cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cortical cholinergic inputs mediating arousal, attentional processing and dreaming: differential afferent regulation of the basal forebrain by telencephalic and brainstem afferents.

Basal forebrain corticopetal neurons participate in the mediation of arousal, specific attentional functions and rapid eye movement sleep-associated dreaming. Recent studies on the afferent regulation of basal forebrain neurons by telencephalic and brainstem inputs have provided the basis for hypotheses which, collectively, propose that the involvement of basal forebrain corticopetal projections in arousal, attention and dreaming can be dissociated on the basis of their regulation via major afferent projections. While the processing underlying sustained, selective and divided attention performance depends on the integrity of the telencephalic afferent regulation of basal forebrain corticopetal neurons, arousal-induced attentional processing (i.e. stimulus detection, selection and processing as a result of a novel, highly salient, aversive or incentive stimuli) is mediated via the ability of brainstem ascending noradrenergic projections to the basal forebrain to activate or "recruit" these telencephalic afferent circuits of the basal forebrain. In rapid eye movement sleep, both the basal forebrain and thalamic cortiocopetal projections are stimulated by cholinergic afferents originating mainly from the pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmenta in the brainstem. Rapid eye movement sleep-associated dreaming is described as a form of hyperattentional processing, mediated by increased activity of cortical cholinergic inputs and their cortical interactions with activated thalamic efferents. In this context, long-standing speculations about the similarities between dreaming and psychotic cognition are substantiated by describing the role of an over(re)active cortical cholinergic input system in either condition. Finally, while determination of the afferent regulation of basal forebrain corticopetal neurons in different behavioral/cognitive states assists in defining the general cognitive functions of cortical acetylcholine, this research requires a specification of the precise anatomical organization of basal forebrain afferents and their interactions in the basal forebrain. Furthermore, the present hypotheses remain incomplete because of the paucity of data concerning the regulation and role of basal forebrain non-cholinergic, particularly GABAergic, efferents.
The interaction of mouse myeloma immunoglobulin S15 with negatively charged polysaccharide antigens.

Abstract A murine BALB/c IgG2a (λ3) myeloma immunoglobulin SAPC-15 with binding activity for negatively charged polysaccharides has been purified by affinity chromatography. and its interaction with heparin and various other polyanionic antigens has been studied. The antigen-binding activity has been demonstrated to reside in the Fab part of the immunoglobulin. The S15 myeloma protein in 0.05 M Tris buffer at pH 7.4 precipitated dextran sulfate, heparin, chondroitin sulfate A, B and C, hyaluronic acid, H. influenzae type b polysaccharide, calf thymus DNA, Klehsiella polysaccharide K.63 and poly- l -glutamic acid. Of these antigens only dextran sulfate was precipitated in 0.01 M phosphate buffered saline (0.15 M), pH 7.4. The pepsin S15 Fab fragment did not precipitate with any of these antigens. The intrinsic tryptophanyl fluorescence of S15 was changed maximally by the addition of heparin, and the binding affinity of the immunoglobulin for this antigen was high (> 106 L/M). S15 may resemble antibody molecules that react with antigens under non-physiological conditions or in pathological conditions or in the external environment as in the lumen of the gut. All the above interactions of S15 with antigens persisted in 0.05 M Tris buffer made physiologically isotonic by the addition of sucrose, and S15 could thus be used to identify these antigens on cell surfaces.
Mutation of HOXA13 in hand-foot-genital syndrome

There are several human syndromes which involve defects of the limbs and the Mullerian ducts or its derivatives1–3. The hand-foot-genital (HFG) syndrome is an autosomal dominant, fully penetrant disorder that was originally described by Stern et al.4 Additional reports describing other affected families have also been published1,5–11. Limb anomalies include short first metacarpals of normal thickness, small distal phalanges of the thumbs, short middle phalanges of the fifth fingers, and fusion or delayed ossification of wrist bones. In the feet, the great toe is shorter due to a short first metatarsal and a small, pointed distal phalanx. Uterine anomalies are common in females with HFG, and typically involve a partially divided (bicornuate) or completely divided (didelphic) uterus, representing defects of MUllerian duct fusion. Urinary tract malformations in affected HFG females include a displaced urethral opening and malposition of ureteral orifices in the bladder wall; affected males may have hypospadias (ventrally misplaced urethral opening) of variable severity1,5,7–9. We report the identification of a HOXA13 nonsense mutation in a family with hand-foot-genital syndrome. The mutation converts a highly conserved tryptophan residue in the homeodomain to a stop codon, which truncates 20 amino acids from the protein and likely eliminates or greatly reduces the ability of the protein to bind to DNA.
Characterizing regional-scale variations in monthly and seasonal surface air temperature over Mexico

