cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blockmodel module identification in protein interaction networks through Markov random walk

To identify biologically meaningful modules in large-scale biological networks, general blockmodel network clustering algorithms have recently attracted much attention to search for groups of molecules that have similar interaction patterns in networks. However, existing blockmodel module identification algorithms suffer from the problems of prohibitive computational complexity and being trapped at local optima due to its inherent combinatorial complexity. In this paper, we propose a novel blockmodel module identification formulation based on Markov random walk to address those problems by finding high quality approximate solutions. A new convex optimization problem is formulated to find the low conductance (LC) sets as potential modules based on the two-hop transition matrix of Markov random walk on networks. We further propose a spectral approximate algorithm to find high quality modules in large-scale networks. The experimental results on two real-world PPI (protein-protein interaction) networks demonstrate that our method outperforms the state-of-the-art blockmodel module identification algorithms in terms of the accuracy measured by the F-measure based on curated annotations such as GO (Gene Ontology) and KOG (EuKaryotic Orthologous Groups) categories.
Evolution of a structure-searchable database into a prototype for a high-fidelity SmartPhone app for 62 common pesticides used in delaware

Synthetic pesticides are widely used in the modern world for human benefit. They are usually classified according to their intended pest target. In Delaware (DE), approximately 42 percent of the arable land is used for agriculture. In order to manage insectivorous and herbaceous pests (such as insects, weeds, nematodes, and rodents), pesticides are used profusely to biologically control the normal pest's life stage. In this undergraduate project, we first created a usable relational database containing 62 agricultural pesticides that are common in Delaware. Chemically pertinent quantitative and qualitative information was first stored in Bio-Rad's KnowItAll® Informatics System. Next, we extracted the data out of the KnowItAll® system and created additional sections on a Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet detailing pesticide use(s) and safety and handling information. Finally, in an effort to promote good agricultural practices, to increase efficiency in business decisions, and to make pesticide data globally accessible, we developed a mobile application for smartphones that displayed the pesticide database using Appery.io™; a cloud-based HyperText Markup Language (HTML5), jQuery Mobile and Hybrid Mobile app builder.
The Intersection of Gender and Place in Online Health Activities

This study examines how rurality and gender are related to online health activities. Rural women face greater health risks and yet have access to a weaker health system infrastructure, which has resulted in a health disadvantage. New health information technologies may ameliorate some of these disparities; thus, the authors examine the relevance of gender and place in going online to search for health information, buy medicines, participate in health-related support groups, communicate with physicians, or maintain a personal health record. Analyzing data from the National Cancer Institute's 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey, the authors found that the relations between rurality and gender vary, depending on the specific type of online health activity, and that gender may be a more salient factor than rurality in determining whether individuals engage in particular types of online health activities. This study contributes to the literature by examining how gender and place are related to onlin...
Diels-Alder addition to fluorinated single walled carbon nanotubes.

Fluorinated single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) undergo a facile Diels–Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition with a range of dienes resulting in a C ∶ substituent ratio between 20 ∶ 1 to 32 ∶ 1; IR, Raman, AFM and 13C NMR characterization are consistent with sidewall functionalization.
Family Relationships and Depression among Elderly Korean Immigrants

The purposes of the study were to describe family relationships within the context of living arrangements (living with adult children or without adult children) and support network, and to further determine associations of these factors to depression in elderly Korean immigrants. Over 70% (N = 160) of Korean elders were found to live apart from their adult children. However, Korean elders who were living independently reported higher levels of depression in spite of their expressed desire to live independently and to be less dependent upon their adult children. These findings suggest that family support and close relationships with their adult children play a central role in adjusting to a new life and in preventing and/or lessening depression in elderly Korean immigrants.
Inuit natality rhythms in the central Canadian Arctic.

Seasonal variation in human natality is examined over a period of several decades for an isolated Inuit settlement in the central Canadian Arctic. The results substantiate earlier reports of the existence of a birth season in the 1st 1/2 of the year. The 2 decade period coinciding with the gradual concentration of the regional population into the settlement experienced a temporary disruption of this traditional rhythmic pattern. Family planning has been introduced in the modern period yet birth seasonality is even more pronounced than during previous decades. Both planned and unplanned births occur predominately in the 1st 1/2 of the year indicating the paramount importance of behavioral and social responses to extreme seasonal variation. (authors)
The “1984” Macintosh Ad: Cinematic Icons and Constitutive Rhetoric in the Launch of a New Machine

The “1984” Macintosh ad was broadcast only once in 1984 to launch a personal computer that could easily be used by non‐expert consumers, but the ad has remained in the public eye via numerous television and advertising award ceremonies. Applying a theory of constitutive rhetoric with analysis of the ideological codes and cinematic narratives that construct the ad, this essay explores the integral role ads play in the cultural discourse of new technologies. Ultimately, the ad's rhetoric of freedom and revolution is used to constitute consumers, not rebels, leaving intact capitalism's ideological investment in the technological realization of social progress.
Physical Instability of a Therapeutic Fc Fusion Protein: Domain Contributions to Conformational and Colloidal Stability

