cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frog striated muscle is permeable to hydroxide and buffer anions

Hydroxide, bicarbonate and buffer anion permeabilities in semitendinosus muscle fibers of Rana pipiens were measured. In all experiments, the fibers were initially equilibrated in isotonic, high K2SO4 solutions at pH o =7.2 buffered with phosphate. Two different methods were used to estimate permeabilities: (i) membrane potential changes were recorded in response to changes in external ion concentrations, and (ii) intracellular pH changes were recorded in response to changes in external concentrations of ions that alter intracellular pH. Constant field equations were used to calculate relative or absolute permeabilities. In the first method, to increase the size of the membrane potential change produced by a sudden change in anion entry, external K+ was replaced by Cs+ prior to changes of the anion under study. At constant external Cs+ activity, a hyperpolarization results from increasing external pH from 7.2 to 10.0 or higher, using either CAPS (3-[cyclohexylamino]-1-propanesulfonic acid) or CHES (2-[N-cyclohexylamino]-ethanesulfonic acid) as buffer. For each buffer, the protonated form is a zwitterion of zero net charge and the nonprotonated form is an anion. Using reported values of H+ permeability, calculations show that the reduction in [H+] o cannot account for the hyperpolarizations produced by alkaline solutions. Membrane hyperpolarization increases with increasing total external buffer concentration at constant external pH, and with increasing external pH at constant external buffer anion concentration. Taken together, these observations indicate that both OH− and buffer anions permeate the surface membrane. The following relative permeabilities were obtained at pHo, 10.0± 0.3: (POH/PK) = 890 ± 150, (PCAPS/PK) = 12 ± 2 (PCHIES/PK) = 5.3 ± 0.9, and (PNO3/PK) = 4.7 ± 0.5 PNO/PK was independent of pH o up to 10.75. At pHo = 9.6, (PHCO3/PK) = 0.49 ± 0.03; at pH o = 8.9, (PCl/PK) = 18± 2 and at pH o = 7.1, (PHEPES/PK) = 20 ± 2. In the second method, on increasing external pH from 7.2 to 10.0, using 2.5 mm CAPS (total buffer concentration), the internal pH increases linearly with time over the next 10 min. This alkalinization is due to the entry of OH− and the absorption of internal H+ by entering CAPS− anion. The rate of CAPS− entry was determined in experiments in which the external CAPS concentration was increased at constant external pH. Such increases invariably produced an increase in the rate of internal alkalinization, which was reversed when the CAPS concentration was reduced to its initial value. From the internal buffer power, the diameter of the fiber under study and the rates of change of internal pH, the absolute permeability for both OH− and CAPS− were calculated. At external pH = 10.0, the average (±sem) permeabilities were: POH=1.68±0.19×10−4 cm/sec and PCAPS=2.10±0.74×10−6cm/sec. We conclude that OH− is about 50 times more permeable than Cl− at alkaline pH and that the anionic forms of commonly used buffers have significant permeabilities.
Papillary adenocarcinoma of the prostatic urethra with clear-cell appearance.

The second reported papillary prostatic urethral carcinoma displaying an unusual clear-cell or so-called mesonephroid histologic appearance is described. Neoplasms arising from the utricular region have generated considerable discussion of their histogenesis and hormone-responsiveness. A review of the literature as well as consideration of this case suggests that the lesion's clear-cell appearance should not be used as evidence for mullerian derivation from the utricle. The authors favor a periurethral gland origin for this particular tumor.
A methodology for utilization of predictive genomic signatures in FFPE samples

Gene expression signatures developed to measure the activity of oncogenic signaling pathways have been used to dissect the heterogeneity of tumor samples and to predict sensitivity to various cancer drugs that target components of the relevant pathways, thus potentially identifying therapeutic options for subgroups of patients. To facilitate broad use, including in a clinical setting, the ability to generate data from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues is essential. Patterns of pathway activity in matched fresh-frozen and FFPE xenograft tumor samples were generated using the MessageAmp Premier methodology in combination with assays using Affymetrix arrays. Results generated were compared with those obtained from fresh-frozen samples using a standard Affymetrix assay. In addition, gene expression data from patient matched fresh-frozen and FFPE melanomas were also utilized to evaluate the consistency of predictions of oncogenic signaling pathway status. Significant correlation was observed between pathway activity predictions from paired fresh-frozen and FFPE xenograft tumor samples. In addition, significant concordance of pathway activity predictions was also observed between patient matched fresh-frozen and FFPE melanomas. Reliable and consistent predictions of oncogenic pathway activities can be obtained from FFPE tumor tissue samples. The ability to reliably utilize FFPE patient tumor tissue samples for genomic analyses will lead to a better understanding of the biology of disease progression and, in the clinical setting, will provide tools to guide the choice of therapeutics to those most likely to be effective in treating a patient's disease.
Rural-urban migration and gender division of labor in transitional China

