cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat Stress Effects on Protein Accumulation of Maize Endosperm

Heat stress is a major factor limiting crop yield in many agricultural regions. During the early stage of kernel development, heat stress is particularly detrimental to subsequent dry matter accumulation since it causes disruption of cell division, sugar metabolism, and starch biosynthesis in the endosperm. The effects of heat stress on protein accumulation, however, is less well understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the mechanisms by which heat stress decreases protein accumulation and alters composition of developing maize (Zea mays L.) kernels. In this study, maize ears were heat stressed for 2 and 4d at continuous 35°C starting at 5 d after pollination (DAP). Endosperms were analyzed for the relative proportion of each Osborne protein solubility class fraction and for individual zein proteins. The 2- and 4-d heat stress (DHS) treatment caused a 20 and 48% reduction in kernel final dry weight, respectively, and protein content was similarly reduced. Specifically, zein content was reduced by an average of 53%, but zein composition was only mildly affected. The concentrations of glutelin and albumin plus globulin tended to increase throughout most of 4-DHS kernel development. L-[ 35 S]-methionine incorporation in the zein fraction was delayed by the 4 DHS when compared to control and 2-DHS treated kernels. Therefore, we concluded that heat stress during early stages of endosperm development repressed zein accumulation at the synthesis level. In contrast, later in development, zein accumulation appeared to be repressed mainly by protein degradation, which appears to be a part of the natural progression of kernel development since there was no apparent significant effect of heat stress treatments on this process.
Congenital absence of the pericardium: case presentation and review of literature

Congenital absence of the pericardium is an uncommon finding that may or may not be symptomatic. Asymptomatic patients are discovered incidentally during cardiac surgery for an unrelated condition or postmortem. However, symptomatic patients may experience non-exertional paroxysmal stabbing chest pain. It may occur with other cardiac or extracardiac abnormalities and a variety of imaging modalities may identify the condition. Complete cases are more rare than partial effects. However, complications are more common with partial absence due to strangulation of the heart into the defect thus requiring surgical intervention.
Multiple pathways for the oxygenation of a ruthenium(II) dithiocarbamate complex: S-oxygenation and S-extrusion.

The reactions of Ru(bpy)2(N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate)+, 1, with O-atom-transfer reagents such as hydrogen peroxide, m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, and oxone have been studied and several resulting derivatives isolated and structurally characterized. Both S-oxygenation and S-extrusion may occur depending upon reagent and conditions. Excess peroxygenation leads to a stable dioxygenate, Ru(bpy)2(N,N-dimethylthiocarbamatesulfinate-S,S)+, 3. Stoichiometric oxygenation leads to mixtures of products from which two forms of monooxygenated species Ru(bpy)2(N,N-dimethylperoxydithiocarbamate-S,S), 2a, and Ru(bpy)2(N,N-dimethylperoxydithiocarbamate-O,S), 2b, and an S-extruded product, Ru(bpy)2(N,N-dimethylmonothiocarbamate)+, 4, have been isolated as PF6- salts. The S,S-bound monooxygenate is unstable over time toward either O-atom-transfer reactions via disproportionation or reaction with phosphines or S-extrusion yielding complex 4 in which the thiocarbamate is bonded solely through the remaining S atom. All the comp...
Binding of rat ribosomal proteins to yeast 5.8S ribosomal ribonucleic acid

Abstract 5.8 S RNA-protein complexes were prepared using purified yeast 5.8 S RNA and proteins from the large ribosomal subunit of rat liver. Formation of such hybrid complexes, as measured by Millipore filtration, was dependent on protein concentration. Binding of proteins to the RNA could approach saturation. Such complexes were isolated from sucrose density gradient centrifugation and shown to contain proteins L6, L8, L19, L35 and L35a. These proteins were identified by their molecular weights on polyacrylamide gels containing dodecylsulfate and their mobilities on two dimensional polyacrylamide gels.
Who (or what) runs cities, and how?

power and its structuralist critics has produced a rich literature over the last quarter of a century. Beginning in the early 1960s, pluralist political scientists conducted a highly successful attack on the earlier elite-oriented tradition practiced by sociologists, establishing their views as normal science, at least within their own discipline. From the mid-1970s onward, however, a younger generation mounted structuralist critiques that undermined the pluralist point of view without managing to supplant it, in part because their views, too, had defects. More recently, some students of urban politics have attempted to synthesize the strengths of both approaches. The late 1980s thus offer a vantage point for asking where this debate has brought our understanding of the relationship between the urban political order and the economic and social environments in which it operates, the degree of its autonomy from and influence on these environments, the proper way to conceptualize urban power relations, and the process of growth and decay with
Ultrastructure of degenerative changes following ricin application to feline dental pulps.

