cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of the in vivo antibody response by an 8-derivatized guanine nucleoside.

Abstract The capacity of the C8-substituted guanine ribonucleosides to enhance the in vivo humoral immune response to the protein antigen, human gamma globulin (HGG), in A/J mice was evaluated. It has been shown recently that the C8-substituted guanine ribonucleosides are a new class of potent adjuvant for humoral immune responses to the sheep erythrocyte antigen. The current studies extend these findings to HGG with 8-bromoguanosine (SBrGuo), a representative of this group of nucleosides. The adjuvant activity of 8BrGuo in this system is highly dose and time dependent. Although 8BrGuo enhanced responses when injected either early (Day 0) or late (Day 4 or 5) after immunization, its administration on Day 1 or 2 most often led to no enhancement, suggesting that 8BrGuo may act on two events separated by a resistant stage in an ongoing immune response. The plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to HGG was enhanced optimally at doses as low as 1 mg 8BrGuo/mouse administered either on the day of immunization or 4 days thereafter. In contrast, however, serum anti-HGG antibody concentration assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was enhanced only at doses of 10 mg or more, injected on the day of immunization, but doses as low as 1 mg were effective on Day 4. 8BrGuo was also an effective adjuvant when injected after antigen administration in incomplete Freund's adjuvant or when administered by several different routes (intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, oral).
Experimental osteogenesis in periapical areas with decalcified allogeneic bone matrix

Abstract Decalcified allogeneic bone matrix grafts were implanted in fourteen teeth after pulpotomy, in twenty root canals after pulp extirpation, and in the periapical areas of forty-eight teeth after apicoectomy. These procedures were carried out in five dogs and three monkeys. Results of the present investigation reveal that DABM grafts stimulate osteogenesis and cementogenesis. Although present data are insufficient, it can be speculated that DABM grafts would result in physiologic seal at the apical foramen of apicoectomized teeth with new bone and cementum. Thus, this increased osteogenesis and cementogenesis will prolong the survival of nonvital teeth in human beings.
Valproic acid-induced alterations in growth and neurotrophic factor

Abstract Although the teratogenicity of valproic acid (VPA) has been well established, the mechanism(s) by which this anticonvulsant drug induces malformations remains controversial. Using the combined molecular techniques of in situ-transcription (IST) and antisense RNA (aRNA) amplification we analyzed VPA-induced alterations in the gene expression for 10 genes within the neural tubes of embryos from two murine strains that have been shown to differ in their susceptibility to VPA-induce neural tube defects (NTD). Pregnant dams from both SWV (susceptible) and LM/Bc (resistant) strains were either treated with saline (control) or VPA (600 mg/kg) on gestational day (GD) 8:12 (day:hour). Neural tubes were isolated from control or VPA exposed embryos at three gestational time points, which represented the beginning (GD 8:18), middle (GD 9:00), and end (GD 9:12) of neural tube closure (NTC) in both of these murine strains. Using univariant statistics we demonstrated that in LM/Bc embryos with NTDs, the expression of bdnf , ngf , and trk , ngf-R were significantly elevated at all three time points, and the cytokine, cntf was significantly decreased at GD 9:00. In contrast, the major gene alterations observed in SWV embryos were a significant increase in tfgα and tgfβ1–3 at GD 9:00. In an effort to better define the more intricate interactions between VPA exposure and the expression of these genes, we analyzed our data using Principal Component Analysis. The results from this analysis demonstrated that embryos from these two stains behaved differently, not only in response to a VPA exposure, but also under control conditions, which may explain the multifactorial nature of NTDs in these mice.
SOME ASPECTS OF THE DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF ECONOMETRIC MODELS

Recent efforts by several authors have resulted in the development of techniques for analytically describing the dynamic properties of linear stochastic difference equation models1. Since these techniques have not been extensively applied to econometric models and consequently are not generally familiar to economic modelers, the purpose of this paper is to summarize the techniques these researchers have developed and to illustrate them using a simple (and admittedly unrealistic) econometric model.
Immunological properties of avian oncornavirus polypeptides

Abstract The major polypeptides and glycoproteins of avian myeloblastosis virus and of the Prague strain of Rous sarcoma virus were isolated by gel filtration in guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl). Hyperimmune sera prepared in rabbits against homogeneous preparations of each material were used to study the nature of the antigenic specificities on these molecules. The results indicated that (1) each component contained unique antigenic determinants; (2) each of four polypeptides (27,000, 19,000, 15,000, 12,000 daltons) contained group-specific (gs) reactivity; and (3) subgroup specific reactivity was found in the 19,000-dalton polypeptide.
Usage Metering for Service-Oriented Grid Computing