Protein therapeutics made up of artificially combined proteins or protein domains, so-called fusion proteins, are a novel and growing class of biopharmaceuticals. We have studied abatacept (Orencia), a fusion protein that is constructed of a modified IgG Fc domain and the soluble part of the T-cell receptor CTLA-4. In accelerated degradation studies conducted at 40 °C, a pH shift from 7.5 to 6.0 yields significantly faster aggregation kinetics, as measured by size-exclusion chromatography. To understand how the fusion domains and their interactions contribute to this result, we considered aggregation in light of the modified Lumry−Eyring reaction pathway. Protein conformational stabilities against chaotropes and temperature were measured. The structural consequences of these perturbations were observed by a variety of experimental techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry, circular dichroism, and intrinsic fluorescence. Abatacept’s colloidal stability was studied by measuring zeta potentials...
Limb Salvage Versus Amputation in the Setting of an Amended Calcaneal Bone Biopsy Report

Limb salvage is a common and often challenging aspect of lower extremity surgery. In some cases, the surgeon's efforts to preserve anatomy and function may conflict with patient expectations and lead to situations that require surgeons to take into consideration a variety of ethical issues. This can be particularly true in a case where an inaccurate diagnosis alters the patient's prognosis.
Goldenhar syndrome with external auditory canal stenosis complicated by canal cholesteatoma and first branchial cleft cyst

Summary This report features a case of Goldenhar syndrome with congenital left facial nerve paralysis, microtia and external auditory canal stenosis complicated by an external auditory canal cholesteatoma and first branchial cleft cyst. The workup and surgical management of this rare constellation of defects is detailed. The features of this case are instructive as they provide insight into abnormal ear development. Otolaryngologists should retain a high index of suspicion for the presence of congenital cholesteatoma, branchial cleft anomalies and facial nerve abnormalities when evaluating patients with Goldenhar syndrome.
Semi-supervised learning for detecting text-lines in noisy document images

Document layout analysis is a key step in document image understanding with wide applications in document digitization and reformatting. Identifying correct layout from noisy scanned images is especially challenging. In this paper, we introduce a semi-supervised learning framework to detect text-lines from noisy document images. Our framework consists of three steps. The first step is the initial segmentation that extracts text-lines and images using simple morphological operations. The second step is a grouping-based layout analysis that identifies text-lines, image zones, column separator and vertical border noise. It is able to efficiently remove the vertical border noises from multi-column pages. The third step is an online classifier that is trained with the high confidence line detection results from Step Two, and filters out noise from low confidence lines. The classifier effectively removes speckle noises embedded inside the content zones. We compare the performance of our algorithm to the state-of-the-art work in the field on the UW-III database. We choose the results reported by the Image Understanding Pattern Recognition Research (IUPR) and Scansoft Omnipage SDK 15.5. We evaluate the performances at both the page frame level and the text-line level. The result shows that our system has much lower false-alarm rate, while maintains similar content detection rate. In addition, we also show that our online training model generalizes better than algorithms depending on offline training.
Automated estimation and variance reduction via control variates for infinite-horizon simulations

Abstract We present an automated procedure that interfaces with SIMSCRIPT II.5 simulation experiments to derive point and interval estimators for infinite-horizon parameters of stochastic simulations. The procedure combines the nonoverlapping batch means method of output analysis and the control variates variance reduction technique. Batch size and control variates are selected automatically. The paper emphasizes methodology issues and experimental evaluation rather than the specific software developed.
1H-NMR Monitoring of the transesterification process of Jatropha oil

Jatropha oil was extracted with hexane from the seeds of a shrub, Jatropha Curcas, in high yields, up to 40% by weight. The extracted oil was converted in a laboratory reactor to biodiesel methyl esters by transesterificadon with methanol using sodium hydroxide as catalyst. Analysis of Jatropha oil and the produced Jatropha biodiesel by H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR) showed that Jatropha oil could be readily converted to a biodiesel product through conventional transesterification. H-1 NMR spectroscopy was proven to be a useful tool for monitoring the progress of transesterification reaction to convert Jatropha oil to biodiesel. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