Over the last two decades, social and economic changes in transitional economies have produced many new outcomes. In this article, I examine some of the ways in which China's transition has produced gendered outcomes and highlight evidence of these outcomes. I argue that during transition the state has shifted its goals to economic ones, but unlike capitalist economies it still has at its disposal instruments of social control. Peasants are made more vulnerable and must rely on migrant work for survival, but their low institutional status relegates them to outsider status in urban areas. These circumstances, together with socio-cultural traditions that constrain women's mobility and endorse stratifications, have enabled the development of a labor regime that fosters segmentation and division of labor. Peasant migrants' reliance on social network further reinforces segregation in the urban labor market. Using multiple sources of macro-level and field surveys, I examine both quantitative and qualitative evidence of gender segregation and division of labor. The findings show that a high degree of gender segregation among rural-urban migrants exists in the urban labor market, that peasant women's urban work opportunities are short-lived, and that upon marriage women migrants are relegated back to the village and to the ‘inside’, in part to sustain gender division of labor as a household strategy. Au cours des deux dernieres decennies, les gouvernements de transition ont connu des evolutions economiques et sociales aux consequences nouvelles et variees. Cet article examine comment la transition chinoise a produit des effets differencies selon le sexe, et en detaille la realite. Durant la phase transitoire, l'E tat a transpose ses objectifs sur le terrain economique mais, contrairement aux pays capitalistes, il dispose encore d'instruments de regulation sociale. Rendue plus vulnerable, la population rurale doit compter sur les travailleurs migrants pour sa survie; cependant, une fois en ville, leur faible statut institutionnel en fait des travailleurs ‘en marge’. Alliee aux traditions socio-culturelles qui limitent la mobilite des femmes et nourrissent les stratifications, cette situation a permis la creation d'un systeme d'emploi tendant a la segmentation et la division du travail. La dependance des migrants ruraux par rapport au reseau social vient renforcer la segregation sur le marche du travail urbain. A partir d'etudes de terrain et de niveau global, l'article explore les elements quantitatifs et qualitatifs de segregation sexuelle et division du travail. D'apres les resultats, il existe un degre important de segregation selon le sexe parmi les migrants sur le marche de l'emploi urbain, les possibilites de travail en ville sont de courte duree pour les paysannes et, quant au mariage, les migrantes sont ramenees a leur village et a‘l'interieur’, en partie pour soutenir une strategie domestique de division sexuee du travail.
Sequential generation for visual tracking

A novel variant of particle filters is presented, where new particles are generated sequentially by adapting the proposal density dynamically according to the likelihood of the current particle which are just generated. The new algorithm is able to capture more nonlinear motion and produce a better localization of the moving target in an efficient way. Experiments on both synthetic and real-world data verify its effectiveness and demonstrate its superiority over the generic particle filter.
Remarks Concerning the Recent High-Energy Neutrino Experiment

A previous experiment indicated that if the reactions nu /sub e/ + n min gave no sig p + e/sup -/ and nu /sub e/ + p min gave no sig + e/sup +/ have cross sec tions comparable to those of nu /sub mu / + n min gave no sig p + mu /sup -/ and nu /sub mu / + p min gave no sig n + mu /sup +/, then nu /sub e/ is most likely different from nu . It is pointed out that an absolute theoretical lower limit could be established for the rates of the e ction in DDT-C/ -producing reactions without a relative comparison with that of the mu /sup ction in DDT-C/ / -producing reactions by assuming the conserved vector-current hypothesis. The possible existence of an intermediate boson and the possibility that the reactions are actually second order processes mediated by the exchange of such a boson are considered. (C.E.S.)
Dysferlin in membrane trafficking and patch repair.

The muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders, defined by progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Following the discovery of dystrophin, remarkable progress has been made in defining the molecular properties of proteins involved in the various dystrophies. This has underlined the importance of the dystrophin-associated protein complex as a cell membrane scaffold, providing structural stability to muscle cells (McNeil PL, Khakee R. Disruptions of muscle fiber plasma membranes. Role in exercise-induced damage. Am J Pathol 1992;140:1097–1109). While the dystrophies linked to loss of function of dystrophin and its associated proteins are caused by diminished membrane integrity, it is now believed that a new class of dystrophies arises because of a diminished capacity for rapid muscle membrane repair after injury. Dysferlin is the first identified member of a putative muscle-specific repair complex that permits rapid resealing of membranes disrupted by mechanical stress. Membrane resealing is a function conserved by most cells and is mediated by a mechanism closely resembling regulated, Ca2+-dependent exocytosis. A primary role for dysferlin in this pathway, as a Ca2+-regulated fusogen, has been suggested, and a number of candidate partner proteins have been identified. This review outlines the current understanding of the role of dysferlin in membrane repair and the evolving picture of dysferlin-related signaling pathways in muscle cell physiology and pathology.
The strain-rate sensitivity of the flow stress for a peierls mechanism

Abstract Abstract The change in the flow stress Δτ resulting from an incremental change in strain rate is predicted for a Peierls mechanism. In particular, consideration is given to the effect of the mobile dislocation density on the pre-exponential term of the rate equation. The calculations show that Δτ is strongly dependent upon the temperature, base strain rate, and strain-rate ratio. In addition Δτ is a direct function of the mobile dislocation density and can be dependent on the state of deformation. Thus a Peierls mechanism does not require Δτ to be independent of the flow stress, as implied in the literature. The results of the calculation are compared with published data for iron, and suggest a change in the mechanism for iron at approximately 200°K.
Magnetic Collimation in Planetary Nebulae