The ultrastructure of degenerative changes within the ipsilateral trigeminal ganglion, and partes caudalis and interpolaris of the spinal trigeminal nucleus in the cat is described following the application of the potent toxin ricin to the tooth pulps of unilateral maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth, including the cuspids. Survival times ranged from 6 to 10 days. Typical changes identified within the ipsilateral trigeminal ganglion included myelin fragmentation and ‘compartmentalization’ of the axoplasm of medium-sized myelinated axons, while small myelinated and unmyelinated axons underwent a more variable response ranging from electron-lucent to electron-dense changes. The affected cell body was characterized by the presence of swollen, electron-lucent mitochondria, a reduction of cytoplasmic ribosomes and a filamentous hyperplasia. Other changes often included an eccentric nucleus and satellite cell proliferation. Degenerative changes often occurred in isolated elements surrounded by normal profiles, suggesting specificity of ricin within the trigeminal ganglion. Changes within brainstem axons showed both an electron-dense and a lucent, fragmenting type of axonal alteration. Terminal changes ranged from electron-dense to lucent and also included filamentous hyperplasia and ‘hyperglycogenesis’. The altered axonal knobs contained round synaptic vesicles that were presynaptic to dendritic profiles and postsynaptic to terminals containing flattened synaptic vesicles. The above brainstem alterations were identified specifically in the following areas: ventrolateral, medial and dorsomedial pars interpolaris; the ventrolateral and mid-dorsal to dorsomedial areas of the marginalis and outer substantia gelatinosa layers of pars caudalis; and in ventral pockets corresponding to lamina V of the medullary dorsal horn. Dense alterations within terminals containing flattened synaptic vesicles that are typically presynaptic to primary afferents in these areas were rare findings, but along with vacuolization of dendritic profiles suggest a trans-synaptic effect possibly due to the exocytosis of ricin. The results are discussed in relation to different reports of dental projections and with regards to patterns of transganglionic degeneration.
RNA in the Loop

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in a variety of biological roles, particularly as cis or trans gene expression regulators. Reporting recently in Nature, Lai et al. (2013) show that a class of gene-activating lncRNAs combines two gene regulation paradigms: enhancer-directed chromosomal looping and RNA-mediated protein effector recruitment.
Childhood-onset epilepsy with and without preceding febrile seizures

Objective: To identify characteristics in children with epilepsy that differ between those who did versus did not have a history of preceding febrile seizures. Background: Febrile seizures precede epilepsy in 10 to 15% of children. Little is known about the specific types of epilepsy associated with febrile seizures. Methods: In a community-based, prospectively identified cohort of children, the association between prior febrile seizures and characteristics of the children’s epilepsy (seizure type, epilepsy syndrome, age at onset, underlying etiology, family history) were examined for 524 of the children who were aged ≥1 year at onset of epilepsy. Results: Seventy-three (13.9%) had febrile seizures. Children with febrile seizures were more likely to have a first-degree or a second-higher-degree relative with febrile seizures and less likely to have childhood absence epilepsy and absence seizures compared with children without febrile seizures. This was especially true for simple febrile seizures. There was no specific association with localization-related forms of epilepsy. Complex, but not simple, febrile seizures were associated with younger age at onset of epilepsy. There was no evidence that focal or prolonged febrile seizures were associated with localization-related epilepsy or temporal lobe epilepsy per se. Of the three children whose initial MRIs demonstrated hippocampal atrophy, none had a history of febrile seizures. Conclusions: At the time of diagnosis, febrile seizures are not specifically related to temporal lobe epilepsy or localization-related epilepsy in general. A genetic component for febrile seizures is suggested by its positive associations with family history, especially for simple febrile seizures. Complex febrile seizures represent an underlying age-dependent susceptibility.
Advances in Comparative Ecological Analysis: Parsimony, Invariance, and Homogeneity in Factor Analysis Solutions:

Concern in this paper is with the specification of control procedures ensuring factor compatibility in spatiotemporal factorial ecology study. Specific attention is given to three considerations when factor solutions are to be used in the analysis of change: Parsimony, invariance, and homogeneity. A series of test procedures are proposed to determine the degree of factor compatibility between comparative solutions and to provide objective measures of parsimony, factor invariance, and variable homogeneity.
Comparative inactivation and inhibition of the anomerase and isomerase activities of phosphoglucose isomerase.

Several metabolic compounds have been found to be competitive inhibitors of the anomerase activity of phosphoglucose isomerase (EC 5.3.1.9).Ki values for erythrose 4-phosphate, 6-phosphogluconate, and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate for the anomerase reaction are 0.32 μM, 21 μM, and 84 μM respectively at 0° and pH 8.2. A significant difference between the fructose, 1,6-bisphosphate inhibition constants for both activities was found (ki(isomerase)=800 μM and Ki(anomerase)=84 μM). Also the Km values for both activities were found to be significantly different (Km(isomerase)=140 μM and Km(anomerase)=3.6 μM).
The Daubert decision.