1. Lenore S. Levine, MD* 1. 2. *Director of Pediatric Endocrinology, Professor of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY. After reading this articles, readers should be able to: 1. List the most common cause of ambiguous genitalia in the female infant. 2. Describe the hallmark of 21-hydroxylase deficiency. 3. Delineate the percentage of infants who have classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency in whom aldosterone deficiency also is present and the primary presentation of this condition. 4. Describe the principles of treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) represents a family of autosomal recessive disorders in which there is a deficiency of one of the enzymatic activities necessary for cortisol synthesis. The result is increased adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion, adrenal hyperplasia, overproduction of the adrenal steroids that do not require the deficient enzyme activity, and deficiency of the steroids distal to the disrupted enzymatic step. An abnormality in each of the enzymatic activities required for cortisol synthesis has been described. Because some of the disorders also result in defects in gonadal steroidogenesis, abnormalities in gonadal hormone production also may be present. The symptoms and signs of each enzymatic disorder depend on which hormones are deficient and which are produced in excess. Much has been learned in recent years about the enzymes of adrenal steroidogenesis, the genes encoding them, and the genetic mutations resulting in CAH. The adrenal cortex synthesizes three classes of hormones: glucocorticoids, of which cortisol is the most potent naturally occurring in humans; mineralocorticoids, of which aldosterone is the most potent naturally occurring in humans; and the sex steroids, primarily dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate, and androstenedione. Cortisol is synthesized in the zona fasciculata, aldosterone in the zona glomerulosa, and the adrenal androgens in the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. A series of enzymatic steps is required for the synthesis of these hormones (Fig. 1⇓ , Table 1⇓ ). Figure 1. Simplified scheme of adrenal steroidogenesis. Two reactions ( dotted …
Behavioral stimulation of ovarian growth.

Abstract The present study was conducted to test the following hypothesis: male courtship induced egg-laying behavior in the female ring dove is mediated by the female's nest-coo display which feeds back to stimulate her ovarian system through the mechanisms of audio- and proprioceptive feedback. In Experiment I, females were exposed to 24 hr male courtship and then received playback of different nest-coos in the absence of their mates. All playback was effective in inducing the females to perform nest-coo displays, but none as effective as presence of the courting males. A specified level of the female's nest-coo display determined whether there would be changes in follicular diameter. The females which received no playback after 24 hr pairing with the male (control) did not show any changes in the follicular diameter. In Experiment II, females were deafened by removal of cochleae and upon recovery paired with males. Half of those deafened females performed nest-coo displays and subsequently laid clutches. The others failed to perform the display and did not lay. We conclude that both proprioceptive feedback and audio-feedback must be involved to yield maximal stimulation of follicular growth by the female's nest-coo display.
“Garden of Eden” or “Fool's Paradise”? Phylogeny, dispersal, and the southern continent hypothesis of placental mammal origins

Where did the modern lineages of placental mammals originate? Recent molecular data seemingly have overturned not only schemata of placental relationships based on morphological data, but also hypotheses about the time and place of origin of the modern lineages. The original hypothesis of Northern Hemisphere origin, based on the fossil record, has been replaced by a “Garden of Eden” hypothesis of origins on a southern continent, based on molecular phylogenies. But, do the molecular data really support this new view of placental mammal origins? Recent molecular phylogenies have converged on the finding of two basal placental clades (Springer et al. 1997; Stanhope et al. 1998; Madsen et al. 2001; Murphy et al. 2001), Afrotheria and Xenarthra, each endemic to separate southern continents, and a third clade, Boreoeutheria, of apparent northern continent affinity (Murphy et al. 2001). This finding, in association with molecular divergence estimates starting in the mid Cretaceous (see Springer et al. 2003 for a recent synthesis), has been used to support a mid Cretaceous origin of placentals in Gondwana (Eizirik et al. 2001; Murphy et al. 2001). These divergence time estimates imply a radiation of the ordinal lineages starting ∼105 million years ago (Springer et al. 2003), millions of years prior to the appearance of undoubted crown placentals in the early Cenozoic (Foote et al. 1999; Novacek 1999; Meng et al. 2003; Wible et al. 2004; Asher et al. 2005). A biogeographic scenario proposed to account for Gondwanan origins calls for vicariance, associated with mid-Cretaceous separation of Africa from South America, followed by later dispersal into the northern continents in the Late Cretaceous. This biogeographic scenario has been criticized on varied paleontological grounds (Ji et al. 2002; Archibald 2003; Luo et al. 2003; Hunter and Janis …
Capture of the volatile carbonyl metabolite of flecainide on 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine cartridge for quantitation by stable-isotope dilution mass spectrometry coupled with chromatography

