cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic inhibition of lysyl oxidase transcription after transformation by ras oncogene.

Lysyl oxidase is an extracellular enzyme involved in connective tissue maturation that also acts as a phenotypic suppressor of the ras oncogene. To understand how this suppressor is controlled, gene transcription was studied and the promoter was characterized. Nuclear runoff transcription assays indicated that the markedly reduced amounts of lysyl oxidase message detected after ras transformation resulted from inhibition of lysyl oxidase transcription. Interferon-mediated phenotypic reversion of ras transformed cells, in which the ras oncogene continued to be expressed, was accompanied by the restoration of lysyl oxidase transcription. Reporter gene assay of a transfected mouse lysyl oxidase promoter indicated that it was active in the transformed background, despite the silencing of the endogenous lysyl oxidase promoter. The detection of comparable amounts of mRNA for transcription factors IRF-1 and IRF-2 in normal and ras-transformed cell lines suggests that the differential transcription of lysyl oxidase was not due to regulation of IRFs. Lysyl oxidase promoter activity was localized to a 126 bp region that includes two consensus TATA boxes with associated confirmed cap signals. Analysis of a human lysyl oxidase promoter sequence indicated similar promoter elements and extensive sequence identity with the mouse promoter. The binding of transcription factor AP2 to sites predicted in the control region was confirmed by DNase footprinting. Lysyl oxidase transcription was stimulated by dexamethasone treatment of cells, but this effect could not be assigned within the ~3 kb region tested in reporter gene constructs. The promoter activity of the lysyl oxidase reporter gene construct was completely abolished by in vitro DNA methylation, suggesting that the transcriptional suppression after transformation by the ras oncogene may involve DNA methylation.
Corticosteroids increased short and long-term mortality in adults with traumatic head injury

Roberts I, Yates D, Sandercock P, Farrell B, Wasserberg J, Lomas G, Cottingham R, Svoboda P, Brayley N, Mazairac G, Laloe V, Munoz-Sanchez A, Arango M, Hartzenberg B, Khamis H, Yutthakasemsunt S, Komolafe E, Olldashi F, Yadav Y, Murillo-Cabezas F, Shakur H, Edwards P: Effect of intravenous corticosteroids on death within 14 days in 10008 adults with clinically significant head injury (MRC CRASH trial): randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2004, 364:1321-1328 [1].
Molecular-beam mass-spectrometric analysis of lignocellulosic materials: I. Herbaceous biomass

Abstract A rapid analytical technique has been developed to qualitatively screen and quantitatively analyze biomass feedstocks for conversion into hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals. In this rapid analytical pyrolysis approach, herbaceous biomass feedstocks stored in the open without cover for 6 to 9 months were characterized using the molecular-beam mass spectrometer (MBMS). The biomass materials were pyrolyzed at 600°C and the volatile pyrolysis products were analyzed in real time by the MBMS. The mass spectral data were further analyzed by multivariate statistical techniques (Factor Analysis). The contents of nitrogen compounds, pentosans and hexosans estimated from the pyrolysis mass-spectrometric/multivariate analysis techniques correlated well with the results obtained by conventional wet chemical methods. However, lignin correlation was very weak because of the presence of microbial degradation products of biomass (humic material) that interfered with the Klason lignin analysis. This rapid analytical technique was used to analyze various fractions of the stored biomass feedstocks. A comparison of exposed surface biomass materials and the unexposed materials showed that the exposed fraction lost 30% (wt) of the carbohydrate component of the biomass relative to the fresh material.
Beyond Mean-Variance: Portfolios with Derivatives and Non-Normal Returns in Mental Accounts

Today’s portfolios are often composed of mental accounts, one for each of an investor’s goals. They often also contain derivative securities. We develop a methodology for optimizing mental accounting portfolios that contain derivatives and other securities with non-normal distributions of returns, including distributions with very fat tails. This methodology is especially urgent now, following the nancial crisis of the last year which revealed that fat tails are indeed prevalent in return distributions. Derivatives oer protection from the disastrous losses of fat left tails. Our approach is based on a simple preference metric, making it easy to implement. We consider puts, calls, collars, capital guaranteed notes, and other structured products. We show that employing derivatives in mental accounting portfolios results in material improvements in portfolios’ risk and expected returns. We also show that some derivatives which are puzzling to mean-variance investors are attractive to mental-accounting investors.
Development of a Sendai virus vector-based AIDS vaccine inducing T cell responses

Virus-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses play a major role in the control of HIV replication, and induction of HIV-specific T-cell responses is an important strategy for AIDS vaccine development. Optimization of the delivery system and immunogen would be the key for the development of an effective T cell-based AIDS vaccine. Heterologous prime-boost vaccine regimens using multiple viral vectors are a promising protocol for efficient induction of HIV-specific T-cell responses, and the development of a variety of potent viral vectors have been attempted. This review describes the current progress of the development of T cell-based AIDS vaccines using viral vectors, focusing on Sendai virus vectors, whose phase I clinical trials have been performed.
Plant pathogens and quarantines and the implication for global trade and world food

