cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prey-handling and the evolutionary ecology of sand-swimming lizards (Lerista?: Scincidae)

Fossorial lizards differ in morphology from their surface-dwelling relatives. The Australian sphenomorphine skink genus Ctenotus consists of surface-dwelling species, and is closely related to the genus Lerista, which includes both surface-dwelling and fossorial species. Sand-swimming represents the derived condition and has evolved independently in several lineages of Lerista. The heads of lizards in the two genera differ in shape (blunt snout for Ctenotus versus wedge-shaped for Lerista) and in length relative to the body (approximately 20% of snout-vent length for Ctenotus versus 12% for sand-swimming Lerista). Do these specializations affect the sizes or types of prey that can be consumed by Lerista? We compared prey-handling by Ctenotus and Lerista to correlate morphological differences with differences in prey-handling ability, and to distinguish the effects of snout shape and head length. Feeding trials included three categories of insect prey that the lizards normally eat: soft-bodied larvae (Lepidoptera), hard-bodied larvae (Coleoptera), and roaches (Blatoidea). In comparisons based on the mass of a prey item relative to the mass of a lizard, Lerista had longer handling times for all prey categories and were limited to smaller prey than were Ctenotus. However, when comparisons were based on the length of prey relative to the length of a lizard's head, Lerista ate some elongate prey as fast or faster than did Ctenotus, and both genera successfully swallowed prey more than twice the length of their own head. Thus, the differences in prey-handling performance of Ctenotus and Lerista probably result from the fact that Lerista have a relatively shorter head than Ctenotus. All Lerista species, surface-dwelling and fossorial, have short heads compared to primitive sphenomorphine lizards. Fossorial species of Lerista have elongate trunks, and consequently their heads are shorter in proportion to trunk length than those of surface-dwelling Lerista. However, most fossorial species of Lerista are longer and heavier than any of their surface-dwelling congeners, and the heads of these fossorial species are large relative to the prey they encounter. As a consequence, the diets of large fossorial species of Lerista do not appear to be limited by their morphological specialization for sand-swimming.
Microstructure and critical current density of zone melt textured YBa2Cu3O6 + x with Y2BaCuO5 additions

Abstract Extruded wires of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6 + x With Y 2 BaCuO 5 (211) additions were zone melted to produce textured microstructures. Excess 211 was introduced in order to observe its effect on the transport properties and the microstructure. Highly aligned microstructures can be produced with a−b planes oriented along the axis of the wires. 211 additions appear to modify the microstructure, with YBCO platelet thickness decreasing with increasing 211 additions. Magnetization and transport measurements show a decrease in J c with increasing 211 additions.
Polychelatsiloxane 2. Mitt.: Polykondensation von siliciumfunktionellen metallchelaten

Durch Addition von (CH3)2SiHCl und CH3SiHCl2 an die Beryllium- und Aluminium-chelate des 4,4-Diacetylbuten-1 (Allylacetylaceton) liesen sich die entsprechenden siliciumfunktionellen Silylpropylchelate in hoher Reinheit und Ausbeute herstellen. Hydrolyse und Polykondensation fuhrten im Falle des bifunktionellen Be-Chelates zu linearen Polychelat-siloxanen, die bei etwa 70°C erweichen, aber erst oberhalb 200°C schmelzen. Hydrolytische Polykondensation von tri-, tetra- und hexafunktionellen Chlorsilylchelaten ergab vernetzte, pulverige Polymere; gleichzeitig trat in gewissem Umfang hydrolytische Spaltung der Metallbindung ein. Silicon-functional Bis(silylpropyl)chelates have been prepared in high yield and purity by addition of (CH3)2SiHCl and CH3SiHCl2 to the beryllium and aluminum chelates of 4,4-diacetylbutene-1. Hydrolysis and polycondensation of the difunctional Be-chelates gave linear polychelatsiloxanes softening at 70°C but not melting until above 200°C. Hydrolysis of tri-, tetra- and hexafunctional silylchelates yielded crosslinked polymeric powders. In the latter case hydrolytic scission of metal-bonds occurred to a certain degree.
The structure of silence between turns in two‐party conversation

Turn taking is a fundamental structural feature of social interaction. Three major approaches to describing turn taking have emerged: stochastic, signaling, and sequential‐production models. The first two treat silences between speakers as simple response latencies, whereas the third views silence as generated collaboratively by the parties to the conversation. The simple response‐latency interpretation predicts a distribution of be‐tween‐turn silences that declines monotonically with duration, whereas the sequential‐production model predicts a periodic pattern of peaks and valleys, with an overall decline in the heights of the peaks as duration increases. Analysis of the frequency distributions of durations of silences between speakers in two‐party conversations finds the periodic structure predicted by the sequential‐production model. The finding is interpreted as supporting a view of social interaction as a fundamentally collaborative activity.
Analysis of arterial waves by the single-pulse-response in time domain

We induced transient but abrupt cardiac arrests in 9 rabbits by applying electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve. “Single-pulse-response” of both blood pressure (BP) and blood flow (BF) in the carotid artery was then obtained by subtracting the wave from itself after being shifted forward by one R-R interval. The time domain characteristic impedance was used to calculate forward and backward pressure and flow waves. Results showed that the carotid blood pressure and blood flow could be decomposed into forward and backward waves. The backward pressure wave, essentially, has the same characteristics as that of the forward pressure wave but was lower in amplitude and delayed in time. This analytic method will be useful in understanding the characteristics of the arterial system in different states and also in the understanding ventricular/arterial Interaction.
The inhibitory effect of ethanol on Sestrin3 in the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced liver injury.