Currently, the grid computing community is undergoing a paradigm shift from the traditional resource-centric model to a service-oriented one. The Open Grid Services Architecture (OGSA) from the Global Grid Forum proposes that Web service-like abstractions be used to encapsulate shared grid resources for service-oriented grid computing. An important management component of such an infrastructure which is essential for its success in enterprise environments, is the metering and accounting for grid service usage. This paper explores the problem space and presents an architecture that addresses this need. We start by defining taxonomy of grid services from the perspective of usage metering, charging and business models. We discuss how service usage can be measured, aggregated and communicated in a uniform way. Finally, we report on a prototype design and implementation. Market economics-driven issues such as pricing are not discussed in this paper.
Picryl derivatives of benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]bistriazole and benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]bistriazole-4,8-dione

In a previous communication from this laboratory it was reported that benzotriazole reacts with both picryl chloride and picryl fluoride to give 1-picrylbenzotriazole exclusive of any 2-picrylbenzotriazole (3). As an extension of this study we have examined the reactions of benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]bistriazole (I) and benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]bistriazole-4,8-dione (II) with picryl fluoride.
Evidence that phenomenal consciousness is the same as access consciousness

Block seems to propose untested answers to empirical questions. Whether consciousness is a “mongrel problem,” rather than a single core fact with many facets, is an empirical issue. Likewise, the intimate relationship between personal consciousness and global access functions cannot be decided pretheoretically. This point is demonstrated by the reader's private experience of foveal versus parafoveal vision, and for conscious versus unconscious representation of the many meanings of common words.
Can ethical reasoning contribute to better epidemiology? A case study in research on racial health disparities

A common belief among epidemiologists and other scientists is that they ought not engage in ethical evaluation or endorse any particular ethical, political, or social values while involved in scientific reasoning. Such values are irrelevant to collecting and interpreting data and can only lead to bias. This view is also reflected in scientists’ education. The authors argue that ethical values are crucial to conducting much epidemiological research. Focusing on epidemiological research on racial health disparities, they show that value judgments are inescapable when performing such research. Values are implicit in the framing of research questions, the identification of the problem, and the choices of design and methodology. By making value judgments explicit, scientists will be more likely to pay attention to them and thus assess them in critical ways. Finally, the implications that this has for scientific training are discussed. Scientific training should prepare scientists to engage in ethical reasoning not only because it will make them more responsible human beings, but also because it will make them better scientists.
Oral phosphate binders in the treatment of pseudoxanthoma elasticum

Background Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a systemic connective tissue disorder involving elastic fiber calcification and fragmentation with major clinical manifestations occurring in the cutaneous, ocular, and cardiovascular systems. Normalization of the serum calcium-phosphate product through hemodialysis in a previous patient with perforating periumbilical PXE and elevated serum phosphate resulted in regression of skin lesions. Objective We sought to study the effect of pharmacologically limiting the intestinal absorption of phosphate in patients with PXE. Methods Patients received baseline skin examinations, target skin lesion evaluation, and photography; renal function tests and serum calcium and phosphate levels; urine calcium, phosphate, and creatinine levels; skin biopsy; and eye examinations and indocyanine-green angiography. Patients were treated with aluminium hydroxide tablets or liquid and returned every 2 to 4 months for skin photography and lesion evaluation. Repeated skin biopsies were performed on clinically improved target sites. Ophthalmologic evaluation was obtained at yearly intervals. Results Of 6 patients, 3 showed significant clinical improvement of skin lesions and all 3 of these patients showed histopathologic regression of disease in their target lesions. No deterioration of eye disease was seen in any of the 6 patients at 1-year follow-up. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that the calcification seen in PXE may be reversible in some patients. This could hold true for eye and vascular lesions and for skin. Further studies supporting these results could reveal the first real treatment option for PXE.
Premenstrual exacerbation of depressive disorders in a community-based sample in the United States.

OBJECTIVE No published epidemiologic study has examined premenstrual exacerbation of depressive disorders (PME-DD) in a representative sample. Knowledge gained should indicate the burden of illness, suggest whom to monitor, and facilitate diagnosis. The objectives were to 1) ascertain the prevalence and predictors of PME-DD; and 2) test competing hypotheses that PME-DD is related to a) severity or history of depression, b) menstrual cyclicity in females in general, or c) a methodological artifact. METHODS Menstruating females (N = 900) from ages 13 to 53 living in urban or rural Illinois completed semi-structured psychiatric diagnostic interviews and rated symptoms of depression daily for two menstrual cycles; 58 had major depressive, dysthymic, or subclinical depressive disorders, and the remaining 842 were the non-depressed portion of the representative sample. RESULTS Depressed females had 1.34 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.66) symptoms exacerbated premenstrually. The best model for predicting exacerbation contained only age. Older women more often had symptoms worsen. Symptoms during the follicular phase were most severe for clinically depressed, intermediate for subclinically depressed, and least severe for non-depressed participants, ps < 0.001. Consistent with the hypothesis that exacerbation is related to cyclicity in all females, the number of symptoms that became worse did not differ between groups, ps < 0.46. Given no symptoms in one cycle, the odds of having symptoms in the next cycle were 0.91. Only 56% of non-depressed females taking antidepressants were asymptomatic all month long; the remaining 44% still had symptoms premenstrually. CONCLUSIONS Premenstrual exacerbation of depressive disorders is associated with deteriorated functioning over and above that already experienced by depressed females. Patients may be susceptible regardless of severity of depression, number of episodes, or remission status.
The role of transesophageal echocardiography in transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects by the Amplatzer septal occluder