Recent studies have focused on the role of initially weak toroidal magnetic fields embedded in a stellar wind as the agent for collimation in planetary nebulae. In these models, the wind is assumed to be permeated by a helical magnetic field in which the poloidal component falls off faster than the toroidal component. The collimation occurs only after the wind is shocked at large distances from the stellar source. In this paper we reexamine assumptions built into this "magnetized wind-blown bubble" (MWBB) model. We show that a self-consistent study of the model leads to a large parameter regime in which the wind is self-collimated before the shock wave is encountered. We also explore the relation between winds in the MWBB model and those that are produced via magnetocentrifugal processes. We conclude that a more detailed examination of the role of self-collimation is needed in the context of planetary nebula studies.
Dropwise vs filmwise condensation of steam on chromium

Abstract The question of whether steam condenses in the dropwise form or filmwise on chromium has been uncertain for over 50 years. This study uses steam condensing at atmospheric pressure on a vertical, 25.4 mm diameter disc of chromium electroplate and on 99.9% pure metallic chromium formed by powder metallurgy. Uncontaminated surfaces always result in filmwise condensation. Dropwise condensation lasting over 3000 h takes place on the pure metallic chromium which has been vacuum impregnated with oleic add promoter.
Thermal Analysis of Polymer Heat Exchangers for Solar Water Heating: A Case Study

The feasibility of reducing the cost of solar water heating systems by using polymer heat exchangers is illustrated by comparing thermal performance and cost of heat exchangers made of nylon, cross linked polyethylene (PEX), or copper. Both tube-in-shell heat exchangers and immersed tube banks are considered. For the thermal analysis, the tube geometry and the arrangement of tubes are fixed and the heat transfer surface areas required to provide 3000 and 6000 W are determined. Thermal performance is estimated using published heat transfer correlations. The nylon heat exchanger outperforms the PEX design, primarily because nylon is a stronger material. Consequently, the ratio of diameter to wall thickness required to withstand the operating pressure is greater and the conduction resistance across the polymer wall is less. The cost of nonoptimized nylon heat exchangers is about 80 percent of the cost of heat exchangers made of copper. Significant additional work is required to optimize the tube arrangement and geometry and to validate our initial estimates of thermal and economic performance.
Neutralization of the bactericidal effect of cocoa powder on salmonellae by casein.

Four pre-enrichment media (nutrient broth, lactose broth, reconstituted non-fat dry milk and nutrient broth containing 5% (w/v) casein) were evaluated for the recovery of salmonellae from cocoa powder. Addition of 5% cocoa powder to nutrient broth and to lactose broth proved to be bactericidal to salmonellae. Heat-damaged Salmonella typhimurium were more sensitive than undamaged cells to cocoa powder and agitation increased the bactericidal effect. The bactericidal effects were minimized in pre-enrichment media that contained either 5% casein or nonfat dry milk.
The synthesis of 14C‐labeled N‐carbonylbenzyloxyphenylalanine methylorthoester

Phenylpropionitrile-1-14C was prepared by the reaction of potassium cyanide-14C with phenethyl chloride. Conversion of the nitrile to methylphenyl-propioimidate-1-14C hydrochloride, chlorination with Cl2 in NaOCl to produce methyl N-chlorophenylpropioimidate-1-14 C, followed by treatment with sodium methoxide produced phenylalanine methylorthoester-1-14C. Treatment of the amine with n-butyllithium followed by addition of benzylchloroformate produced N-carbonylbenzyloxy-phenylalanine methylorthoester-1-14C.
Porcine adenovirus serotype 3 internalization is independent of CAR and αvβ3 or αvβ5 integrin

Abstract Nonhuman adenoviruses including porcine adenovirus serotype 3 (PAd3) are emerging vectors for gene delivery. PAd3 efficiently transduces human and murine cells in culture, and circumvents preexisting humoral immunity in humans. The coxsackievirus–adenovirus receptor (CAR) serves as a primary receptor and α v β 3 or α v β 5 integrin as a secondary receptor for several human adenovirus (HAd) subtypes including HAd5. In this study, we deduced the role of CAR, α v β 3 or α v β 5 integrin in PAd3 internalization. Transduction experiments were conducted in human mammary epithelial (MCF-10A) cells using replication-defective PAd-GFP (PAd3 vector expressing green fluorescent protein [GFP]) and HAd-GFP (HAd5 vector expressing GFP). MCF-10A cells were treated with or without anti-human CAR, or anti-α v β 3 or anti-α v β 5 integrin antibodies prior to infection with HAd-GFP or PAd-GFP. Significant ( P P v β 3 or α v β 5 integrin-independent and the primary receptor for HAd5 and PAd3 were distinct. CAR- and α v β 3 or α v β 5 integrin-independent entry of PAd3 vectors may have implications in targeting cell types that are not efficiently transduced by other adenoviral vectors.
R68-53 A System for Interactive Graphical Programming