I am pleased to respond to the request of the editors of Pediatrics to comment on the special article entitled the “ Daubert Opinion Requires Judges to Screen Scientific Evidence.”1 My understanding of the purpose of publishing a discussion of the implications of the Daubert decision by knowledgeable attorneys is the hope that their article would be helpful to pediatricians and their attorneys if they were personally involved in a lawsuit. The most important aspect of the special article by Sartore and van Doren1 pertains to the implications of the Daubert decision. They stated the following: “Under Daubert , a court must first make a ‘preliminary assessment of whether the reasoning or methodology underlying the testimony is scientifically valid and of whether that reasoning or methodology properly can be applied to the facts in issue.’ The Daubert court identified the following factors that, although not mandated or exclusive, might be helpful to a court's inquiry: 1. whether the scientific knowledge either can be or has been tested; 2. whether the ‘theory or technique has been subjected to peer review and publication’; 3. whether the technique has a ‘known or potential rate of error’; and 4. whether there is ‘general acceptance’ of the scientific technique.” The court's focus of the inquiry must be solely on principles and methodology, not on the conclusions that they generate. My simplistic interpretation of the Daubert decision is as follows: the court (judge) can reject the testimony of an expert if the scientific methodology used by the expert witness as the basis of the expert opinion is not accepted by the scientific community. However, the court must accept the opinion of an expert if the methodology of the expert is acceptable even if the court may not consider the expert's opinion to be scientifically correct. If the litigants … Address correspondence to Robert Brent, MD, PhD, DSc, duPont Hospital for Children, Room 306, A/R Building, PO Box 269, Wilmington, DE 19899. E-mail: rbrent{at}nemours.org
Computer expansion of Boolean expressions

A computer oriented algorithm for symbolically expanding Boolean expressions containing “and”, “or”, and “complement” operators into their disjuntive normal form is presented. The algorithm consists of two parts in sequence. The first part applies the DeMorgan's laws, and the second part applies the distributive laws. Each part scans the expression only once, and performs the expansion directly while analysing the syntax. The one-pass feature is achieved through a syntax-oriented recursive approach. The most commonly used symbolic convention is assumed for the input and output expressions. The algorithm is believed to be machine-independent and efficient, and it can be easily implemented even on a small computer. The algorithm is found particulary useful in automation of switching circuit simplification and diagnostic test generation.
Phase I-II study of ftorafur and methyl-CCNU in advanced colorectal cancer

The combination of Ftorafur (NSC-148958) and methyl-CCNU (NSC-95441) was evaluated in 36 patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The principle toxicities encountered were myelosuppression, gastrointestinal, and neurological. There were no complete responses and only 5/34 (14.7%) patients achieved a partial response. Methyl-CCNU and Ftorafur does not appear to be an effective combination in advanced adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum.
Does stem cell transplantation have a role in the management of multiple myeloma, 2009?

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation following myeloablative chemotherapy has been validated in the management of multiple myeloma over the past 20 years with over 2,100 publications ...
Population Survey of the Streamside Salamander in the Nashville Basin of Tennessee

Ambystoma barbouri (Streamside Salamander) inhabits upland deciduous forests associated with ephemeral first- and second-order streams throughout middle Tennessee. The distribution of Streamside Salamanders is centered in north-central Kentucky and extends into adjacent southeastern Indiana and southwestern Ohio. Disjunct populations are known from West Virginia, southern Kentucky, and middle Tennessee. Extant populations for middle Tennessee occur only within the southern Inner Nashville Basin (INB) ecological subregion of the Interior Plateau. Populations were found in Davidson and Jackson counties within the Outer Nashville Basin (ONB) during the 1960s and early 1970s, respectively; however, the status of these populations is unknown. To better determine the distribution of this species in the northern INB and the eastern ONB, we surveyed first- and second-order streams for eggs and larvae. We found Streamside Salamanders at only 2 of 78 localities. One of these breeding sites was adjacent to a previously known breeding stream in Wilson County, and the second site was in Trousdale County in the ONB, approximately 35 km north of the Wilson County sites and 49 km west of the historic Jackson County site. The distribution of Streamside Salamanders is still insufficiently known in middle Tennessee.
Hyperglycemia is a risk factor for early death and morbidity in extremely low birth-weight infants