Abstract Carbonyl compounds are common byproducts of many metabolic processes. These volatile chemicals are usually derivatized before mass spectrometric analysis to enhance the sensitivity of their detections. The classically used reagent for this purpose is 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) that forms the corresponding hydrazones. When DNPH is immobilized on specific cartridges it permits solvent-free collection and simultaneous derivatization of aldehydes and ketones from gaseous samples. The utility of this approach was tested by assembling a simple apparatus for the in vitro generation of trifluoroacetaldehyde (TFAA) and its subsequent capture on the attached DNPH cartridge. TFAA was generated via cytochrome P450-catalyzed dealkylation of flecainide, an antiarrhythmic agent, in pooled human liver microsomes. Stable-isotope dilution mass spectrometry coupled with GC and LC using negative chemical ionization (NCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) was evaluated for quantitative analyses. To eliminate isotope effects observed with the use of deuterium-labeled DNPH, we selected its 15N4-labeled analog to synthesize the appropriate TFAA adduct, as internal standard. Quantitation by GC–NCI-MS using selected-ion monitoring outperformed LC–ESI-MS methods considering limits of detection and linearity of the assays. The microsomal metabolism of 1.5 μmol of flecainide for 1.5 h resulted in 2.6 ± 0.5 μg TFAA-DNPH, corresponding to 9.3 ± 1.7 nmol TFAA, captured by the cartridge.
Presidential Address—A Proper Study of Our Program

The honor you have given me tonight, In spite of ulcers and a touch of fright, Has warmed the very cockles of my heart. I only hope that I have served your part. But you know how things are—throughout the year The Council did the work, and I stand here.
Analysis of electron tunneling events with the hidden Markov model

The charge fluctuations of a quantum dot defined by depletion gates in a semiconductor heterostructure can be observed using a charge sensor. The charge sensor can observe electrons transiting on and off of the quantum dot in real time. From such data information about the quantum states of electrons on the dot can be inferred. We present an approach to analyzing charge sensor data based on the hidden Markov model (HMM). HMM theory provides a mathematical approach for inferring the details of a stochastic process from indirect observations. We discuss how this applies to the problem of charge sensor data analysis. We apply HMMs to data from a previous quantum dot experiment and demonstrate its usefulness in extracting the electron transition rates. Further potential for the HMM in the context of quantum dot experiments is discussed.
Time discretized operators. Part 1: towards the theoretical design of a new generation of a generalized family of unconditionally stable implicit and explicit representations of arbitrary order for computational dynamics

The new generation of a generalized family of time discretized operators encompassing implicit and explicit representations that are unconditionally stable and which theoretically inherit Nth-order time accurate features developed in Part 1 are restricted here in Part 2 of the exposition to second-order time accurate operators. As such, unconditionally stable implicit representations are first described followed by unconditionally stable explicit representations. The theoretical design leading to computational algorithms with excellent algorithmic attributes for applicability to practical situations are also addressed for both the implicit and explicit unconditionally stable representations of time discretized operators. Attention is first focused on linear problems and extensions to nonlinear situations are subsequently briefly addressed.
Ciliary beat co‐ordination by calcium

Motile cilia in the airway epithelium are the engine for mucociliary clearance, the mechanism responsible for cleaning the airways from inhaled particles. Human airway epithelial cilia appear to have a slow constitutive rate of beating, driven by inherent and spontaneous dynein ATPase activity. Additionally, cilia can increase their beating frequency by activation of several different control mechanisms. One of these controllers is calcium. Its intracellular concentration is regulated by purinergic and acetylcholine receptors. Besides the rate regulatory effect of calcium on ciliary beat, calcium is also involved in synchronizing the beat among cilia of one single cell as well as between cilia on different cells. This article gives an overview of the complex effects of calcium on the beating of motile cilia in the airways.
Comparative science of the lanthanide and actinide (lanact) halides

Certain aspects of the chemistries of the binary lanthanide and actinide (lanact) halides are discussed, with main focus on the trivalent chlorides and bromides. These lanact trihalides are the ones most readily prepared, and they exhibit the four different crystal structures known for all lanact trihalides (except trifluorides) at room temperature and pressure (RTP). Formula volumes are correlated with the RTP crystal structures. Correlations with cation radius and/or cationic/anionic radius ratio are used to systematize the structural relationships, including those encountered through the application of pressure. Finally, some unknowns to be addressed in future research are proposed.
Practical design of feedback systems with uncertain multivariable plants

Abstract A previous paper was devoted to the rigorous development of an exact synthesis technique for uncertain multiple-input-output feedback systems. This paper is devoted to practical design execution, by means of two detailed 2×2 examples with large plant parameter uncertainty. The outstanding features are : (1) The problem muat be quantitative. Performance bounds must be assigned to the matrix of closed-loop. transfer functions, and the parameter uncertainty sets defined. (2) The design problem is translated into separate quantitative single-loop systems such with i1« own sets of parameter uncertainty, disturbances and performance tolerances. The solutions (compensation functions) for the single-loop problems are guaranteed to solve the multiple-input-output problem. There is no need to consider the characteristic equation of the latter or any of its other system functions. (3) There is considerable design transparency. As he proceeds, the designer can see the trade-offs between the loops, and may, i...
Studies on the nuclear 4 to 7 s RNA of the Novikoff hepatoma.