This paper describes a scheme for organizing and creating the control portions of an interactive graphical program. Since the response of such a program to some console input may depend on the history of previous inputs, the author structures his control programs as finite-state automatons. Thus state diagrams are used as the notation for defining the behavior of an interactive graphical program. Such notation does indeed add clarity and order to the description of this information.
Protocols for Oral Infection of Lepidopteran Larvae with Baculovirus

Baculoviruses are widely used both as protein expression vectors and as insect pest control agents. This video shows how lepidopteran larvae can be infected with polyhedra by droplet feeding and diet plug-based bioassays. This accompanying Springer Protocols section provides an overview of the baculovirus lifecycle and use of baculoviruses as insecticidal agents, including discussion of the pros and cons for use of baculoviruses as insecticides, and progress made in genetic enhancement of baculoviruses for improved insecticidal efficacy.
Ultraviolet Light and Osmotic Stress: Activation of the JNK Cascade Through Multiple Growth Factor and Cytokine Receptors

Exposure of mammalian cells to ultraviolet (UV) light or high osmolarity strongly activates the c-Jun amino-terminal protein kinase (JNK) cascade, causing induction of many target genes. Exposure to UV light or osmotic shock induced clustering and internalization of cell surface receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Activation of the EGF and TNF receptors was also detected biochemically. Whereas activation of each receptor alone resulted in modest activation of JNK, coadministration of EGF, IL-1, and TNF resulted in a strong synergistic response equal to that caused by exposure to osmotic shock or UV light. Inhibition of clustering or receptor down-regulation attenuated both the osmotic shock and UV responses. Physical stresses may perturb the cell surface or alter receptor conformation, thereby subverting signaling pathways normally used by growth factors and cytokines.
Challenges in the surgical treatment of epilepsy patients with cortical dysplasia

Cortical dysplasia (CD) is the most common malformation of cortical development in epilepsy surgery patients. Patients with mild Palmini type I CD represent about 50% of the surgical cases, and these lesions tend to occur most often in the temporal lobe, often associated with hippocampal sclerosis. By comparison, patients with severe type II CD present at younger ages, often with multilobar extratemporal lesions, and more aggressive seizures. The presurgical evaluation in CD patients can be challenging, as no single test is I00% accurate. Based on retrospective cohort studies, the accuracy of investigations are: interictal scalp electroencephalography (EEG), 50%; ictal scalp EEG, 65%; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 66%; fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), 8I%; and ictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), 57%. Intracranial electrodes are used in about 50% of patients with CD. Contemporary series report that 62% of patients with CD are seizure free after resective neurosurgery, with higher rates for complete (77%) compared with incomplete (20%) removal of the lesion. Morbidity (<3%) and mortality (0.2%) are low for patients with CD undergoing epilepsy neurosurgery. Future challenges include the noninvasive identification of patients with CD with I00% accuracy, evaluation of long-term outcomes in surgical patients, and devising new treatments based on a better understanding of the neurobiology leading to seizures in CD tissue.
The use of dispersion to eliminate multipath in planetary radio occultations

Occultation geometry is analyzed with a view toward eliminating all multipath resulting from layer effects. It is assumed that the spacecraft moves behind the planet with a constant velocity perpendicular to the direction from the spacecraft to the earth, and that for radio frequencies of 1 to 2 GHz the angle of refraction of a radio ray passing through the ionosphere is so small as to be imperceptible if drawn to scale. It is shown that if a particular amount of dispersion is inserted into the process at any stage prior to signal detection, the frequency vs time curve will be converted to a frequency vs ray asymptote height curve. Because there can be only one mode from any one ray asymptote height in a layered medium, frequency must be a single-valued function of this parameter. The introduction of an appropriate dispersion will therefore eliminate all multipath insofar as it is caused by spherically symmetric planetary layers. The degree of accuracy to be provided in flight and during postflight analysis is discussed.
PROTEIN KINASE C ISOTYPE EXPRESSION DURING EARLY PITUITARY DEVELOPMENT

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a critical element for signal transduction in many cell types, and its activation mediates the secretion of pituitary hormones in developing and mature animals. Although it has recently been recognized that PKC consists of a family of functionally distinct isotypcs willi tissue-specific patterns of distribution, the expression of specific PKC isotypes during pituitary development is not known. In order to determine the ontogeny of pituitary PKC isotypes, we prepared extracts from pituitary homogenales of newborn (2-4 days [d]-old; n= 2 preparations), juvenile (12-d-old; n= 1 preparation), and adult male (3-4 months; n= 4 preparations) Sprague-Dawley rats. The soluble fractions of the pituitary homogenates from each age group were subjected to SDS-IACJH, and immunoblot analyses performed using affinity-purified, highly specific antibodies to PKC isotypes α, βI, βII, γ, δ, e, and ζ (3-6 experiments/isotype). PKC isotypes α and ζ were expressed in high abundance in immature and mature pituitary extracts. However, the expression of PKC βI, βII, γ, and e were markedly age-dependent; these isotypes were clearly expressed by adult pituiuiries but not detected in neonatal and juvenile pituitaries. PKC γ was detected in very low quantities in all age groups.
Estimating organic premiums in the US fluid milk market

