cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parental imprinting of the Mas protooncogene in mouse

The Mas protooncogene on mouse chromosome 17 encodes a mitogenic G-protein-coupled cell surface receptor. We investigated the allele-specific expression pattern of the Mas gene on the basis of its proximity to the known imprinted gene for the insulin growth factor type II receptor (Igf2r). Phenotyping of mRNA demonstrated exclusive expression from the paternal allele in all embryonic tissues, including visceral yolk sac, between 11 and 12.5 days of gestation. By 13.5 days of gestation the paternal allele-specific expression of Mas was restricted to heart, tongue and visceral yolk sac, whereas all other tissues exhibited relaxation of the parental imprint. Our results demonstrate parental imprinting of Mas and suggest that the maternally inherited allele is transcriptionally repressed in a developmental and tissue-specific manner.
Intestinal ischemia in the newborn: the role of intestinal maturation.

Premature infants are susceptible to intestinal ischemia during the newborn period when their intestinal tracts are functionally and structurally immature. Studies have shown that exogenous glucocorticoids hasten intestinal maturation. We investigated the effects of hydrocortisone on platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced intestinal ischemia in the neonatal rat. On Postnatal Days 7-11, Sprague-Dawley rats were given intraperitoneal (ip) injections of either saline (SAL) or hydrocortisone (HC; 50 mg/kg total). On Day 12, rats were injected with either PAF (2 μg/kg) or an equal volume of saline. After 2 hr the rats were sacrificed and sections were taken for histology. The remaining intestine was analyzed for maltase, lactase, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and xanthine oxidase (XO). Experimental groups were as follows: SAL (N = 8), received saline only; SAL + PAF (N = 8), received saline plus PAF; HC (N = 3), received hydrocortisone + saline; and HC + PAF (N = 5), received hydrocortisone plus PAF. XO was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in the hydrocortisone-treated groups (HC + SAL = 16.36 ± 18.42 units/g protein, HC + PAF = 17.33 ± 9.06 units/g protein) vs the controls (SAL only = 108.90 ± 20.24 units g/protein, SAL + PAF = 145.77 21.28 units/g protein). MPO was not significantly elevated in SAL + PAF (4.60 ± 0.95 units/g protein) vs HC + PAF (2.18 ± 0.80 units/g protein) in this study. Maltase was significantly elevated (P <0.001) in the HC + PAF (241.46 ± 40.6 mole/min/g protein) and HC + SAL (152.78 ± 16.35 mole/min/g protein) vs saline only (28.35 ± 5.77 mole/min/g protein and SAL + PAF (37.29 ± 8.70 mole/min/g protein. Animals (7/8) in the SAL + PAF group developed ischemia by inspection and histologic exam. No animals in the HC + PAF group showed gross evidence of ischemia and histologic sections showed mild to no injury. These studies demonstrate that pretreatment of neonatal rats with hydrocortisone can elevate maltase and lactase and decrease XO and MPO in a PAF model of intestinal ischemia.
Toward a selection battery for research and development professional employees

An exploratory study designed to develop and validate a selection battery for R&D professional employees was conducted with 256 participants from three applied R&D organizations. The results suggest that the battery of seven personality variables and education was validated over a one-year time period in the three organizations for the five job-related performance criteria that were studied. The potential utility of the battery for R&D managers as a selection device, as well as limitations of the study are discussed.
Relatedness theory as a framework for the treatment of fatigued women.

Fatigue is a phenomenon that advanced practice psychiatric nurses may see in both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric clients. Qualitative study findings support the need for health care professionals to intervene with the relational effects of fatigue. This article details the use of relatedness theory as a framework for nursing interventions. Relatedness states of disconnectedness and parallelism, and changes in relatedness elements of synchrony, sense of belonging, reciprocity, and mutuality are addressed. Therapeutic approaches to the negative relatedness influences of fatigue include evaluating the lack of presence, decreasing expectations, addressing effects on the family, and influencing the states and elements of relatedness.
Temperature‐adaptive differences between the M4 lactate dehydrogenases of stenothermal and eurythermal sciaenid fishes