Abstract Nuclei isolated from Novikoff ascites hepatoma cells by the citric acid procedure were found to be a useful source of nuclear 4 to 7 s RNA, i.e., approximately 9 mg were obtained per 100 g wet weight of cells. The 4 to 7 s RNA was separated into four main peaks by chromatography on Sephadex G100 columns and 11 or more components by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two uridylic acid-rich RNA fractions (approximately 5 to 7 s), which are found only in nuclei, were purified by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; one was obtained in an electrophoretically homogeneous state and had a base composition of 22% adenine, 26% uracil, 33% guanine and 19% cytosine. The labeling patterns with either [ 14 C]sodium formate or [ methyl - 14 C]methionine as a precursor were different for the uridylic acid-rich nuclear RNA than for the 4 s and 5 s RNA. Evidence is presented that the uridylic acid-rich RNA of peak II is not a degradation product of high molecular weight RNA.
β-glucosyl and α-galactosyl Yariv reagents bind to cellulose and other glucans

Yariv reagent [1,3,5-tris(4-β-d-glucopyranosyloxyphenylazo)-2,4,6-trihydroxybenzene] has been used in the purification/quantification of arabinogalactan-proteins and as a histochemical reagent to localize arabinogalactan-proteins in plant tissues. When developing cotton fiber cells were stained with β-glucosyl Yariv reagent, interference from other cell wall polymers, especially cellulose, was suspected. In order to examine this potential interference, we have developed two dye-binding assays to measure the binding of Yariv reagent in the presence of various carbohydrate polymers. Reaction conditions such as pH, ionic strength, and exposure time in the standard binding assays were investigated. The results show that β-glucosyl and α-galactosyl Yariv reagents bind to cellulose and several other glucans. Treatments with excess glucose in the assay to inhibit binding were only partially effective in preventing β-glucosyl Yariv reagent from binding to cellulose. Keywords: Arabinogalactan protein; cellulose; g...
Feasibility Of Novel Si-Based Interminiband Lasers

We have designed a parallel interminiband lasing in superlattice structures of coherently strained Si0.5Ge0.5/Si quantum wells (QWs). Population inversion is achieved between the non-parabolic heavy-hole valence minibands locally in-k-space. Lasing transition is at 5.4μm. Our analysis indicates that an optical gain of 134/cm can be obtained when the laser structure is pumped with a current density of 5kA/cm2.
Physical growth of low birthweight infants in the first year of life: Impact of maternal behaviors

Physical growth of preterm infants relates to many medical factors, such as birthweight, severity of medical illnesses, and nutritional status. We previously reported that maternal behaviors influence developmental outcomes in low birthweight infants (birthweight < 1600 g); we now hypothesize that maternal behaviors also influence physical somatic growth in low birthweight (LBW) infants. We serially followed 218 mother-infant pairs from birth through 12 months of age. One-hundred thirteen LBW infants were categorized based on severity of early medical complications. Low Risk infants (LR, n = 71) had acute respiratory distress and/or grade 1-2 intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), or grade 3 IVH without hydrocephalus. High Risk infants (HR, n = 42) had chronic lung disease, grade 3 IVH with hydrocephalus or grade 4 IVH, and/or periventricular leukomalacia. We also studied 105 socioeconomic (SES) matched Full Term (FT) controls. Maternal behaviors were assessed during home visits with global ratings of Warm Sensitivity and Punitiveness. Infant weight was measured at birth and at 38 weeks, 6 months and 12 months corrected gestational age. We examined alternative expressions of weight growth across the three groups by developing the Weight Quotient (WQ), which is the ratio of actual measured weight to the median weight for age. For each infant the regression of the WQ ratio against correct gestational age was analyzed. We used a General Linear Model to compare the relation of the maternal variables to the weight quotients for the three groups. We determined the catch up growth as the slope of each regression. Results indicated that higher levels of maternal Punitiveness were related to slower rates of growth for High Risk (R2 = 0.36), but not Low Risk or Full Term. For maternal Warm Sensitivity (R2 = 0.36), there were significant (P < 0.05) inverse relations with weight gain growth for the Full Term infants. These data suggest that some maternal behaviors are related to the growth of term and premature infants, although the mechanisms through which this occurs is unclear.
A Practical Approach to the Differential Diagnosis of Small Round Cell Tumors of Infancy Using Recent Scientific and Technical Advances.

