reports were reviewed for mass location. CT scans were reviewed by two radiologists and mass location was determined by consensus agreement. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for ultrasound and CT for each liver division. Results Fourteen of 71 dogs had CT only, 27 of 71 had ultrasound only and 30 of 71 had both. Location was correctly predicted in 42 of 57 dogs (74%) by ultrasound and in 37 of 44 dogs (84%) by CT. Both CT and ultrasound had high specificity for localising masses in all divisions. Sensitivity varied among divisions and was highest for left division masses. Clinical significance The results suggest that either imaging modality is appropriate for presurgical planning. Prospective studies are recommended to help identify additional factors that may aid in determination of hepatic mass location.
Knowledge and Opinions Regarding the Interface between Oral and Overall Health among California Physicians, Dentists, Pharmacists and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioners

Background and Purpose: Oral health is often related to other medical conditions. This study investigated the knowledge and opinions of California physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) regarding the interface between oral and overall health and their suggestions for strengthening this interface. Methods: A survey packet was mailed to randomly-selected California healthcare providers in Winter 2015. Twenty five-point Likert-type questions were used to measure the providers’ knowledge and opinions of the oral and overall health interface. Results: Sixtytwo physicians, 117 dentists, 136 pharmacists, and 289 Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) responded (total N= 604). A majority of all health professionals agreed/strongly agreed that oral health topics received little attention in the education of non-dental health professionals (n=499, 82.6%), and that the dental discipline remains relatively segregated from other healthcare disciplines (n=500, 82.8%). Dentists and APRNs were more likely to agree/agree strongly that the inadvertent prescribing of medications that can have xerostomic effects without considering their oral health implications is a major problem. Conclusion: There is a need for more inter-professional collaboration by all primary care providers in managing the patients’ oral and overall health, as well as more oral health education and training for all non-dental health professionals.
Upgrading brown grease for the production of biofuel intermediates

Abstract Products from waste streams can reduce the amount of materials going to landfills or being incinerated. Brown grease captured from grease traps or wastewater facilities is produced at approximately 1,500,000 metric tons annually in the United States. Two brown grease samples were characterized from a local collector. Raw brown grease was fermented using Clostridium butyricum to produce butyric acid, achieving a yield of 0.55 butyric acid/g sugars indicating that glycerol and lactic acid were also converted. Hexane extraction of the fermentation broth gave an 81.3% recovery of lipids. Techno-economic analysis calculated a minimum fuel selling price of $1.81 per gallon gasoline equivalent (GGE) for a facility based on a city the size of Denver and a brown grease delivery price of $100 per dry metric ton. Exploiting waste streams as feedstocks can significantly reduce costs to produce fuels and can be brought to scale more rapidly due to their ready availability.
An optimally convergent higher-order finite element coupling method for interface and domain decomposition problems

Abstract We present a new, optimally accurate finite element method for interface problems that does not require matching interface grids or spatially coincident interfaces. The key idea is to enforce “extended” interface conditions through pullbacks onto the discretized interfaces. In so doing our approach circumvents the accuracy barriers prompted by polytopial approximations of the subdomains and enables high-order finite element solutions without needing more expensive curvilinear maps. Since the discrete interfaces are not required to match, the approach is also appropriate for multiphysics couplings where each subdomain is meshed independently and solved by a separate code. Error analysis reveals that the new approach is well posed and optimally convergent with respect to a broken H 1 norm. Numerical examples confirm this result and also indicate optimal convergence in a broken L 2 norm.
Improved Signals for Differential One-Way Range

This article describes the current limiting error source for Delta Differential One-way Range (ΔDOR), provides a means to reduce this error, and lists the benefits to deep space navigation. Particular advantages for Small Satellite class missions are addressed. The key idea is spreading the spacecraft DOR signal with a pseudonoise (PN) code to make the spacecraft signal spectrum closely resemble the spectrum of natural radio sources used for instrument calibration. How spectral differences affect the measurement are discussed. This article describes the general formulation for PN DOR signal design, and the specific X-band implementation of PN DOR on a software defined radio at JPL. Finally, a prototype implementation at Ka-band, providing even better performance, is presented.
Prolonged and variable copulation durations in a promiscuous insect species: No evidence of reproductive benefits for females.