OBJECTIVES. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of hyperglycemia in extremely low birth-weight infants and to determine whether hyperglycemia increases the risk of early adverse outcomes (death or intraventricular hemorrhage of grade 3 or 4) and/or affects the length of hospital stay among survivors without intraventricular hemorrhage. METHODS. The charts of all extremely low birth-weight infants (n = 93) admitted to Texas Children9s Hospital (Houston, TX) during 2001 were reviewed. The highest daily blood glucose concentrations, highest dopamine infusion rates, highest daily percentage of inspired oxygen, and mean blood sodium concentrations were averaged over the first week of life or before death or occurrence of grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage. Among survivors without severe intraventricular hemorrhage, the time ratio for blood glucose concentrations of >150 mg/dL was calculated. RESULTS. More than 50% of the infants had persistent blood glucose concentrations of >150 mg/dL during their first week of life. Early adverse outcomes were associated with the average highest daily blood glucose concentration through interaction with the Clinical Risk Index for Babies score and with the average highest daily percentage of inspired oxygen. The length of hospital stay was associated with the time ratio for blood glucose concentrations of >150 mg/dL through interaction with birth weight and the average highest daily percentage of inspired oxygen. CONCLUSION. These data confirm the high prevalence of hyperglycemia among parenterally fed, extremely low birth-weight infants and show that high blood glucose concentrations increase the risk of early death and grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage and the length of hospital stay among survivors without intraventricular hemorrhage, which suggests that prevention and treatment of hyperglycemia may improve the outcomes of extremely low birth-weight infants.
Magnetically modulated optical nanoprobes (MagMOONs) for detection and measurement of biologically important ions against the natural background fluorescence of intracellular environments

Magnetically modulated optical nanoprobes (MagMOONs) have been synthesized for the detection of pH changes in intracellular environments. MagMOONs are nanosensors designed to emit fluorescent signals and to blink in response to rotating magnetic fields. Separating the blinking probe signal from the unmodulated background signal allows for simple and sensitive detection of low analyte concentrations in the presence of autofluoresence.
Corporate Relations with Environmental Organizations Represented by Hyperlinks on the Fortune Global 500 Companies’ Websites

This study investigates corporate relationships with environmental organizations by examining hyperlinks in the corporate environmental responsibility (CER) sections of the Fortune 2008 Global 500 corporate websites. It is assumed that hyperlinked organizations either represent their current inter-organizational relationship or create symbolic relationships among organizations. Results show that Asian companies have fewer hyperlink relations with other organizations compared with those in North America and Western Europe. Network analysis also confirms that U.S. companies are explicitly connected with stakeholders for CER practices, and governmental organizations have a relatively central role in the global CER system. Nonprofit organizations are the most frequently hyperlinked with Fortune Global 500 corporations.
Effect of Reionization on Structure Formation in the Universe

I use simulations of cosmological reionization to quantify the effect of photoionization on the gas fraction in low-mass objects, in particular the characteristic mass scale below which the gas fraction is reduced compared to the universal value. I show that this characteristic scale can be up to an order of magnitude lower than the linear-theory Jeans mass, and that even if one defines the Jeans mass at a higher overdensity, it does not track the evolution of this characteristic suppression mass. Instead, the filtering mass, which corresponds directly to the scale over which baryonic perturbations are smoothed in linear perturbation theory, provides a remarkably good fit to the characteristic mass scale. Thus, it appears that the effect of reionization on structure formation in both the linear and nonlinear regimes is described by a single characteristic scale, the filtering scale of baryonic perturbations. In contrast to the Jeans mass, the filtering mass depends on the full thermal history of the gas instead of the instantaneous value of the sound speed, so it accounts for the finite time required for pressure to influence the gas distribution in the expanding universe. In addition to the characteristic suppression mass, I study the full shape of the probability distribution to find an object with a given gas mass among all the objects with the same total mass, and I show that the numerical results can be described by a simple fitting formula that again depends only on the filtering mass. This simple description of the probability distribution may be useful for semianalytical modeling of structure formation in the early universe.
NUTRITION IN BONE HEALTH REVISITED: A STORY BEYOND CALCIUM

Osteoporosis is a complex, multi-factorial condition characterized by reduced bone mass and impaired micro-architectural structure, leading to an increased susceptibility to fractures. Although most of the bone strength (including bone mass and quality) is genetically determined, many other factors (nutritional, environmental and life-style) also influence bone. Nutrition is important modifiable factor in the development and maintenance of bone mass and the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Approximately 80-90% of bone mineral content is comprised of calcium and phosphorus. Other dietary components, such as protein, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, fluoride, vitamins D, A, C, and K are required for normal bone metabolism, while other ingested compounds not usually categorized as nutrients (e.g. caffeine, alcohol, phytoestrogens) may also impact bone health. Unraveling the interaction between different factors; nutritional, environmental, life style, and heredity help us to understand the complexity of the development of osteoporosis and subsequent fractures. This paper reviews the role of dietary components on bone health throughout different stages of life. Each nutrient is discussed separately, however the fact that many nutrients are co-dependent and simultaneously interact with genetic and environmental factors should not be neglected. The complexity of the interactions is probably the reason why there are controversial or inconsistent findings regarding the contribution of a single or a group of nutrients in bone health.
Progesterone and estrogen control of uterine prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity during deciduomal growth.

Prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity was determined in deciduomal and myometrial tissues during growth and regression of the deciduoma during pseudopregnancy. The hormonal control of prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity in these tissues was determined in experiments with ovariectomized pseudopregnant rats. Prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity for both prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) in deciduomal and myometrial tissues increased during the growth of the deciduoma and decreased during the regression phase. No prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity was detected in non-decidualized pseudopregnant rat uteri. In ovariectomized pseudopregnant rats, progesterone and estrogen increased prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity for PGE1 in the deciduoma and myometrium; no synergistic action of the hormones was observed. Progesterone increased prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity for PGF2α in the deciduoma, but had no effect in the myometrium. The increases during decidualization in dehydrogenase act...
Physical working capacity at fatigue threshold (PWCFT) is associated with sarcopenia-related body composition and measures of functionality in older adults☆

Abstract The relationship between PWCFT and common measures used to assess sarcopenia in older adults were examined. Fifty-eight older adults [age: 71.1 ± 6.2 years; body mass index (BMI): 28.0 ± 5.4 kg/m2] completed the testing procedures. Sarcopenia-related body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and participants performed a discontinuous cycle ergometry test to determine PWCFT. Functionality assessments included maximal isometric grip strength (GRIP) and sit-to-stand (STS) repetitions in 30 s. Muscle quality (MQ) was defined as GRIP relative to appendicular lean soft tissue (ALM), while skeletal muscle index (SMI) was defined as ALM/height2. Pearson correlations were used to examine the relationships among dependent variables. PWCFT showed significant relationships with ALM (r = 0.57), SMI (r = 0.47), body fat percentage (BF%) (r = −0.50), GRIP (r = 0.49), and STS (r = 0.44). For follow-up analyses, study participants were categorized into low sarcopenia risk (n = 31) or high sarcopenia risk (n = 27) groups by SMI. Sarcopenia risk was associated with PWCFT [odds ratio (OR): 1.051, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.016–1.087] and STS (OR: 1.305, CI: 1.060–1.607), but not GRIP (OR: 1.098, CI: 0.989–1.218). Using receiver–operator characteristic curve analysis, both PWCFT [area under the curve (AUC): 0.737, CI: 0.608–0.866, optimal cutoff: 37.5 W] and STS (AUC: 0.749, CI: 0.623–0.874, optimal cutoff: 12.5 repetitions) showed discriminative ability with regard to sarcopenia risk. The current data suggest that the neuromuscular fatigue threshold, as measured by PWCFT, is related to measures of body composition and function in older adults.
Spatial Diffusivity and Availability of Intracellular Calmodulin

Calmodulin (CaM) is the major pathway that transduces intracellular Ca2+ increases to the activation of a wide variety of downstream signaling enzymes. CaM and its target proteins form an integrated signaling network believed to be tuned spatially and temporally to control CaM's ability to appropriately pass signaling events downstream. Here, we report the spatial diffusivity and availability of CaM labeled with enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-CaM, at basal and elevated Ca2+,quantified by the novel fluorescent techniques of raster image scanning spectroscopy and number and brightness analysis. Our results show that in basal Ca2+ conditions cytoplasmic eGFP-CaM diffuses at a rate of 10 microm(2)/s, twofold slower than the noninteracting tracer, eGFP, indicating that a significant fraction of CaM is diffusing bound to other partners. The diffusion rate of eGFP-CaM is reduced to 7 microm(2)/s when a large (646 kDa) target protein Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II is coexpressed in the cells. In addition, the presence of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, which can bind up to 12 CaM molecules per holoenzyme, increases the stoichiometry of binding to an average of 3 CaMs per diffusive molecule. Elevating intracellular Ca2+ did not have a major impact on the diffusion of CaM complexes. These results present us with a model whereby CaM is spatially modulated by target proteins and support the hypothesis that CaM availability is a limiting factor in the network of CaM-signaling enzymes.
Cloud optical thickness variations during 1983–1991: Solar cycle or ENSO?