Scientific and technical advances have direct impact on the day to day practice of surgical pathology. Pathologists must learn to use new findings to improve diagnostic classification and add clini...
Selective utilization of amino acids by mammalian cell cultures

Abstract It has been demonstrated that there is a selective utilization and liberation of amino acids that is characteristic of different established cell lines in culture. These characteristics may be the result of the previous history of cultivation conditions, or they may be a reflection of the cell type in culture.
Estimating Incremental Cost‐Effectiveness Ratios and Their Confidence Intervals with Differentially Censored Data

With medical costs escalating over recent years, cost analysis is being conducted more and more to assess economic impact of new treatment options. An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) is a measure that assesses the additional cost for a new treatment for each additional unit of effectiveness, such as saving 1 year of life. In this article, we consider cost-effectiveness analysis for new treatments evaluated in a randomized clinical trial setting with staggered entries. In particular, the censoring times are different for cost and survival data. We propose a method for estimating the ICER and obtaining its confidence interval when differential censoring exists. Simulation experiments are conducted to evaluate our proposed method. We also apply our methods to a clinical trial example comparing the cost-effectiveness of implanted defibrillators with conventional therapy for individuals with reduced left ventricular function after myocardial infarction.
Odor cue determinants of urine marking in male rats (Rattus norvegicus)

This study examined the spatial distribution of urine marking by sexually inexperienced male rats under six odor conditions: minimum odor (baseline), conspecific male urine, conspecific female urine, an animal's own urine, male gerbil urine, and amyl acetate. The gerbil urine and amyl acetate conditions were included to test the theory that marking, rather than being elicited by and directed as a display to appropriate conspecifics, occurred to the introduction of any novel or disruptive odor. The subject's own urine was used to test the theory that the animal marked to maintain an optimum level of its own odor in the environment. The results showed that marking was directed predominantly at objects in the environment over which the animal could readily pass. All odor conditions except "own odor" sharply increased marking over baseline levels. Marking decreased with repeated exposure to particular stimuli. The results strongly supported the theory that urine marking, at least in sexually inexperienced male rats, is produced by novel odor stimuli introduced into a familiar environment.
Aparición de Melanina como Pigmento Protector en el Encéfalo de Xenopus laevis para Protegerlo de los Efectos de la Radiación Ultravioleta

Con el fin de proteger al organismo de condiciones estresantes, tales como cambios de osmolaridad y de temperatura, ademas de actuar como pantalla protectora en contra de los rayos ultravioleta (UV). Se ha observado que ciertos anfibios han desarrollado pigmentacion en su encefalo como una posible proteccion ante el aumento de la radiacion UV, causada por el dano en la capa de ozono, la cual estaria alterando al ecosistema. En este trabajo se describe la presencia de pigmentacion en el encefalo de X. laevis durante el desarrollo larvario y su posible funcion protectora frente a la radiacion UV. Para ello, se recolectaron individuos de diferentes estados larvarios, los que fueron obtenidos de distintas localidades de la region de Valparaiso (V region, Chile), para ser procesados con el metodo corriente H-E y el metodo de Lillie. En los analisis se pudo evidenciar que la pigmentacion correspondia a melanina, que se encontraria en la membrana denominada leptomeninge, la cual recubre al encefalo y estaria actuando como un filtro protector para evitar danos a nivel del desarrollo en el sistema nervioso de estos anuros. En suma, los rayos UV como agentes deletereos estarian estimulando la produccion de eumelanina en la leptomeninge de estos anfibios, para proteger parte del SNC (encefalo), como al individuo en si de posibles alteraciones teratogenicas y/o mutagenicas.
Light neutrinos as cold dark matter

Abstract In the majoron model of Gelmini and Roncadelli, the neuutrino mean free path in the early universe is very small due to the large ν-ν scattering rate from majoron exchange. Free streaming of neutrinos would be entirely suppressed, because the free streaming scale is now replaced by a very short diffusion scale. If majorons have a mass larger than the lightest neutrino species, these neutrinos would constitute the dark matter of the universe and would form structure according to a cold dark-matter scenario, in spite of their small mass.
Examination of antisense RNA and oligodeoxynucleotides as potential inhibitors of avian leukosis virus replication in RP30 cells

Avian leukosis virus (ALV) is an economically important pathogen of chickens. Both antisense RNA and antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) have been used to diminish the replication and spread of other retroviruses. The use of antisense RNA and ODN to inhibit ALV replication has been examined in cultured RP30 cells. Using an expression system that constitutively transcribes antisense ALV RNA, one transfected cell clone showed a significant reduction in virus growth. However, this effect was not reproducibly observed in other transfected cell lines or in cells in which the antisense transcript was expressed from a regulatable promoter, even though a substantial amount of antisense transcript was generated. Antisense ODN complementary to several different target sites near the 5' end of the ALV genome were also tested for antiviral activity, by comparison of antisense ODN effects to those of randomized sequence controls. An antisense ODN complementary to the ALV primer binding site demonstrated a reproducible reduction in viral replication. However, when the corresponding region was specifically employed as a target for intracellular antisense RNA expression, there again was no significant inhibition of ALV. These results suggest that in vivo expression of antisense RNA is unlikely to be an effective way to generate transgenic poultry that are resistant to field strains of ALV.
Electronic structure of sodium silicate glasses