Abstract Within promiscuous mating systems, copulation often functions as more than a means of fertilization, and copulation durations can vary widely. Copulating for prolonged durations can enhance both female and male reproductive success, but can also result in costs: females of some insect species experience increased fecundity and fertility through male-provided nutrition during prolonged copulations, but also decreased longevity due to male-driven mechanisms. Here, for a common, promiscuous insect species (the squash bug, Anasa tristis), we first describe the range of copulation duration, which spans from 2 min to over 23 h. To investigate whether female A. tristis benefit from prolonged copulation, we next manipulated copulation duration and female diet, and we documented the resulting fecundity, fertility, and longevity of each female. We found no evidence that prolonged copulation durations affect female reproductive success. Females produced fertile eggs after a single 30 min copulation, and they subsequently produced fertile eggs for an additional 4 weeks. Our findings suggest that females do not benefit from prolonged copulations, that sperm transfer occurs very early during copulations, and that females can store sperm for long durations. Consequently, we suggest that female harassment avoidance and male mate-guarding may explain prolonged copulations in this species.
Predicting Lane-by-Lane Flows and Speeds for Freeway Segments:

The Highway Capacity Manual is a major reference for evaluating the capacity and quality of service of road facilities. However, it holds the assumption that lanes perform equally, which can result...
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Oral Sodium Selenite and Dosing Implications in the Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Cancer.

Selenite is a radiosensitizer and inhibitor of androgen receptor expression and function. In a phase I study (NCT02184533) in 15 subjects with metastatic cancer receiving daily oral sodium selenite with palliative radiation therapy, disease stabilization was observed, as evidenced by tumor regression, marked reduction in pain symptoms, and decreased prostate-specific antigen levels (only patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer). The aim of this work was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of selenite to suggest dosing strategies and to propose a study design for further investigation. With selenium plasma concentrations obtained from five dosing cohorts (5.5, 11, 16.5, 33, and 49.5 mg), a population pharmacokinetic model was constructed using NONMEM. The model described externally administered selenite (inorganic) with a baseline component for endogenous selenium levels. Using the pharmacokinetic model, simulations were performed to suggest dosing regimens that achieved in vitro target selenite levels, and optimal pharmacokinetic sampling times for a subsequent study were proposed using PopED. A one-compartment model characterized selenite pharmacokinetics. Parameter estimates were absorption rate constant (0.64 h−1), apparent clearance (1.58 L/h), apparent volume of distribution (42.3 L), and baseline selenium amount (5270 μg). A logarithmic function characterized the inverse relationship between dose level and bioavailability. Four regimens to reach in vitro target selenite levels were proposed: 33 mg daily, 16.5 mg twice daily (BID), 11 mg BID, and 5.5 mg thrice daily (TID). Optimal sampling times were 1, 2, 6, and 24 h. The population model described the pharmacokinetic data well. Three regimens (33 mg daily, 11 mg BID, 5.5 mg TID) achieved in vitro target selenite levels after one dose. The model and optimal sampling times may inform future studies evaluating the efficacy of selenite for metastatic cancer treatment.
Earthquake-Induced Displacements in Sand Embankments

If an embankment of dense granular material is accelerated so that all points of the slope experience approximately the same acceleration at the same time the result of overstressing is a surface slide involving a thin layer of soil. The yield acceleration at which this slide will begin to move on any cycle of acceleration can be expressed in terms of the angle of friction and a shear strength intercept both of which are functions of the cumulative downslope displacement. Procedures for computing the magnitude of slope displacements resulting from a sequence of acceleration pulses are presented. Surface displacements determined using these procedures have been shown to be in reasonable agreement with those measured in banks of sand subjected to base acceleration, provided allowance is made for the variation in soil strength and yield acceleration with increasing displacements./ASCE/
Healthcare REITs and their Operator Partnerships