Monthly and seasonal variations in surface air temperature (SAT) over Mexico have not received much research attention, a situation partly reflecting the lack of a coherent historical data set. As a step toward rectifying the data gap, this study outlines the development of a gridded monthly (2.5° × 2.5°lat.–long.) SAT data set (1940–2001) for Mexico. Using the data set, we investigate several basic dimensions of SAT variability. Our analysis demonstrates that much of the variability can be compactly expressed in terms of four regions which are physically plausible with respect to the country's climatology. Not surprisingly, persistence is an important component of regional SAT variability. Evaluated month to month, persistence tends to be greatest during the warm season, whereas across seasons there is evidence for persistence of warm season anomalies into the following cool season, behaviour that is consistent with positive feedback relationships between SAT, rainfall and land surface conditions. The regional time series display longer period variability that is partially linked to the state of the large-scale, slowly evolving climate modes of the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation and the Pacific decadal oscillation. Analyses are also presented to describe teleconnections between SAT and the El Nino–southern oscillation phenomena, and SAT and other large-scale atmospheric modes, such as the Pacific North American pattern and the North Atlantic oscillation. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society
The SLA DBIO 100 Poll: 100 Journals Voted by SLA’s BioMedical and Life Sciences Division as the Most Influential over the Last 100 Years

An expert opinion poll of the members of the BioMedical and Life Sciences Division (DBIO) of the Special Libraries Association (SLA), conducted on the occasion of the SLA's Centennial (Washington, DC, June 14–17, 2009), identified 100 journals across three major categories (Clinical Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Journals Primarily Reporting Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Journals of Natural History) as the most influential over the last 100 years. The Top Ten, containing winners from all three of these groups, were also named, as were a “Journal” and a “Publisher” of the Centennial.”
Prenatal Intervention: Ethical Considerations for Life-Threatening and Non-Life-Threatening Anomalies

Ethical issues in maternal-fetal surgery require special consideration because of the often-conflicting interests of the mother and fetus. Over the past 2 decades an ethical framework for fetal therapy and maternal-fetal surgery has been developed. This framework continues to evolve as new procedures are developed and new controversies arise. The most recent ethical challenge has been the application of maternal-fetal surgery to nonlethal fetal anomalies, specifically, repair of fetal myelomeningocele. Such procedures require early evaluation by randomized clinical trials to avoid premature dissemination of unproven therapy. These trials currently are being initiated, and the ethical framework for proceeding requires careful consideration. This review will summarize the current ethical issues and controversies in maternal-fetal surgery in the context of these new developments.
UPPER AND LOWER BOUNDS FOR THE GROUND STATE ENTROPY OF ANTIFERROMAGNETIC POTTS MODELS

We derive rigorous upper and lower bounds for the ground state entropy of the q-state Potts antiferromagnet on the honeycomb and triangular lattices. These bounds are quite restrictive, especially for large q.
Louveau's theorem for the descriptive set theory of internal sets

We give positive answers to two open questions from [15]. (1) For every set C countably determined over , if C is then it must be over , and (2) every Borel subset of the product of two internal sets X and Y all of whose vertical sections are can be represented as an intersection (union) of Borel sets with vertical sections of lower Borel rank. We in fact show that (2) is a consequence of the analogous result in the case when X is a measurable space and Y a complete separable metric space (Polish space) which was proved by A. Louveau and that (1) is equivalent to the property shared by the inverse standard part map in Polish spaces of preserving almost all levels of the Borel hierarchy.
Comparison between retinal thickness analyzer and optical coherence tomography for assessment of foveal thickness in eyes with macular disease.

Abstract PURPOSE: To use the retinal thickness analyzer (RTA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanners for quantitative measurement of retinal thickness in eyes with macular disease. DESIGN: In a cross-sectional study, 44 patients (55 eyes) with macular disease and sufficient media clarity to visualize the fundus using clinical biomicroscopy underwent an ophthalmologic examination, fluorescein angiography, RTA, and OCT during the same visit. METHODS: Foveal and foveal center (foveolar) retinal thickness measurements were obtained by RTA and by OCT. RESULTS: Retinal thickness measurements were obtained by OCT in all 55 eyes and by RTA in 34 eyes (62%, primarily due to interference from media opacities). In the 34 eyes in which measurements were obtained by both instruments, mean foveal thickness was 291 and 269 μm for OCT and RTA, respectively; foveolar thickness was 277 and 265 μm, respectively. OCT and RTA measurements of foveal thickness were strongly correlated (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.89), as were measurements of the foveolar thickness (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.94). Topographic maps generated by the two techniques yielded qualitatively similar information. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there was excellent agreement between RTA and OCT measurements. Each technique has advantages that may make its use preferable in a particular subgroup of eyes or to describe a particular disease process. An important consideration is that media opacities create less interference for OCT than for RTA, so that in study populations with a moderate-to-high prevalence of media opacity, images can be obtained in a greater percentage of eyes by OCT than by RTA.
Affinity chromatography of transaminases

Abstract It is shown that glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase from pig heart can be selectively and reversibly bound to a Sepharose column substituted with N′-alkyl derivatives of pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate. A simple procedure is described which includes formation of apotransaminase, its binding to the substituted Sepharose, and its elution under the same conditions that were used to prepare the apoenzyme. There is no binding of the transaminase to Sepharose substituted with unmodified pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate, indicating the importance of a certain “length” of the substituent for binding.
Defining patch contribution in source-sink metapopulations: the importance of including dispersal and its relevance to marine systems