Sestrins (Sesns) are a family of stress-sensitive genes that have been suggested to regulate lipid metabolism. Chronic ethanol feeding is known to cause lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. This stud...
A Comparison of Template Matching Registration Methods for Polarimetric Imagery

Automatic registration between channels in a passive polarimetric imaging system can be frustrated by naturally occurring intensity variations due to target polarization content. In this paper, three image registration algorithms are tested using polarimetric data in various stages of translational misregistration. These algorithms, known collectively as template matching methods, are cross-correlation, maximum mutual information, and phase correlation. Test data are derived from laboratory and HST faint object camera (FOC) polarimetric imagery. Mutual information registration is shown to be robust against channel intensity inversions at a cost of significantly increased processing time. Conversely, cross-correlation provides the most consistent performance in low signal-to-noise conditions.
Promoter binding by the Adr1 transcriptional activator may be regulated by phosphorylation in the DNA-binding region.

Background Post-translational modification regulates promoter-binding by Adr1, a Zn-finger transcriptional activator of glucose-regulated genes. Support for this model includes the activation of an Adr1-dependent gene in the absence of Adr1 protein synthesis, and a requirement for the kinase Snf1 for Adr1 DNA-binding. A fusion protein with the Adr1 DNA-binding domain and a heterologous activation domain is glucose-regulated, suggesting that the DNA binding region is the target of regulation. Methodology/Principal Findings Peptide mapping identified serine 98 adjacent to the Zn-fingers as a phosphorylation site. An antibody specific for phosphorylated serine 98 on Adr1 showed that the level of phosphorylated Adr1 relative to the level of total Adr1 decreased with glucose derepression, in a Snf1-dependent manner. Relative phosphorylation decreased in a PHO85 mutant, and this mutant constitutively expressed an Adr1-dependent reporter. Pho85 did not phosphorylate Adr1 in vitro, suggesting that it affects Adr1 indirectly. Mutation of serine 98 to the phosphomimetic amino acid aspartate reduced in vitro DNA-binding of the recombinant Adr1 DNA-binding domain. Mutation to aspartate or alanine affected activation of a reporter by full-length Adr1, and in vivo promoter binding. Conclusions/Significance Mutation of Adr1 serine 98 affects in vitro and in vivo DNA binding, and phosphorylation of serine 98 in vivo correlates with glucose availability, suggesting that Adr1 promoter-binding is regulated in part by serine 98 phosphorylation.
Single-Cell Diesel Mining on Microalgae: Direct and Quantitative Monitoring of Microalgal Oil Production In Vivo by Raman Spectroscopy

Microalgae, known for their rapid growth and high lipid content, became a promising candidate for the next generation feedstocks for liquid biofuels. Traditionally, instead of living organisms, they were treated as lifeless biomass in bulky, lyophilized or extracted forms, making it difficult to understand the fundamental biological processes in play. Labeling algae with fluorescent probes can be a potential high-throughput method but it provides little chemical information and is limited by impermeability, toxicity and specificity. In this work, we focus on in situ, in vivo and label-free Raman characterizations of single living green algae of several species. Our study has demonstrated that single-cell laser-trapping confocal Raman spectroscopy can directly obtain quantitative information of the lipids produced inside individual algae. Information critically related with the quality of derived biodiesel, such as lipid unsaturation and melting temperature can be obtained at single-cell level. Meanwhile, lipid triggering effect by nitrate starvation was characterized in vivo on single cells. Our real-time in vivo “diesel mining” on individual microalgae cells enables the possibility of researching and engineering of the best conditions and species for algal oil production.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Wnt signaling arrests effector T cell differentiation and generates CD8+ memory stem cells

Self-renewing cell populations such as hematopoietic stem cells and memory B and T lymphocytes might be regulated by shared signaling pathways. The Wnt-beta-catenin pathway is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that promotes hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and multipotency by limiting stem cell proliferation and differentiation, but its role in the generation and maintenance of memory T cells is unknown. We found that induction of Wnt-beta-catenin signaling by inhibitors of glycogen sythase kinase-3beta or the Wnt protein family member Wnt3a arrested CD8(+) T cell development into effector cells. By blocking T cell differentiation, Wnt signaling promoted the generation of CD44(low)CD62L(high)Sca-1(high)CD122(high)Bcl-2(high) self-renewing multipotent CD8(+) memory stem cells with proliferative and antitumor capacities exceeding those of central and effector memory T cell subsets. These findings reveal a key role for Wnt signaling in the maintenance of 'stemness' in mature memory CD8(+) T cells and have major implications for the design of new vaccination strategies and adoptive immunotherapies.
The magnetic form factor of 3He