Based on a detailed analysis of the cloud data obtained by the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) in the years 1983–1991, we show that besides the reported 3% variation in global cloudiness (Svensmark and Friis-Christensen, 1997), the global mean cloud optical thickness (MCOT) also has significant variation which is out of phase with that of the global cloudiness. The combined effect of the two opposing variations may be a null effect on the cloud reflectivity. These results are consistent with the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) reflectivity measurements. The MCOT variation is further shown to be correlated with both the solar cycle and the ENSO cycle. Our present analysis cannot distinguish which of the above two provides better correlation, although independent data from the High resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) from 1990 to 1996 favor the solar cycle. Future data are needed to identify the true cause of these changes.
Stress Reduction and HIV Disease: A Review of Intervention Studies Using a Psychoneuroimmunology Framework

The field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) posits that relationships exist between stress, immunological impairment, and health outcomes. Accumulating evidence suggests that stress may hasten HIV disease progression by increasing viral replication, suppressing immune response, and inducing deleterious health-related behaviors. Interventions that attenuate the effects of stress are postulated to operate by altering cognitive perception and/or modulating neuroendocrine and sympathetic reactivity. A review of HIV/PNI intervention studies is presented as a guide for the inclusion of stress reduction interventions in comprehensive plans of care for HIV-infected individuals. Although effect and sample sizes are small, the results of these studies provide support for a positive effect of various interventions on immunological and health-related indices in HIV-infected individuals.
The Geography of Popular Contention: An Urban Protest in Argentina

AbstractThis article examines the spatial dimensions of a highly singular riot in contemporary Argentina: the episode that came to be known as the Santiagazo. On 16 December 1993, thousands of public employees sacked, burned, and looted three government buildings (the Government House, the Courthouse, and the Legislature) and the private residences of nearly a dozen local politicians and officials in the city of Santiago del Estero. Based on in-depth interviews and archival research, this article examines how both physical and symbolic space structures (i.e., constrains and facilitates) protest, paying particular attention to the construction of the riot's itinerary, to the selection of the crowd's targets, and to the geography of policing. It also explores how protest structures space—both physical and symbolic—focusing on the specific creative actions of the protesters during that day, on their experiences, and on the meanings with which they later came to imbue the looting.
Psychopathology and Clinical Course of Schizophrenia: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

The authors critically review the existing literature on the outcome of schizophrenia in non-Western countries. Compared to studies conducted in Europe and North America, the majority of these non-Western longitudinal followup studies indicated significantly better outcome. Such cross-national variations in the outcome of schizophrenia have been substantiated by two large-scale multicentered studies sponsored by the World Health Organization. Along with this literature review, the authors also discuss potential methodological problems of these studies and examine in detail several key hypotheses concerning mediating factors that could differentially influence the fate of schizophrenic patients in divergent cultural settings. Finally, specific suggestions are made for future research directions.
Structural modifications of disordered mesocarbon microbeads with lower temperatures of heat treatment

We describe the variation of structural and physical properties of mesocarbon microbeads, a potential anode material for rechargeable lithium batteries, as a function of heat-treatment temperature in the range 400{endash}1100thinsp{degree}C. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies indicated changes in the morphology of the mesocarbons with heat treatment. X-ray studies show that average crystallite size varies considerably with heat treatment. The d{sub 002} spacing decreases with increasing heat treatment temperatures. The electronic conductivity of the mesocarbon microbeads also increases substantially with increasing heat-treatment temperature. Based on thermogravimetrical analysis (TGA) and other measurements, we find that organic fractions volatilizes out of these carbons in two distinct stages. The observed weight loss correlates with the structural changes observed. We suggest that these observations are consistent with two types of hydrogenated fractions present in the {open_quotes}green{close_quotes} mesocarbons. {copyright} {ital 1998 Materials Research Society.}
Dosimetric and motion analysis of margin-intensive therapy by stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for resectable pancreatic cancer

The retroperitoneal margin is a common site of positive surgical margins in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. Preoperative margin-intensive therapy (MIT) involves delivery of a single high dose of ablative radiotherapy (30 Gy) focused on this surgically inaccessible margin, utilizing stereotactic techniques in an effort to reduce local failure following surgery. In this study, we investigated the motion of regional organs at risk (OAR) utilizing 4DCT, evaluated the dosimetric effects of abdominal compression (AC) to reduce regional motion, and compared various planning techniques to optimize MIT. 10 patients were evaluated with 4DCT scans. All 10 patients had scans using AC and seven of the 10 patients had scans both with and without AC. The peak respiratory abdominal organ and major vessel centroid excursion was measured. A "sub-GTV" region was defined by a radiation oncologist and surgical oncologist encompassing the retroperitoneal margin typically lateral and posterior to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and a 3-5 mm margin was added to constitute the PTV. Identical 3D non-coplanar SABR (3DSABR) plans were designed for the average compression and non-compression scans. Compression scans were planned with 3DSABR, coplanar IMRT (IMRT), and Cyberknife (CK) planning techniques. Dose volume analysis was undertaken for various endpoints, comparing OAR doses with and without AC and for different planning methods. The mean PTV size was 20.2 cm3. Regional vessel motion of the SMA, celiac trunk, and renal vessels was small ( 5 mm, so AC has been used in all patients enrolled thus far. AC did not significantly increase OAR dose including the stomach and traverse colon. There were several statistically significant differences in the doses to OARs as a function of the type of planning modality used. AC does not significantly reduce the limited motion of structures in close proximity to the MIT target and does not significantly increase the dose to OARs that can be displaced by the compression plate. The treatment planning techniques evaluated in this study have different advantages with no clearly superior method in our analysis. Dose to adjacent vessels may be reduced with 3DSABR or IMRT techniques, while conformality is increased with IMRT or CK.
Geochemical record of anthropogenic impacts on Lake Valencia, Venezuela