In metapopulations, individual patch contribution (source or sink) is typically calculated as a patch growth rate (the “intrinsic” lambda, λI) dependent only upon local demographics. We demonstrate that when dispersal is explicitly included in the model, the growth rates for all patches calculated in an analogous manner (the “observed” lambda, λO) equilibrate to the overall metapopulation growth rate and thus no longer serve as a useful reflection of the demographic and dispersive characteristics of a given patch. In these situations we suggest an alternative method of estimating patch contribution (the “contribution” lambda, λC) in which a patch is decremented for losses that occur within it and credited for gains that occur anywhere in the metapopulation because of it. We compare values of λI, λO, and λC for individual patches in discrete-time density-independent metapopulation models of two organisms with very different life histories, mayflies with adult dispersal, and reef fish with larval dispersal. Results confirm that when dispersal is included only λC clearly indicates the contribution of a particular patch. λI−λC comparisons indicate that inclusion of dispersal in the mayfly model was only important if connectivity patterns were random or directional. In the reef fish model, however, results were very different when dispersal was included and there were many cases of patches being misidentified (e.g., as a source when it was really a sink) depending upon the metric used (λI or λC). Our results demonstrate the importance of including dispersal in metapopulation models when considering the contribution of individual patches.
Hypervelocity impact calculations using CTH: Case studies☆

In this paper, we discuss the use of the CTH shock wave physics code in the calculation of hypervelocity impact phenomena. We emphasize unusual features of the code that aid in understanding the sensitivity of hypervelocity impact calculations to the numerical methodology. A canonical type of impact problem in which a debris cloud is generated and stagnates against a secondary structure is analyzed. We then provide examples of the contributions of advection, interface tracking, and equation of state (EOS) algorithms to CTH simulations of this type of impact, and comment on grid resolution issues. A general conclusion is that while grid resolution is the dominant source of error in the impact simulations, issues related to advection, interface tracking, and EOS are of comparable importance. We also present examples of the application of CTH to 3-D impact problems, illustrating the potential of 3-D computation, and the severe demands it places on current generation computing hardware.
Integrating functional oxides with graphene

Abstract Graphene–oxide hybrid structures offer the opportunity to combine the versatile functionalities of oxides with the excellent electronic transport in graphene. Understanding and controlling how the dielectric environment affects the intrinsic properties of graphene is also critical to fundamental studies and technological development of graphene. Here we review our recent effort on understanding the transport properties of graphene interfaced with ferroelectric Pb(Zr,Ti)O 3 (PZT) and high- κ HfO 2 . Graphene field effect devices prepared on high-quality single crystal PZT substrates exhibit up to tenfold increases in mobility compared to SiO 2 -gated devices. An unusual and robust resistance hysteresis is observed in these samples, which is attributed to the complex surface chemistry of the ferroelectric. Surface polar optical phonons of oxides in graphene transistors play an important role in the device performance. We review their effects on mobility and the high source-drain bias saturation current of graphene, which are crucial for developing graphene-based room temperature high-speed amplifiers. Oxides also introduce scattering sources that limit the low temperature electron mobility in graphene. We present a comprehensive study of the transport and quantum scattering times to differentiate various scattering scenarios and quantitatively evaluate the density and distribution of charged impurities and the effect of dielectric screening. Our results can facilitate the design of multifunctional nano-devices utilizing graphene–oxide hybrid structures.
Tectonic and Topographic Framework of Political Division

Boundaries between the various topographic, geologic, and socio-political entities that span the Earth’s continental surfaces are determined by a myriad of complexly interrelated natural and/or cultural factors. Areas of large river basins, of lithologic units on geologic maps, and of nations exhibit size frequency distributions that are closely approximated by density functions in which diameters of individual areas are distributed exponentially. As such, size distributions of each type of surface unit are closely modeled as randomly delimited areas. In other words, if one were to walk in a straight line across any particular continent, each step along that transect would embody some random continuous probability of passing out of a major drainage basin, or out of an area of more or less homogeneous rock type, or from one country to another. Moreover, this simple truism gives rise to area frequency distributions for large river basin or outcrop or nation area that are primarily dependent on the number of basins or outcrops or countries that exist across that particular landmass. As a consequence, the size frequencies of these areal units can be closely predicted knowing only the total area under consideration and the number of drainage basins, outcrop areas, or nations that exist within the area. The similarity between area frequencies of large river basins and rock types and nations suggests a nontrivial component of geologic influence on the partitioning of continental surfaces into major political divisions, and implies that cultural and economic factors, which serve to divide and unite political entities, do so within a geological framework.
A model for guiding undergraduates to success in computational science

This paper presents a model for guiding undergraduates to success in computational science. A set of integrated, interdisciplinary training and research activities is outlined for use as a vehicle to increase and produce graduates with research experiences in computational and mathematical sciences. The model is responsive to the development of new interdisciplinary curricula in computational biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.
Superconvergence of H(div) finite element approximations for the Stokes problem by L2-projection methods