Abstract The behavior of the magnetic form factor of 3 He for momentum transfers q 2 −2 is studied with simple wave function models and with account of pion and ρ-meson exchange current effects. The single-nucleon current contribution to the form factor depends strongly on the D-state probability. The exchange current contributions dominate the form factor for q 2 > 5 fm −2 . The sensitivity of the exchange current contributions to wave function details — short-range correlations and D-state percentage — and hadronic form factors in the exchange operators is investigated in some detail. With inclusion of the ρ-meson exchange effect the predicted position of the form factor minimum is in reasonable agreement with the most recent data. With the exchange effects considered the predicted magnetic moment agrees with the empirical value. The models employed lead to no noticeable difference in the behavior of the triton and helion magnetic form factors.
Separation of formyl-methionyl transfer RNA, methionyl transfer RNA, and transfer RNAfmet using mixed-mode high-performance liquid chromatography on C6-modified aminopropylsilyl-hypersil

Preparative amounts of formyl-methionyl-tRNAfmet, methionyl-tRNAfmet, and tRNAfmet were separated from each other with baseline resolution in 30 min using mixed-mode HPLC on hexanoic anhydride-modified aminopropylsilyl-Hypersil 2. Pure tRNAfmet was aminoacylated with [35S]methionine in the presence or absence of a formyl donor and was immediately fractionated on the column. Two isoacceptors, tRNA1fmet and tRNA2fmet, as well as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases were clearly separated from each other. The purified f[35S]-methionyl-tRNA was biologically active in that as much as 98% could be bound to ribosomes in response to AUGUAA in vitro. Formyl-methionine was released from this complex by the action of termination factor and greater than 92% of bound formyl-methionine was released by puromycin.
An optimal reference plane to detect glaucomatous nerve fiber layer abnormalities with computerized image analysis.

Nerve fiber layer height measured with respect to a standardized retinal reference plane is diminished by glaucoma. The definition of the reference plane influences the nerve fiber layer measurements. We empirically determined the best reference plane for measurement of nerve fiber layer height. Optimal parameters for measurement reproducibility were determined for a group of 6 normal and 6 glaucomatous eyes each imaged nine times. Optimal ability to distinguish normal from glaucomatous eyes was determined for a group of 33 normal eyes and 36 glaucomatous eyes each imaged once. Measurements with the smallest variability (root mean square error = 32 gm) and the highest sensitivity (83%) and specificity (88%) were achieved when the reference plane is defined by portions of the image from a peripheral temporal area 32° wide, and for two peripheral nasal areas of 55° width centered 30° above and below horizontal. These parameters for the definition of the reference plane should provide measurements of nerve fiber layer height with the least variability and the greatest ability to discriminate between eyes with early glaucomatous damage and normal eyes.
DRIVING PATTERNS FOR DIFFERENT-SIZED VEHICLES

This study was concerned with examining driver patterns for three different sized vehicles (small cars, family cars, trucks and buses) through an intersection controlled by a traffic signal. Observations were made morning, noon and afternoon, when there was precipitation and no precipitation. Records were also kept as to whether the drivers wore alone or with passengers and whether the drivers were males or fomales. Results were found showing that family car drivers were the most cautious and that small ear, truck and bus drivers were approximately similar to each other, being less cautious. Drivers with passengers were more cautious and did not violate the law by passing a red light as frequently as did drivers without passengers. Approximately similar driving patterns were found for males and fomales. Different driving patterns were obtained for the three-sized vehicles during morning, noon and afternoon, when there was precipitation and no precipitation.
The role of glutathione S-transferases as a defense against reactive electrophiles in the blood vessel wall.

The glutathione transferases (GSTs) are a family of ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze the conjugation of reduced glutathione (GSH) with reactive electrophiles. Rat vascular tissue contains GST isoforms that represent a major cellular defense mechanism against atherogenic alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes (Misra et al., Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 133, 27-33, 1995). In this study we examined the role of GSTs in providing protection to cultured neonatal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from the alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl cardiovascular toxins, allylamine and its metabolite, acrolein. Confluent cultured cells were exposed to 2 to 10 microM allylamine (a cardiovascular toxin that is metabolized in vivo and in vitro by VSMCs to the reactive aldehyde, acrolein) or to acrolein (2-10 microM) for 48 h; dose-cytotoxicity curves were generated utilizing a tetrazolium-dependent cytotoxicity assay. Concommittant treatment with sulfasalazine, an established inhibitor of GST, was found to markedly increase allylamine- or acrolein-induced cytotoxicity, decreasing the LC50 by two- to threefold at 50 to 100 microM sulfasalazine. A clonogenic survival assay in VSMCs exposed to these compounds for 4 h confirmed lethal toxicity and enhanced toxicity following cotreatment with sulfasalazine. Isobologram analysis (which statistically defines the limits of additivity of two independent treatments) showed that the sulfasalazine effect on both allylamine and acrolein cytotoxicity was supraadditive, or synergistic. Sulfasalazine was not cytotoxic to VSMCs in the range of concentrations that augmented acrolein or allylamine cytoxicity; total GST activity was inhibited, however, in a dose-dependent manner in that range. GST purified by GSH-affinity chromatography from pelleted untreated cells gave specific activities and kinetic constants consistent with those previously reported for rat aorta total GSTs. The catalytic efficiency (Kcat/Vm) was found to be much greater for 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal than for 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (0.058 vs 0.4 s-1 mM-1). Western blot of purified total GSTs using antibodies against rec-mGSTA4-4 revealed a single band at 25 kDa, confirming the presence of a GST isozyme immunologically similar to rat GST8-8, which is known to utilize alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyls as preferred substrates. Our data indicate that GSTs are an important defense in the vascular media, protecting blood vessels against alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl cardiovascular toxins that are involved in initiating atherosclerotic lesions.
Prenatal sex hormones, digit ratio, and face shape in adult males.

