cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1140 THE EFFECT OF FATTY ACID CHAIN LENGTH IN DIETARY TRIGLYCERIDE ON ADIPOSE TISSUE METABOLISM IN HUMAN SUBJECTS

We have previously demonstrated that the enzymes phosphofructokinase (PFK) and citrate cleavage enzyme (CCE) increase in activity in response to 600 kcal diets in adipose tissue of obese humans while decreasing in lean controls. We have now examined the possible role of different dietary fats since others have shown a decrease in adipose tissue lipogenesis in vivo in rats fed medium chain triglyceride (MCT) when compared to long chain triglyceride (LCT). We compared the effect of dietary LCT and MCT in obese adolescents (n=13) before (weight maintenance;I), during (600 kcals;II), and after (1100 kcals;III) weight reduction. The diets contained 20% of calories as protein, 40% as carbohydrate, and 40% as fat (either 40% LCT or 20% LCT & 20% MCT). Fat samples were obtained weekly and analyzed for PFK, CCE, malic enzyme (ME), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). During period I there was no difference in enzyme activities when LCT was compared to MCT. During period II CCE was lower on MCT than LCT (3.7 ±2, 12.7±9;p<.05). During period III MCT significantly decreased the activities of PFK (26.0±11, 43.4±10;p<.03) and ME (17.7±7, 32.2±15;p<.04) while increasing the activity of G6PD (33.1±12, 16.0±11;p<.04). The lower activities of ME, CCE, and PFK during MCT diets suggests a dampening effect of the oil on glycolysis and fatty acid synthesis. MCT may be a useful adjunct to weight reduction therapy, especially during the post weight-reduction period when most diets fail.
Growth and structure of a combinatorial array of mixed-phase magnesium–aluminum thin-film alloys

Combinatorial gradient-controlled sputter deposition has been employed to produce a library of 100 separate thin films with a wide range of Mg–Al alloy compositions. We have successfully isolated the β (Mg17Al12) phase in polycrystalline films for investigation. The importance of understanding the physical properties of the β phase becomes apparent when one realizes the contrary effects associated with its existence in these alloys. The presence of the β phase has been found to be desirable for increasing corrosion resistance; however, in structural components under tensile loading and/or at elevated temperatures, the β phase precipitates undergo coarsening which induces poor creep behavior in several common alloys. We have also synthesized amorphous Mg–Al and mixed-phase compositions as identified by X-ray diffraction measurements. We have observed various degrees of surface oxidation which appear to be correlated with the presence of each particular phase. Details of the growth procedure as well as structural and compositional characterization are presented.
Stress induces Fos expression in neurons of the thalamic paraventricular nucleus that innervate limbic forebrain sites.

The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is a midline thalamic nucleus that responds strongly to exposure to various stressors. Many of the projection targets of PVT neurons, including the medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and central/basolateral nuclei of the amygdala, are also activated by stress. We sought to determine if PVT neurons that respond to stress are those that project to one or more of these forebrain sites. Retrograde tract tracing combined with immunohistochemical detection of Fos protein-like immunoreactivity was used to assess the activation of target-specific populations of PVT projection neurons by mild footshock stress in the rat. Stress markedly increased Fos protein-like immunoreactivity in PVT neurons, but without regard to the projection target of the thalamic neurons. Thus, the percentage of PVT cells that were retrogradely labeled from either the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, or amygdala, and that expressed Fos-like immunoreactivity did not differ substantially across the three forebrain sites. These data suggest that the PVT may have a role as a generalized relay for information relating to stress, and may serve an important role in the stress-induced activation of limbic forebrain areas. Synapse 32:13–22, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Orientor field equations in Banach spaces

This paper focuses on the interplay between seminormality requirements and convergence hypotheses on trajectories in the lower closure theorems for orientor field equations. With the use of a weak form of seminormality, called the intermediate property (Q*), we obtain lower closure theorems (and thereby closure theorems) for orientor field equations in Banach spaces, under the assumption of strong convergence of some coordinates of the trajectories, while only weak convergence is assumed in the others. In the Euclidean case, this requirement of property (Q*) is further reduced to mere Kuratowski property (K), under the usual growth-type conditions. Finally, in the appendix, property (Q*) is investigated in detail.
American Legal argumentation: The Law and Literature/rhetoric movement

This essay discusses the most recent manifestations of the debate of the law and literature movement. The essay traces the evolution of the Law and Literature schools and identifies some of their adherents and conclusions, shows how these schools have influenced the conceptual development and teaching of American law, presents connections between the Critical Legal Studies and Law and Economics movements in the U.S., and raises questions about the Law and Literature movement.
Deep phylogenetic divergence between Scolytoplatypus and Remansus, a new genus of Scolytoplatypodini from Madagascar (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