Abstract Background Our purpose was to determine the role of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the closure of atrial septal defects by the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) (AGA Medical, Golden Valley, Minn). Methods A total of 240 patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) secundum were examined by transthoracic 2-dimensional echocardiography (TTE) and TEE to determine the ASD morphologic features, diameter, and rims. During transcatheter closure TEE was used for determination of the ASD diameter and guidance of the ASO implantation. Results Sixteen (6%) patients were found not suitable for transcatheter closure with TTE, 35 (14%) with TEE, and 2 during catheterization. Twenty-eight patients (18%) had partial or total deficiency of the posterior, inferoanterior, or inferoposterior rim, 54 (27%) had a centrally positioned ASD, 92 (46%) had insufficient superoanterior rim, and 9 had multiple ASDs, whereas 8 had a septal aneurysm associated with a single defect and 4 a multiperforated aneurysm. A total of 170 patients underwent implantation of ASO. The ASO was correctly positioned in 144 at the first attempt. In the remainder TEE revealed unstable position of the left atrial disk (12), opening of both atrial disks in the left atrium (5), deployment of the device through the smaller defect in patients with multiple ASDs (3), and, in 1 patient, the device was too small and had to be replaced by a larger one. Conclusions Morphologic variations of the ASD are common. TEE is crucial for the determination of the ASD morphologic features, diameter, and rims, which are crucial for proper patient selection. TEE allows precise guiding and positioning of the ASO, which is essential for safe and effective transcatheter ASD closure. (Am Heart J 2001;142:482-8.)
Lactate threshold at the same fat-free mass and age is larger in men than women

The lactate threshold (LT) represents the onset of a metabolic acidosis during graded exercise testing (GXT). It is typically measured as an oxygen uptake (VO(2)) but then ratio scaled by body mass or VO(2) peak to make comparisons among subjects. Theoretical considerations and empirical evidence suggest that this type of ratio scaling is not valid. A method that allows a dependent variable to be compared between groups at that same value of one or more covariates is analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Our purpose was to compare the LT, estimated non-invasively by gas exchange (LT(GE)), at the same fat-free mass (FFM) and age in 203 sedentary subjects (102 men) aged 20-70 years. Each subject underwent cycle ergometer GXT with LT(GE) measured by the V-slope method. In model development, we discovered an interaction term between sex and age. As dimensional analysis predicts a log-linear relationship between LT(GE) and FFM, two of the model terms were ln LT(GE) and ln FFM. The ANCOVA model was then as follows: dependent variable = ln LT(GE), fixed factor = sex, covariates = ln FFM, age, and sex x age. Sex made a significant contribution to the model (F = 30.7, P < 0.001). At the mean FFM (56.32 kg) and age (44.01 years) of both sexes combined, the LT(GE) was 29% larger in males (1,307 ml min(-1) versus 1,011 ml min(-1)). The model's interaction term resulted in larger differences at younger ages and smaller differences at older ages. We conclude that LT(GE) at the same FFM and age is larger in sedentary men compared to sedentary women.
Microwave modulation of cathode-ray beam with DC &#8212; 12 GHz gun

A novel gun structure for modulation of a cathode-ray beam with frequencies from dc to 12 GHz has, been developed. The paper describes the new design and presents performance data. The new gun is the result of the extension of work most recently reported on in a paper entitled "Nanosecond Beam Intensification for Cathode-Ray Tubes" in the March, 1966, issue of IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices. Essentially, the gun consists of a 50-ohm coaxial structure in which the cathode and a modulating grid are arranged to form part of the inner and outer conductor, respectively. The gun can be used with conventional magnetic or electrostatic focusing and deflection systems.
A remark on the global dynamics of competitive systems on ordered Banach spaces

A well-known result in [Hsu-Smith-Waltman, Trans. AMS (1996)] states that in a competitive semiflow defined on X+ = X 1 ×X + 2 , the product of two cones in respective Banach spaces, if (u∗, 0) and (0, v∗) are the global attractors in X 1 × {0} and {0} ×X + 2 respectively, then one of the following three outcomes is possible for the two competitors: either there is at least one coexistence steady state, or one of (u∗, 0), (0, v∗) attracts all trajectories initiating in the order interval I = [0, u∗] × [0, v∗]. However, it was demonstrated by an example that in some cases neither (u∗, 0) nor (0, v∗) is globally asymptotically stable if we broaden our scope to all of X+. In this paper, we give two sufficient conditions that guarantee, in the absence of coexistence steady states, the global asymptotic stability of one of (u∗, 0) or (0, v∗) among all trajectories in X+. Namely, one of (u∗, 0) or (0, v∗) is (i) linearly unstable, or (ii) is linearly neutrally stable but zero is a simple eigenvalue. Our results complement the counter example mentioned in the above paper as well as applications that frequently arise in practice.
Isotopic and biostratigraphical records of calcareous nannofossils in a Pleistocene core