A general superconvergence result of H(div) finite element approximations for the Stokes equations is established by using L^2-projection method. Regularity assumptions for the Stokes problem with regular partitions is required. Numerical experiments are given to verify the theoretical results.
In vitro cultivation of the microsporidian: Enterocytozoon salmonis using a newly developed medium for salmonid lymphocytes

Techniques have been established for the continuous culture of a newly recognized salmonid microsporidian parasiteEnterocytozoon salmonis in salmonid mononuclear leukocytes. Utilization of human recombinant interleukin-2 (HrIL-2) and polyclonal mitogens in the culture medium supported viability of salmonid mononuclear leukocytes which allowed proliferation of the intracellular microsporidian parasite. The microsporidian maintained in primary culture for 45 days was infective both in cultures of mononuclear leukocytes and in juvenile salmonids. Additional passages of the agents from primary cultures to new cultures of uninfected mononuclear leukocytes have allowed continuous in vitro propagation ofE. salmonis. The parasites from these cultures retained developmental stages from early meronts to mature spores that were identical to those observed in naturally infected fish. Also, after cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen the parasites maintained their infectivity for juvenile chinook salmon and cell cultures of mononuclear leukocytes. The development of methods for the in vitro culture ofE. salmonis has made possible investigation of the effect of this microsporidian on immune functions of its key target cell, the mononuclear leukocyte.
The relationship between male ornamentation and swimming performance in the guppy, Poecilia reticulata

The objective of this study was to determine if three male ornaments in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata) were reliable indicators of swimming performance. Tail shape and dorsal fin length were chosen because they are ornaments that are of primary importance in swimming, which is a major survival component of fitness in fish. The carotenoid pigments and especially their density are ornaments that are hypothesized to be long term indicators of male vigor. Carotenoid pigment density and swimming performance were significantly positively correlated, but there was no relationship between swimming performance and tail shape or dorsal fin length. These results indicate that density of carotenoid pigmentation may function as a male vigor indicator during mate choice. Tail shape and dorsal fin length are not related to swimming performance, and females probably could not use them as vigor indicators during mate choice. The results are discussed in terms of ornament function and adaptive and Fisherian hypotheses of female choice.
Hyperthermic Cytotoxicity Induced by Noninvasive Radiofrequency Field Exposure After Delivery of EGFR Family Targeted Gold Nanoparticles

Noninvasive radiofrequency (RF) fields heat metal nanoparticles in a concentration dependent fashion. Gold nanoparticles are especially interesting for biomedical applications because they not only heat well, but they have an established biosafety profile. Antibody-targeted gold nanoparticles have been used to induce hyperthermic cytotoxicity when exposed to RF fields. Two carcinoma cells lines, Panc-1 and Hep3B, were individually treated with 100 nM panitumumab and trastuzumab antibody conjugated 10 nm gold nanoparticles and subsequently exposed to an RF field for a total generator power of ∼100 kJ. Two days later, control cells treated with antibody labeled gold nanoparticles, but not exposed to the RF field, maintained an average viability of 92.1% ± 2.5% for Hep 3B cells and 89.1% ± 2.1% for Panc-1 cells based on flow cytometry. Panc-1 cells treated the same way with subsequent RF field exposure had viability less than 80% (p ∼ 0.001). Hep3B cells showed a similar decrease in viability after trastuzumab-gold treatment (74.5% ± 6.9%), but not panitumumab. This demonstrates a new and developing use of antibodies, specifically, against EGFR family targets.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Perinatal low-level lead exposure and the septo-hippocampal cholinergic system: selective reduction of muscarinic receptors and cholineacetyltransferase in the rat septum

We investigated the effects of low-level lead exposure on the postnatal development of cholinergic muscarinic receptors (mAChR) and a cholinergic marker enzyme cholineacetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in the rat septum and hippocampus. Rat pups were maternally lead-exposed by giving 0.2% lead acetate in drinking water to dams from one week before parturition (gestational day 16) through weaning at postnatal day 28. The lead-exposed litters had blood Pb in the range 20 μg/dl and tissue Pb< 0.2 μg/g in both the septum and hippocampus. Associated with this level of lead exposure there was a significant 30–40% reduction in the ChAT activity in the septa and hippocampi of PN7 through PN28 animals. In contrast, the levels of glutamic acid decar☐ylase (GAD) activity, a GABAergic neuron marker enzyme, were not altered in either brain region. Associated with the selective reduction of ChAT activity there was a parallel 30–40% reduction of the [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate, [3H]AF-DX 384, and [3H]pirenzepine binding in the septum, however muscarinic ligand binding in the hippocampus of lead exposed animals was not affected. These results indicate preferential vulnerability of septal cholinergic neurons to adverse effects of low-level Pb exposure and suggest that impaired expression of muscarinic receptors and disruption of muscarinic transmission in the septum may be an important factor in cognitive and learning deficits associated with developmental low-level lead exposure.
The Ambiguous Terrain of Petkeeping in Children's Realistic Animal Stories