Scolytoplatypodini Blandford is a monotypic tribe of ambrosia beetles found in Asia, Madagascar and Africa. Only three species are currently known from Madagascar and four additional species are here described as new to science. Phylogenetic analyses of morphological and molecular data revealed that four of the seven endemic species are deeply separated from all other species by genetic and distinct morphological characters and therefore placed in a new genus Remansus Jordal. The split between this ancient lineage and Scolytoplatypus Schaufuss was estimated to approximate Palaeocene age (63 Ma), extending the minimum age of ambrosia feeding for this tribe to the beginning of the Palaeocene‒Eocene thermal maximum (PETM). In addition to the ancient origin of Remansus in Madagascar during the Palaeocene, a second origin occurred in Scolytoplatypus no more than 13 Ma. A geographical origin of the latter in South-Eastern Africa was unequivocally inferred from the phylogenies.
A NEW METHOD FOR PRODUCING PURE VESICULAR‐ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA‐HOST CULTURES WITHOUT SPECIALIZED MEDIA

Summary A method is reported for synthesizing pure two-membered vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza infections without complex media. The method should make possible several kinds of experiments not feasible with previously published methods. Plant growth rate was comparable to that in non-sterile systems.
Flash spectroscopic characterization of photosynthetic electron transport in isolated heterocysts

Abstract Electron transport was studied in heterocysts of the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120 using spectral and kinetic analysis of absorbance transients elicited by single turnover flashes. Consistent photosynthetic turnovers were observed only in the presence of an exogenous source of reductant; therefore measurements were routinely made under a gas phase containing H 2 . Prominent absorbance changes corresponding to the oxidation of cytochrome c (554 nm) and the reduction of cytochrome b 563 (563 nm) were observed. Under the most reducing conditions (99% H2/1% 02) cytochrome b 563 was partially reduced between flashes in a slow, dark reaction. At 10–15% O 2 , the slow, dark reduction of cytochrome b 563 was eliminated. Cytochrome turnover ceased entirely at high O 2 concentrations (30%) but was restored by the addition of 25 μ m KCN, demonstrating an interaction between the photosynthetic and respiratory electron transfer chains. Strobilurin A slowed the re-reduction of cytochrome c and eliminated the appearance of reduced cytochrome b 563 by blocking electron transfer between reduced plastoquinone and the cytochrome b f complex. Inhibition at a second site was apparent with 2-(n-heptyl)-4-hydroxyquinoline N -oxide, which blocked the reoxidation of cytochrome b 563 but had little effect on cytochrome c relaxation. In uncoupled heterocysts, the rates of cytochrome c re-reduction and cytochrome b 563 reduction were equal. Additional unassigned absorbance changes at 475 nm, 515 nm, and 572 nm were partially characterized. No absorbance change corresponding to an electrochromic shift was observed.
Isomer-specific spectroscopy and conformational isomerization energetics of o-, m-, and p-ethynylstyrenes.

The infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy of o-, m-, and p-ethynylstyrene isomers (oES, mES, and pES) were studied by a combination of methods, including resonance-enhanced two-photon ionization (R2PI), UV−UV hole-burning spectroscopy (UVHB), resonant ion−dip infrared spectroscopy (RIDIRS), and rotationally resolved fluorescence excitation spectroscopy. In addition, the newly developed method of stimulated emission pumping−population transfer spectroscopy (SEP-PTS) was used to determine the energy threshold to conformational isomerization in m-ethynylstyrene. The S1 ← S0 origin transitions of oES and pES occur at 32 369 and 33 407 cm-1, respectively. In mES, the cis and trans conformations are calculated to be close in energy. In the R2PI spectrum of mES, the two most prominent peaks (32672 and 32926 cm-1) were confirmed by UVHB spectroscopy to be S1 ← S0 origins of these two conformers. The red-shifted conformer was identified as the cis structure by least-squares fitting of the rotationally resolved flu...
Investigating Thomas-Stieber Model For Property Estimation of Thin-bedded Shaly-sand Reservoirs

This paper focuses on investigating the Thomas-Stieber model and its application for evaluating proportions of dispersed clay in shaly sands in thin laminated sand-shale reservoirs. The goal of this study is to incorporate natural variations and uncertainties which can be found in real observations into the model and to point out some pitfalls in the interpretation when these variations are neglected. For a case of bimodal mixing (i.e. sand and pure shale), this model can be used to infer sand fraction and its porosity. However, when the sand beds within the interval of interest consists of a range of properties (e.g. clay content), the model cannot deterministically estimate property of each individual sand bed. Instead, it gives an average property of all the sand beds within the stack. The uncertainties of the input parameters of the model can be used in stochastic methods to quantify uncertainty of our interpretation. We use Monte Carlo simulations propagated through the Thomas-Stieber model to estimate the posterior distributions of interpreted sand fractions in a Bayesian framework.
Ingestion of compound W®, an unusual caustic

A case of an unusual caustic ingestion involving Compound W, an over the counter wart remover is presented. Chemical burns of the tongue, pharynx and larynx developed. The active ingredient in this preparation: salicylic acid in a flexible collodion vehicle produces caustic injury through a keratolytic action, which may be enhanced by the presence of collodion.
Habituation and Recovery of Visual Response in the Alert Human Newborn.