Over the past 10 to 15 years the senior living industry has grown to become a $315 billion nationwide business. This has spurred the development of healthcare focused real estate investment trusts (REITs) and large-scale senior living operators (REOCs), thus, beginning to consolidate a fragmented industry. In contrast with other real estate sectors, the REITs and REOCs are aligned or partnered with each other due to the vital focus on operational capability. They are also partnered because growth in senior living requires acquisitions of existing senior living businesses. While the large-scale operators bring their managerial expertise, the REITs bring their access to capital with which to acquire smaller operators. Despite the strong levels of growth, in the last few years, healthcare real estate is seen as a sub-sector within the core real estate sectors. With healthcare trading at the highest price to net asset value (NAV) of any real estate sector (or sub-sector), many investors and real estate professionals are still catching on to the idea of senior living as a highly profitable real estate investment area. It is likely the heavy operational focus (and subsequent risk) deters more real estate firms from entering the space.
Defective helper function of purified T4 cells and excessive suppressor activity of purified T8 cells in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. T4 suppressor effector cells are present in certain patients.

We investigated helper and suppressor functions to B-cell responses and T-T cell interactions of purified T4 and T8 cells from 20 untreated patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Appropriate mixtures of purified T4 or T8 cells from patients with CLL were cultured with purified B cells or T4 and B cells from normal donors for 7 days with pokeweed mitogen (PWM). IgM, IgA, and IgG produced were determined in the supernatants of these cultures by a heavy chain- specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared to those obtained by the corresponding mixtures of T4, T8, and B cells from normal donors. Purified T4 cells from 14 of 20 patients with CLL exhibited defective helper function (P less than .001) to immunoglobulin (Ig) production by purified B cells from normal donors. Purified T4 cells from 6 of these 14 patients were able to suppress significantly (P less than .001) and in a concentration-dependent manner Ig production by mixtures of T4 and B cells from normal donors, in the absence of T8 cells. These suppressor effector T4 cells from certain patients were partially radiosensitive. Purified T8 cells from 8 of 20 patients with CLL exhibited excessive suppressor activity. These cells significantly suppressed (P less than .001), Ig production by mixtures of T4 and B cells from normal donors to a degree significantly higher (P less than .005) than that observed by equal numbers of T8 cells from normal donors. This inhibition was dependent on the numbers of the T8 CLL cells added to the cultures. Excessive suppressor activity by T8 CLL cells was at least in part radiosensitive in four of eight patients. These results demonstrate a wide range of immunoregulatory T-cell abnormalities in patients with CLL. Naturally occurring T4 suppressor effector cells, directly inhibiting Ig production by mixtures of T4 and B cells, in the absence of T8 cells, are present in certain patients with CLL.
Enhancing oxidation of TNT and RDX in wastewater: pre-treatment with elemental iron.

Munitions manufacturing wastewater is commonly treated by adsorption to activated carbon. We are proposing a new munitions manufacturing wastewater treatment system consisting of a reductive pre-treatment process and subsequent Fenton9s oxidation to mineralize energetic compounds such as TNT and RDX. The pre-treatment involves reduction of electron-withdrawing nitro groups of TNT and RDX with elemental iron. The iron-treated explosives are then oxidized by Fenton9s reagent through the addition of H2O 2 . The objective of this work is to investigate the feasibility of using elemental iron to convert TNT and RDX to reduction products which may be more oxidizable in subsequent Fenton9s oxidation. Results of batch reduction experiments with elemental iron showed complete removal of TNT and RDX and formation of the reduction products within 60 minutes. Results of column experiments showed a rapid and complete removal of TNT and RDX within 9.7 minutes retention time. Fitting observed effluent concentrations to a one-dimensional advection-dispersion equation, we were able to predict the concentration profiles of TNT and RDX in the iron column and calculate the iron column length required for the desired removal. The results of Fenton9s oxidation experiments showed that iron pre-treatment enhanced both the rate and extent of TNT and RDX mineralization by Fenton9s oxidation.
Water intoxication in normal infants: role of antidiuretic hormone in pathogenesis.