The effects of temperature on the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of pyruvate were determined for M4-lactate dehydrogenases (LDHs) of 15 species of the teleost family Sciaenidae from habitats differing in average temperature and temperature range. The central question addressed was whether adaptive difference in the effect of temperature on an important kinetic parameter, Km, reflect selection based on the range of temperatures experienced by the species, the highest temperature encountered by the species, or both of these factors. For the M4-LDHs of all 15 species, the Km of pyruvate was conserved between 0.1 and 0.4 mM pyruvate over the species' physiological temperature range. However, large increases in Km of pyruvate commonly were found at temperatures a few degrees C above the species' upper habitat temperature. Distinctions were found between the responses of the enzymes of eurythermal and stenothermal sciaenids. For the most eurythermal species, e.g., Sciaenops ocellatus, Micropogonias undulatus, and Roncador stearnsii, Km of pyruvate varied only about twofold between 10 and 30°C, the temperatures which encompass most of the habitat ranges of these species. For the most stenothermal species, e.g., Cynoscion striatus and Micropogonias furnieri, with habitat temperature ranges of 14–18°C, sharp increases in Km occurred at temperatures above 20°C. We hypothesize that thermal stability of Km values is more strongly selected by maximal habitat temperature than by the amount of variation in habitat temperature, and that adaptation to high temperatures may pre-adapt enzymes for eurythermal function.
Fracture toughness of two cuprate-based high-transition-temperature ceramic superconducting materials

Etude de la tenacite de deux ceramiques supraconductrices de YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x et Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O x .
Measurement of polyadenylic acid by hybridization with polyuridylic acid: A source of error due to the lability of tritiated polyuridylic acid in trichloroacetic acid

Abstract During brief exposure to trichloroacetic acid at 0°C, significant amounts of tritiated polyuridylic acid are converted to acid-soluble products. The loss of polymeric radioactivity is dependent on both acid concentration and the time of exposure to acid. When trichloroacetic acid precipitation is used to recover the tritiated polyuridylic acid present in a hybrid with polyadenylic acid, significant underestimates of the hybridized radioactivity can occur because of the lability of tritiated polyuridylic acid. Conditions are given which minimize the lability and permit quantitative recovery of tritiated polyuridylic acid by trichloroacetic acid precipitation.
Effects of oxidation on the structure and stability of human low-density lipoprotein

Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the major cholesterol carrier in plasma, is thought to promote atherogenesis via several mechanisms. One proposed mechanism involves fusion of oxidized LDL in the arterial wall; another involves oxidation-induced amyloid formation by LDL apolipoprotein B. To test these mechanisms and to determine the effects of oxidation on the protein secondary structure and lipoprotein fusion in vitro, we analyzed LDL oxidized by nonenzymatic (Cu2+, H2O2, and HOCl) or enzymatic methods (myeloperoxidase/H2O2/Cl- and myeloperoxidase/H2O2/NO2-). Far-UV circular dichroism spectra showed that LDL oxidation induces partial unfolding of the secondary structure rather than folding into cross-beta amyloid conformation. This unfolding correlates with increased negative charge of oxidized LDL and with a moderate increase in thioflavin T fluorescence that may result from electrostatic attraction between the cationic dye and electronegative LDL rather than from dye binding to amyloid. These and other spectroscopic studies of low- and high-density lipoproteins, which encompass amyloid-promoting conditions (high protein concentrations, high temperatures, acidic pH), demonstrate that in vitro lipoprotein oxidation does not induce amyloid formation. Surprisingly, turbidity, near-UV circular dichroism, and electron microscopic data demonstrate that advanced oxidation inhibits heat-induced LDL fusion that is characteristic of native lipoproteins. Such fusion inhibition may result from the accumulation of anionic lipids and lysophospholipids on the particle surface and/or from protein cross-linking upon advanced lipoprotein oxidation. Consequently, oxidation alone may prevent rather than promote LDL fusion, suggesting that additional factors, such as albumin-mediated removal of lipid peroxidation products and/or LDL binding to arterial proteoglycans, facilitate fusion of oxidized LDL in vivo.
Clinical Strategies to Address Patients' Concerns in Osteoporosis Management with Bisphosphonates