In developing countries plant pathogens cause pre-harvest food losses ranging from 13% to 16%, despite all the pesticides applied plus other control measures employed (Pimentel et al. 2001). This significant food loss is taking place when many people, especially people in developing countries are starving and/or are malnourished. The World Health Organization (WHO, 1996, 2000) reports that more than 3 billion people suffer from malnourishment (insufficient calories, protein, vitamins, iron, and iodine). This is the largest number and proportion of malnourished people ever in history.
SU-E-J-43: Accuracy and Dynamic Range of Optical-Surface-Imaging (OSI)-Based Spirometry

Purpose To assess the accuracy of optical-surface-imaging (OSI)-based spirometry for tidal volume (TV) measurement using a conventional spirometer and the usability under different breathing conditions. Methods Video-based OSI with high-speed image capture (HSIC) and a Bernoullitype spirometer were applied simultaneously to measure dynamic TVs of human subjects. Six healthy volunteers participated in an IRB protocol study. The subjects lied on 7.5°–10° upward-tilted breast board while breathe through the spirometer. The entire torso was imaged to capture all respiration-induced external motions. Five breathing exercises were performed, including free breathing (FB), belly breathing (BB), chest breathing (CB), deep breathing (DB), and breath holding (BH) with pseudo-breathing motions. The HSIC data were acquired at 5Hz and 3D surfaces were reconstructed retrospectively. The volume of interest was manually delineated and applied to all surface images for batch-mode computation. Dynamic TVs were calculated by subtracting the volume at full exhalation. The thorax and abdomen were separated and the breathing pattern (BPv=ΔVthorax/ΔVtorso) was calculated for each exercise. The spirometer was calibrated before experiments and baseline drifts were corrected by zeroing the background pressure initially and during involuntary breath hold, and resetting the baseline by linear regression of five consecutive fullexhalation points. The two TV datasets were compared. Results For FB, the average difference among all subjects is −3.2±6.0%. From BB, CB to DB, the discrepancies increase to −3.8±6.0%, −6.4±4.3%, and −1.1±14.0%, respectively. A near full range of BP (0.1–1.0) was observed. During BH, a constant TV was obtained despite the torso motion, conforming to volume conservation and suggesting diaphragmatic motion at the same TV. Conclusion The accuracy and dynamic range of OSI-based spirometry has been assessed by using conventional spirometry as the reference among six healthy volunteers. The resultant discrepancy is acceptable (except DB), suggesting this new spirometry is of promising utility under common breathing conditions. This study is in part supported by NIH (U54CA137788 and U54CA132378).
Rare earth elements as markers for rate of passage measurements of individual feedstuffs through the digestive tract of ruminants.

Rumen and in vitro abomasal fluid incubations of four feeds, soybean meal (SBM), 0.3% formaldehyde-treated SBM, cottonseed meal and ground corn, each labeled with one of two markers (Sm and La) were conducted to estimate the extent of marker movement from the feeds. Feeds were marked by spraying acidic solutions of the markers uniformly over the feeds. Concentration of marker on the feeds, on the feed residues remaining in polyester bags after 12 hours of incubation in the rumen, and on the feed residues after 12 hours of incubation in the rumen and 3 hours of in vitro incubation in abomasal fluid were determined by neutron activation. Initial con centration of the markers on the feeds was used as a covariable in analysis of the restricted randomized block design. Marker concentration of Sm and La, for all feeds, averaged 1115 Â± 44 and 1503 Â± 44 ppm after the rumen incubation and 959 Â± 54 and 1666 Â± 54 ppm after the combined incubations and differed (P < 0.01) from the mean initial marker concentration of 1294 Â± 42 ppm. Abomasal incubations allowed estimation of marker movement (contamination) between bags. For both markers, increases (P < 0.01) were observed in marker contamination when compared to initial levels. Marker contamination increased from 2.5 Â± 0.8 to 20.1 Â±0.1 and 10.7 Â± 0.8 ppm for Sm and La, respectively. Data indicate significant marker movement and suggest that Sm and La, when applied to feeds by this method, are not suitable markers for estimating passage rates of individual feedstuffs. J. Nutr. 112: 1353-1361, 1982.
Reducing the Storage Requirements of a Set of Functional Test Sequences by Using a Background Sequence

An existing storage scheme for a functional test sequence T uses a vector B, called a background vector, to store only the differences between the test vectors of T and B. After selecting B, modifying T based on B reduces the storage requirements of T. This paper describes a storage scheme for a set of test sequences T that uses a test sequence B, called a background sequence, to store only the differences between the sequences in T and B. The use of a background sequence allows more flexibility in matching B to T. By selecting B from the sequences in T, storage of B does not increase the storage requirements of T, and B itself contributes to the fault coverage. The paper describes a procedure for selecting a background sequence B from a set of sequences T, and for modifying T (including B) in order to reduce the storage requirements of T.
Subfemtosecond pulses in mode-locked 2 pi solitons of the cascade stimulated Raman scattering.