Abstract Forty newborn human infants were repeatedly exposed to one of two visual stimuli: a 2 × 2 or 12 × 12 black and white checkerboard target until a set criterion of habituation was demonstrated, as measured by a decrement in visual fixation time. When the habituation criterion was reached, independent groups of S s were presented with either the same target or the second target, to assess the effects of familiar and novel visual targets on recovery of the habituated response. Results indicated that S s receiving the Same target to which they had been “familiarized” on the test trial showed no significant change in visual fixation time, while S s receiving a novel target showed a significant increase in visual response. The current results suggest (1) that the visual response decrement displayed by the newborn can be attributed to a habituation rather than a “fatigue” process, and (2) that some infants, soon after birth, are capable of storing simple visual information as reflected in their ability to detect and respond to change in the immediate environment.
The biofeedback odyssey: Nearing one score and counting

The Biofeedback Society is now 19 years old, our last "teenage" year. We are entering our 20th year; remember that 20 is a score of years, a generation, the average period between the birth of parents and the birth of their offspring. At age 19, new relationships are formed, old ones are solidified, and adolescent enigmas begin to fade. New journeys often begin at 19, and it is an appropriate time for major transitions. Such transitions include the scope of our existence, the source of our learning, the conceptual arena in which we function, and the companions we seek and need. At the age of 6, children go through the transition from home to school. It may only be coincidence that at age 6 the Biofeedback Research Society became the Biofeedback Society of America, broadening its conceptual and practical arenas. At the age of 19, many students graduate to institutions of higher learning. It may also only be coincidence that the Biofeedback Society of America is also striving to progress to new dimensions and new conceptual levels. As practitioners, researchers, educators, and as an organization, we have come a long way. Yet we still have a long journey ahead over the next score of years. This organization can continue to be the administrative, facilitative, and coordinating center in accomplishing what we want and need. After all, this is the major organization dedicated to integrating the professional disciplines and conceptual frameworks involved in both scientific and applied areas of biofeedback and psychophysiology.
Computational art and creative coding: teaching CS1 with processing (abstract only)

This workshop showcases a new approach to teaching CS1 using computational art as a context. Participants will be introduced to the Processing programming language and environment, designed for the construction of 2D and 3D visual forms. Its IDE is light-weight, but well-suited for the rapid proto-typing needed for dynamic visual work. We hope to bring the excitement, creativity, and innovation fostered by Processing into the computer science education community. Instructors of all experience levels are welcome. Hands-on portion of the workshop will enable participants to explore Processing and create visual effects on the fly. Course materials and handouts detailing the software, curriculum, and teaching resources will be given out. All participants will need to bring their own laptops. Supported by NSF Awards DUE-0942626 and CCF-0939370.
Noninvasive measurement of protein concentration.

At selected magnetic field strengths, protein and water proton spin-lattice relaxation rates are sensitive to the concentration of rotationally immobilized peptide nitrogen because of field dependent heteronuclear cross relaxation coupling between protein proton and nitrogen-14 spins that is carried to the water by proton homonuclear cross-relaxation. Measurement of the water proton spin-lattice relaxation time, or a signal amplitude proportional to it, may provide a noninvasive measure of peptide bond concentration, which provides a direct measure of immobilized protein content in most tissues. The approach using protein gels in two magnetic field strengths is demonstrated. At 66.7 mT, the proton Zeeman energy matches one of the peptide nitrogen transitions dominated by the unaveraged nuclear electric quadrupole interaction ; cross-relaxation between the protons and nitrogen-14 is efficient. At 77.5 mT, the proton Zeeman energy is not matched with the nitrogen energy and proton-nitrogen cross-relaxation is not efficient. It is shown that the difference in the water proton spin-lattice relaxation rates on and off the energy level match condition is a linear function of the rotationally immobilized protein concentration.
In situ measurement of growth stress in alumina scale

Stress in the early stages of growth has been measured in α-Al2O3 (alumina) scales formed on FeCrAl- and NiAl-based alloys during heating in air at 1000 to 1200°C. Scale thickness ranges from 0.5 to 5 µm, times from 5 to 720 min. Stress was measured using the multiple-tilt method. In order to measure the thinnest scales at the earliest times, focused, monochromatic synchrotron radiation was used for high intensity, and a fixed, small angle of incidence was used along with an appropriate wavelength to maximize scattering from the film relative to background from the substrate. Depending on the composition, transient tensile stresses of up to 1.2 GPa were observed, with maximum stress at times ranging from >10 h at 1000°C to <10 min at 1200°C. Thermal stresses induced by an abrupt temperature change were found to relax much more quickly, suggesting that the kinetics observed during isothermal growth reflect a dynamic competition between stress generation and stress relaxation. These results challenge commonly-accepted models of growth stress in scales which predict that a compressive stress will be generated as the metal converts to a larger-volume oxide in a constrained location such as an interface. The observed tensile stress may be due to another mechanism altogether (e.g. grain coalescence), or to the conversion of a transitional Al2O3 to the equilibrium α-Al2O3 phase. For one composition, transitional Al2O3 is observed during the period of tensile stress.
Beam modes in complex lenslike media and resonators