Approximately 44 million Americans either have, or are at risk of developing, osteoporosis, a disease associated with an increased risk of fracture and, consequently, morbidity and mortality. Osteoporosis affects 20% to 30% of postmenopausal women, and resulting fractures pose a major economic burden, with estimated annual direct costs ranging from $17 billion to $19 billion. Hip fractures account for the majority of costs (~60%) because they often require costly long-term follow-up care in addition to the direct costs of initial treatment. Screening, diagnosis, and disease management are of paramount importance when treating patients at risk for osteoporosis. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that all postmenopausal women be evaluated for osteoporosis risk factors and that all women aged ≥ 65 years undergo bone mineral density testing. Once the primary care physician has identified a patient at risk for osteoporosis-related fracture, the physician must decide whether and how to treat the patient (ie, nonpharmacologic or pharmacologic options). Bisphosphonates are the first-line pharmacologic treatment for women aged ≥ 50 years with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates-which have a favorable safety and tolerability profile in clinical trials-have shown efficacy in reducing fractures. However, achieved real world effectiveness is very much dependent on good treatment adherence by the patient. Media attention to rare adverse events has motivated some patients to deliberate nonadherence. Physicians should screen patients for contraindications and adverse event risk factors, educate them on the risks of fracture and benefits and risks of treatment, and monitor them during therapy. To assist primary care physicians in clinical decision making for women at risk for or with confirmed osteoporosis, this article presents a review of the guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, recent long-term efficacy data for extended-interval bisphosphonates, recent safety concerns with bisphosphonates, and lastly, suggests strategies for improving bisphosphonate adherence and patient outcomes.
New Tool for the Evaluation of the Scheduling of Preventive Maintenance for Chemical Process Plants

A new methodology designed to assess the economic value of the scheduling rules for preventive maintenance on a chemical process plant is presented. The methodology is based on the use of a Monte Carlo simulation, which takes into account scenarios that include equipment failure, resources limitations, repair downtime, performance of failed but not repaired equipment due to lack of resources, and some other maintenance rules. The well-known Tennessee Eastman Plant problem is used to illustrate results.
From Mechanisms and Robotics to Protein Conformation and Drug Design

The systematic study of kinematics can be traced to the writings of the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Romans and Persians as far back as 500 B. C. For many centuries kinematics (along with geometry) was regarded as one of the basic sciences that explained observed physical phenomena and was used to engineer machines. Though it may seem unlikely, kinematics (in particular, robot kinematics) can significantly contribute to our understanding of biological systems and their functions at the microscopic level and to the engineering of new diagnostic tools, treatments, and drugs for a variety of diseases. Given the vast body of knowledge in theoretical, applied, and analytical kinematics and robotics, the conspicuous absence of the kinematics community from current molecular science research relating to the prediction of protein folding, protein docking, protein engineering, and drug design seems puzzling. In this paper, we will discuss the potential contributions of kinematics to some current challenges in biotechnology.
Relationship of dithiothreitol-dependent microsomal vitamin K quinone and vitamin K epoxide reductases Inhibition of epoxide reduction by vitamin K quinone☆

Vitamin K quinone was shown to be an effective inhibitor of vitamin K epoxide reduction by whole rat liver microsomes. Observation of inhibition was dependent upon the mode of addition of the substrate and inhibitor suggesting segregation of the compounds into different microsomal vesicles under certain conditions. The result is consistent with reduction of both vitamin K quinone and vitamin K epoxide by a single enzyme or a multisite enzyme complex.
Near term computing opportunities in building energy efficiency

Computing is poised to make major contributions to the global sustainability effort by engaging the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, and energy delivery. This paper discusses three near term opportunities for computing in the field of building energy efficiency. Integrated design uses building energy modeling to search for ultra-efficient buildings tailored to use requirements and climate. Continuous commissioning uses sensing, learning, and model to detect and diagnose mechanical system faults that degrade building energy performance. Computing can also be used to engage building occupants and modify their energy consumption habits.
A scalable neural chip with synaptic electronics using CMOS integrated memristors