We predict multifrequency $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ solitons in the cascade stimulated Raman scattering, mode locked by the dynamics of Raman quantum transition; they are "eigensolitons" of a general solitary wave solution. Soliton components at each individual frequency are "bright" pulses of the same, Lorentzian, shape; their interference gives rise to the train of well resolved high intensity subfemtosecond pulses.
Absorption of Insulin in the Peritoneal Cavity in a Diabetic Animal Model

: This study was conducted to determine if different anatomical sites within the peritoneal cavity have different capacities for portal insulin absorption. Diabetic male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. They were anesthetized and injected with streptozotocin. Blood glucose was measured before and after insulin (1 U/kg) was applied directly to the omentum, serosal surface of cecum, or parietal peritoneum or injected subcutaneously. In a control group, blood glucose was measured at intervals without administering insulin. In addition, insulin labeled with radioactive iodine (125I) was applied to the same three locations in the peritoneal cavity or injected intravenously. Animals were sacrificed at 1, 5, 15, or 30 mins, and radioactivity was measured in excised livers and in blood samples. Blood glucose in the omental group responded to insulin with a greater hypoglycemic effect than in the peritoneal and control groups. The percentage of radioactivity recovered in liver was significantly higher in the omental than in the serosal and peritoneal groups at 1 and 5 mins. The ratio of liver-to-blood radioactivity was also significantly higher in omental than in serosal and peritoneal groups and higher in the serosal than in the peritoneal group at 5 mins. The data suggest that, in this model, the omentum is a better site for insulin absorption than serosa or parietal peritoneum and that significant portal venous absorption of insulin occurs.
Genomic structure and mutation screening of the E2F4 gene in human tumors.

E2F4, a member of the E2F family of transcription factors, is abundant in non-proliferating and differentiated cells where it plays an important role in the suppression of proliferation-associated genes. The E2F4 gene spans 6 kb and has 10 exons. It contains a serine (CAG) repeat tract in exon 7, which is unstable in gastrointestinal tumors. To further investigate a possible role of this gene in tumorigenesis we performed mutational analysis and expression studies in different tumors. Primary human tumor tissue of the stomach, colon, breast and lung (28), metastatic tumors of the colon (3) and small cell lung tumor cell lines (18) were screened for somatic mutations in the coding region of E2F4. No mutation was found. Microsatellite instability of the CAG repeat, however, was documented in primary stomach and colon tumors. Northern blot analysis revealed upregulated E2F4 transcript levels in tumor cell lines. Our data suggest that a direct involvement of E2F4 in tumorigenesis is unlikely, although increased E2F4 expression may be associated with human cancer. Int. J. Cancer 86:672–677, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Coupled spectrofluorometric assay for aminoglycoside phosphotransferases.

Abstract In order to make accurate kinetic measurements for the substrates of aminoglycoside (AG) phosphotransferases (APHs), we have developed an assay which overcomes many of the limitations of currently used assays. We have adapted the coupled spectrophotometric assay ( P. R. Goldman and D. B. Northrop (1976) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 68, 230–236) for use in a spectrofluorometer. At an excitation wavelength of 340 nm, NADH will emit an intensity peak at 450 nm; NAD does not emit under these conditions. Our assay can accurately measure differences of 0.25 μ m . For the APH(3′)-II encoded on Tn5, we have redetermined the K m 's for the AGs, amikacin (AK), kanamycin (KM), and ribostamycin (Rib), and for ATP. Our values for AK (76 μ m ) were lower than those derived from the spectrophotometric assay; for KM and Rib we obtained K m values of 5.1 and 3.6 μ m , respectively. These values were well below the limit of accuracy (10 μ m ) for the spectrophotometric assay. In addition, we have begun characterization of an APH from a clinical isolate with a low K m for AK. Thus far, we have determined that this enzyme has K m 's of approximately 1 μ m for both AK and KM. These results show that the assay is well suited for accurate determinations of kinetic constants for low- K m substrates of APH enzymes.
REV-ving Up the Clock

Circadian rhythms are generated by a transcription/translation feedback loop consisting of two limbs, one positive and one negative. The nuclear orphan receptor, REV-ERBalpha, is identified as a molecular link coupling these two limbs.
Practice Enables Successful Learning Under Minimal Guidance

Two experiments were conducted, contrasting a minimally guided discovery condition with a variety of instructional conditions. College students interacted with a computer-based tutor that presented algebralike problems in a novel graphical representation. Although the tutor provided no instruction in a discovery condition, it constrained the possible actions sufficiently that students could always discover the algebraic transformations they needed to learn. In Experiment I, with ample practice for each new transformation, students performed better in the discovery condition than any instructional condition. In Experiment 2, with only a little practice for each transformation, students performed worst in the discovery condition. The authors suggest that the high levels of practice in the 1st experiment made students more efficient at discovering the algebraic transformations. When the cognitive demands were manageable, the discovery students may have more often encoded the algebraic transformations in mathematically correct ways.
Emergency department use during the postpartum period: implications for current management of the puerperium