Abstract Bulk geochemical parameters and organic matter biomarkers in a short, high resolution gravity core (Lake Valencia, Venezuela) were examined to reconstruct anthropogenic impacts on the lake’s conditions. During the period of ca. 1840–1990, sedimentary organic matter was characterized by high contents of total organic C (TOC) and total N (TN), low TOC/TN values as well as relatively enriched δ13C and δ15N signals, suggesting a primary autochthonous (algae and macrophytes) organic matter origin. The occurrence of large amounts of C23 and C25 relative to C29 and C31 n-alkanes indicated substantial inputs from submerged/floating macrophytes. The variations of C32 15-keto-ol, tetrahymanol, diploptene, C32 bishomohopanol, 2-methylhopane, dinosterol and isoarborinol concentrations over the investigated period record changes in the planktonic community structure, including Botryococcus braunii, bacteriavore ciliates, cyanobacteria, Eustigmatophytes and dinoflagellates. A principal shift occurred in the 1910s when cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates became more abundant at the expense and decline of B. braunii and Eustigmatophytes, likely related to increasing anthropogenic activity around the lake. A second shift (less obvious) occurred in the 1960s when cyanobacteria became the sole predominant planktonic class, coinciding with further deterioration of lake conditions.
Incidence of postpartum lumbosacral spine and lower extremity nerve injuries.

Abstract Objective Neurological injury associated with present day labor and delivery is thought to be unusual. The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence, severity, and duration of postpartum lumbosacral spine and lower extremity nerve injury and identify factors related to nerve injury. Methods All women who delivered a live-born infant from July 1997 through June 1998 were asked about symptoms of lumbosacral spine and lower extremity nerve injury the day after delivery. Women with symptoms were examined by a physiatrist to confirm injury, and their cases were then followed by telephone until the symptoms resolved. Maternal variables (including prospective documentation of time spent pushing in various positions) and fetal variables that might be associated with risk of nerve injury were compared between women with injury and those without. Results Six thousand fifty-seven women delivered live-born infants; 6048 were interviewed and 56 had a confirmed new nerve injury, an incidence of 0.92%. Factors found by logistic regression analysis to be associated with nerve injury were nulliparity and prolonged second stage of labor. Women with nerve injury spent more time pushing in the semi-Fowler–lithotomy position than women without injury. The median duration of symptoms was 2 months. Conclusion The estimated incidence of postpartum nerve injury was greater than reported from previous studies and is associated with nulliparity and prolonged second stage of labor.
Response inhibition in the stop-signal paradigm

Response inhibition is a hallmark of executive control. The concept refers to the suppression of actions that are no longer required or that are inappropriate, which supports flexible and goal-directed behavior in ever-changing environments. The stop-signal paradigm is most suitable for the study of response inhibition in a laboratory setting. The paradigm has become increasingly popular in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience and psychopathology. We review recent findings in the stop-signal literature with the specific aim of demonstrating how each of these different fields contributes to a better understanding of the processes involved in inhibiting a response and monitoring stopping performance, and more generally, discovering how behavior is controlled.
Exact controllability for wave equation with Neumann boundary control

the author presented a summary of very recent results on exact controllability for the wave equation under boundary control exercised either in the Dirichlet or else in the Neumann boundary conditions. For lack of space, the present paper deals exclusively with the Neumann case, while for the Dirichlet case reference is made to [T.1].
Evaluation of Razorback Sucker and Colorado Squawfish Batch Marking Techniques

Abstract Young razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus (mean total length [TL] = 127 mm) and Colorado squawfish Ptychocheilus lucius (mean TL = 150 mm) were marked by freeze branding and injection of a fluorescent elastomer. The elastomer injection was made at the base of the anal fin and on the operculum (razorback suckers) or lower jaw (Colorado squawfish) and consisted of one of four colors: green, blue, red, or orange. Freeze branding had 99% retention after 15 months for both species. Elastomer recognition was better for Colorado squawfish (mean 74%) than for razorback suckers (mean 60%) after 15 months, and retention at both locations was similar. Red and orange had the best recognition and blue had the poorest. Red and orange elastomer injected in young Colorado squawfish could be detected (95%) for 5 months. One person implanting elastomer at two locations on each fish and one person anesthetizing and handling fish can mark 130–140 fish/h. Approximately three times that number can be freeze-branded per...
Sintering and Grain Growth of Alpha-Alumina