Using actual retail purchases from the 2006 Nielsen Homescan panel data, we estimate a hedonic model on price premiums and discounts associated with household characteristics, market factors, and product attributes focusing on the organic attribute for fluid milk. The organic attribute carries a significant price premium, which is largest of all product attributes considered in this study. Further, additional price variations among organic milk are observed for differences in fat content, container size and branding. Specifically, the results suggest that organic price premiums for half-gallon milk range from $1.23 for whole private label organic milk (60‐68% above conventional counterpart) to $1.86 for nonfat/skim-branded organic milk (89‐109% above conventional counterpart). The study also found that milk sold in a discount store (i.e., supercenter or club warehouse) was price 13 cents per half gallon, or 7.4%, below milk sold through other venues, and that milk on sale was priced 26 cents per half gallon, or 14.3%, less than the regular average price. Although household characteristics exert little influence on price relative to product attributes and market factors, the study does find that unmarried households and those with children under six pay slightly higher prices for milk, possibly due to time constraints.
Increased CD4+ T cell-dependent anti-erythrocyte antibody levels following the onset of parasite egg production in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice.

SUMMARY Anaemia has been reported to be a symptom of schistosomiasis mansoni. In other chronic infectious diseases, antired blood cell (RBC) antibodies have been suggested or shown to play a role in anaemia by participating in either complement or macrophage-dependent RBC elimination. To examine whether such a situation could be contributing to the anaemia of schistosomiasis, we examined RBC taken from infected mice for surface-bound antibodies. Our data show that prior to the onset of egg production infected mice have plasma haemoglobin levels that are indistinguishable from age matched controls (AMC). However, consistent with previous reports, following the initiation of egg laying, infected mice have significantly lower haemoglobin levels than AMC. Surface-bound IgM, IgG1 and IgG3 on RBC from infected mice increased markedly after egg laying began. Levels of RBC-associated IgG2b were similar on RBC from infected and normal mice. Antibody production against RBC was Th cell-dependent since it did not occur in mice depleted of CD4+ cells. Antibodies eluted from RBC of infected mice bound to isolated membranes of RBC from AMC and to a soluble extract of schistosome eggs. Furthermore, antibodies in serum from mice carrying patent infections bound to the membranes of RBC from normal mice. Taken together, these data suggest that schistosome eggs induce an antibody response which may cross react with a RBC surface antigen.
Limestone Characterization to Model Damage from Acidic Precipitation: Effect of Pore Structure on Mass Transfer

The pore structure of Salem limestone is investigated, and conclusions regarding the effect of the pore geometry on modeling moisture and contaminant transport are discussed based on thin section petrography, scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and nitrogen adsorption analyses. These investigations are compared to and shown to compliment permeability and capillary pressure measurements for this common building stone. Salem limestone exhibits a bimodal pore size distribution in which the larger pores provide routes for convective mass transfer of contaminants into the material and the smaller pores lead to high surface area adsorption and reaction sites. Relative permeability and capillary pressure measurements of the air/water system indicate that Salem limestone exhibits high capillarity and low effective permeability to water. Based on stone characterization, aqueous diffusion and convection are believed to be the primary transport mechanisms for pollutants in this stone. The extent of contaminant accumulation in the stone depends on the mechanism of partitioning between the aqueous and solid phases. The described characterization techniques and modeling approach can be applied to many systems of interest such as acidic damage to limestone, mass transfer of contaminants in concrete and other porous building materials, and modeling pollutant transport in subsurface moisture zones.
Coming of Age in Organizations: A Comparative Study of Career Contingencies and Adult Socialization.

Combining material drawn from official records and detailed interviews, the paper outlines why age-grading and age-related features are an important vehicle for analyzing the contingencies facilita...
Are drug-eluting stents cost-effective when compared with bare-metal stents in a real-world setting?

Are drug-eluting stents cost-effective when compared with bare-metal stents in a real-world setting?
Silicon carbide whisker copper-matrix composites fabricated by hot pressing copper coated whiskers

Copper-matrix SiC whisker composites containing 33–54 vol % SiC whiskers and with < 5 vol % porosity were fabricated by hot pressing SiC whiskers that had been coated with copper by electroless plating followed by electroplating. The highest Brinell hardness of 260 was attained at 50 vol % SiC whiskers. The lowest coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of 9.6 × 10−6°C−1 (at 25–150°C) was attained at 54 vol % SiC whiskers. The composites exhibited lower porosity, higher hardness, higher compressive yield strength, lower CTE, lower electrical resistivity and higher thermal conductivity than the corresponding composites made by hot pressing mixtures of copper powder and bare SiC whiskers.
Writing and Drugs