A content analysis of 48 children's realistic animal stories shows an emphasis on pets and petkeeping that can both challenge and support traditional human-animal boundaries. The genre's sympathetic portrayal of pet animals and the condemnation of theirmistreatment invite the reader to challenge such boundaries. Yet the genre's stereotypical portrayal of these animals also constrains our conceptualization of the human-animal bond. The author discusses these and other narrative elements which render this form of popular culture ambiguous terrain for negotiating an ethic of respect for nonhuman others which goes beyond most contemporary arrangements.
Selective destruction of the platelet aggregation component in bovine factor VIII preparations by reduction.

Abstract Treatment of a purified bovine factor VIII preparation with dithiothritol (5mM) irreversibly destroys the human platelet aggregation factor (PAF). The factor VIII level as measured by the one stage assay appears to be slightly activated. Sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation yields factor VIII after reduction distinct from immunologically measured PAF. This suggests the reduced subunit size of factor VIII is smaller than PAF.
Safety and efficacy of azacitidine in the treatment of elderly patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

The goals of treating older patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are different than for younger patients. Few elderly patients are able to pursue an allogeneic stem cell transplant for potential cure of the disease. The focus for the treatment of older patients with MDS is therefore not curative, but rather alleviation of symptoms, improvement in quality of life, maintenance or improvement of functional status, and continued independent living. Prolongation of survival is only important if functional status and quality of life can be maintained, and there is greater risk of losing these outcomes in elderly patients. Azacitidine is an important drug for the treatment of older patients with MDS. Data from the AZA-001 trial has shown a survival benefit for patients with high-risk disease treated with azacitidine. Importantly, treatment has also been shown to improve quality of life for MDS patients. Subset analysis of the data has shown that the drug can be used safely in even the oldest patients with MDS and is superior to treatment with other established regimens, such as low-dose cytarabine. Given the delay between the initiation of treatment and the clinical response, patients may need aggressive supportive care with antiemetics, prophylactic antibiotics, and transfusions to maintain them through therapy. Azacitidine provides a better quality of response when it is used beyond the first response, so ongoing treatment is generally recommended in responding patients. A new oral preparation of the drug is in development that will make the treatment more feasible and comfortable for elderly patients.
Animal coat color and radiative heat gain: A re-evaluation

Thermal resistance and heat gain from simulated solar radiation were measured over a range of wind velocities in black and white pigeon plumages. Plumage thermal resistance averaged 39% (feathers depressed) or 16% (feathers erected) of that of an equivalent depth of still air. Feather erection increased plumage depth four-fold and increased plumage thermal resistance about 56%. At low wind speeds, black plumages acquired much greater radiative heat loads than did white plumages. However, associated with the greater penetration of radiation into light than dark plumages, the radiative heating of white plumages is affected less by convective cooling than is that of black plumages. Thus, the heat loads of black and white plumages converge as wind speed is increased. This effect is most prominent in erected plumages, where at wind speeds greater than 3 ms−1 black plumages acquire lower radiative heat loads than do white plumages. These results suggest that animals with dark-colored coats may acquire lower heat loads under ecologically realistic conditions than those forms with light-colored coats. Thus, the dark coat colors of a number of desert species and the white coat color of polar forms may be thermally advantageous. These results are used to test a new general model that accounts for effects of radiation penetration into a fur or feather coat upon an animal's heat budget. Even using simplifying assumptions, this model's predictions closely match measured values for plumages with feathers depressed (the typical state). Predictions using simplifying assumptions are less accurate for erected plumages. However, the model closely predicts empirical data for erected white plumages if one assumption is obviated by additional measurements. Data are not sufficient to judge whether this is also the case for erected black plumages.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE SUPRARENAL CORTEX ON THE GONADS OF RABBITS : I. THE EFFECTS OF SUPRARENAL INJURY (BY REMOVAL OR FREEZING) ON THE INTERSTITIAL CELLS OF THE OVARY.

1. Moderate or marked ovarian enlargement has been observed in 76 per cent of rabbits which survived double suprarenalectomy over 30 days. 2. The ovarian enlargement consists essentially of an hypertrophy of the interstitial cells. 3. The hypertrophy of the interstitial cells is a compensatory reaction and adds further data to the functional interrelation between the suprarenal cortex and the interstitial cells.
Intermetallic PtPb Nanoparticles Prepared by Sodium Naphthalide Reduction of Metal-Organic Precursors: Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Formic Acid