Eight infants, 2 to 5 months of age, who were seen with somnolence or irritability, seizures, and hypothermia are described. The symptoms developed following the ingestion of dilute formula. All infants were hyponatremic. Three patients were identified by the symptom complex and were evaluated prior to any therapeutic intervention. Plasma arginine vasopressin concentration and urinary osmolality were either normal or increased despite hyponatremia and decreased serum osmolality. These data, coupled with rapid biochemical and clinical improvement following fluid restriction and/or administration of 3% NaCl, strongly implicate the excessive release of arginine vasopressin in the pathogenesis of this syndrome of water intoxication.
Photophysics of Ir(III) complexes with oligo(arylene ethynylene) ligands

We report the photophysics of two complexes of the type Ir(ppy)2(OAE)+, where ppy = 2-phenylpyridine and OAE is a π-conjugated oligo(arylene ethynylene) ligand.
Immediate insulin-independence after retransplantation of islets prepared from an allograft pancreatectomy in a type 1 diabetic patient

TRANSPLANTATION of human islet allografts into insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients has proved to be challenging. Transplanted islets in such recipients have delayed graft function before insulin independence is achieved, and only 10% remain functioning at 1 year. We describe a successful islet transplant in a IDDM patient who required a transplant pancreatectomy secondary to chronic graft pancreatitis.
Enhanced crystallization of bisphenol-A polycarbonate by nano-scale clays in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract The crystallization behavior of bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC) and PC/clay nanocomposites were studied in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO 2 ) using DSC, WAXD and AFM. In the absence of SCCO 2 , nano-scale clay itself does not change the crystallization behavior of PC under our experimental conditions. In the presence of SCCO 2 , clay appears to be an efficient nucleating agent and enhances the crystallization of PC. The addition of clay reduces the induction time of crystallization and increases the crystallization rate. The increase in crystallinity with clay depends on the crystallization time. When the crystallization time is sufficient, PC and PC/clay composites tend to have similar crystallinity in the range of 26%. Two melting temperatures are observed during the DSC heating scan, and are mainly associated with the melting of both secondary and primary crystals. Results show that the clay influences the primary crystallization process more than the secondary crystallization process.
Towards a unified description of polaron and soliton transport

Abstract The excited states of a regular molecular aggregate differ from the corresponding excited states of a single molecule in two ways: The intermolecular excited state interactions lead to the formation of extended states that form a band, and the interactions of the excited states with the mechanical motions of the medium lead to lattice distortions that accompany the electronic (or vibronic) excitations. A ubiquitous problem in these systems is the treatment of this latter interaction, which is typically strong and cannot be dealt with perturbatively. It is universally agreed that the cooperative interaction of an excited state with the deformation or polarization modes of the medium results in dynamics profoundly different from those of the uncoupled entities, but the nature of the resulting dynamics is still a matter of much controversy. Much of the literature on the problem makes use of “dressing” transformations to find a set of “polaron” states that are “almost” eigenstates of the Hamiltonian. A growing body of work approaches the problem in a completely different way, making use of vaiational principles that lead to the identification of the quasiparticle as a “soliton”. The connection between these two approaches has remained obscure. We have recently developed a new description of the dynamics of an excitation interacting cooperatively with a fluctuating medium. All exact and many approximate known results can be recovered from this equation in appropriate limits. Guided by this development we have begun a detailed “parameter space” characterization of the known features of energy transport and mapped out the known behavior as a function of the four important energy parameters of the system: the exciton bandwidth, the phonon bandwidth, the exciton-phonon interaction and the temperature. We find that soliton theory is applicable only in a small region of parameter space, and that the nature of the energy transport process is unknown for most parameter values.
Changes in evoked potentials after experimental cervical spinal cord injury in the monkey.