Objective The purpose of this study was to define patterns of morbidity that are experienced by women in the postpartum period who seek care in the emergency department within 42 and 100 days of discharge. Study Design We conducted a retrospective examination of discharge diagnosis codes and descriptions for emergency department visits and analyzed temporal patterns of both emergency department visits and hospital readmissions. Results During 2007, 222,084 patients delivered in Hospital Corporation of America facilities in the United States. Among these women, there were 10,751 emergency department visits within 42 days of delivery (4.8%). Fifty-eight percent of the patients were seen for conditions that were related to pregnancy; 42% of the patients were seen for conditions unrelated to pregnancy. Fifty percent of patients in the postpartum period who were seen either in the emergency department (21,833 patients) or readmitted (5190 patients) during both 2007 and 2008 had this encounter within 10 days of discharge. Conclusion The scheduling and content of traditional postpartum education and clinical visits appear poorly suited to the prevention of puerperal morbidity.
A new apparatus for studying mechanical behavior under pressure

Using a servohydraulic intensifier, a servohydraulic universal test machine and a novel test chamber, pressures of 750 MPa and axial stresses of almost any magnitude are simultaneously generated and applied to the gage section of a solid, cylindrical specimen. Under combined axial-stress/external-pressure loadings, a solid specimen experiences a truly three-dimensional, homogeneous stress state in which the axial stress equals σ1 and the radial and circumferential stresses equal the negative of the pressure, —P. Through independent computer control of the pressure and axial stress, amterial behavior under monotonically and cyclically applied multiaxial stresses are investigated. This paper describes the experimental details of the test chamber design, high-pressure fluid production and sealing, load and strain measurement under high pressure, computer control and data acquisition. Experimental results obtained from triaxial monotonic tests on low alloy steel and triaxial cyclic tests on a Ni-Ti alloy using this unique apparatus are presented.
Semiautomated radiosynthesis and biological evaluation of [18F]FEAU: a novel PET imaging agent for HSV1-tk/sr39tk reporter gene expression.

2′-Deoxy-2′-[18F]fluoro-5-ethyl-1-β-d-arabinofuranosyluracil ([18F]FEAU) is a promising radiolabeled nucleoside designed to monitor Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) reporter gene expression with positron emission tomography (PET). However, the challenging radiosynthesis creates problems for being able to provide [18F]FEAU routinely. We have developed a routine method using a commercial GE TRACERlab FX-FN radiosynthesis module with customized equipment to provide [18F]FEAU. All radiochemical yields are decay corrected to end-of-bombardment and reported as means ± SD. Radiofluorination (33 ± 8%; n = 4), bromination (85 ± 8%; n = 4), coupling reaction (83 ± 6%; n = 4), base hydrolysis steps, and subsequent high-performance liquid chromatography purification afforded purified [18F]FEAU β-anomer in 5 ± 1% overall yield (n = 3 runs) after ~5.5 h and a β/α-anomer ratio of 7.4. Radiochemical/chemical purities and specific activity exceeded 99% and 1.3 Ci/μmol (48 GBq/μmol), respectively. In cell culture, [18F]FEAU showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher accumulation in C6 cells expressing HSV1-tk/sr39tk as compared to wild-type C6 cells. Furthermore, [18F]FEAU showed slightly higher accumulation than 9-[4-[18F]fluoro-3-(hydroxymethyl)butylguanine ([18F]FHBG) in cells expressing HSV1-tk (P < 0.05), whereas [18F]FHBG showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) accumulation than [18F]FEAU in HSV1-sr39tk-expressing cells. micro-PET imaging of mice carrying tumor xenografts of C6 cells stably expressing HSV1-tk or HSV1-sr39tk are consistent with the cell uptake results. The [18F]FEAU mouse images also showed very low gastrointestinal signal with predominant renal clearance as compared to [18F]FHBG. The routine radiosynthesis of [18F]FEAU was successfully semiautomated using a commercial module along with customized equipment to provide the β-anomer in modest yields. Although further studies are needed, early results also suggest [18F]FEAU is a promising PET radiotracer for monitoring HSV1-tk reporter gene expression.
Removal of added nitrate in cotton burr compost, mulch compost, and peat: Mechanisms and potential use for groundwater nitrate remediation

Abstract We conducted batch tests on the nature of removal of added nitrate in cotton burr compost, mulch compost, and sphagnum peat that may be potentially used in a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) for groundwater nitrate remediation. A rigorous steam autoclaving protocol (121 °C for 2 h each day for three consecutive days) for the cotton burr compost and autoclaving of all labware and the nitrate working solutions resulted in drastically different results compared to the non-autoclaved treatment. In the non-autoclaved cotton burr compost, added nitrate at 20 mg N l −1 decreased rapidly and was not detected after 3 d; whereas, the autoclaved cotton burr compost showed persistent nitrate above 15.5 mg N l −1 even after 10 d, which is comparable with nitrate concentrations above 17.6 mg N l −1 in a treatment using NaN 3 at 1000 mg l −1 . Dewaxed cotton burr compost showed decreased nitrate reduction compared to the pristine cotton burr compost. No nitrate reduction was detected in the dewaxed sphagnum peat. It is concluded that nitrate removal in the organic media is controlled by microbiologically mediated processes. The use of readily available cotton burr and mulch composts may offer a cost-effective method of nitrate removal from contaminated groundwater.
Inward solidification of Couette flow in an annulus with translating inner cylinder