Intermetallic PtPb nanoparticles have been synthesized by the chemical reduction of dimethyl(1,5-cyclooctadiene)platinum and lead(II) 2-ethylhexanoate by sodium naphthalide in THF or diglyme. If exposed to air quickly, the product becomes warm to the touch presumably due to surface oxidation, yet powder X-ray diffraction shows that the product is crystalline PtPb with a mean crystal domain size of 16 nm. If the product is exposed to air slowly, the pXRD pattern shows much broader and weaker peaks. Performing the synthesis in diglyme allows the crystal domain size to be controlled by annealing at temperatures below the boiling point of diglyme (162 °C). The product has been characterized by SEM, STEM, CBED, and EDX. Activity of the PtPb nanoparticles for formic acid oxidation is reported. The samples evaluated exhibit a remarkable ability to oxidize formic acid, with high mass activities and onset potentials similar to those reported previously for bulk PtPb electrodes.
Tone-in-Noise Detection Using Envelope Cues: Comparison of Signal-Processing-Based and Physiological Models

Tone-in-noise detection tasks with reproducible noise maskers have been used to identify cues that listeners use to detect signals in noisy environments. Previous studies have shown that energy, envelope, and fine-structure cues are significantly correlated to listeners’ performance for detection of a 500-Hz tone in noise. In this study, envelope cues were examined for both diotic and dichotic tone-in-noise detection using both stimulus-based signal processing and physiological models. For stimulus-based envelope cues, a modified envelope slope model was used for the diotic condition and the binaural slope of the interaural envelope difference model for the dichotic condition. Stimulus-based models do not include key nonlinear transformations in the auditory periphery such as compression, rate and dynamic range adaptation, and rate saturation, all of which affect the encoding of the stimulus envelope. For physiological envelope cues, stimuli were passed through models for the auditory nerve (AN), cochlear nucleus, and inferior colliculus (IC). The AN and cochlear nucleus models included appropriate modulation gain, another transformation of the stimulus envelope that is not typically included in stimulus-based models. A model IC cell was simulated with a linear band-pass modulation filter. The average discharge rate and response fluctuations of the model IC cell were compared to human performance. Previous studies have predicted a significant amount of the variance across reproducible noise maskers in listeners’ detection using stimulus-based envelope cues. In this study, a physiological model that includes neural mechanisms that affect encoding of the stimulus envelope predicts a similar amount of the variance in listeners’ performance across noise maskers.
Cinematic primitives for multimedia

The development of robust frameworks in interactive multimedia for representing story elements to the machine so that they can be retrieved in multiple contexts is addressed. Interactive multimedia is discussed as a user-directed form of storytelling, and the nature of cinematic storytelling is examined. It is proposed that content can be represented in layers. This model for layered information will allow programs to take advantage of the relation between cinematic sequences and the world they represent. The collection of content by the camera and microphone is considered in this context. The use of the methodology to build meaningful, context-rich sequences is discussed. >
Olfactorily mediated attack suppression in the southern grasshopper mouse toward an unpalatable prey

Predatory behavior toward an unpalatable sympatric prey was examined in the southern grasshopper mouse, Onychomy torridus (Coues). Mice preferred the palatable grasshopper Brachystola magna over the unpalatable secretion-producing grasshopper Taeniopoda eques. Consumption of T. eques decreased 35% while consumption of B. magna remained stable during three nights of testing. Olfactorily mediated attack suppression was demonstrated when O. torridus rejected palatable B. magna which had been coated with 5 ul of T. eques defense secretion. These results show that O. torridus discriminates and is capable of rejecting prey at any point in the prey capture sequence. These are adaptive attributes for a predator like O. torridus, which commonly attacks well-defended or dangerous prey.
The political lacuna in participatory systems design

This paper critiques three prominent information systems (IS) contributions to the development of social (work) systems, namely ETHICS, UTOPIA and Multiple Perspectives. They are based on the socio-technical Quality of Working Life and generally rely on systems design for improving working conditions by allowing employees to appreciate a holistic work experience, instead of being treated as a cog in the profit-making machinery of capitalism. However, this paper argues that ETHICS and Multiple Perspectives in fact shy away from the ideo-political differences that cause workplace conflict in the first place. Their pluralist means of resolving workplace conflicts through discussion and negotiation fail to problematize the colonizing or hegemonic influence of economic rationalism in obscuring the feasibility of alternative modes of workplace relations. They play down the asymmetrical power relations that perpetuate the exploitation of weaker stakeholders in real-life employment negotiations. Hence, political ...
The specificity of the N-terminal SH2 domain of SHP-2 is modified by a single point mutation.

SH2 domains are small protein domains of ∼100 amino acids that bind to phosphotyrosine (pY) in the context of a specific sequence surrounding the target pY. In general, the residues C-terminal to the pY of the binding target are considered most important for defining the binding specificity, and in particular the pY + 1 and pY + 3 residues (i.e., the first and third amino acids C-terminal to the pY). However, our previous studies with the SH2 domains of the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 [Huyer, G., Li, Z. M., Adam, M., Huckle, W. R., and Ramachandran, C. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 1040−1049] indicated important interactions with the pY − 2 residue as well. In the SH2 domains of SHP-2, the highly conserved αA2 Arg is replaced by Gly. A comparison of the published crystal structures of the Src SH2 domain and the N-terminal SH2 domain of SHP-2 complexed with high-affinity peptides suggested that the αA2 Gly of SHP-2 creates a gap which is filled by the side chain of the pY − 2 residue of the bound peptide....
Contesting the Norm: Women and Professional Sports in Late Nineteenth-Century America