Brain diseases and their medical treatment may help or hurt creativity. They do so by changing the brain’s motivational system. Scientists and cultural historians have proposed links between creativity and disorders ranging from depression and psychosis to epilepsy and syphilis, but the best evidence is for conditions such as hypomania (mild mania) that elevate energy and mood. Many writers with symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or even insomnia need advice about what medications can do to creativity. Doctors, however, typically dodge the issue. This article describes what drugs may be safest, and also reviews the effects of intoxicants such as alcohol. In general, treating severe illness has benefit to creativity that outweighs the medication side effects, but some medications are better than others.
Characterization of Immune Responses Induced by Ebola Virus Glycoprotein (GP) and Truncated GP Isoform DNA Vaccines and Protection Against Lethal Ebola Virus Challenge in Mice

In addition to its surface glycoprotein (GP), Ebola virus directs the production of large quantities of a truncated glycoprotein isoform (sGP) that is secreted into the extracellular space. We recently reported that sGP actively diverts host antibody responses against the epitopes that it shares with GP and thereby allows itself to absorb anti-GP antibodies, a phenomenon we termed "antigenic subversion." To investigate the effect of antigenic subversion by sGP on protection against virus infection, we compared immune responses induced by different prime-boost immunization regimens with GP and sGP DNA vaccines in mice and their efficacy against lethal Ebola virus challenge. Similar levels of anti-GP antibodies were induced by 2 immunizations with sGP and GP DNA vaccines. However, 2 immunizations with GP but not sGP DNA vaccine fully protected mice from lethal challenge. Boosting with sGP or GP DNA vaccine in mice that had been primed by GP or sGP DNA vaccine augmented the levels of anti-GP antibody responses and further improved protective efficacy against Ebola virus infection. These results show that both the quality and the levels of anti-GP antibody responses affect the efficacy of protection against Ebola virus infection.
Soap Opera Exposure and Enjoyment: A Longitudinal Test of Disposition Theory

Drama's appeal is driven in part by dispositions toward story characters and the deservingness of fortunes that befall them. This article reports the results of longitudinal research testing disposition theory's ability to predict viewer responses to daytime soap opera. A student sample completed a survey asking them to evaluate characters over 10 successive weeks. Measures of character morality and positive/negative outcomes for behaviors were used to predict the results of both viewer enjoyment and official Nielsen ratings in representative independent surveys covering the same 10 weeks. Consistent with disposition theory logic, an a priori specified interaction of character morality and behavioral outcome valence—the Disposition Vector Model—predicted higher Nielsen ratings and increased viewer enjoyment when benefaction/debasement befell characters morally deserving of these outcomes. Although well supported in short-term studies, to our knowledge this is the first study to support disposition theory ...
Examination of Association of Genes in the Serotonin System to Autism

Autism is characterized as one of the pervasive developmental disorders, a spectrum of often severe behavioral and cognitive disturbances of early development. The high heritability of autism has driven multiple efforts to identify genetic variation that increases autism susceptibility. Numerous studies have suggested that variation in peripheral and central metabolism of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism. We screened 403 autism families for 45 single nucleotide polymorphisms in ten serotonin pathway candidate genes. Although genome-wide linkage scans in autism have provided support for linkage to various loci located within the serotonin pathway, our study does not provide strong evidence for linkage to any specific gene within the pathway. The most significant association (p = 0.0002; p = 0.02 after correcting for multiple comparisons) was found at rs1150220 (HTR3A) located on chromosome 11 (∼113 Mb). To test specifically for multilocus effects, multifactor dimensionality reduction was employed, and a significant two-way interaction (p value = 0.01) was found between rs10830962, near MTNR1B (chromosome11; 92,338,075 bp), and rs1007631, near SLC7A5 (chromosome16; 86,413,596 bp). These data suggest that variation within genes on the serotonin pathway, particularly HTR3A, may have modest effects on autism risk.
Toxicology of nortriptyline hydrochloride.

Abstract The acute toxicity of nortriptyline hydrochloride was studied in four species, and the following LD 50 's were determined: mouse, p.o., 327 mg/kg; mouse, i.v., 25.7 mg/kg; mouse, s.c., 145 mg/kg; rat, p.o., 502 mg/kg; rat, i.v., 22.3 mg/kg; and rat, s.c., 666 mg/kg. Rats were shown to tolerate daily subcutaneous doses of nortriptyline HCl of 20 mg/kg for 246 days with no drug-induced changes except ulceration at the site of injection. When given daily oral doses of 20 mg/kg of nortriptyline HCl, dogs survived with no deleterious drug effects for one year, but succumbed within a few days to doses of 40 mg/kg/day. No significant hematologic or histologic changes occurred in rats maintained for one year on diets containing 0.15% of nortriptyline HCl. Nortriptyline HCl did not effect reproduction or development of the offspring in rats fed at levels as high as 0.03% in the diet. Acute and long term studies of nortriptyline HCl indicate that it is safe for investigational use in man.
Ministerial Weights and Government Formation: Estimation Using a Bargaining Model

This article proposes a method to estimate relative ministerial weights in parliamentary democracies. Specifically, we present a bargaining model of government formation and estimate structural parameters of the model using data for (i) who the formateurs are, (ii) what each party’s voting weight is, and (iii) what ministerialseatseachpartyobtains.Wealsomeasuretheeffectsofvotingweights and formateur advantage on bargaining results. We apply our proposed method to the case of Japan. Our estimation results show that political players value pork-related posts (such as the Minister of Construction) much more than prestigious ones (such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs). We also find that there is a significant formateur advantage, whereas voting weights do not have a significantscaleeffect,whichisconsistentwiththefindingsforEuropeandemocracies.
Welfare reform: Recent policy and politics