Structured Abstract Objectives Several reports have demonstrated a relationship between second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and facial shape, suggesting that prenatal sex hormones play a role in the development of the craniofacial complex. Using 3D surface imaging and geometric morphometrics, we test the hypothesis that decreased digit ratio (indicative of increased prenatal androgen exposure) is associated with a more masculine facial phenotype. Methods 3D facial surface images and digit measures were collected on a sample of 151 adult males. Facial landmarks collected from the images were aligned by Procrustes superimposition and the resulting shape coordinates regressed on 2D:4D. Variations in facial shape related to 2D:4D were visualized with deformable surface warps. Results A significant statistical relationship was observed between facial shape variation and 2D:4D (p = 0.0084). Lower 2D:4D ratio in adult males was associated with increased facial width relative to height, increased mandibular prognathism, greater nasal projection, and increased upper and lower lip projection. Conclusions A statistical relationship between 2D:4D and facial shape in adult males was observed. Faces tended to look more masculine as 2D:4D decreased, suggesting a biologically plausible link between prenatal androgen exposure and the development of male facial characteristics.
Introspection and Inference

In this paper I develop the idea that, by answering the question whether p, you can answer the question whether you believe that p. In particular, I argue that judging that p is a fallible yet basic guide to whether one believes that p. I go on to defend my view from an important skeptical challenge, according to which my view would make it too easy to reject skeptical hypotheses about our access to our minds. I close by responding to the opposing view on which our beliefs themselves constitute our only source of first-person access to our beliefs.
Critical role of surgery in patients with gastroesophageal carcinoma with a poor prognosis after chemoradiation as defined by positron emission tomography

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients with localized gastroesophageal carcinoma (LGC) can be defined after chemoradiation by the standardized uptake value (SUV) of positron emission tomography (PET). High SUV (HSUV) after chemoradiation portends a poor prognosis. The authors retrospectively examined the role of surgery in patients with HSUV after chemoradiation. METHODS: The authors analyzed the postchemoradiation PET scans of 204 LGC patients. One hundred twenty-nine patients had HSUV. Two postchemoradiation variables were evaluated: SUV and surgery and their association with overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). The log-rank test, multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, and Kaplan-Meier survival plots were used to assess the association between OS or EFS and the dichotomized SUV (using the median SUV as the cutoff) and surgery. RESULTS: The median SUV was 4.6. The OS of the 52 patients who had an SUV above the median and did not undergo surgery (HSUV-NS) (median OS, 1.22 years; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.02-2.16 years) was much shorter than that of the 77 patients with an SUV above the median who underwent surgery (HSUV-S) (median OS, 2.7 years; 95% CI, 2.43 years to not reached [P <.0001]). Similarly, the EFS for patients with HSUV-NS was significantly shorter than that for patients with HSUV-S (P = .001). In the multivariate analyses, patients who underwent surgery (irrespective of SUV) had a lower risk of death (P = .0001) and disease progression (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: The data from the current study suggest that surgery may prolong OS and EFS in patients with a poor prognosis after chemoradiation as defined by PET. However, these data need confirmation. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Spectral Features Control Temporal Plasticity in Auditory Cortex

Cortical responses are adjusted and optimized throughout life to meet changing behavioral demands and to compensate for peripheral damage. The cholinergic nucleus basalis (NB) gates cortical plasticity and focuses learning on behaviorally meaningful stimuli. By systematically varying the acoustic parameters of the sound paired with NB activation, we have previously shown that tone frequency and amplitude modulation rate alter the topography and selectivity of frequency tuning in primary auditory cortex. This result suggests that network-level rules operate in the cortex to guide reorganization based on specific features of the sensory input associated with NB activity. This report summarizes recent evidence that temporal response properties of cortical neurons are influenced by the spectral characteristics of sounds associated with cholinergic modulation. For example, repeated pairing of a spectrally complex (ripple) stimulus decreased the minimum response latency for the ripple, but lengthened the minimum latency for tones. Pairing a rapid train of tones with NB activation only increased the maximum following rate of cortical neurons when the carrier frequency of each train was randomly varied. These results suggest that spectral and temporal parameters of acoustic experiences interact to shape spectrotemporal selectivity in the cortex. Additional experiments with more complex stimuli are needed to clarify how the cortex learns natural sounds such as speech.
Do Electronic Health Records Help or Hinder Medical Education