Abstract Rhesus monkeys were subjected to acute cervical spinal cord trauma after chronic implantation of both cortical and deep electrodes. The method of injury was acute flexion-compression in the mid-cervical region. After stimulation of the sciatic nerve with a stimulus just above threshold at 10-sec intervals for 1 msec, evoked potentials were recorded from the contralateral sensory cortex, ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus, internal capsule, and the brain stem reticular formation. The evoked potential was still present immediately after injury, but starting at approximately 20–90 sec after the injury it began to disappear rapidly. Thereafter, the primary evoked response could not be demonstrated until it began to reappear about 24 hr after the injury; however, no averaged evoked response was ever obtained from the brain stem reticular formation, even after 6 days. The loss of the evoked response is thought to coincide with the onset of primary hemorrhage and edema, demonstrated in the cord. A synchronous 16-cycle spindle activity, which seems to be time-locked to the stimulus and not present in any control recording, began to appear about 30 min after the injury and became more prominent in ensuing days. This 16-cycle activity, characteristic of fast sleep spindles, coupled with the loss of the evoked response in the brain stem reticular formation may account for the transient loss of consciousness that occurs in the monkeys after the cervical injury, and for the persistent alteration of the conscious level we have noted.
Dietary control of stearyl CoA and alkylacylglycerophosphorylethanolamine desaturases in tumor.

Abstract The responses of stearyl CoA desaturase and alkylacylglycerophosphorylethanolamine desaturase were compared in Fischer R-3259 tumors of rats maintained on normal and fat-free diets. The stearyl CoA desaturase activity significantly increased in control livers, host livers, and tumors in rats maintained on the fat-free diet over that in the same tissues from animals maintained on laboratory chow; however, no increase of alkylacylglycerophosphorylethanolamine desaturase was observed in tumors of rats maintained on the fat-free diet. These findings suggest that the two desaturase systems are not identical and that they are controlled by different components of the microsomal electron transport system. Stearyl CoA desaturase activity was lower in the livers of tumor-bearing animals than in those of control animals. This finding supports the concept of others that indicates host livers tend to acquire the enzymic composition of immature livers.
B meson decay: Recent results from CLEO☆

Abstract I review recent results on B decay from the CLEO experiment. Exclusive decays are used to measure masses and branching ratios for neutral and charged B mesons. Rates for inclusive decay of B mesons to charmed hadrons are updated, including a new measurement of the inclusive decay to charmed baryons. A less model-dependent technique for measuring the ratio of matrix elements |V ub |/|V cb | is presented.
Fasting and leptin modulate adipose and muscle uncoupling protein: divergent effects between messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expression.

Leptin is believed to act through hypothalamic centers to decrease appetite and increase energy utilization, in part through enhanced thermogenesis. In this study, we examined the effects of fasting for 2 days and exogenous s.c. leptin, 200 microg every 8 h for 2 days, on the regulation of uncoupling protein (UCP) subtypes in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and gastrocnemius muscle. Northern blot analysis (UCP-1) and ribonuclease protection (UCP-2 and 3) were used for quantitative messenger RNA (mRNA) analysis, and specific antibodies were used to measure UCP-1 and UCP-3 total protein expression. Leptin, compared with vehicle, did not alter BAT UCP-1 or UCP-3 mRNA or protein expression when administered to normal ad libitum fed rats. Fasting significantly decreased BAT UCP-1 and UCP-3 mRNA expression, to 31% and 30% of ad libitum fed controls, respectively, effects which were prevented by administration of leptin to fasted rats. Fasting also significantly decreased BAT UCP-1 protein expression, to 67% of control; however, that effect was not prevented by leptin treatment. Fasting also decreased BAT UCP-3 protein, to 85% of control, an effect that was not statistically significant. Fasting, with or without leptin administration, did not affect BAT UCP-2 mRNA; however, leptin administration to ad libitum fed rats significantly increased BAT UCP-2 mRNA, to 138% of control. Fasting significantly enhanced gastrocnemius muscle UCP-3 mRNA (411% of control) and protein expression (168% of control), whereas leptin administration to fasted rats did not alter either of these effects. In summary, UCP subtype mRNA and protein are regulated in tissue- and subtype-specific fashion by leptin and food restriction. Under certain conditions, the effects of these perturbations on UCP mRNA and protein are discordant.
The interaction between syntaxin 1A and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channels is mechanistically distinct from syntaxin 1A-SNARE interactions.