Athletic opportunities for females have reached an extent that few women living in the nineteenth century might ever have imagined. For more than two decades the women's 10,000-metre run has been part of the Olympics. Women's wrestling was added at Athens in 2004 and women's boxing competitions will begin at the 2012 London Games. Changing cultural norms, especially those brought forth by ‘women's movements’ of the 1960s as well as the ensuing amazingly successful athletic performances that women attained, have been of the utmost importance. In the United States, as the ‘New Woman” of the late 1800s began to engage in a modest game of golf or tennis, or take a leisurely bicycle ride, the then dominant theme – strenuous physical activity is inimical to a female's health – that had been articulated in books like Edward Clarke's Sex in Education, Or a Fair Chance for Girls (1873) began to be challenged. Few late nineteenth-century women offered a greater challenge than did ‘professional sportswomen’ like ped...
Electrical discharge from a thundercloud top to the lower ionosphere

For over a century, numerous undocumented reports have appeared about unusual large-scale luminous phenomena above thunderclouds1,2,3,4,5,6 and, more than 80 years ago, it was suggested that an electrical discharge could bridge the gap between a thundercloud and the upper atmosphere7,8. Since then, two classes of vertically extensive optical flashes above thunderclouds have been identified—sprites9,10,11 and blue jets12,13,14. Sprites initiate near the base of the ionosphere, develop very rapidly downwards at speeds which can exceed 107 m s-1 (ref. 15), and assume many different geometrical forms16,17,18,19. In contrast, blue jets develop upwards from cloud tops at speeds of the order of 105 m s-1 and are characterized by a blue conical shape12,13,14. But no experimental data related to sprites or blue jets have been reported which conclusively indicate that they establish a direct path of electrical contact between a thundercloud and the lower ionosphere. Here we report a video recording of a blue jet propagating upwards from a thundercloud to an altitude of about 70 km, taken at the Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico. Above an altitude of 42 km—normally the upper limit for blue jets and the lower terminal altitude for sprites—the flash exhibited some features normally observed in sprites. As we observed this phenomenon above a relatively small thunderstorm cell, we speculate that it may be common and therefore represent an unaccounted for component of the global electric circuit.
“Art for Special Needs: A Learning Disabled Child in a Special Art Program

AbstractThis case study describes the experiences of Peter, a learning disabled child, in a special art program. The objectives of the program were threefold: 1) to improve the body image concept of children with learning disabilities, through art activities which focused on the human figure; 2) to learn more about the learning disabled child's behaviors and skills in an art classroom; 3) to determine what kind of special teaching strategies are necessary for teaching art to this population of learners. Although Peter's response to and progress in the program was erratic at the beginning, his later accomplishments demonstrated that behavioral adjustments and improvement of his body image concept had occurred through his experiences in the art program.
Dermoid cyst of the midbrain

Summary 1. A case report is presented of a child who had both the symptoms of a brain tumor and of hypopituitarism. At autopsy a dermoid cyst of the midbrain was discovered, which cyst, besides causing marked increased intracranial pressure and internal hydrocephalus, produced a pressure atrophy of the pituitary body. 2. The case is reported because of its rarity and also because of the interesting symptoms of a Frolich's syndrome explained by the autopsy findings. 3. Recent literature is reviewed, and the conclusion is drawn that these dermoid cysts are inclusion tumors due either to ectodermal rests or trauma in which skin or hair is carried inside the body.
Targeted Wild-Type and Jerker Espins Reveal a Novel, WH2 Domain-Dependent Way to Make Actin Bundles in Cells

The espin actin-bundling proteins, which are the target of deafness mutations, are present in the parallel actin bundles of stereocilia and microvilli and appear to increase their steady-state length. Here, we report a new activity of the espins, one that depends on their enigmatic WH2 domain: the ability to assemble a large actin bundle when targeted to a specific subcellular location. This activity was observed for wild-type espins targeted to the centrosome in transfected neuronal cells and for jerker espins targeted to the nucleolus in a wide variety of transfected cells as a result of the frameshifted peptide introduced into the espin C-terminus by the jerker deafness mutation. This activity, which appears specific to espins, requires two espin F-actin-binding sites and the actin-monomer-binding activity of the espin WH2 domain, but can be mimicked by adding a WH2 domain to an unrelated actin-bundling protein, villin. Espins do not activate the Arp2/3 complex in vitro, and bundle assembly is not indicative of in-vitro nucleation activity. Our results suggest a novel way to build actin bundles at specific sites in cells.
Fitting Johnson curves to univariate and multivariate data