General sets of higher-order beam modes are derived for light propagation in media having spatial variations of the gain or loss. The resulting expressions are also valid for propagation through conventional optical elements and graded transmission filters. The four basic mode sets obtained include off-axis Hermite-Gaussian and Laguerre-Gaussian modes of both real and complex argument. A procedure is developed for finding the resonant modes of laser oscillators containing arbitrary complex lens elements, and the mode stability properties of lasers can be interpreted physically by means of these formulas.
Human envenomation from a wandering garter snake

Garter snake bites are generally innocuous to human beings. We report a case of human envenomation from the Wandering Garter snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans). The patient, who was bitten on his right third fingertip, rapidly developed local edema, ecchymosis, and hemorrhagic vesicles. Systemic signs and symptoms did not develop. The clinical picture was similar to that in three previous patients with Thamnophis envenomation in that clinical signs followed a prolonged bite. Thamnophis species have Duvernoy's glands, which may be analogous to venom glands in Crotalidae (pit viper) species. The progressive local effects produced by secretions of these glands may be confused with early Crotalidae envenomation.
Ion-assisted sputter deposition of molybdenum-silicon multilayers

X-ray multilayer (ML) structures that are fabricated by the use of magnetron-sputter deposition exhibit a degradation in structural quality as the deposition pressure is increased. The observed change in morphology is attributed to a reduced mobility of surface adsorbed atoms, which inhibits the formation of smooth, continuous layers. The application of a negative substrate bias produces ion bombardment of the growing film surface by sputtering gas ions extracted from the plasma and permits direct control of the energy density supplied to the film surface during thin-film growth. The technique supplements the energy lost to thermalization in high-pressure deposition and permits the fabrication of high-quality ML structures at elevated processing pressures. A threefold improvement in the soft-x-ray normal-incidence reflectance at 130 A results for substrate bias voltages of the order of ~ −150 V for Mo–Si ML’s deposited at 10-mTorr Ar.
The properties and functional significance of ATP binding to progesterone receptors.

Abstract Affinity chromatography has been used to study the binding of ATP to the avian progesterone receptor. A resin which selectively binds the receptor protein was prepared by linking ATP covalently to Sepharose 4B. Receptor bound to the affinity resin was recovered in a single peak upon gradient elution with ATP or KCl. While affinity chromatography was normally accomplished using the [ p3 H]-progester-one-receptor complex, the hormone was not necessary for ATP binding when the receptor used was first fractionated by ammonium sulfate precipitation. However, further analysis showed that the cytosol receptor must first be activated by heat or high salt treatment before ATP binding can occur. This observation suggests that ATP may be involved in an activity of the receptor during or subsequent to nuclear binding of the receptor complex. This is supported by the finding that two inhibitors, o-phenanthroline and rifamycin AF/013, block the binding of receptor to both isolated nuclei and to ATP-Sepharose.
Newsmonger: a technique to improve the performance of atomic broadcast protocols

Abstract A new technique, called the newsmonger technique, for atomic broadcast protocols has been proposed. This technique can be incorporated in a large number of existing atomic broadcast protocols and it results in improving their performance. An extensive experimental evaluation of this technique is provided by incorporating it in sequencer-based and token-based atomic broadcast protocols. This evaluation has been done under several different operating conditions created by varying five system parameters: group size, mean interarrival time between update arrivals, communication failure probability, maximum silence period, and update arrival pattern. The evaluation shows that this techniques can decrease the average stability time of an atomic broadcast protocol by as much as 80%, without significantly affecting any other performance indices.
Differential development of 24-h retention capacities for two components of T-maze escape learning by infant mice

At 9 or 11 days of age, separate groups of Swiss-Webster mice received 12, 24, or 40 training trials to the goal opposite their first-trial choice in a shock-escape T-maze task. All groups were retested to the same goal for 25 trials 24 h following training, while maturation controls without prior exposure were trained to the goal opposite their first choice. All groups demonstrated increased escape proficiency during original training on two separate escape components: reaching the choice point and making the correct turn at the choice point. During retention testing, all groups at both ages exhibited better escape performance in terms of reaching the choice point than their maturation controls. However, when escape was measured in terms of choice, none of the groups trained at 9 days of age differed significantly from maturation controls when retested at 10 days of age. In contrast, retention of correct choice point turn varied directly with number of original training trials for mice trained at 11 days of age.
Albinism in the domestic cat (Felis catus) is associated with a tyrosinase (TYR) mutation