The sintering (densification) and grain growth of alumina were studied to determine the effect of the variables raw material, particle size, grinding in acid media, molding pressure, various single additives in different amounts, and firing temperature. Fine grinding promoted sintering and the growth of large grains and caused the grains to be more elongated in habit. Sintering was facilitated by additions of iron oxide, manganese oxide, copper oxide, and titanium oxide, provided the amounts of these oxides and the temperature of firing were within certain bounds. The growth of large grains was facilitated by additions of iron oxide and manganese oxide. Nineteen other additives had no effect or retarded sintering and large-grain growth. Both magnesium oxide and silica had a marked effect in inhibiting the growth of large grains. The alkali metal oxides, added singly, were especially deleterious to the production of strong alumina bodies. The maximum density and maximum strength of the fired body were attained approximately simultaneously with the onset of large-grain growth. The habit of the large grains was markedly altered by increasing amounts of each additive; the grains lost their characteristic crystalline shape and became nearly spheroidal particles. It is suggested that two grain-growth phenomena exist which are independent of each other. One is termed “small-grain growth” and is associated with densification; the other is referred to as “large-grain growth” and occurs in certain specimens, depending on the additions to the alumina, after the sintering (densification) is substantially complete.
The Pointwise Stationary Approximation for Queues with Nonstationary Arrivals

We empirically explore the accuracy of an easily computed approximation for long run, average performance measures such as expected delay and probability of delay in multiserver queueing systems with exponential service times and periodic sinusoidal Poisson arrival processes. The pointwise stationary approximation is computed by integrating over time that is taking the expectation of the formula for the stationary performance measure with the arrival rate that applies at each point in time. This approximation, which has been empirically confirmed as a tight upper bound of the true value, is shown to be very accurate for a range of parameter values corresponding to a reasonably broad spectrum of real systems.
c-kit+ Cardiac stem cells alleviate post-myocardial infarction left ventricular dysfunction despite poor engraftment and negligible retention in the recipient heart.

Although transplantation of c-kit+ cardiac stem cells (CSCs) has been shown to alleviate left ventricular (LV) dysfunction induced by myocardial infarction (MI), the number of exogenous CSCs remaining in the recipient heart following transplantation and their mechanism of action remain unclear. We have previously developed a highly sensitive and accurate method to quantify the absolute number of male murine CSCs in female recipient organs after transplantation. In the present study, we used this method to monitor the number of donor CSCs in the recipient heart after intracoronary infusion. Female mice underwent a 60-min coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion; 2 days later, 100,000 c-kit+/lin- syngeneic male mouse CSCs were infused intracoronarily. Only 12.7% of the male CSCs present in the heart immediately (5 min) after infusion were still present in the heart at 24 h, and their number declined rapidly thereafter. By 35 days after infusion, only ∼1,000 male CSCs were found in the heart. Significant numbers of male CSCs were found in the lungs and kidneys, but only in the first 24 h. The number of CSCs in the lungs increased between 5 min and 24 h after infusion, indicating recirculation of CSCs initially retained in other organs. Despite the low retention and rapid disappearance of CSCs from the recipient heart, intracoronary delivery of CSCs significantly improved LV function at 35 days (Millar catheter). These results suggest that direct differentiation of CSCs alone cannot account for the beneficial effects of CSCs on LV function; therefore, paracrine effects must be the major mechanism. The demonstration that functional improvement is dissociated from survival of transplanted cells has major implications for our understanding of cell therapy. In addition, this new quantitative method of stem cell measurement will be useful in testing approaches of enhancing CSC engraftment and survival after transplantation.
Influence of simulated seed rain on the seed bank of wild-proso millet

Abstract A field experiment was conducted between 1988 and 1993 to determine the number of wild-proso millet seed that could be returned to the soil without increasing future soil seed bank populations. The first seed bank (1988) was 15,300 seed m−2 and ranged from 14,000 to 21,000 seed m−2, which represented a high seed population for the area. Seed rain treatments of 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48% of the 1988 soil seed bank were returned each fall. By 1993, more than 90% of the original millet seed bank had been depleted for all treatments. It was estimated that 77% of the seed rain and 68% of the spring seed bank were lost each year. As a result, wild-proso millet must produce approximately three times the seed in the soil to maintain a constant seed bank population. Nomenclature: Wild-proso millet, Panicum miliaceum L. PANMI; corn, Zea mays L.; soybean, Glycine max (L) Merr.
Family Studies in Scott Syndrome

To the Editor: Scott syndrome refers to a relatively severe bleeding disorder associated with an isolated defect in the expression in stimulated platelets of the membrane catalytic tenase activity (complex of coagulation factors VIIIa and IXa) and prothrombinase activity (complex of coagulation