Abstract An analytical solution is presented for one-dimensional solidification of fully developed, laminar Couette flow within an annular region with viscous dissipation. The solution is valid for small but non-vanishing Stefan numbers. A translating inner cylinder induces the shear-driven motion in the liquid region. A closed-form expression for the instantaneous location of the solid-liquid interface is derived. In addition, expressions for the temperature distribution in the solidified region, temperature distribution in the liquid region, Nusselt number at the solid-liquid interface, and power per unit length are all derived as a function of pertinent dimensionless parameters. The analytical solution reduces to a classical result in the appropriate asymptotic limits.
SCINTIGRAPHIC DETECTION OF SUBCUTANEOUS METASTASIS IN A DOG WITH APPENDICULAR OSTEOSARCOMA

This report describes the detection of subclinical soft tissue metastasis of an appendicular osteosarcoma in a dog using bone scintigraphy. A 7-year-old spayed female Rottweiler was presented with a biopsy confirmed diagnosis of osteosarcoma. Initial radiographs revealed an aggressive bone lesion of the left distal radius. At presentation, there was no clinical or radiographic evidence of metastasis; however, a nuclear bone scan showed the primary bone lesion of the distal left radius and numerous soft tissue lesions consistent with diffuse soft tissue metastases. A left foreleg amputation was performed and cisplatin chemotherapy was given post-operatively. A second bone scan performed one month following initial presentation showed progression in size and number of soft tissue masses. Many of the lesions had become apparent on physical exam and survey radiographs. Excisional biopsy was performed on one of the soft tissue masses and a diagnosis of metastatic osteosarcoma was made. The dog was euthanized 2 months after initial presentation at the owners request due to deterioration of the animals physical condition.
Palliation of valvular aortic stenosis by balloon valvuloplasty as preoperative preparation for noncardiac surgery

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty has been recently reported as a palliative treatment for elderly patients with calcific aortic stenosis (AS) who refuse or who are deferred from aortic valve replacement.1–6 This study describes the use of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty in patients with critical AS who require urgent noncardisc surgery.
Effects of the frequency of amplitude modulated signals on the auditory evoked response

The relationship of the N1P2 voltage of the auditory averaged evoked response elicited by amplitude modulation has been studied. The stimuli were monaurally presented steady tones of 0.5, 2.0, and 4.0 kHz at 60-dB HL, with 10-dB ramp modulations every 5 sec. The amplitude of the response decreased as the frequency increased.
Impact of internal electron transfer on the structure of C74 encapsulating Sc and La metal atom impurities

Frontier orbital theory as well as the Huckel 4n + 2 rule are discussed as guiding principles for the design and the interpretation of metallofullerene architecture where systems of the form Mi@C74 (M = Sc, La; i = 1,2) serve as examples. Transfer of electrons from the metal impurities to the fullerene enclosure populates preferentially the low-lying unoccupied molecular orbitals of the cage. It further tends to induce aromaticity in the C5 rings neighboring the impurity sites. These observations are used to derive systematically stable structures of the studied mono- and dimetallofullerenes. Various geometries and spin states of M2@C74 (M = Sc, La) are considered, and novel ground state candidates are proposed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Students’ use of power in the classroom: An investigation of student power, teacher power, and teacher immediacy

The purposes of this study were to examine: (1) students’ use of power to gain compliance from instructors, (2) the association between students’ use of power and their instructors’ power, and (3) students’ use of power and the nonverbal immediacy of the instructor. The results revealed that even though students did not feel they had a great amount of influence with their instructors, they used a variety of behavior alteration techniques (BATs) to gain compliance from them. Specifically, students reported using prosocial strategies most frequently and antisocial techniques least frequently. The results also revealed a positive association between students’ overall sense of power and their perception of their teachers’ power. Instructors’ use of reward power was also related to students’ use of prosocial BATs. Conversely, instructors’ use of coercive power was associated with students’ antisocial BATs. Finally, students tended to use expert power more with nonverbally immediate teachers than nonimmediate t...
Controlling size of gold clusters in polyaniline from top–down and from bottom–up

Abstract Polyaniline forms a strong complex with chloroaurate at the protonated imine sites. Here we report on an electrochemical procedure that allows preparation of gold clusters by adding gold atoms one-by-one (“bottom–up” approach). It is contrasted with the “top–down” approach in which the growth of multi-atom Au clusters was also controlled electrochemically. Our results confirm that both the amount and the size of gold clusters affect the properties of the composite material.
Cutaneous vasomotor components of the orienting reflex.