Albino phenotypes are documented in a variety of species including the domestic cat. As albino phenotypes in other species are associated with tyrosinase (TYR) mutations, TYR was proposed as a candidate gene for albinism in cats. An Oriental and Colourpoint Shorthair cat pedigree segregating for albinism was analysed for association with TYR by linkage and sequence analyses. Microsatellite FCA931, which is closely linked to TYR and TYR sequence variants were tested for segregation with the albinism phenotype. Sequence analysis of genomic DNA from wild-type and albino cats identified a cytosine deletion in TYR at position 975 in exon 2, which causes a frame shift resulting in a premature stop codon nine residues downstream from the mutation. The deletion mutation in TYR and an allele of FCA931 segregated concordantly with the albino phenotype. Taken together, our results suggest that the TYR gene corresponds to the colour locus in cats and its alleles, from dominant to recessive, are as follows: C (full colour) > c(b) (burmese) > or = c(s) (siamese) > c (albino).
Risk of hip fracture associated with hepatitis C virus infection and hepatitis C/human immunodeficiency virus coinfection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been associated with reduced bone mineral density, but its association with fracture rates is unknown, particularly in the setting of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection. Our aims were to determine whether persons with HCV infection alone are at increased risk for hip fracture, compared to uninfected individuals, and to examine whether the risk of hip fracture is higher among HCV/HIV-coinfected persons, compared to those with HCV alone, those with HIV alone, and those uninfected with either virus. We conducted a cohort study in 36,950 HCV/HIV-coinfected, 276,901 HCV-monoinfected, 95,827 HIV-monoinfected, and 3,110,904 HCV/HIV-uninfected persons within the U.S. Medicaid populations of California, Florida, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (1999-2005). Incidence rates of hip fracture were lowest among uninfected persons (1.29 events/1,000 person-years), increased with the presence of either HIV infection (1.95 events/1,000 person-years) or HCV infection (2.69 events/1,000 person-years), and were highest among HCV/HIV-coinfected individuals (3.06 events/1,000 person-years). HCV/HIV coinfection was associated with an increased relative hazard (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval; CI]) of hip fracture, compared to HCV-monoinfected (HR, 1.38; 95% CI: 1.25-1.53), HIV-monoinfected (females: HR, 1.76; 95% CI: 1.44-2.16; males: HR, 1.36; 95% CI: 1.20-1.55), and HCV/HIV-uninfected persons (females: HR, 2.65; 95% CI: 2.21-3.17; males: HR, 2.20; 95% CI: 1.97-2.47). HCV monoinfection was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture, compared to uninfected individuals, and the relative increase was highest in the youngest age groups (females, 18-39 years: HR, 3.56; 95% CI: 2.93-4.32; males, 18-39 years: HR, 2.40; 95% CI: 2.02-2.84). Conclusion: Among Medicaid enrollees, HCV/HIV coinfection was associated with increased rates of hip fracture, compared to HCV-monoinfected, HIV-monoinfected, and HCV/HIV-uninfected persons. HCV-monoinfected patients had an increased risk of hip fracture, compared to uninfected individuals. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:1688–1698)
NASA: a path dependent organization

Abstract Mission agencies like NASA are complex systems, connecting people with science and technology to accomplish the desired tasks. Path dependence can help explain why NASA and other mission agencies often sacrifice long-term capabilities for short-term survival. The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, followed by President Kennedy’s challenge, catapulted NASA to the moon, encouraged human exploration, and sped up the bureaucratization of the agency. In the following decades NASA’s mission changed, and it lost Apollo-era capabilities, such as a heavy-lift booster. But there was a persistent, path-dependent concern that NASA could not survive politically unless it emphasized human space flight. The additional cost of human exploration now constrains what NASA can do. This paper makes some recommendations that recognize NASA’s path dependence and try to encourage flexibility and organizational learning. However, the political capital required for these changes may be beyond NASA.
Lattice imperfections, isotopic ordering and nuclear spin interaction in solid helium as shown by specific heat measurements

Specific heat measurements were performed on He3 and He/sup 4/ at 0.06 to l deg K, using a calorimeter consisting of a Cu sponge of free volume 0.318 cm/ sup 3/ with pores of 10 mu , made by sintering uniform particles of Cu powder inside a copper cup. Above 0.3 deg K, results for solid He/sup 4/, BETA He/sup 3/, and alpha He/sup 3 fit the Debye T/sup 3/ law, and THETA D values agree with data. Existence of an Einstein ' or Schottky' term in the thermal capacity of solid alpha He is confirmed. Data compare favorably with theory; data and calculations are presented in graphical and tabular forms. (L.N.N.)
Millimetre-wave performance of state-of-the-art MESFET, MODFET and PBT transistors

It has recently been shown that, in addition to parasitics, the dipole domain which forms in FET-type devices produces a complex conjugate pole-pair which leads to a 12dB/octave gain roll-off in the millimetre-wave region. As a result the actual Fmax of millimetre-wave transistors is considerably less than that determined from the commonly used extrapolation of microwave frequency gain measurements at 6dB per octave roll-off. Here device models are used to compare the millimetre-wave performance of state-of-the-art MESFET, MODFET and PBT transistors. A parametric study indicates that frequency performance is particularly sensitive to drain parasitics.
Cyclic AMP inhibits c-Ha-ras protooncogene expression, and DNA synthesis in rat aortic smooth muscle cells

Fetal bovine serum (10%) markedly increased ras transcript levels in growth-arrested (G0-synchronized) smooth muscle cells by 8 h. This elevation was maintained for up to 18 h and returned to pre-stimulation levels within 24 h. Challenge of quiescent cells with serum in the presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1-100 microM, a growth inhibitor for smooth muscle cells, attenuated serum-induced elevation of c-Ha-ras in a dose dependent fashion and prevented progression of the cells into S phase. These results demonstrate that expression of c-Ha-ras in rat aortic smooth muscle cells is cell-cycle dependent and that cAMP prevents the induction of this protooncogene by serum.
Network architectures and circuit function: testing alternative hypotheses in multifunctional networks.