Knowledge of the species composition is essential for the isotopic record of polyspecific coccolith assemblages in deep-sea sediments to be interpreted properly. We have determined the carbon and oxygen isotopic composition as well as the relative abundance of coccolith species on the 3–25 µm fractions of the Caribbean core P6304-4. The dominant taxon in all samples is well-preserved Gephyrocapsa spp. Oxygen isotope variations clearly define glacial–interglacial oscillations. Except in the upper part of the core, carbon isotopic compositions are not related to the oxygen isotope stratigraphy. The occurrence of three coccolith datum levels in the core correlates almost exactly with globally-synchronous horizons1. The amplitude of the coccolith δ18O record (2.4‰) is significantly greater than that for the planktonic foraminifera Globigerinoides sacculifer in P6304-4 and adjacent cores2–4. We suggest here that selective dissolution or deep calcification during interglacials reduced the amplitudes of G. sacculifer in these cores and that the coccolith record is a more reliable indicator of temperature and δ18O changes in surface seawater.
The Binet-Cauchy functional equation and nonsingular multiindexed matrices

In a first theorem it is shown that a multiindexed matrix M = (Mσ,τ) is nonsingular where Mσ,τ is a multivariate polynomial in q-tuples of nonnegative integers σ and τ. In a second theorem a uniqueness relation of multinomial type is established. Finally, it is shown that, up to isomorphism, a nonzero function f:Mn(K)→K must be the determinant function if f(E) = 0, where E is the n × n matrix with all entries 1n, and f satisfies the Binet-Cauchy function equation f(AB) = 1n!∑|s| = nnsf(As)ƒ(Bs) for square matrices A, B∈Mn(K) and for rectangular matrices A∈Mn×(n+1)(K) and B∈M(n+1)×n(K).
Alpha2-adrenergic and VIP receptors in rabbit ciliary processes interact

The interaction between alpha2-adrenergic and VIP receptors has been studied by examining inhibition of VIP-stimulated cyclic AMP production by adrenergic agonists in intact, excised rabbit ciliary processes. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, isoproterenol, dopamine, and the specific alpha2-adrenergic agonists clonidine and p-aminoclonidine exhibit dose-dependent inhibition of VIP-stimulated cyclic AMP production. I50s, clonidine (0.05 μM) = p-aminoclonidine (0.05 μM) = epinephrine (0.1 μM) < norepinephrine (2.0 μM) < isoproterenol (15 μM) = dopamine (15 μM), are consistent with the characteristic binding affinities of these adrenergic agonists for alpha2-adrenergic receptors. Inhibition of VIP-stimulated cyclic AMP production by clonidine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, and dopamine is blocked by yohimbine but not by prazosin. These data establish the alpha2-adrenergic specificity of the inhibitory effects observed.We have previously shown that beta2-adrenergic receptor-mediated stimulation of cyclic AMP product...
Theoretical Electron Affinities for Some of the Alkali and Alkaline-Earth Elements

The ${(\mathrm{ns})}^{2}$ correlation energies for the negative ions ${\mathrm{Li}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${\mathrm{Na}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, and ${\mathrm{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ have been calculated by the method of superposition of configurations. Comparisons with Hartree-Fock calculations of the neutral species yield electron affinities of 0.62, 0.54, and 0.47 eV, respectively. A study of the computed ionization potentials of the neighboring isoelectronic atoms and ions suggests a maximum uncertainty of 0.1 eV. Similar calculations of the $\mathrm{ns}{(\mathrm{np})}^{2}^{4}P$ states of ${\mathrm{Be}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ indicate that they are metastable, with electron affinities, relative to the $\mathrm{nsnp}^{3}P$ state of the neutral atom, of 0.24 and 0.32 eV, respectively.
Alcohol-induced malabsorption of vitamin B12 in man.

INTOXICATION with alcohol is frequently associated with diarrhoea, and disturbances of intestinal function have been reported to be common in chronic alcoholics studied shortly after drinking-bouts1–5. Because the normal diet of alcoholics is characteristically poor, it is not clear whether the transient malabsorption frequently found can be attributed to a direct toxic effect of ethanol on the small intestine, or to a nutritional deficiency. We therefore studied the effects of the experimental ingestion of ethanol in man on vitamin B12 absorption under controlled metabolic ward conditions in the absence of nutritional deficiency.
To Hook Up or Date: Which Gender Benefits?