Abstract Eight normal male Ss were tested for vasomotor responses of four skin areas to the presentation of novel auditory stimuli. The reciprocal vasomotor responses of the finger (vasoconstriction) and head (vasodilatation) reported by Vinogradova and Sokolov (1957) were confirmed. These responses are consistent with the known dominant vasomotor tone of these areas. Measurement of the activity of the ear with a dominant constrictive tone and of the skin of the neck with a dominant dilatative tone indicate that the vasomotor component of the orienting reflex is an enhancement of the normal dominant vasomotor control.
A processing-centered look at the contribution of givenness to durational reduction

Abstract Givenness tends to lead to acoustic reduction in speech, but little is known about whether linguistic and non-linguistic givenness affect reduction similarly, and there is little consensus about the underlying psychological mechanisms. We examined speakers’ pronunciations of target object nouns in an instruction-giving task, where speakers saw objects move and described this to a listener. The target objects were linguistically or non-linguistically given (i.e. spoken aloud or flashed). With predictability held constant, linguistic givenness resulted in more reduction than non-linguistic givenness, while both elicited more reduction than control conditions. We use these findings to consider two possible mechanisms for givenness effects: an explicit information status-based trigger account and a facilitation-based account. We propose that our findings are most naturally accounted for by a mechanism in which givenness leads to facilitation of representations and processes in the production system, which leads to reduction.
Retinal duality in the butterfly Heliconius charitonius

Abstract Previous studies have suggested that the waveform of the insect electroretinogram could be interpreted as giving evidence for independent photopic and scotopic mechanisms in the retina (retinal duality). The present study reports the results of four types of experiments designed to test for such duality. These included: (1) testing for a ‘Purkinje shift’ in the response to high flicker frequencies, (2) constructing retinal potential vs. stimulus energy plots, (3) testing for discontinuities in the response of visual interneurons to change in the energy level of photostimulation, and (4) an examination of the retinal responses of pharate adults. All of the experiments produced results consistent with the concept of retinal duality, for example, a ‘Purkinje shift’ of about 77 nm was measured. A theoretical model of the insect eye based upon such duality is developed which quantitatively approximates the transfer function of the response to flicker, in both waveform and amplitude.
THE BLOOD GROUP ANTIGEN MIA IN JAPANESE.

Summary The blood group antigen Mia was found in one of 3,350 randomly selected Japanese. In the family of the propositus, it could be shown that the Mia gene was traveling on an Ms chromosome. The simultaneous occurrence of the two rare genes Mia and Dia in this family has established the lack of genetic relationship between them. No example of Vw + blood was found in the population sampled. Resume L'antigene de groupe sanguin Mia a ete trouve chez un japonais sur 3350 pris au hasard. Dans la famille du propositus, il a pu ětre demontre que le gene Mia se situait sur le chromosome Ms. La presence simultanee des deux genes rares Mia et Dia dans cette famille a permis d'etablir l'absence de rapports genetiques entre eux. Aucun exemple de sang Vw+ n'a ete trouve. parmi la population etudiee. Zusammenfassung Unter 3350 unausgewahlten Japanern fand sich ein Mia-positiver Proband. Die Untersuchung seiner Familie zeigte eine Koppelung des Mia-Gens mit dem Ms-Chromosom. Das gleichzeitige Vorkommen der zwei seltenen Gene Mia und Dia in dieser Familie ist zufallig, da ein genetischer Zusammenhang zwischen diesen beiden Blutfaktoren fehlte. Eine Vw+ Blutprobe wurde in dieser Untersuchungs-reihe nicht gefunden.
Relaxation oscillations and stability

The phenomenon of relaxation oscillations is reexamined from the viewpoint of stability theory. We show that undamped relaxation oscillations with modulation depths of unity can be understood as centers at zero photon density. In addition, we show that the threshold pump rate and the criteria for eliminating relaxation oscillations can be obtained from the stable node conditions at the nonzero photon density critical point. Experimental results for the 496 μm optically pumped CH 3 F laser are discussed.
The Literary Source of the Minnegrotte in Gottfried von Strassburg’s Tristan

This article traces the literary source of the minnegrotte (“Cave of Love”) in Gottfried von Strassburg’s Tristan to Heinrich von Veldeke’s Eneit. The floor plan and interior design of the minnegrotte correlate with Heinrich’s description of two tombs that commemorate the fallen warriors of Pallas, son of Evander, who fights on the side of Aeneas, and Camilla, the woman warrior who fights on the side of Turnus. Numerous verbal parallels corroborate Gottfried’s use of the tombs (Pallas’ in particular) in the Eneit, and Gottfried’s interest in funerary architecture in designing the minnegrotte is consistent with the larger theme of love and death in the Tristan.
Computation of Dendrites Using a Phase Field Model

A phase field model is used to numerically simulate the solidification of a pure material. We employ it to compute growth into an undercooled liquid for a one-dimensional spherically symmetric geometry and a planar two-dimensional rectangular region. The phase field model equation are solved using finite difference techniques on a uniform mesh. For the growth of a sphere, the solutions from the phase field equations for sufficiently small interface widths are in good agreement with a numerical solution to the classical sharp interface model obtained using a Green's function approach. In two dimensions, we simulate dendritic growth of nickel with four-fold anisotropy and investigate the effect of the level of anisotropy on the growth of a dendrite. The quantitative behavior of the phase field model is evaluated for varying interface thickness and spatial and temporal resolution. We find quantitatively that the results depend on the interface thickness and with the simple numerical scheme employed it is not practical to do computations with an interface that is sufficiently thin for the numerical solution to accurately represent a sharp interface model. However, even with a relatively thick interface the results from the phase field model show many of the features of dendritic growth and they are in surprisingly good quantitative agreement with the Ivantsov solution and microscopic solvability theory.
Gratification Niches of Monthly Print Magazines and the World Wide Web Among a Group of Special-Interest Magazine Subscribers