Moment matching and percentile matching are the standard methods for fitting a distribution from Johnson's translation system (the SL, S U, S B, and S N families) to a univariate data set (Johnson and Kotz 1970). One method for fitting a multivariate Johnson distribution to a vector-valued data set is to: (a) fit each marginal distribution separately with a univariate Johnson distribution; and then (b) fit a multivariate normal distribution to the transformed vectors using the sample correlation coefficients between the transformed coordinates. To make this approach numerically feasible, Wilson (1983) implemented an interactive percentile matching algorithm based on a modified Newton-Raphson procedure. When the algorithm was applied to 80 trivariate data sets arising in a large-scale policy analysis project, excessive manual intervention was required in some situations to obtain acceptable fits (Martin 1983).
BILIRUBIN (B) OXIDATION BY BRAIN MITOCHONDRIAL MEMBRANES (MM) IS NOT SIGNIFICANTLY ALTERED IN ENDOTOXINEMIA (E). 321

BILIRUBIN (B) OXIDATION BY BRAIN MITOCHONDRIAL MEMBRANES (MM) IS NOT SIGNIFICANTLY ALTERED IN ENDOTOXINEMIA (E). 321
Immune and inflammatory responses in the CNS: modulation by astrocytes.

Because the skull bones, the cerebrospinal fluid, the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and the meninges effectively shield the central nervous system from other tissues, it was proposed that the brain is an 'immunologically privileged' organ. However, with recent evidence that in response to invasion by microorganisms, resident cells, such as astrocytes and microglia can fully mount an immune response, this long-standing view has been rethought and revised. Over the last two decades, both astrocytes and microglia have been shown to secrete numerous cytokines, and, therefore, it is presently widely accepted that these cells actively participate in an integrative communicative pathway between resident immune cells of the CNS and those of the periphery. While clearly implicated in the initiation, maintenance, and suppression of immune responses, cytokines produced by these cells (e.g. astrocytes and microglia), as well as the responses of these cells to cytokines produced elsewhere, has also been shown to propagate CNS damage. Therefore the potential involvement of these cells in neurodegenerative disorders has been raised and subjected to intense experimentation. The objective of this synopsis is to review the role played by astrocytes in the initiation and modulation of immune responses.
Overview: technical workshop on human milk surveillance and biomonitoring for environmental chemicals in the United States.

In 2002, the first Technical Workshop on Human Milk Surveillance and Research on Environmental Chemicals in the United States was convened to develop state-of-the-science guidance on methodological...
When to Fire: Anticipatory Versus Postevent Reconstrual of Uncontrollable Events

Three studies examined the conditions under which people engage in anticipatory construal before an evaluative event versus reconstrual after the event. Computer software informed college students that there was a 1.5%, 12%, 88%, or 98.5% chance that an opposite-sex student would pick them for a hypothetical date. When people had extreme expectations (1.5% or 98.5%), they changed their view of the student to be consistent with their expectations before learning the outcome (anticipatory reconstrual). When people had moderate expectations (12% or 88%), they formed relatively unbiased impressions beforehand but reconstrued after learning the outcome of the dating game (postevent reconstrual). Either strategy can ameliorate the pain of a negative event in ways that people do not anticipate. Forecasters predicted that losing would make them feel worse than it did and selected a higher dose of a drug to cope with an anticipated loss than did people who actually lost.
Potentiation, activation and blockade of GABAA receptors of clonal murine hypothalamic GT1-7 neurones by propofol

1. The actions of GABA and the intravenous general anaesthetic propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) on GABAA receptors of self-replicating GT1-7 hypothalamic neurones were investigated by the patch clamp technique. 2. GABA (1 microM-1 mM) dose-dependently activated inward currents with an EC50 of 27 microM, recorded from whole cells voltage-clamped at -60 mV. GABA (100 microM)-activated currents reversed at the Cl-equilibrium potential. 3. Propofol (0.1-100 microM) dose-dependently potentiated GABA (100 microM)-evoked currents with an EC50 of 5 microM. 4. In the absence of GABA, propofol (10 microM-1 mM) activated small inward currents with a reversal potential similar to the Cl- equilibrium potential. The peak current amplitudes activated by propofol were only 31% of those activated by GABA in the same cells. 5. Like GABA (100 microM)-activated currents, propofol (100 microM)-activated currents were inhibited by the GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline (10 microM) and were abolished by Zn2+ (100 microM). 6. Propofol (10, 30 and 100 microM) dose-dependently activated currents in the absence of GABA. However, the peak amplitude of currents activated by propofol declined with concentrations > 100 microM. The cessation of application of a high dose of propofol (1 mM) was associated with a current 'surge'. 7. The surge current, seen after application of propofol (1 mM), had a reversal potential similar to the Cl- equilibrium potential. The ratio between peak current amplitude in the presence of propofol (1 mM) and surge current amplitude after propofol application, were not dependent on holding potential. Thus,it is unlikely that the surge current represents reversal of a voltage-dependent block of GABAA receptors by propofol.8. The amplitude of the surge current exceeded the amplitude of the initial propofol (1 mM)-evoked current following brief applications, but declined after prolonged applications of the drug.9. The observed modulatory actions of propofol may be due to separate potentiation, activation and inhibitory sites for this anaesthetic agent on GT1-7 cell GABAA receptors.