Syntaxin 1A binds to and inhibits epithelial cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl− channels and synaptic Ca2+ channels in addition to participating in SNARE complex assembly and membrane fusion. We exploited the isoform-specific nature of the interaction between syntaxin 1A and CFTR to identify residues in the H3 domain of this SNARE (SNARE motif) that influence CFTR binding and regulation. Mutating isoform-specific residues that map to the surface of syntaxin 1A in the SNARE complex led to the identification of two sets of hydrophilic residues that are important for binding to and regulating CFTR channels or for binding to the syntaxin regulatory protein Munc-18a. None of these mutations affected syntaxin 1A binding to other SNAREs or the assembly and stability of SNARE complexes in vitro. Conversely, the syntaxin 1A-CFTR interaction was unaffected by mutating hydrophobic residues in the H3 domain that influence SNARE complex stability and Ca2+ channel regulation. Thus, CFTR channel regulation by syntaxin 1A involves hydrophilic interactions that are mechanistically distinct from the hydrophobic interactions that mediate SNARE complex formation and Ca2+ channel regulation by this t-SNARE.
Characterization of asphalt fume composition under simulated road paving conditions by GC/MS and microflow LC/quadrupole time-of-flight MS.

A highly sensitive, selective, and reliable analytical method has been developed and validated for characterization of asphalt fume generated under simulated road paving conditions. A dynamic asphalt fume generation system was modified to provide consistent test atmospheres at simulated asphalt road paving conditions. In the process of fume generation, asphalt was initially preheated in an oven to 170 °C, pumped to a large kettle, which maintained the asphalt temperature between 150 and 170 °C, and then transferred to the generator. The fume was conducted from the generator to an exposure chamber through a heated transfer line. Characterization of the asphalt fume test atmospheres included the following: (1) determination of the consistency of the asphalt aerosol composition within the generation system; (2) quantification of total organic matter of the asphalt fume by electron impact ionization of isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry); and (3) identification of individual priority polyc...
Puritan Rhetoric: The Issue of Emotion in Religion

The nature of Puritanism in America and the role of emotion in religion is the subject of this important and useful collection of five religious orations, discussed and appraised by Professor White for students of Puritanism and rhetoric. The five orations presented here consist of three by Jonathan Edwards, Future Punishment, Distinguishing Marks, and The Nature of the Affections; one by Charles Chauncy, Enthusiasm Described and Caution d Against; and one by Ebenezer Gay, Natural Religion, as Distinguished from Revealed. In the first or introductory part of the book, Professor White discusses in considerable detail the broader implications of the confrontation between rationalists and revivalists in New England, represented by the following orations, during this most important upheaval in the Colonies prior to the Revolution. The orations themselves are arranged to represent the force and counterforce of reason versus emotionalism and the precarious balance maintained momentarily and, eventually, lost. And in the third part of the book Professor White provides critical analysis and suggested appraisal for further interpretation and inquiry."
Universalism Without the Targeting: Privatizing the Old-Age Welfare State