We have calculated the electronic structure of (Na 2 O) x (SiO 2 ) 1 − x glasses with x values of 0. 0.018. 0.111, 0.222, and 0.333 on atomic models with periodic boundary conditions. The calculations were performed using the first-principles, orbital-charge self-consistent orthogonalized linear combination of the atomic Orbitals method. Density of states, partial density of states, localization of the one-electron states, and effective valence charges were calculated for this system. These are compared with experimental results from the literature. Systematic correlations between the calculated electronic structure and the short-range atomic structure are presented. It is also shown that the states at the edges of the valence band become much more localized as Na is added to the system. This is mainly attributed to a decrease in the number of covalent bonds at the oxygen sites.
Cryogenic impact properties of medical packaging films

In many transport and storage situations, medical packages are exposed to cryogenic conditions. In this article we describe the impact behavior of many of the commonly used medical film materials as a function of tempera ture from about —140 to + 20 ° C. High speed stress-strain data were generated on an instrumented impact tester fitted with a cryogenic sample conditioning chamber. In addition, the observed impact properties were correlated to the Dynamic Mechanical spectrum to provide better understanding of the molec ular basis for physical property behavior.
Teachers abroad: collaboration between the Peace Corps, Seed Global Health, and African medical and nursing schools in faculty scale-up

Abstract Background In 2012, the US Peace Corps and Seed Global Health, supported by PEPFAR, developed the Global Health Service Partnership (GHSP) to address extreme shortages of health-care providers in low-income countries. In 2013, GHSP placed 30 physicians and nurses on faculties at medical and nursing schools in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi to support educational capacity development aimed at long-term health system strengthening. Seed Global Health offers privately funded debt repayment to offset loan obligations and reduces barriers to participation. Methods GHSP recruited US faculty to work at sites selected in consultation with Ministries of Health and Education and other partners. Qualitative and quantitative surveys of applicants and volunteers were used to identify opportunities for continued and enhanced volunteer support during service. Findings Data review of recruitment and placements identified two career stages of volunteers—early and late. Regardless of seniority, substantial financial challenge exists for individuals considering GHSP. 27 volunteers require debt relief. The bimodal volunteer distribution suggests that, worldwide, opportunities are growing for midcareer faculty to serve as clinical educators. Midcareer faculty will need specific support because they are often unable to consider positions that entail substantial salary reduction associated with a year working abroad or an interruption of their academic activities, or both. Interpretation The financial challenge to individuals considering global service is problematic, especially for midcareer professionals. A so-called sabbatical corps could provide US institution-based funding and support for faculty who would transfer skills to their global counterparts and bring novel skills home in return. The sabbatical corps would effectively expand the pool of educators needed. Funding President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the Exxon Mobil Foundation, the Engelhard Foundation, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, Pfizer Foundation, and Goldman Sachs Gives.
Femtosecond imaging with digital holography

We describe a holographic technique capable of sampling dynamic events at 150 femtosecond time resolution. We apply the technique to the study of the nonlinear propagation of high energy pulses through gas and condensed media. The holograms are recorded as a digitized image from a CCD camera and reconstructed numerically to retrieve the refractive index change during the nonlinear optical process. We show dramatic differences in the pulse propagation characteristics depending on the strength of the nonlinear coefficient of the material and it's time response. Both positive and negative index changes have been measured in different media. The holographic technique allows us to distinguish the very fast positive index changes that are generally attributable to the Kerr nonlinearity from the negative index changes that result from free electrons generated by multiphoton ionization.
AMITRIPTYLINE AND NORTRIPTYLINE AS ANTAGONISTS OF CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL CHOLINERGIC ACTIVATION.

1. The anticholinergic activity of amitriptyline and a new antidepressant, nortriptyline, which is a secondary amine related to amitriptyline, were compared on guinea pig ileum and salivation of dogs. Both are active anticholinergic agents, but somewhat atypical, by these tests. Amitriptyline caused suppression of salivation at lower doses than nortriptyline. On guinea pig ileum, amitriptyline was about twice as active as nortriptyline. 2. Both compounds decrease the tremor and salivation induced in mice by Tremorine. They differ from atropine in showing a greater effect on tremor than upon salivation. 3. Both amitriptyline and nortriptyline are effective in elevating the threshold dose of arecoline that produces desynchronization of the high voltage slow activity with spindles seen in the EEG of cats with lesions at the pontomesencephalic junction. They do not cause EEG behavioral dissociation like atropine. 4. It is suggested that although these compounds are effective in antagonizing the central effects of cholinergic agents, they are different in this regard from atropine and other tertiary amines that have been reported to cause hallucinations in patients.
Agency costs and innovation some empirical evidence