Understanding how species-typical movement patterns are organized in the nervous system is a central question in neurobiology. The current explanations involve ‘alphabet’ models in which an individual
Physiological state, contractile properties of heart and lateral muscles of fishes from different depths.

Abstract 1. 1. Fishes taken from depths of 2000m (200 atm) were moribund. Those with swimbladders were distended and showed tissue disruption. Those lacking swimbladders were also moribund. 2. 2. Hearts were inactive, and pressurization with or without cooling failed to revive them. Muscle potassium was low and sodium concentration high. Blood was much hemolyzed. 3. 3. Hearts of fish and frogs from one atmosphere showed enhanced contractions, unchanged electrocardiograms at 200 atm, irregular beats and depression at 300 atm. 4. 4. It is unlikely that death was due to high temperature or to gas expansion; it is suggested that decompression may result in leakiness of cell membranes. Decompression of deep-water fish may also remove a positive tonic action of pressure on cardiac muscle.
DIFFERENCES OF OPINION, OVERCONFIDENCE, AND THE HIGH‐VOLUME PREMIUM

We argue that both differences of opinion and overconfidence lead to high-volume shocks. However, a high-volume shock induced mainly by differences of opinion (overconfidence) will lead to superior (inferior) stock returns. Empirically, Asian financial markets, in contrast to U.S. markets, reveal weaker and inconsistent high-volume premiums. The inconsistency may be attributable to investor's overconfidence. Additional evidence based on U.S. data supports this view, as a high-volume shock accompanied by increased institutional ownership yields substantially higher high-volume premiums than otherwise, and high-volume premiums generally are much stronger in down-market states than up-market states.
Biochemical characterization of the β-chain variant haptoglobin Marburg

β-chains were isolated from two individuals heterozygous for the β-chain mutant haptoglobin Marburg. Total amino acid composition and tryptic peptides were compared with β-chains from common haptoglobin types. ββMb chain preparations are characterized by the presence of β-chains with an atypical electrophoretic migration rate and by at least three, possibly four additional peptides in their tryptic digests. It is probable that haptoglobin Marburg is the result of an mutational event other than a single base substitution.
A longitudinal study of risk factors for depressive symptomatology in elderly widowed and married women

Few studies have examined whether risk factors for depressive symptomatology differ in bereaved and nonbereaved individuals or whether risk factors differ in bereaved individuals over time. Between 1979 and 1983 in Washington County, Maryland, the associations between various health and social network variables and depressive symptomatology were evaluated prior to bereavement and at 1 and 12 months after bereavement in 136 widows and 409 married controls. Prior Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores were generally a good predictor of subsequent scores; however, shortly after bereavement prior scores proved relatively uninformative as most widows experienced a marked increase in depressive symptomatology. Poor health and limitations in physical activity at baseline were consistently associated with higher levels of symptomatology. Although having more friends was also consistently associated with lower levels of symptomatology, the effect of family size appeared to be time and circumstance specific. These results suggest that women at risk of prolonged depression after the death of their husbands can be identified prior to or at the time of bereavement and that widows have risk factors similar to those of women at risk of depression in the general community.
Review of the Radkowsky Thorium reactor concepta

A novel reactor‐design concept termed the Radkowsky Thorium Reactor (RTR) has been developed that shows potential for early application in conventional pressurized water reactors (PWRs). The RTR concept makes use of a seed‐blanket geometry with thorium as the fertile material, and uranium of less than 20 percent enrichment as fuel in both the seed and blanket regions. About 163 seed‐blanket units are employed in a 1,000 MWe RTR, and fuel shuffling during refueling is used to maintain an acceptable power distribution and a relatively‐low critical mass. Other key features of the RTR are: (1) irradiating the blanket fuel of mixed ThO2 and UO2 for a period of 10 years prior to removal, and (2) employing metallic uranium‐zirconium‐alloy as the seed fuel and irradiating it for 3 years. The high fuel burnups of both the blanket and seed fuels relative to that in a conventional PWR results in a substantial decrease in the plutonium present in RTR spent fuel, and to substantial increases in the percentages of Pu‐2...
Infection among adult small bowel and multivisceral transplant recipients in the 30-day postoperative period