Through the framework of niche theory, this study compared the gratification niches of monthly print magazines and the World Wide Web through a survey administered to 371 subscribers of a special-interest magazine. The findings suggest that the Web offers a wider array of gratifications than magazines, and delivers them in a superior fashion. The Web excels among cognitive, task-oriented uses; while magazines hold their ground for more affective, self-oriented uses.
The capture rate of at-risk term newborns for early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis determined by a risk factor approach.

Abstract Objective: Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that health care providers for pregnant women implement 1 of 2 strategies for the potential prevention of early-onset neonatal group B streptococcal sepsis. Both algorithms recommend intrapartum antibiotic chemoprophylaxis for patients delivered of their neonates at Streptococcus obtained at 35 to 37 weeks' gestation. The second approach recommends treatment on the basis of risk factors of membrane rupture of ≥18 hours' duration or intrapartum temperature of ≥38°C. The capture rate of at-risk neonates determined by the risk factor strategy is quoted as being approximately 70%; however, the basis for this percentage was from studies that used slightly different definitions than the current guidelines and never separated the term from the preterm newborn. Our objective was to prospectively collect every case of blood culture–proven early-onset neonatal group B streptococcal sepsis and determine whether risk factors, as currently defined, were present that might have warranted maternal intrapartum antibiotic chemoprophylaxis. Study Design: A prospective study was initiated on July 1, 1987, and completed on December 31, 1996. Every patient that was delivered of a neonate in whom early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis developed was analyzed in detail for possible intrapartum risk factors. Results: A total of 49 cases of early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis occurred in 46,959 deliveries. Of these 49 newborns, 9 (18%) were delivered at Conclusions: On the basis of the data from this study and the current literature, the risk factor approach with the current guideline recommendations would capture
Bio-Psychosocial Foundations of Contemporary Terrorism

Jerrold Post is Professor of Psychiatry, Political Psychology, and International Affairs And Director of the Political Psychology Program at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University. He is the author of The Mind of the Terrorist: The Psychology of Terrorism from the IRA to al-Qaeda. Address correspondence to him at George Washington University, 1957 E Street, NW, Room 600-F, Washington, DC 20052. E-mail: jmpost@ pol-psych.com. Commentary on Prolonged Conflict Post
Persistent Infection of Human Erythroblastoid Cells by Poliovirus

Abstract Human erythroblastoid K562 cells have been recently described as a relatively nonpermissive host for poliovirus replication. During investigations of virus-induced cytopathic effects in this cell line, we discovered that poliovirus easily established persistently infected cultures in K562-Mu cells. In these cultures, most cells remained viable, with overall viability continuously maintained between 67 and 92% over 3 months. Infected K562 cells continued to grow, usually without any major periods of crisis in the culture or large diminutions in cell growth rate. K562-Mu cells produced a slower onset of virus production than observed in HeLa cells, and virus titers in culture supernates rapidly stabilized at levels between 10 5 and 10 5 PFU/ml. In infectious center or limiting dilution assays, only about 10% of K562 cells produced infectious virus after 2 days. However, when assays were extended to 3 to 5 days, most K562 cells in the culture scored as infectious centers, suggesting productive infection of all cells in the culture with delayed kinetics of virus production. Cultures of infected K562 cells could not be cured of virus by prolonged incubation with high-titer neutralizing antibody. Pulse-label SDS-PAGE analysis of infected cultures detected moderate levels of virus protein synthesis which peaked at 9-12 hr postinfection; however, little or no shutoff of host protein synthesis was observed at any time point during infection. Immunoblot analysis with antisera to the p220 subunit of eIF-4F demonstrated extensive but incomplete cleavage of p220 in infected K562 cells at times which correlated with peak viral protein synthesis. Taken together, the results demonstrate a persistent infection in which host cell shutoff does not occur despite significant viral protein synthesis and extensive early degradation of p220.
The Effective Duration and Convexity of Liabilities for Property-Liability Insurers Under Stochastic Interest Rates

Managing interest rate risk for property-liability insurers requires appropriate measurement of the sensitivity of liabilities to movements in interest rates. Most prior studies have assumed that interest rates shift in a parallel fashion and that the cash flows from liabilities are unaffected by interest rate changes. This article recognizes that unpaid property-liability (P-L) insurance losses are inflation-sensitive, that movements in interest rates will affect future claim payouts due to the correlation between interest rates and inflation and that interest rates are stochastic. The effective duration and convexity of P-L insurance liabilities calculated based on this approach are substantially lower than those measured using traditional approaches, which has important implications for asset-liability management by P-L insurers.
Two Roles for Environmental Assessors: Technical Consultant and Advisor