Background to the Debate Background to the debate: Many countries worldwide are digitizing patients' medical records. In the United States, the recent economic stimulus package (“the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009”), signed into law by President Obama, includes $US17 billion in incentives for health providers to switch to electronic health records (EHRs). The package also includes $US2 billion for the development of EHR standards and best-practice guidelines. What impact will the rise of EHRs have upon medical education? This debate examines both the threats and opportunities.
Fundamental relationships in the theory of electric multipole moments and multipole polarizabilities in static fields

Abstract New derivations are given of equations relating molecular electric multipole moments and polarizabilities of general order to the electrostatic energy. The unabridged moment convention is shown to yield relatively simple relations between derivatives of the energy with respect to field gradients and the multipole moments and polarizabilities. Care is taken to distinguish various forms of these derivatives, and one form leads to a proof of a general symmetry of polarizability tensors with respect to permutations of rank indices. The condition of internal equilibrium is shown to be fundamental to the existence of this symmetry. The transformation of multipole moment and polarizability tensors under translation of the coordinate origin is expressed in relatively simple general form. The traceless multipole and polarizability tensors of Buckingham and McLean and Yoshimine are obtained as linear combinations of the unabridged tensors and their traces.
Attachment of prostheses to the musculoskeletal system by tissue ingrowth and mechanical interlocking.

The concept of tissue ingrowth into porous biomaterials as a means of attaching prostheses to the musculo-skeletal system is reviewed. A compilation of the various ceramic materials studied in vivo to date along with the results of the studies is presented. Results of studies on kinetics of tissue ingrowth into porous biomaterials are summarized. A discussion of the parameters controlling the rate of tissue ingrowth into porous implants is presented.
Using the Particle Level Set Method and a Second Order Accurate Pressure Boundary Condition for Free Surface Flows

In this paper, we present an enhanced resolution capturing method for topologically complex two and three dimensional incompressible free surface flows. The method is based upon the level set method of Osher and Sethian to represent the interface combined with two recent advances in the treatment of the interface, a second order accurate discretization of the Dirichlet pressure boundary condition at the free surface (2002, J. Comput. Phys. 176, 205) and the use of massless marker particles to enhance the resolution of the interface through the use of the particle level set method (2002, J. Comput. Phys., 183, 83). Use of these methods allow for the accurate movement of the interface while at the same time preserving the mass of the the liquid, even on coarse computational grids. Also, these methods complement the level set method in its ability to handle changes in interface topology in a robust manner. Surface tension effects can be easily included in our method. The method is presented in three spatial dimensions, with numerical examples in both two and three spatial dimensions.
A USA-based registry for pulmonary arterial hypertension: 1982–2006

The aim of this study was to define the epidemiology of World Health Organization (WHO) Group I pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in a large referral centre in the USA. The Pulmonary Hypertension Connection registry, initiated in 2004, evaluated all patients in a single USA practice from 1982-2006. For comparison, the authors divided the group by incident versus prevalent cohorts, aetiology and by treatment era. In total, 578 patients (77% female) aged 48+/-14 yrs were entered. Of these, 80% had class III or IV symptoms. Over time, connective tissue disease-associated PAH increased, while referrals for HIV remained low. One-third of patients were referred on calcium channel blocker therapy even though only 4.6% had an acute response to vasodilator challenge. When compared by treatment era, there were no differences in the severity of PAH. However, survival had improved over time, with a 1-yr survival of 85% in the incident cohort. In the USA, pulmonary arterial hypertension patients are still referred to tertiary centres too late. Referral of connective tissue disease is increasing, while referral of HIV remains low. Inappropriate calcium channel blocker treatment is common. Survival rates have increased but remain low suggesting that prognosis is improving but PAH is still a progressive, fatal disease.
Effect of selenium deficiency on liver and blood glutathione peroxidase activity in the black bullhead

Male black bullheads, approximately 4 gm, were fed a selenium-deficient torula yeast-based diet for 18 weeks, and the activity of glutathione peroxidase was studied in liver and blood using H2O2 as a substrate. Controls were on the same diet, but received weekly intraperitoneal injections of Na2SeO3. At 12 and 18 weeks significant decreases in blood and liver glutathione peroxidase activity were observed in the experimental animals. Liver showed an even greater decrease than blood in glutathione peroxidase activity in the selenium-deficient animals. Females (4 gm) kept on the diet for 15 weeks showed similar results. Liver activities were not decreased nearly as much when cumene hydroperoxide was used as the substrate instead of H2O2. This indicates that at least two glutathione peroxidase activities are present in fish liver. One is selenium dependent; its activity, as measured with H2O2 as substrate, becomes almost undetectable in selenium-deficient fish. This situation is very similar to that found in mammalian species.
Gene expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells and changes during induction of apoptosis