Background Intestinal transplantation is a potential option for patients with short gut syndrome (SGS), and infection is common in the postoperative period. The aim of our study was to identify the incidence and characteristics of bacterial and fungal infections of adult small bowel or multivisceral (SB/MV) transplantation recipients in the 30-day postoperative period. Methods This retrospective chart review assessed the incidence and characteristics of bacterial and fungal infections in patients who underwent SB/MV transplant at our center between April 2004 and November 2008. Patient data were retrieved from computerized databases, flow-charts, and medical records. Results A total of 40 adult patients with a mean age of 38.7 ± 13.4 years received transplants during this period: 27 patients received isolated SB, 12 received MV, and 1 received SB and kidney. Our immunosuppressive regimen included basiliximab for induction, and tacrolimus, sirolimus, and methylprednisolone for maintenance therapy. The most common indications for transplant were SGS, intestinal ischemia, Crohn's disease, trauma, motility disorders, and Gardner's syndrome. We report a 30-day postoperative infection rate of 57.5% and mean time to first infection of 10.78 ± 8.99 days. A total of 36 infections were documented in 23 patients. Of patients who developed infections, 56.5% developed 1 infection, 30.4% developed 2 infections, and 13% developed 3 infections. The most common site of infection was the abdomen, followed by blood, urine, lung, and wound infection. The isolates were gram-negative bacteria in 49.3%, gram-positive bacteria in 39.4%, and 11.3% were fungi. The most common organisms were Pseudomonas (19%), Enterococcus (15%), and Escherichia coli (13%). Overall, 47% of infections were due to drug-resistant pathogens; 31% of E. coli and Klebsiella species were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing organisms, 36% of Pseudomonas was multidrug resistant (MDR), 75% of Enterococcus was vancomycin resistant, and 100% of Staphylococcus aureus was methicillin resistant. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that bacterial and fungal infections remain an important complication in SB/MV transplant recipients within the early postoperative period. Infections due to MDR organisms have emerged as an important clinical problem in this patient population.
Surprising feedback improves later memory

The hypercorrection effect is the finding that high-confidence errors are more likely to be corrected after feedback than are low-confidence errors (Butterfield & Metcalfe, 2001). In two experiments, we explored the idea that the hypercorrection effect results from increased attention to surprising feedback. In Experiment 1, participants were more likely to remember the appearance of the presented feedback when the feedback did not match expectations. In Experiment 2, we replicated this effect using more distinctive sources and also demonstrated the hypercorrection effect in this modified paradigm. Overall, participants better remembered both the surface features and the content of surprising feedback.
Employment of Developmentally Disabled Persons: Obstacles Inherent in the Service System

Many public programs provide services and support to developmentally disabled adults. Unfortunately, this services system often impedes or prevents the transition of developmentally disabled persons from school to work. It does so by fostering attitudes of dependency, creating major work disincentives, failing to provide adequate vocational service to many severely disabled persons, and by being poorly coordinaed. The changes that need to be made in the service system to reduce or eliminate these problems do not constitute major departures from current policies and are unlikely to be costly.
Performance modeling and tradeoff analysis during rapid prototyping

Tradeoff analysis is a central aspect of any design process. Languages and tools to support performance modeling and tradeoff analysis are necessary to facilitate rapid prototyping of designs. An effective modeling and evaluation environment reduces the overall design time of both the prototype and the final product by helping designers in determining which parameters of a design are critical for meeting a set of desired performance goals. This paper describes a case study in performance modeling using a language called PDL (Performance Modeling Language). The PDL system supports tradeoff analysis and performance visualization. This paper also addresses some of the key issues for successful tradeoff analysis during rapid prototyping and explains how many features of PDL make it a suitable choice for this purpose.
Response to drugs in schizophrenia: the influence of family history, obstetric complications and ventricular enlargement

A prospective study of antipsychotic drug treatment showed no difference in response between schizophrenic in-patients with or without a familial predisposition to the illness (N = 53). All patients received at least 600 mg chlorpromazine equivalents antipsychotic medication for 6 weeks. Ventricle brain ratios, ratings of cortical sulcal widening and a history of obstetric complications also failed to account for the variability, but early age of onset was associated with unsatisfactory response.
Novel insights into muscarinic acetylcholine receptor function using gene targeting technology.

Abstract Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) modulate the activity of an extraordinarily large number of physiological functions. Individual members of the mAChR family (M 1 –M 5 ) are expressed in a complex, overlapping fashion in most tissues and cell types. However, the identification of the precise physiological roles of individual mAChR subtypes remains a challenging task because, with the exception of a few snake toxins, mAChR ligands that can activate or inhibit specific mAChR subtypes with a high degree of selectivity are not yet available. Knowledge of the specific roles of mAChR subtypes is of considerable interest for the development of novel, clinically useful mAChR ligands. In this article, recent studies of mutant mouse strains developed, using gene targeting techniques, to be deficient in one of the three G q -coupled mAChR subtypes (M 1 , M 3 and M 5 ) are discussed. These investigations have led to many important new insights into the physiological roles of these receptor subtypes.
Piracetam Defines a New Binding Site for Allosteric Modulators of alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic Acid (AMPA) Receptors.