Most guidance for conducting environmental assessments portrays assessors as technical consultants to decision-makers. However, we argue, based on our experience, that assessors sometimes also play...
A microscale method for colorimetric determination of urea in soil extracts

Abstract The diacetyl monoxime colorimetric method of determining urea in soil extracts was modified for microplate format. A 100‐μL aliquot of extract was treated with color reagent in a disposable plastic microtiter plate (96 wells/plate), and color was developed by heating the plate in a low‐temperature oven at 87°C for 55 min. After cooling for 20 min at ambient temperature, absorbance measurements were simultaneously performed on all 96 wells using a microplate reader. The microscale method was faster and more convenient than the conventional method; moreover, the volume of waste was markedly reduced. Studies to compare the two methods showed very little difference in accuracy, precision, or sensitivity.
Adaptive step size random search

Fixed step size random search for minimization of functions of several parameters is described and compared with the fixed step size gradient method for a particular surface. A theoretical technique, using the optimum step size at each step, is analyzed. A practical adaptive step size random search algorithm is then proposed, and experimental experience is reported that shows the superiority of random search over other methods for sufficiently high dimension.
Excimer states and enhanced two-photon absorption in intramolecular charge-transfer crystals

Abstract We explain enhance two-photon absorption in certain centrosymmetric organic molecular crystals in which intramolecular charge transfer takes place. Specifically we suggest that charge transfer allows the interacting molecules in a unit cell to have non-zero dipole moments in the excited state of the molecules, contributing to a resonance in the two-photon absorption coefficient. Anti-parallel orientation of the molecular dipole moments in the unit cell allows for formation of excimer states and disallows the production of SHG in the same materials. We estimate the ratio of the two-photon to the one-photon absorption coefficient for some typical parameters.
The Moderating Role of Smoking Amount Per Day on the Relations Between Anxiety Sensitivity, Smoking Dependence, and Cognitive-Affective Aspects of Smoking Among Treatment Seeking Smokers.

Abstract The current study examined the moderating effects of smoking amount per day on the relation between anxiety sensitivity and nicotine dependence, cigarette smoking outcome expectancies, and reasons for quitting smoking among 465 adult, treatment-seeking smokers (48% female; M age = 36.6, SD = 13.5). Smoking amount per day moderated the relation between anxiety sensitivity and nicotine dependence, smoking expectancies for negative consequences and appetite control as well as intrinsic reasons for quitting. However, no moderating effect was evident for negative reinforcement expectancies. The form of the significant interactions indicated across dependent variables lower levels of smoking amount per day suppressed the relation between anxiety sensitivity and smoking related dependent variable, such that the positive relation of anxiety sensitivity to smoking dependence and cognitive–affective aspects of smoking is weaker in heavier smokers and more robust in lighter smokers.
Enzymatic resolution of benzothiazepine for the preparation of squalene synthetase inhibitors

Abstract A key intermediate with a 4,1-benzothiazepine skeleton, useful for the synthesis of potent squalene synthetase inhibitors, has been prepared via enzymatic resolution providing excellent yield and enantiomeric purity.
Further evidence concerning scanning and sampling assumptions of visual detection models

Following extended training in a visual detection task, functions were determined for individual Ss relating latency of detection responses to number of redundant signal elements embedded in tachistoscopic displays of letters and to distance between signal elements. Latency proved invariant with respect to number of redundant signals and varied non-monotonically with distance. Of the several types of models considered in relation to previous studies, substantial support was forthcoming only for an independent stimulus sampling model. It is suggested that the detection method effects a relatively clear separation of the perceptual from the mnemonic aspects of the standard visual apprehension experiment, and that the sampling process may constitute only the first phase of a more general model which includes both parallel and serial information processing.
The Safavids under Western Eyes: Seventeenth-Century European Travelers to Iran

This essay takes a fresh look at the voluminous yet understudied Western travel writing about 17th-century Iran. It argues that, after this material is properly subjected to close scrutiny for authorial bias, interest and intertexuality, it remains exceedingly valuable for the information it provides on Safavid Iran. Early modern European travelers to Iran brought remnants of past religious and cultural prejudice with them, yet the best explored the country with an open eye, an appreciation for difference, and even a critical perspective on their own culture. They also provide remarkable, at times unique information about Iran and it inhabitants, opening up aspects of Safavid left uncovered by indigenous sources.
Changes in the levels and the rate of synthesis of transfer RNA in tissues of mice of different ages

Abstract Levels of transfer RNA (tRNA) were determined in liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, heart, and brain of young (35-day), adult (12-month) and old (24-month) female C57BL/6J mice. Kidney and liver showed little change in tRNA levels between young and adult mice, but the levels decreased in old mice. Skeletal muscle tRNA decreased steadily from young to old mice. Heart tRNA increased during maturation to adult organisms and then decreased in old individuals. Brain levels of tRNA increased steadily. No age-related change in the rate of transport of orotic acid into cells was observed. However, all tissues exhibited a decrease in uridine pools between adult and old mice. Most importantly, all tissues of aging mice showed a decrease in the rate of tRNA synthesis.