Our studies in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are directed at understanding which signals maintain viability in vivo and become lost upon removal of leukemic cells from the body, such that they immediately begin to undergo apoptosis ex vivo. In this report, we examine changes in gene expression observed between freshly isolated CLL B cells and after maintenance in vitro with and without Fludara. We compare these effects with an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed cell line treated similarly. Kinetic effects of drug treatment on apoptosis and cell division were examined with DNA laddering, radioisotopic labeling, and flow cytometry using the fluorescent dye carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and hybridization blots of microarray cDNA analyses were performed to examine gene expression. We demonstrate that many genes, especially cyclin D1, were downregulated after culture of CLL cells. Anti-apoptotic genes BAG-1 and Akt2 were upregulated. The greatest positive effect with Fludara was the upregulation of JNK1. The EBV-transformed cell line was resistant to classic DNA laddering induced with Fludara. Although DNA synthesis was blocked, the EBV-transformed cell line had some ability to recover from treatment following drug washout. CLL cells express cell cycle regulatory genes that are specific for activated cells in the G(1)-S phase of the cell cycle. Growth regulatory signals are lost when the leukemic cells are isolated from the body. Fludara enhances kinetics of apoptosis and induces expression of a gene responsive to stress that regulates expression of a kinase involved in initiation of the apoptotic pathway.
ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF TROPICAL RHODOPHYTES. I. MICROSCALE ACCLIMATION IN PIGMENTATION1,2

Microscale pigment adjustments to a tropical photosynthetically active radiation and ultraviolet (UV) environment by the intertidal turf algae Ahnfeltiopsis concinna (J. Ag.) Silva et DeCew and Laurencia mcdermidiae (J. Ag) Abbott were promoted by thalli densities that self-shade the under story portions of the same diminutive axes. Tissues of A. concinna from canopy microsites had significantly reduced levels of phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin compared to tissues from understory microsites of the same axes. Tissues of L. mcdermidiae from canopy microsites had reduced levels of only phycoerythrin compared to tissues from understory microsites. These alterations coupled with enhanced levels of carotenoid and UV-absorbing compounds in tissues from canopy compared to tissues from understory microsites indicated a pattern of remarkably sensitive photoacclimation over the ≤10-cm axes of these turf-forming rhodophytes. Microscale variation in the in vivo UV absorbance capabilities for turfs of A. concinna and L. mcdermidiae was directly related to the amount of extractable UV-absorbing compounds. An in vivo absorbance signature at ∼345 nm appears to provide a method to quickly and accurately gauge the potential UV-shielding capacity of primary producers even at remarkably fine ecological scales. The capacity for highly responsive biochemical adjustments that result in marked canopy–understory distinctions coupled with a turf morphology may be crucial for macroalgal tolerance of physiological stresses associated with tropical intertidal zones. This responsive capacity allows for enhanced photoprotective mechanisms in tissues from canopy microsites while optimizing irradiance capture in deeply shaded tissues from understory microsites < 10 cm away.
Automatic generation of atlas programs for computer controlled test equipment

The NOPAL system automatically generates programs in ATLAS to test and diagnose malfunctions of electronic circuit boards. The system consists of two parts: a top-part which analyzes the circuit diagram and determines the necessary tests, and a bottom-part which analyzes the required tests and produces a program in the RCA EQUATE ATLAS test language for use with the RCA AN/USM-410 automatic test equipment. The system has been described previously. The emphasis in this paper is on the recent develop ment of generation of programs in ATLAS, per formed by the bottom-part. However for complete ness, the top-part is described as well briefly. The operation and advantages of NOPAL are also illustrated with an example of a voltage regula tion circut board. The paper concludes with a discussion of features of NOPAL to generate pro grams in other test programming languages and for other automatic test equipment.
Life-history Aspects of Thoburnia rhothoeca (Torrent Sucker) in Southwestern Virginia

Abstract Life-history aspects of Thoburnia rhothoeca (Torrent Sucker) were investigated using specimens from the Roanoke College Ichthyological Collection and from recent collections to examine age, growth, food habits, and reproductive cycle. The largest specimen collected was a female aged 37 months, of 165.1 mm standard length and 73.73 g total weight. Spawning occurs from February to May, with a mean of 782.6 mature oocytes, and an oocyte diameter of up to 2.02 mm. Sexual maturity is reached at 1–2 years of age, with a maximum lifespan of between 3 and 4 years. Chironomidae and detritus composed the bulk of the diet. Mass, number, and variety of food items peaked in spring and early summer.
Backside cooling solution for high power flip chip multi-chip modules

Future high performance workstations and server applications call for chips with high I/O count, high power dissipation and large number of high frequency interconnects. The packaging envisioned for delivering this performance is flip chip multichip modules (MCM). The high I/O requirements coupled with short net lengths are driving the substrate and interconnect technology. A typical MCM configuration is 1 or 2 VLSI and multiple cache RAMs, with MCM power dissipation of 150 to 200 W for a 2 VLSI configuration. The systems are forced air cooled, and the thermal solution has to be cost effective in the workstation marketplace. This paper describes an innovative thermal solution for cooling such a high power, high performance, advanced processor MCM. A physical configuration of an MCM that provides all the ingredients for building a high performance system is outlined. The area array dice are solder bumped and flip chip bonded on a ceramic substrate. The interchip connections are made with thin film copper/polyimide structures on the ceramic substrate. The substrate is assumed to be mullite. There are two 17 by 17 mm VLSIs' which dissipate 45 W each, and 16 SRAMs that dissipate 4 W each. The paper initially defines the cooling requirements and sets the targeted thermal resistances. The issues related to interfacing multiple dice are examined. A viable forced air cooling solution is proposed which uses a stock heatsink and an innovative die to heatsink interfacing scheme. The viability of the proposed solution is checked by a combination of experimentation to determine heatsink characteristics and computer simulation to map the temperature distribution. >
Gonadal-Independent Activation of Enhanced Afternoon Luteinizing Hormone Release during Pubertal Development in the Female Rat*