Abstract This paper examines the empirical relation between corporate ownership structure and innovation. We test the hypothesis that diffusely-held firms are less innovative than firms with either a high concentration of management ownership or a significant equity block held by an outside investor. Overall, the evidence indicates that diffusely-held firms are less innovative along the dimensions we examine: patent activity, growth by acquisition versus internal development, and timing of long-term investment spending. These results are consistent with the conjecture that concentrated ownership and shareholder monitoring are effective at alleviating the high agency and contracting costs associated with innovation.
Recent Progress in Insulation Research

Another in a series of annual reports presented by the chairman of National Research Council's committee on electrical insulation, this article summarizes some of the principal advances in research work on gaseous, liquid, and solid dielectrics during the past year. References are included to both fundamental scientific studies and practical research under service conditions.
Steric effects as a basis for improved monovalent cation extraction selectivity in crown ethers

Incorporation into a 20-crown-6 of a bulky substituent capable of impeding cation/anion access to one face of the crown ether cavity is shown to afford compounds exhibiting good extraction selectivity for potassium ion over both alkaline earth cations (Ca2+, Sr2+) and other alkali metal ions (Na+, Cs+), an apparent result of diminished flexibility of the crown ether cavity, inhibition of the formation of extractable “sandwich” complexes with large cations, and the destabilizing effect of forcing charge-neutralizing counter anions to approach from one face of the crown cavity.
Survey of Faculty Perceptions Regarding a Peer Review System

Purpose Virtually all radiologists participate in peer review, but to our knowledge, this is the first detailed study of their opinions toward various aspects of the process. Methods The study qualified for quality assurance exemption from the institutional review board. A questionnaire sent to all radiology faculty at our institution assessed their views about peer review in general, as well as case selection and scoring, consensus section review for rating and presentation of errors, and impact on radiologist performance. Results Of 52 questionnaires sent, 50 were completed (response rate, 96.2%). Of these, 44% agreed that our RADPEER-like system is a waste of time, and 58% believed it is done merely to meet hospital/regulatory requirements. Conversely, 46% agreed that peer review improves radiologist performance, 32% agreed that it decreases medical error, and 42% believed that peer review results are valuable to protect radiologists in cases referred to the medical board. A large majority perform all peer reviews close to the deadline, and substantial minorities frequently or almost always select more than one previous examination for a single medical record number (28%), consciously select "less time intensive" cases (22%), and intentionally avoid cases requiring more time to peer review (30%). Discussion Almost one-half of respondents agreed that peer review has value, but as currently performed is a waste of time. The method for selecting cases raises serious questions regarding selection bias. A new approach is needed that stresses education of all radiologists by learning from the mistakes of others.
Biochemical analysis of acute and chronic wound environments

The process of wound healing involves a complex interaction between numerous cell types, extracellular matrix molecules, and soluble mediators including growth factors and cytokines. This complex milieu is under active investigation for the purposes of beginning to understand how this environment regulates tissue repair. Quantitation of growth factors, cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases within surgical wound fluids may help to elucidate this regulatory network, not only in noncomplicated wound healing but also in pathologic lesions such as chronic ulcers.
Loss of T-cell receptor-CD3ζ and T-cell function in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes but not in tumor-associated lymphocytes in ovarian carcinoma

Abstract Background. Impaired T-cell function has been noted in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). Recently, loss of function was found to be associated with modifications in T-cell receptor complex (TCR)-mediated signaling. A common feature is loss or reduced expression levels of the signaling chain, TCRζ. We evaluated whether loss of function in TIL and tumor-associated lymphocytes (TAL) from patients with ovarian cancer is associated with changes in TCRζ expression, and which factors can cause these defects. Methods. TIL and TAL were isolated from multiple patients and evaluated for their proliferative capacity by stimulation with a polyclonal stimulus. In addition, expression of TCRζ and CD3ϵ was evaluated in fresh TIL and TAL by the Western blot technique. Finally, various conditions within a tumor environment were tested for their effect on TCRζ and CD3ϵ. Results. TIL, but not TAL, were significantly impaired in their proliferative response, even when both populations were derived from the same patient (P
A Review of Picture Interest Inventories: Implications for Vocational Assessment of Students with Disabilities:

School psychologists have begun to assume greater responsibility for the vocational interest assessment of students with disabilities. Picture interest inventories frequently are administered to these students to avoid the reading demands of verbal inventories. By use of an evaluation system designed by Hammill, Brown, and Bryant (1992), we determined that six frequently administered commercial inventories were technically inadequate. In contrast, there are several verbal interest inventories that are psychometrically sound. We discuss ways in which examiners can determine whether the student with mild disabilities can successfully complete a verbal interest inventory, as well as ways in which verbal inventories can be modified for use with special needs populations.