Public policy research has not combined policy and political analysis as its pioneers imagined. Mostly, political scientists study just the policy process, abandoning prescriptions to policy specialists. A better approach is to combine policy and political analysis, using positions on issues to assess policymaking, and vice versa. This article illustrates that approach by applying it to recent welfare reform. I take raising work levels as the chief goal of reform and assess the Family Support Act (FSA) of 1988 and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 against it. FSA was a timid compromise that achieved little while PRWORA was a conflicted measure that achieved more, but at unnecessary risk. I also ask how the tensions between best policy and politics might be resolved. This approach makes public policy research more relevant to the real stakes in policymaking. [142 words.]
Thinking outside the body: an advantage for spatial updating during imagined versus physical self-rotation.

Three studies examined effects of different response measures on spatial updating during self-rotation. In Experiment 1, participants located objects in an array with a pointer after physical self-rotation, imagined self-rotation, and a rotation condition in which they ignored superfluous sensorimotor signals. In line with previous research, updating performance was found to be superior in the physical self-rotation condition compared with the other 2. In Experiment 2, participants performed in identical rotation movement conditions but located objects by verbal labeling rather than pointing. Within the verbal modality, an advantage for updating during imagined self-rotation was found. In Experiment 3, participants performed physical and imagined self-rotations only and used a pointing response offset from their physical reference frames. Performance was again superior during imagined self-rotations. The results suggest that it is not language processing per se that improves updating performance but rather a general reduction of the conflict between physical and projected egocentric reference frames.
Ethnic identities, language, and economic outcomes among dominicans in a new destination

Objective. This study examines how racial/ethnic self-identity interrelates with language ability, skin tone, and years in the United States and with indicators of socioeconomic attainment for Dominican immigrants in Reading, Pennsylvania, a new destination city that had a nearly 800 percent increase in the Dominican population between 1990‐2000. Methods. In-depth ethno-surveys conducted with a sample of 65 Dominican-origin adults are the basis for the descriptive analysis. Results. Based on open-ended responses, nearly 43 percent of immigrants described themselves with a specific ethnic identifier (Dominican) and 41 percent use a more general panethnic identifier (Hispanic or Latino). Panethnic self-identity is interrelated with stronger language ability, lighter skin tone, and more years in the United States, and with better indicators of socioeconomic status. Conclusion. Race/ethnic identity is an important component of Dominican immigrant assimilation in this new destination context. Since the mid-1960s, the United States has received a substantial flow of immigrants and witnessed a marked shift toward Latin American and Asian countries of origin. While this latest wave has raised old questions about the social and economic impact of mass immigration from comparatively poor
Al3O3 thin film growth on Si(100) using binary reaction sequence chemistry

Abstract Al2O3 films with precisely controlled thicknesses and excellent conformality were grown on Si(100) at low temperatures of 350–650 K using sequential surface chemical reactions. This controlled deposition was achieved by separating a binary reaction for Al2O3 chemical vapor deposition (2Al(CH3)3 + 3H2O → Al 2O3 + 6CH4) into two half-reactions: ( A ) A1OH* + A 1 ( C H 3 ) 3 → A1OA1 ( C H 3 ) 2 * + C H 4 ( B ) A 1 C H 3 * + H 2 O → A 1 O H * + C H 4 In the above reactions, the trimethylaluminum [Al (CH3)3] (TMA) and H2O reactants were employed alternately in an ABAB… binary reaction sequence where the asterisks designate the surface species. At the optimal reaction conditions, a growth rate of 1.1 A per AB cycle was measured on the Si (100) substrate using ellipsometry. These Al 2O3 films had an index of refraction of n= 1.65 and a corresponding density of ρ = 3.50 g cm−3. Additional ellipsometric measurements revealed that the Al2O3 deposition rate per AB cycle decreased at substrate temperatures >450 K. The decrease in the growth rate closely matched the thermal stability of the AlOH*and AlCH3* surface species previously measured with FTIR spectroscopy. This correlation supports a reaction mechanism based on self-limiting surface chemistry. Atomic force microscope images revealed that the deposited Al 2O3 films were exceptionally flat with a surface roughness of only ± 3 A (rms) after 500 AB cycles and the deposition of a film thickness of ∼ 560 A. The power spectra of the surface topography measured by AFM also demonstrated that the surface roughness was nearly identical for the initial Si(100) substrate and the deposited Al2O3 filmsafter 20–500 AB reaction cycles.
Severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with adverse outcomes in patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Introduction Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been implicated as a risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture, its effect on surgical repair is less defined. Consequently, variation in practice persists regarding patient selection and surgical management. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of COPD on patients undergoing AAA repair. Methods We reviewed a prospective regional registry of 3455 patients undergoing elective open AAA repair (OAR) and endovascular AAA repair (EVAR) from 23 centers in the Vascular Study Group of New England from 2003 to 2011. COPD was categorized as none, medical (medically treated but not oxygen [O 2 ]-dependent), and O 2 -dependent. End points included in-hospital death, pulmonary complications, major postoperative adverse events (MAEs), extubation in the operating room, and 5-year survival. Survival was determined using life-table analysis based on the Social Security Death Index. Predictors of in-hospital and long-term mortality were determined by multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards analysis. Results During the study interval, 2043 patients underwent EVAR and 1412 patients underwent OAR with a nearly equal prevalence of COPD (35% EVAR vs 36% OAR). O 2 -dependent COPD (4%) was associated with significantly increased in-hospital mortality, pulmonary complications, and MAE and was also associated with significantly decreased extubation in the operating room among patients undergoing both EVAR and OAR. Five-year survival was significantly diminished among all patients undergoing AAA repair with COPD (none, 78%; medical, 72%; O 2 -dependent, 42%; P 2 -dependent COPD was independently associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 2.02, 95% confidence interval, 1.0-4.0; P = .04) and diminished 5-year survival (hazard ratio, 3.02; 95% confidence interval, 2.2-4.1; P Conclusions Patients with O 2 -dependent COPD undergoing AAA repair suffer increased pulmonary complications, overall MAE, and diminished long-term survival. This must be carefully factored into the risk-benefit analysis before recommending elective AAA repair in these patients.
Determination of enantiomeric excess in deuterated chiral hydrocarbons by vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy

An improved procedure using vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy for high-precision determinations of enantiomeric excess (ee) in chiral samples is described. Chiral trans-dideuteriocyclopropane is employed in the gas phase for percent ee measurements. This molecule is a member of the class of simple hydrocarbons made chiral by virtue of isotopic substitution for which no convenient and accurate alternative method of percent ee measurement is available. Percent ee determinations to within 1% are demonstrated for several ee values with and without contamination by the achiral cis-dideuteriocyclopropane species.
The influence of alpha-amanitin on the NaCl-induced up-regulation of antioxidant enzyme activity in cotton callus tissue.

Liquid suspensions of cotton callus tissue from a NaCl-sensitive cell line and a NaCl-tolerant cell line were subjected to the following treatments: (a) 0 and 150 mM NaCl, respectively (controls); (b) 75 and 250 mM NaCl, respectively; (c) 100 ng ml-1 α-amanitin; or (d) pretreatment for 2 h with 100 ng ml-1 α-amanitin followed by the respective NaCl treatments. The callus tissue was harvested at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 h and analyzed for antioxidant enzyme activity. In the NaCl-tolerant callus, the 250 mM NaCl treatment resulted in transient 2- to 4-fold increases above the control levels in the activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and peroxidase within 1 h after treatment, while superoxide dismutase activity increased 4-fold within 4 h. This rapid increase suggests that the up-regulation of antioxidant capacity is an early response to NaCl stress and perhaps provides protection against oxidative damage until other acclimating mechanisms can be invoked. In the control callus,...
Oocyte-induced haploidization

This paper describes the technical approach to treatment of age-related oocyte aneuploidy. Although one solution can be oocyte/embryo selection, another is represented by the nuclear transplantation procedure. The efficiency of nuclear transplantation into immature oocytes is described as a way of generating embryos, and the possibility that viable female gametes can be constructed by transfer of diploid somatic cell nuclei into enucleated oocytes. Germinal vesicle (GV)-stage mouse oocytes were collected from unstimulated ovaries and somatic nuclei were obtained from mouse cumulus cells obtained after ovarian stimulation. Spare human GV-stage oocytes were donated from consenting patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment, and human somatic cells were stromal cells coming from uterine biopsies performed on consenting patients undergoing endometrial cell co-culture. GV ooplasts, prepared by enucleation, were transplanted with either GV or somatic nuclei by micromanipulation. Grafted oocytes were electrofused and cultured to allow maturation, following which they were selected at random for insemination or cytogenetic analysis. GV transplantation was accomplished with an overall efficiency of approximately 80 and 70% in the mouse and the human respectively. The maturation rate of 96% (mouse) and 62% (human) following reconstitution was comparable to that of control oocytes, as was the incidence of aneuploidy among the reconstituted oocytes. The reconstituted human oocytes were successfully fertilized by ICSI at a rate of 52%. After the transfer of mouse cumulus or human endometrial cell nuclei into enucleated immature oocytes, a polar body was extruded in >40%. In a limited number of observations where the nucleus of an aged oocyte was transferred into a younger ooplasm, the chromosomes segregated normally at the time of polar body extrusion. The technique of nuclear transplantation itself did not increase the incidence of chromosomal anomalies in the mouse or human, since their oocytes reconstituted with homologous donor GV resumed meiosis to metaphase II and maintained a normal ploidy. In addition, immature mouse ooplasts induced haploidization of transplanted somatic cell nuclei. Although further evaluation of their genetic status is needed, the procedure may offer a realistic way of producing normal oocytes in cases of aged-related infertility. While the procedure is technically similar to cloning, it would generate a unique individual as a result of the contribution of both parental genomes.