In the present study we investigated the extent to which expression of the diurnal pattern of LH secretion in prepubertal female rats is driven by an ovarian-independent neuroendocrine mechanism. To remove gonadal influences, rats were ovariectomized (OVX) during the early juvenile, late juvenile, or peripubertal phases of development (20-22, 26-27, and 32-33 days of age, respectively), and blood samples were collected throughout the day (every 30-60 min) 2 or 4 days after surgery. Morning plasma LH levels were relatively low 2 days after ovariectomy (30-120 ng/ml), but rose during the afternoon to reach levels ranging from 180-300 ng/ml. This afternoon elevation was sustained both in late juvenile and peripubertal rats, but not in early juvenile rats. The predominant change observed 4 days after ovariectomy was an overall 3- to 6-fold increase in plasma LH levels, which masked the afternoon elevation. Analysis of plasma LH profiles from individual rats, however, revealed that at each of the three ages st...
Nutritional Availability and Chronic Toxicity of Selenocyanate in the Rat

To evaluate nutritional availability and chronic toxicity of KSeCN, female postweanling rats were fed casein-based diets plus 0.1, 0.5, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg Se/kg as KSeCN for 6 wk, or 0.1, 0.5 and 10 mg Se/kg as Na2SeO3. A control group was fed the basal diet (Se = 0.04 mg/kg) and one group was fed the basal diet plus 5 mg Se/L as KSeCN in the drinking water. There were no differences in weight gain and diet consumption among groups fed 2.5 mg Se/kg or less. At 5 and 10 mg Se/kg, rats showed depression in weight gain and diet consumption. After wk 6 there were no abnormalities of the major organs of rats fed 2.5 mg Se/kg or less. Spleen enlargement was observed at 5 and 10 mg Se/kg, and liver damage and kidney enlargement at 10 mg Se/kg. Se content in the blood, liver and kidney of rats fed KSeCN was generally somewhat lower than for those fed Na2SeO3 at the same levels. The availability of Se from KSeCN for glutathione peroxidase formation in blood, liver and kidney was comparable to that of Na2SeO3. Plasma thyroxine in groups fed 10 mg Se/kg was 40% of that in the control group, but was not altered at lower Se levels.
The pH dependence of the sensitized sheep cell reaction of sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

An effect of pH on the agglutinating activity of rheumatoid sera was demonstrated in the sensitized sheep cell test and the potentiated sensitized sheep cell test. Although the use of a buffering system did not change the incidence of positive tests, it did increase the titer of some sera. The studies suggest that inhibition of the agglutination system by some chemicals may be a function of pH, and that free amino groups may be essential for agglutination. Un effecto de pH super le activitate agglutinante de seros rheumatoide esseva demonstrate in le test a sensibilisate cellulas ovin, simple e potentiate. Ben que le uso de un systema de tamponage non alterava le frequentia de resultatos positive, illo augmentava nonobstante le titro de certe seros. Le studios suggere que le inhibition del systema agglutinatori per un substantia chimic es forsan un function de pH e que libere amino-gruppos es essential pro le agglutination.
Whole cell 3D STORM reveals interactions between cellular structures with nanometer-scale resolution

The ability to directly visualize nanoscopic cellular structures and their spatial relationship in all three dimensions will greatly enhance our understanding of molecular processes in cells. Here we demonstrated multicolor three-dimensional (3D) stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) as a tool to quantitatively probe cellular structures and their interactions. To facilitate STORM imaging, we generated photoswitchable probes in several distinct colors by covalently linking a photoswitchable cyanine reporter and an activator molecule to assist bioconjugation. We performed 3D localization in conjunction with focal plane scanning and correction for refractive index mismatch to obtain whole-cell images with a spatial resolution of 20-30 nm and 60-70 nm in the lateral and axial dimensions, respectively. Using this approach, we imaged the entire mitochondrial network in fixed monkey kidney BS-C-1 cells, and studied the spatial relationship between mitochondria and microtubules. The 3D STORM images resolved mitochondrial morphologies as well as mitochondria-microtubule contacts that were obscured in conventional fluorescence images.
Communications latency hiding for distributed SoS

Communications latency in a real-time distributed system of systems makes it difficult to ensure the participating systems all have sufficiently common shared world-views. If the world-views are divergent, decision making can be compromised. Latency is also variable, making it difficult if not impossible to predict or repeat a set of communications and resulting actions exactly. We propose a means of hiding network latency for a real-time distributed system of systems which will enable a common, consistent, shared world-view. Latency hiding also supports use of other remote network services such as web services or cloud computation.
Resampling estimates of precision in emission tomography