Hooking up on college campuses has become more frequent than dating in heterosexual sexual interaction. Analysis of the relative benefits and costs associated with dating and hooking up suggest that women benefit more from dating while men benefit more from hooking up. U.S students (150 women, 71 men) at a midsized southeastern university indicated preferences for dating and hooking up across a number of situations and indicated the perceived benefits and risks associated with each. As hypothesized, in most situations women more than men preferred dating and men more than women preferred hooking up. Both genders perceived similar benefits and risks to dating and hooking up; differences provided insight into the sexual motives of college women and men.
Identification and Properties of a Novel Intracellular (Mitochondrial) ATP-sensitive Potassium Channel in Brain

Protection of heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury by ischemic preconditioning and KATP channel openers is known to involve the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ channel (mitoKATP). Brain is also protected by ischemic preconditioning and KATP channel openers, and it has been suggested that mitoKATP may also play a key role in brain protection. However, it is not known whether mitoKATP exists in brain mitochondria, and, if so, whether its properties are similar to or different from those of heart mitoKATP. We report partial purification and reconstitution of a new mitoKATP from rat brain mitochondria. We measured K+ flux in proteoliposomes and found that brain mitoKATP is regulated by the same ligands as those that regulate mitoKATP from heart and liver. We also examined the effects of opening and closing mitoKATP on brain mitochondrial respiration, and we estimated the amount of mitoKATP by means of green fluorescence probe BODIPY-FL-glyburide labeling of the sulfonylurea receptor of mitoKATP from brain and liver. Three independent methods indicate that brain mitochondria contain six to seven times more mitoKATP per milligram of mitochondrial protein than liver or heart.
Analysis of special diffusion of localized triplet spin transitionS within an inhomogeneous profile

Abstract Rapid changes in the lineshape of a hole burned in the spectral profile of a zero-field triplet spin transition imply spectral diffusion processes. A kinetic model reproducing the lineshape changes is used to calculate a spectral diffusion rate constant, found to depend not only on the frequency shift (energy mismatch), but also on deuteration.
Question: How Have Middle East Scholars Contributed to the Broader Field of Gender and Women's Studies?: Pensée 1: States, Gender, and Intersectionality

In August 2001, a conference on the state of Middle East women's studies took place at the Rockefeller Foundation Center in Bellagio, Italy. Apart from the gorgeous surroundings, the conference was memorable for the breadth and scope of the high-quality papers presented by scholars teaching in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Many participants were active in the Association for Middle East Women's Studies. Some went on to establish the Journal of Middle East Women's Studies, Hawwa, and Brill's women and Islam monograph series. Most of us also publish in disciplinary journals and present papers at a variety of conferences.
An upper bound on the expected value of a non-increasing convex function with convex marginal return functions

In this note, we show that if a convex function is non-increasing and has a special property we call convex marginal return functions, an effective upper bound can be established using only two function evaluations. Further, we show that this bound can be refined in such a way that the number of function evaluations needed grows linearly with the number of refinements performed.
A Comparison of the Absorption of Radioactive Sodium Iodide from Lard, Wool Fat and Petrolatum

The results of a study of the comparative absorption of radioactive sodium iodide from lard, wool fat, and petrolatum are reported, The results indicated that absorption of this salt was greater from white petrolatum than from either wool fat or lard. The white rat was used as the test animal.
Pathogenesis of experimental Ebola Zaire virus infection in BALB/c mice.

Guinea-pigs and non-human primates have traditionally been used as animal models for studying Ebola Zaire virus (EBO-Z) infections. The virus was also recently adapted to the stage of lethal virulence in BALB/c mice. This murine model is now in use for testing antiviral medications and vaccines. However, the pathological features of EBO-Z infection in mice have not yet been fully described. To identify sites of viral replication and characterize sequential morphological changes in BALB/c mice, adult female mice were infected with mouse-adapted EBO-Z and killed in groups each day for 5 days post-infection. Tissues were examined by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and in-situ hybridization. As in guinea-pigs and non-human primates, cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system were the earliest targets of infection. Viral replication was observed by day 2 in macrophages in lymph nodes and spleen. By the time of onset of illness and weight loss (day 3), the infection had spread to hepatocytes and adrenal cortical cells, and to macrophages and fibroblast-like cells in many organs. Severe lymphocytolysis was observed in the spleen, lymph nodes and thymus. There was minimal infection of endothelial cells. All of these changes resembled those observed in EBO-Z-infected guinea-pigs and non-human primates. In contrast to the other animal models, however, there was little fibrin deposition in the late stage of disease. The availability of immunodeficient, "gene-knockout" and transgenic mice will make the mouse model particularly useful for studying the early steps of Ebola pathogenesis.
Reading Ability and Short-Term Memory: The Role of Phonological Processing.