The design and simulation of a scalable neural chip with synaptic electronics using nanoscale memristors fully integrated with complementary metal?oxide?semiconductor (CMOS) is presented. The circuit consists of integrate-and-fire neurons and synapses with spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP). The synaptic conductance values can be stored in memristors with eight levels, and the topology of connections between neurons is reconfigurable. The circuit has been designed using a 90 nm CMOS process with via connections to on-chip post-processed memristor arrays. The design has about 16 million CMOS transistors and 73?728 integrated memristors. We provide circuit level simulations of the entire chip performing neuronal and synaptic computations that result in biologically realistic functional behavior.
COMMENT ON LEVY'S REPLY

The question is whether Levy's (1968) application of decision theory distorted the narure of and led to some irrelevant conclusions and criticisms about studies on WAIS short-forms (SFs), not whether the formulation is relevant to the process of deciding about over- and under-testing. Levy's (1969) perception of a "gap" in the research literature-concerning, as a function of different types of referral problems, the question of how to make judgments to stop or to continue testing-may be quite correct. However, there is no reason to think that studies on WAIS short-forms belong in the "gap" more than other srndies not designed to deal with this question.
Bond strength, interfacial characterization , and fracture surface analysis for a new stress-breaking bonding agent

Three commercial dentin bonding systems were analyzed by tensile bond testing, area analysis of fractured surfaces, and SEM analysis of the tooth-resin interfaces. Tensile bond strengths in megapascals (SD) were Tenure-Marathon V ([T-M]; 8.86[3.02]), new system with low-viscosity resin ([K-LVR-P]; 6.50[2.01]), and new system without low-viscosity resin ([K-P]=7.28[1.75]), which were significantly greater than Scotchbond 2-P50 ([SB-P50]; 3.96[1.02]). Gaps that ranged up to 5.6 μm (mean for the group) were observed around most of the restorations at dentin surfaces and less so at enamel surfaces, where some of the restorations remained free of gaps. The gaps near the dentin margin were significantly smaller for K-LVR-P than for SB-P50. The tensile test revealed mixed failure modes in all systems, and in the cross sections of class V restorations, the gaps were confined to the dentin-resin junction.
Recombination Luminescence in the Scintillation of Normal and Superfluid Liquid Helium

The alpha-particle-induced scintillation of liquid helium has been studied experimentally in the temperature range 1.23 to 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K with an electric field (9 to 43 kV/cm) applied in the region of the alpha tracks. Simultaneously with observation of the scintillation intensity, the ion current extracted from the alpha tracks by the field was measured. The results indicate that recombination luminescence accounts for approximately 60% of the total scintillation intensity (with zero electric field) and that this component of the intensity is temperature-independent. However, the ion current extracted by the field and the corresponding reduction in scintillation intensity both have temperature dependences which exhibit anomalous behavior in the He II region.
Marker-assisted genetic analysis of non-acclimated freezing tolerance and cold acclimation capacity in a backcross Solanum population

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to construct a partial genetic linkage map in a potato backcross population. The population, derived from two diploid wildSolatium species (frost tolerant, able to cold acclimateS. commersonii; frost sensitive, unable to cold acclimateS. cardiophyllum), was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) of non-acclimated relative freezing tolerance (NARFT) and cold acclimation capacity (CAC). Precise assessment of these traits allowed distinction of small but significant differences among 35 backcross genotypes. NARFT and CAC were not correlated in the segregating population, suggesting independent genetic control for these two major components of freezing tolerance. The linkage map spanned 479.4 cM and included 77 RAPD markers and two SSR markers, with 38 RAPD and 10 SSR unassigned markers. Two QTLs for NARFT were detected in two different linkage groups, accounting for 44.0% of the phenotypic variation for this trait. Two QTLs for CAC were detected, accounting for 24.9% of the phenotypic variation for this trait. QTLs for NARFT and CAC were detected at separate genomic regions, in support of the independent genetic control of these two traits. QTLs for NARFT and CAC were detected in a linkage group identified as part of chromosome V, suggesting that such chromosome constitutes a prime candidate for fine-mapping. Due to the relatively small progeny size evaluated in this study, additional QTLs for NARFT and CAC could have been involved but not identified. Therefore, the conclusions derived from this study should be considered preliminary.
Impact of Distracted Driving on Safety and Traffic Flow