Methods for estimating the regional variance in emission tomography images which arise from the Poisson nature of the raw data are discussed. The methods are based on the bootstrap and jackknife methods of statistical resampling theory. The bootstrap is implemented in time-of-flight PET (positron emission tomography); the same techniques can be applied to non-time-of-flight PET and SPECT (single-photon-emission computed tomography). The estimates are validated by comparing them to those obtained by repetition of emission scans, using data from a time-of-flight positron emission tomograph. Simple expressions for the accuracy of the estimates are given. The present approach is computationally feasible and can be applied to any reconstruction technique as long as the data are acquired in a raw, uncorrected form. >
LuxS Involvement in the Regulation of Genes Coding for Hemin and Iron Acquisition Systems in Porphyromonas gingivalis

ABSTRACT The periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis employs a variety of mechanisms for the uptake of hemin and inorganic iron. Previous work demonstrated that hemin uptake in P. gingivalis may be controlled by LuxS-mediated signaling. In the present study, the expression of genes involved in hemin and iron uptake was determined in parent and luxS mutant strains by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR. Compared to the parental strain, the luxS mutant showed reduced levels of transcription of genes coding for the TonB-linked hemin binding protein Tlr and the lysine-specific protease Kgp, which can degrade host heme-containing proteins. In contrast, there was up-regulation of the genes for another TonB-linked hemin binding protein, HmuR; a hemin binding lipoprotein, FetB; a Fe2+ ion transport protein, FeoB1; and the iron storage protein ferritin. Differential expression of these genes in the luxS mutant was maximal in early-exponential phase, which corresponded with peak expression of luxS and AI-2 signal activity. Complementation of the luxS mutation with wild-type luxS in trans rescued expression of hmuR. Mutation of the GppX two-component signal transduction pathway caused an increase in expression of luxS along with tlr and lower levels of message for hmuR. Moreover, expression of hmuR was repressed, and expression of tlr stimulated, when the luxS mutant was incubated with AI-2 partially purified from the culture supernatant of wild-type cells. A phenotypic outcome of the altered expression of genes involved in hemin uptake was impairment of growth of the luxS mutant in hemin-depleted medium. The results demonstrate a role of LuxS/AI-2 in the regulation of hemin and iron acquisition pathways in P. gingivalis and reveal a novel control pathway for luxS expression.
Discovery of Novel Chemotypes to a G-Protein-Coupled Receptor through Ligand-Steered Homology Modeling and Structure-Based Virtual Screening

Melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCH-R1) is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and a target for the development of therapeutics for obesity. The structure-based development of MCH-R1 and other GPCR antagonists is hampered by the lack of an available experimentally determined atomic structure. A ligand-steered homology modeling approach has been developed (where information about existing ligands is used explicitly to shape and optimize the binding site) followed by docking-based virtual screening. Top scoring compounds identified virtually were tested experimentally in an MCH-R1 competitive binding assay, and six novel chemotypes as low micromolar affinity antagonist "hits" were identified. This success rate is more than a 10-fold improvement over random high-throughput screening, which supports our ligand-steered method. Clearly, the ligand-steered homology modeling method reduces the uncertainty of structure modeling for difficult targets like GPCRs.
Sociología del olor

SOCIOLOGISTS HAVE RARELY RESEARCHED THE SENSES; AND OF ALL THE SENSES, SMELL HAS BEEN AND PROBABLY STILL IS, THE LEAST VALUED. IN THIS PAPER WE CONSIDER SOME OF THE ROLES OF SMELL IN SOCIAL INTERACTION, PARTICULARLY THE SIGNIFICANCE IN THE MORAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE SELF AND THE OTHER, IN TERMS OF CLASS, ETHNIC AND GENDER RELATIONS. SUCH EQUATIONS ARE UTILIZED IN INTERGROUP RELATIONS TO LEGITIMATE POWER DIFFERENTIALS, AND ALSO TO CHALLENGE THEM, IN A MOST INTIMATE WAY.
Volume Change Consideration in Determining Unsaturated Soil Properties for Geotechnical Applications

AbstractA common underlying assumption in the development of soil-water characteristic curves (SWCCs) is that the soil is sufficiently stiff such that no changes occur in the volume of the soil associated with soil-suction change. A number of researchers recently recognized the importance of considering soil-volume changes in SWCCs; however, few researchers have evaluated the effect of volume change on the computed rate and degree of wetting/drying of unsaturated soils and the associated impact on computed soil-volume change response. This paper focuses on the impacts of considering soil-volume change in the determination of SWCCs for high-volume-change soils, with emphasis on the estimated unsaturated hydraulic conductivity function and response to wetting. Numerical simulations of unsaturated flow and suction-induced volume change were used to study the effect of consideration of volume change in the determination of SWCCs. Numerical analyses used laboratory-determined SWCCs with and without the inclusi...
Children who witness the homicide of a parent

(1994). Children Who Witness the Homicide of a Parent. Psychiatry: Vol. 57, No. 4, pp. 287-306.