The aim of the current study was to further explore the connection between verbal short-term recall and phonological processing for two purposes: (a) To investigate the basis of short-term memory deficits for children with reading disability, and (b) To further explore the origin of developmental verbal memory span increases. Using a variety of memory and phonological tasks, reading group comparisons were conducted testing third-grade good readers and poor readers, and developmental changes were studied with pre-kindergarten, first-grade and third-grade children. The main finding was that a strong relationship was observed between efficiency of phonological processes and capacity of verbal memory supporting the hypothesis that reducing phonological processing requirements in verbal short-term memory increases available resources for storage. No such relationship was found between phonological processing and nonverbal memory. This conclusion was supported by two findings: (a) The verbal short-term memory deficits in poor readers significantly correspond with less accurate phonological processing, and (b) Developmental increases in verbal STM are accompanied by more accurate and rapid execution of phonological tasks.
A new interpolation lattice structure

This interpolation lattice is asymmetric in the sense that the number of past and future values linearly weighted to estimate the current value is not necessarily identical. The asymmetric interpolation lattice is computationally efficient and flexible to implement. It also forms a bridge between forward prediction, backward prediction, and symmetric interpolation, which can all be viewed as special cases of asymmetric interpolation. As a result, the asymmetric interpolation lattice provides a broader interpretation and a more thorough understanding of the linear prediction and linear interpolation theories. The interpolation lattice structure may be useful in the field of data compression. Although interpolation needs more computing power than prediction does, it reduces more temporal redundancy. As a result, a higher degree of data compression can be achieved by interpolation than by prediction. >
Fellowships: Turning brain drain into brain circulation

Overseas scholarships that encourage scientists to return to their home countries are helping to rebuild science in Latin America, says Torsten Wiesel.
Sweetheart, you really make me happy: Romantic relationship quality and personality as predictors of happiness among emerging adults

Two studies investigated the predictive ability of romantic relationship quality in happiness above and beyond the influence of personality (Big Five) among emerging adults. Study 1 (n = 221) showed that global romantic relationship quality accounted for 3% of the variance in happiness while controlling for personality. Study 2 (n = 187) replicated this finding by assessing happiness and relationship quality with different scales. Second study also extended the first study in two ways. First, emotional security and companionship emerged as the strongest features of romantic relationship quality that predicted happiness. Second, identity formation moderated the relationship between relationship quality and happiness such that emerging adults were happier when they experienced high quality relationships at high levels of identity formation. Findings across the two studies were discussed in the light of the literature and suggestions for future research were made.
Effect of Octylamine on the Passivation of Iron in Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate Solution

Abstract Electrochemical and ellipsometric measurements of the effect of octylamine addition to potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) solution on the formation of passive films on iron were made. It w...
How Higher Education in the U.S. Can Inform Missions’ Diversification Efforts

Abstract Many largely homogenous, North American mission organizations claim they are interested in attracting a more diverse membership. Some have even taken steps toward diversity. However, few have a clear, proven, diversification strategy in mind. This article borrows heavily from the diversity literature on higher education in the United States to uncover effective principles that can inform mission organizations’ diversification efforts. The intended audience is primarily North American mission organizations seeking to diversify their membership. Nevertheless, the principles outlined are potentially transferable to mission organizations in other contexts. The article proposes the following transferable diversification strategy: 1)Revisit organization purposes. 2) Assess organizational readiness. 3) Establish a responsibility structure that sets diversity goals, develops and implements a relational strategy, and manages the resultant diversity. 4)Exercise patient persistence.
Highly efficient polarization control using subwavelength high contrast transmitarrays

We report efficient wave plates with different retardations and orientations of fast axes realized using transmitarrays composed of a periodic arrangement of amorphous silicon elliptical cylinders on glass. We show that novel polarization devices which locally rotate the polarization by different angles while preserving the wavefront can be demonstrated using such a high contrast transmitarray. We present design, fabrication and experimental characterization results for near infrared transmissive wave retarders with efficiencies in excess of 90%, and discuss the potential applications of atwill local polarization control enabled by this technology.
Bone Marrow Cells Give Rise to Distinct Cell Clones Within the Thymus

The thymus is the major, if not the sole site of maturation of T lymphocytes from their haematopoietic precursors. During embryonic life (at a few well-defined intervals, at least in birds) the thymus receives thymus-homing haematopoietic precursors that give rise to antigen-specific functional T lymphocytes. Although the number and thymic location of distinct T-cell lineages destined to form the peripheral T-cell pool are not yet well defined, at least two independent pathways have been proposed. First, thymic subcapsular lymphoblasts divide and differentiate to give rise to small deep cortical thymic lymphocytes, medullary lymphocytes and thymus emigrants (I.W., unpublished data) and second, the medulla contains an independent self-renewing population that contains the precursors of the peripheral T-cell pool. Following irradiation the thymus may be repopulated by injected haematopoietic cells presumably related to the thymus-homing haematopoietic cells of the embryo. Here we have reconstituted irradiated mice with limiting numbers of bone marrow cells from Thy-1 congeneic donors and have found distinct clones of cells within the thymus. The pattern of reconstitution by the precursor cells indicates that two independent thymus lineages exist: cortex plus medulla, and medulla alone.
The Concept of Messenger RNA and Cytodifferentiation