Studies have documented a link between distracted driving and diminished safety; however, an association between distracted driving and traffic congestion has not been investigated in depth. The present study examined the behavior of teens and young adults operating a driving simulator while engaged in various distractions (i.e., cell phone, texting, and undistracted) and driving conditions (i.e., free flow, stable flow, and oversaturation). Seventy five participants 16–25 years of age (split into 2 groups: novice drivers and young adults) drove a STISIM simulator three times, each time with one of three randomly presented distractions. Each drive was designed to represent daytime scenery on a 4 lane divided roadway and included three equal roadway portions representing Levels of Service (LOS) A, C, and E as defined in the 2000 Highway Capacity Manual. Participants also completed questionnaires documenting demographics and driving history. Both safety and traffic flow related driving outcomes were considered. A Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Variance was employed to analyze continuous outcome variables and a Generalized Estimate Equation (GEE) Poisson model was used to analyze count variables. Results revealed that, in general more lane deviations and crashes occurred during texting. Distraction (in most cases, text messaging) had a significantly negative impact on traffic flow, such that participants exhibited greater fluctuation in speed, changed lanes significantly fewer times, and took longer to complete the scenario. In turn, more simulated vehicles passed the participant drivers while they were texting or talking on a cell phone than while undistracted. The results indicate that distracted driving, particularly texting, may lead to reduced safety and traffic flow, thus having a negative impact on traffic operations. No significant differences were detected between age groups, suggesting that all drivers, regardless of age, may drive in a manner that impacts safety and traffic flow negatively when distracted.
Resolution of the kuiper belt object color controversy: two distinct color populations

Abstract Four years ago, we reported that the surface colors of ancient, icy bodies at and beyond the orbit of Neptune—Kuiper belt objects— divide into two distinct color populations. Our report has proven quite controversial. Specifically, every other research group looking with large telescopes at Kuiper belt objects finds a continuous range of colors rather than two distinct populations. Here we report new color measurements of 18 objects, primarily from the Keck I 10-m telescope, that confirm the existence of two populations. We have combined the color measurements of the other groups to create a data set comparable in size to our data set. We have carried out a Monte Carlo statistical analysis and found that both data sets are consistent with two color populations and our data set, which has smaller uncertainties, rules out a continuum of colors. In addition, our new observations and those in the literature confirm our earlier report that classical KBOs with perihelion distances beyond 40 AU exhibit extremely red surface colors. Our results rule out a continuous color distribution for both our complete sample and subsamples with perihelion distances greater than or less than 40 AU. We suspect the color patterns will result in a better understanding of the formation and evolution of the outer Solar System.
Estrogen-inducible neurotensin immunoreactivity in the preoptic area of the female rat.

Neurotensin (NT) neurons in the rat preoptic area are implicated in female-specific regulation of reproduction. Estrogen markedly increases expression of mRNA encoding the neurotensin/neuromedin N (NT/N) precursor in several cell groups of the preoptic area, including the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, periventricular preoptic nucleus, and medial preoptic nucleus. In the present study, immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue from ovariectomized females with or without estradiol treatment to test the hypothesis that increased levels of NT accompany hormonal induction of NT/N mRNA in these cell groups. Since colchicine treatment is required for visualization of NT-immunoreactive cell bodies, an additional objective of this study was to determine whether colchicine alters expression of NT/N mRNA in this area. Estradiol caused a pronounced increase in the number of NT-immunoreactive cell bodies in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, as well as adjacent parts of the periventricular preoptic nucleus and medial preoptic nucleus. In the absence of colchicine, estradiol increased the number of NT-immunoreactive fibers in these same regions. Surprisingly, NT-immunoreactive cell bodies with intense staining were abundant in certain parts of the medial preoptic nucleus regardless of hormonal condition. NT-immunoreactive cell bodies were also numerous in certain regions where NT/N mRNA-expressing cells are scarce, and in two of these regions, the median preoptic nucleus and vascular organ of the lamina terminalis, estradiol substantially reduced the number of immunoreactive cell bodies. Treatment of ovariectomized females with colchicine induced expression of NT/N mRNA in the same regions where NT-immunoreactive cell bodies were unexpectedly numerous, thus providing a compelling explanation for the discordant distributions of the mRNA and peptide. Together with previous findings, the present results indicate that increased levels of NT accompany hormonal induction of NT/N mRNA in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus, as well as adjacent parts of the periventricular preoptic nucleus and medial preoptic nucleus. In other regions of the preoptic area, colchicine-inducible expression of NT/N mRNA confounds assessment of hormonal influences on NT synthesis. Multiple populations of neurons capable of NT synthesis can be distinguished in the rostral preoptic area on the basis of differential responsiveness to estrogen or colchicine, thereby providing additional evidence for functional heterogeneity among NT-synthesizing neurons in this region. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Characterization of spontaneous colitis in cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) and its response to sulfasalazine.