Glutamate receptors are the most prevalent excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in the vertebrate central nervous system and are important potential drug targets for cognitive enhancement and the treatment of schizophrenia. Allosteric modulators of AMPA receptors promote dimerization by binding to a dimer interface and reducing desensitization and deactivation. The pyrrolidine allosteric modulators, piracetam and aniracetam, were among the first of this class of drugs to be discovered. We have determined the structure of the ligand binding domain of the AMPA receptor subtypes GluA2 and GluA3 with piracetam and a corresponding structure of GluA3 with aniracetam. Both drugs bind to GluA2 and GluA3 in a very similar manner, suggesting little subunit specificity. However, the binding sites for piracetam and aniracetam differ considerably. Aniracetam binds to a symmetrical site at the center of the dimer interface. Piracetam binds to multiple sites along the dimer interface with low occupation, one of which i...
Belowground ecological interactions in mixed-species forest plantations

Belowground competitive and complementary interactions define productivity and sustainability of mixed-species plantations to a large extent, but have received relatively little attention in the scientific literature. Belowground competitive ability is correlated with such traits as root length density, surface area and root plasticity. Competition for light can be asymmetrical with larger plants disproportionately shading smaller ones, but competition for soil resources is more symmetric. Niche separation and reduced competition belowground are commonly observed as the mechanisms that lead to coexistence of species in mixed-species plantations. Chemical interference through allelopathy may play a role in controlling the productivity of some mixed-species plantations. This paper reviews some of the well-known ecological principles by drawing examples from both temperate and tropical mixed-species plantations. We conclude that our ability to design successful mixed-species systems is constrained by limited information on belowground competitive and complementary interactions. Future research priorities that will help us expand our knowledgebase are identified.
Possible mechanisms of anosognosia: a defect in self–awareness

Anosognosia of hemiplegia is of interest for both pragmatic and theoretical reasons. We discuss several neuropsychological theories that have been proposed to explain this deficit. Although for psy...
The survival motor neuron protein interacts with the transactivator FUSE binding protein from human fetal brain

To identify interacting proteins of survival motor neuron (SMN) in neurons, a fetal human brain cDNA library was screened using the yeast two-hybrid system. One identified group of SMN interacting clones encoded the DNA transactivator FUSE binding protein (FBP). FBP overexpressed in HEK293 cells or endogenously expressed in fetal and adult mouse brain bound specifically in vitro to recombinant SMN protein. Furthermore, an anti-FBP antibody specifically co-immunoprecipitated SMN when both proteins were overexpressed in HEK293 cells. These results demonstrate that FBP is a novel interacting partner of SMN and suggests a possible role for SMN in neuronal gene expression.
Cryogenic system for the Alcator C-Mod tokamak

Alcator C-Mod is a compact tokamak (major radius 66 cm), designed to operate at high toroidal magnetic field (up to 9 Tesla), and high plasma current (up to 3 MA). The coils and the tokamak structure must be cooled to liquid nitrogen temperature in order to withstand the pulse-induced mechanical and thermal stresses (e.g. 316 LN steel has higher strength at LN/sub 2/ temperature). Operating at low temperatures has also the advantage of reducing the required voltage and power from the power supplies thus significantly reducing their cost. This report will describe the design of the cryogenics delivery system which must remove up to 300 MJ of heat from the tokamak in 20 minutes. Details of the various components (tanks, valves, pump) will be presented along with the cooling scheme of the coils (poloidal field, toroidal field and ohmic heating) and of the structure. We will also report on the PLC-based control system which regulates the cooling efficiency for the various components. This will include details about the extensive instrumentation required for feedback control. The interaction of the cooling system with other tokamak subsystems will also be described.
Intravenous Cocaine Decreases Cardiac Vagal Tone, Vagal Index (Derived in Lorenz Space), and Heart Period Complexity (Approximate Entropy) in Cocaine Abusers

We assessed the effects of i.v. cocaine on parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system activity, and on the complexity vs. regularity of changes in heart rate over time. Fourteen otherwise healthy men with histories of i.v. cocaine abuse received bolus injections of cocaine (20 mg or 40 mg) and placebo (saline) on different days. Cardiovascular measures derived from the electrocardiogram, including heart rate, Porges' vagal tone (respiratory sinus arrhythmia), the 0.10 Hz rhythm, Toichi's vagal index, Toichi's sympathetic index, and approximate entropy (ApEn), were measured continuously. As predicted, cocaine produced tachycardia, accompanied by pronounced decreases in response to 40 mg cocaine in two different vagal tone indexes that precisely mirrored the increases in heart rate. The measure of sympathetic (and vagal) neural influences on the heart (0.10 Hz wave) also decreased in response to cocaine. Converging evidence from Toichi's vagal index supported the conclusion that the tachycardia from cocaine was due to withdrawal of cardiac vagal tone. These findings, and evidence that cocaine decreased cardiovascular complexity, contradict the prevailing assumption that the mechanism by which cocaine produces tachycardia is sympathetic (beta-adrenergic). We discuss implications for cardiac arrhythmias associated with cocaine abuse and death due to overdose.