Synopsis. The messenger RNA hypothesis serves as a concrete model of gene function which may be of real use to the developmental biologist. The hypothesis posits that the product of a gene is an RNA molecule with a base sequence complementary to the sequence of nucleotide bases in the DNA. The operations and restrictions which define a messenger are discussed. Animal and embryonic cells, while conforming in general to the predictions, display certain variations from the original hypothesis, such as difficulties in obtaining directed synthesis of protein in vitro, greater stability of the messenger RNA, association of active ribosomes with lipoprotein membranes, and a possible heterogeneity of ribosomes. Some recent studies on messenger RNA in sea urchins and frog embryos are dis? cussed, with special reference to the nature and importance of the RNA synthesized during cleavage, the significance of new ribosome synthesis, and the potential impor? tance of control mechanisms at the translational level for regulation of new protein synthesis. The latter point is illustrated further by a discussion of the initiation of synthesis of hemoglobin in the chick embryo. The application of drugs and antimetabolites which derange and inhibit RNA synthesis (actinomycin, 8-azaguanine, 5-fluorouracil, and 5-bromodeoxyuridine) shows that 8 hours prior to its onset, the synthesis of hemoglobin is independent of the synthesis of RNA of high molecular weight. The initiation of hemoglobin synthesis is probably regulated at the translational level. Preliminary experiments using the heme precursor, delta-amino-levulinic acid, show that heme may be limiting for the onset of hemoglobin synthesis.
Topological properties of attainability sets of linear systems

Linear systems are best studied in control theory. They are both of applied interest in themselves and of theoretical importance. Indeed, the local investigation of a nonlinear control system by linearization results in a linear system whose behavior largely characterizes the local behavior of the original nonlinear system. The structure and properties of attainability sets play an important role in the analysis of control systems. In the present paper, we consider topological properties of attainability sets of linear systems. Consider an object whose motion is governed by the linear system of ordinary dierential equations _ x = A(t)x +B(t)u(t) ;t 2 [0;T]; (1) with the initial condition x(0) = 0: (2)
Glutamine synthetase II in Rhizobium: reexamination of the proposed horizontal transfer of DNA from eukaryotes to prokaryotes.

We have determined the DNA sequence of aRhizobium meliloti gene that encodes glutamine synthetase II (GSII). The deduced amino acid sequence was compared to that ofBradyrhizobium japonicum GSII and those of various plant and mammalian glutamine synthetases (GS) in order to evaluate a proposal that the gene for this enzyme was recently transferred from plants to their symbiotic bacteria. There is 83.6% identity between theR. meliloti andB. japonicum proteins. The bacterial GSII proteins average 42.5% identity with the plant GS proteins and 41.8% identity with their mammalian counterparts. The plant proteins average 53.7% identity with the mammalian proteins. Thus, the GS proteins are highly conserved and the divergence of these proteins is proportional to the phylogenetic divergence of the organisms from which the sequences were determined. No transfer of genes across large taxonomic gaps is needed to explain the presence of GSII in these bacteria.
In Vivo Phage Display Selection Yields Atherosclerotic Plaque Targeted Peptides for Imaging

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world, yet specific imaging agents to detect and map inflammatory plaques are still lacking. We used in vivo phage display to interrogate early atherosclerotic lesions present in ApoE−/− mice with the goal of identifying plaque-associated endothelial cell internalized affinity ligands. We identified 30 phage families with some of these families exhibiting homology to known atherosclerotic proteins, namely, leukemia inhibitory factor, transferrin, and VLA-4. VLA-4 homologous peptides [termed vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) internalizing peptide-28 (VINP28)] bound to and were internalized by VCAM-1-expressing cells and were inhibited by soluble VCAM-1. In addition, a VINP28 modified multimodal nanoparticle showed high affinity for endothelial cells expressing VCAM-1 but low affinity for macrophages or smooth muscle cells. The identified peptides represent a set of probes to interrogate the cell surface repertoire and potentially allow early detection of atherosclerosis.
Standby power reduction using optimal supply voltage and body-bias voltage

This paper proposes a novel design method to minimize the leakage power during standby mode using a novel optimal supply voltage and body-bias voltage generating technique for nanoscale VLSI systems. The minimum level of VDD is generated for different temperature and process conditions adaptively using a look-up-table method. The subthreshold current as well as gate-tunneling and band-to-band-tunneling currents are monitored and minimized adaptively by the optimally generated body-bias voltage. The proposed design method reduces the leakage power by 1000 times on average for ISCAS85 benchmark circuits designed using 32nm CMOS technology comparing to the case where the method is not applied.
Managerial Inputs and the Growth of Rural Small Firms