Decades of conservative attempts to scale back Social Security and Medicare, by limiting the program's universality through means testing and drastic benefit cuts, have failed. Thus, after numerous unsuccessful attempts at dismantling the U.S.'s universal old-age welfare state, or even meaningfully restraining its growth, conservative critics have developed a new approach. They are wrapping promarket "privatization" policy proposals in the popular universal framework of Social Security and Medicare. What is fundamentally different about privatization is that it embraces (or at least acquiesces to) key aspects of universalism, including broad-based eligibility and benefits that "maintain accustomed standards of living," which leave universal programs with rock-hard public support. Proponents argue privatization will "save" these programs. What distinguishes this approach from past retrenchment efforts is that promarket privatization policies, while supporting key universal tenets, will retrench Social Security's and Medicare's redistributive facets. Instead of limiting the most popular features of universalism, privatization proposals limit the redistributive elements of our large social insurance programs.
The infrared spectrum of single crystals of nitrogen-deuterated l-alanine

Abstract The polarized infrared spectrum of nitrogen deuterated l -alanine single crystals is reported. The dichroism of the bands between 3200 and 300 cm−1 is analyzed correlated with local symmetry models for groups of atoms in the molecule. Analysis of the models were found to yield assignments consistent with those previously reported for alanine. Reassignment of the symmetric degenerate deformation modes of the NH3+group axe suggested by the observed dichroism of the deuterated alanine spectrum. Assignments newly resolved polarization behavior of the methyl hydrogen stretching bands are reported. Splitting of the methyl and ammonium group degenerate modes are observed along with factor group splittings of up to ∼ 12 cm−1 in a few of the fundamental bands. The value of considering the CH3 and NH3+ groups as identical dynamical units in the analysis of the skeletal modes of normal alanine is emphasized in the present study.
Demonstration of dissimilar acute haemodynamic effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde

To determine whether the acute cardiac depressant effects of ethanol could be attributed to its metabolite (acetaldehyde), either ethanol or acetaldehyde was intravenously infused into pentobarbital anaesthetised, closed-chest dogs. At a venous blood ethanol level of 199 +/- 43 (SE) mg . dl-1, ejection fraction had decreased from 35 +/- 2 to 30 +/-2%, P less than 0.05, max dP/dt/end-diastolic volume from 14.0 +/- 2.1 to 8.6 +/- 1.1 kPa . s-1 . cm-3 (105 +/- 16 to 65 +/- 8 mmHg . s-1 . cm-3), P less than 0.02, whereas end-diastolic volume (P less than 0.005), myocardial oxygen consumption (P less than 0.05) and coronary blood flow (P less than 0.005) had increased. Higher ethanol levels exaggerated these changes when peak arterial acetaldehyde was 20.2 +/- mumol . litre-1. By contrast, infusion of acetaldehyde to a peak blood level comparable with that produced by ethanol increased cardiac output from 2.4 +/- 0.2 to 2.8 +/- 0.2 litre-1 . min-1 P less than 0.01), coronary sinus oxygen saturation from 46 +/- 4 to 55 +/- 3% (P less than 0.25) and reduced systemic resistance from 8.0 +/- 0.7 to 6.3 +/- 0.5 kPa . litre-1 . min-1 (60 +/- 5 to 47 +/- 4 mmHg . litre-1 . min-1) (P less than 0.001). High dosage of acetaldehyde to a level of 129 +/- 23 mumol . litre-1 produced elevation of cardiac output (P less than 0.001), ejection fraction (P less than 0.01), coronary blood flow (P less than 0.02), whereas systemic resistance (P less than 0.001), heart rate (P less than 0.05) and myocardial oxygen consumption (P less than 0.05) decreased. Discontinuation of acetaldehyde infusion significantly reversed these changes. Max dP/dt/left ventricular end-diastolic volume and left ventricular end-diastolic volume were not significantly altered by acetaldehyde. Thus, ethanol depresses cardiac performance and increases myocardial oxygen consumption. By contrast, acetaldehyde at levels produced by ethanol metabolism improves cardiac performance, consequent to afterload reduction, and reduces myocardial oxygen consumption.
Discovering new memories in psychotherapy--childhood revisited, fantasy, or both?

Recently the traditional reflective approach in psychotherapy has been challenged by a confrontational stance on behalf of patients. As a result, the place of truth and the validity of long-delayed...