Growth of rural small firms is influenced by education and work effort of owner or manager, and by degree of technology adoption and planning. Results are based on analysis of data from a small business survey in twenty-five rural Georgia counties. Employment growth in a sample of manufacturing, sales, and service firms is examined. Independent firms, sole proprietorships, and firms owned by women are found to have significantly lower-than-average growth rates. The study confirms earlier findings that firm growth is negatively related to firm size and age. Implications for small business assistance programs are discussed.
Abstract P6-04-30: COUP-TFII suppresses NFκB activation in endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL COUP-TFII is an orphan nuclear receptor that can function as either a transcriptional activator or repressor. We have previously shown that COUP-TFII expression is reduced in tamoxifen-resistant LCC9 breast cancer cells and that overexpression of COUP-TFII restored the ability of tamoxifen to inhibit cell proliferation. An increase in NFκB activity and p65/RELA level has been reported in endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells. Because NFκB activation results in increased expression of anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative genes, increased NFκB signaling promotes the survival of cancer cells. The goal of the current study was to further elucidate the mechanism by which COUP-TFII enables cells to maintain endocrine sensitivity and to determine if COUP-TFII modulates NFκB activity in tamoxifen-resistance. To examine whether COUP-TFII can suppress NFκB activity, MCF-7 (tamoxifen-sensitive, TAM-S) and LCC9 (tamoxifen-resistant, TAM-R) breast cancer cells were transfected with a NFκB luciferase reporter and treated with TNFα to activate NFκB. Cotransfection with COUP-TFII reduced NFκB activity in both TAM-S and TAM-R cell lines. Knockdown of COUP-TFII with siRNA led to an increase in p65 expression; conversely, COUP-TFII overexpression led to a suppression of p65 expression. COUP-TFII overexpression also reduced TNFα-induced endogenous NFκB target gene expression. Preliminary data also suggests that suppression of NFκB activation by COUP-TFII leads to a reduction in cell viability in MCF-7 and LCC9 cells in response to tamoxifen and TNFα treatment. This indicates a novel role for COUP-TFII in suppression of NFκB activity which may explain the ability of COUP-TFII to promote tamoxifen-sensitivity. COUP-TFII may be both a useful biomarker to predict tamoxifen-sensitivity as well as a target to restore endocrine sensitivity to resistant cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2214. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2214
Abnormalities of the brainstem auditory response of the dog associated with equilibrium deficit and seizure.

The brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) was recorded from 20 dogs, 10 exhibiting vestibular deficit, and 10 presented with a history of seizures. Two dogs exhibited both types of signs. Abnormalities of the BAER, prolonged interwave latency, were seen in 8 of the 10 animals with vestibular problems, and in 7 of the 10 animals with seizure history. Several different diagnosis were associated with BAER abnormalities in both groups of animals. In 55.5% of the cases exhibiting abnormalities of the BAER, postmortem evidence of brainstem pathology was not detected. The electroencephalogram (EEG) was normal in three instances of abnormalities of the BAER. The BAER was normal in three dogs with abnormalities of the EEG. The BAER is presented as a useful diagnostic tool for brain lesions in animals with vestibular deficit and seizure history, but appears most useful when used in conjuction with the EEG. Correlations of abnormalities of the BAER and clinical course of disease are discussed.
Diet and the development of the human intestinal microbiome

The important role of the gut microbiome in maintaining human health has necessitated a better understanding of the temporal dynamics of intestinal microbial communities as well as the host and environmental factors driving these dynamics. Genetics, mode of birth, infant feeding patterns, antibiotic usage, sanitary living conditions and long term dietary habits contribute to shaping the composition of the gut microbiome. This review focuses primarily on diet, as it is one of the most pivotal factors in the development of the human gut microbiome from infancy to the elderly. The infant gut microbiota is characterized by a high degree of instability, only reaching a state similar to that of adults by 2–3 years of age; consistent with the establishment of a varied solid food diet. The diet-related factors influencing the development of the infant gut microbiome include whether the child is breast or formula-fed as well as how and when solid foods are introduced. In contrast to the infant gut, the adult gut microbiome is resilient to large shifts in community structure. Several studies have shown that dietary changes induce transient fluctuations in the adult microbiome, sometimes in as little as 24 h; however, the microbial community rapidly returns to its stable state. Current knowledge of how long-term dietary habits shape the gut microbiome is limited by the lack of long-term feeding studies coupled with temporal gut microbiota characterization. However, long-term weight loss studies have been shown to alter the ratio of the Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, the two major bacterial phyla residing in the human gastrointestinal tract. With aging, diet-related factors such as malnutrition are associated with microbiome shifts, although the cause and effect relationship between these factors has not been established. Increased pharmaceutical usage is also more prevalent in the elderly and can contribute to reduced gut microbiota stability and diversity. Foods containing prebiotic oligosaccharide components that nurture beneficial commensals in the gut community and probiotic supplements are being explored as interventions to manipulate the gut microbiome, potentially improving health status.
Evaluation of a new algorithm to determine the hip joint center

Abstract Accurately locating the hip joint center is a challenging and important step in many biomechanical investigations. The purpose of this study was to test the accuracy and robustness of a “pivoting” algorithm used to locate the hip center. We tested the performance of this algorithm with data acquired by manipulating a ball and socket model of the hip through several motion patterns. The smallest mean errors of 2.2±0.2 mm occurred with a circumduction motion pattern, while the largest errors of 4.2±1.3 mm occurred with single-plane motion (e.g., flexion/extension). Introducing random noise with an amplitude of 30 mm increased the errors by only 1.3±0.5 mm with a circumduction motion pattern. The pivoting algorithm performs well in the laboratory, and further work is warranted to evaluate its performance in a clinical setting.