Chronic colitis in the cotton-top tamarin (CTT) has been characterized by obtaining distal colonic biopsy specimens, hematocrits, serum albumins, and stools for bacteriologic and parasitic examination in nondebilitated living CTTs. The species specificity of the histologic features of colitis observed in the CTT was assessed by obtaining distal colonic biopsy specimens from 10 animals of other primate species for histologic examination. Histologic evidence of active colitis was found in 50% of adult CTTs but was absent in all non-CTT species studied. Fortytwo stool samples obtained from 18 CTTs yielded only one isolate (Campylobacter). In addition to active colitis, CTT rectal mucosa also often had subtle irregularities in mucosal structure that were not present in nonrelated primate species and might represent chronic colitis. Metaplasia was not observed. The therapeutic effects of oral sul f asalazine (50 mg/kg · day) on CTT colitis were assessed in a randomized 10-wk placebo controlled crossover study. This study demonstrated significant improvement in disease activity as judged histologically ( p p p
Treatment and management of the Chiari II malformation: an evidence-based review of the literature

Objective Multiple surgical strategies exist for the management of the symptomatic Chiari II malformation. To date, no comprehensive analysis of this medical literature in an attempt to seek out standards or guidelines has been performed, thus serving as the impetus for this present review.
Characterization of brain‐isolated rat encephalitogenic T cell lines

In the present study, we have isolated and characterized five myelin basic protein (MBP)-reactive T cell lines directly from the brains of Lewis rats during the early paralytic phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Each T cell line responded to the dominant encephalitogenic epitope spanning residues 68-88, and did not react against the conserved encephalitogenic epitope [MBP(87-99)] or the nonencephalitogenic MBP epitope [MBP(50-69)]. We determined the T cell receptor (TcR) beta chain usage by polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing analysis and by generation of MBP-reactive hybridomas from one of the T cell lines (BT74). The results revealed that brain-infiltrating, MBP-reactive T cells freshly isolated early in the course of the disease exhibit TcR diversity.
Adaptive simulation budget allocation for determining the best design

We consider the problem of allocating a given simulation budget among a set of design alternatives in order to maximize the probability of correct selection. Prior work has focused on deriving static rules that predetermine the number of simulation replications to be allocated to each design. In contrast, we formulate the problem as a Markov decision process (MDP) and propose a dynamic myopic scheme to adaptively allocate simulation samples based on current estimates of the means and variances of the design alternatives. We provide numerical examples to illustrate the performance of the proposed dynamic allocation rule.
The effects of ionizing radiation on trypsin. I. Losses of esterase and protease activities of trypsin and trypsin-inhibitor compound.

Abstract Crystalline trypsin and trypsin-inhibitor (T-I) compound were irradiated as dry solids in vacuo with cesium-137 γ-rays up to 50 megarads. Results followed first-order inactivation curves, consistent with a target theory. For trypsin esterase and protease activities, D 37 values were 33 and 26.8 megarads, respectively, and for T-I compound 22 and 14 megarads, respectively. Postirradiation exposure to oxygen enhanced the loss of both activities, with the esterase activity lost at a greater rate and becoming equal to the rate of loss of protease activity. These results were discussed in terms of possible structural changes in the trypsin caused by radiation.
MR of the pituitary in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome: size determination and imaging findings.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is an unusual genetic disorder characterized by short stature, obesity, hypogonadism, hypotonia, cognitive impairment, and dysmorphic facies. There is an interstitial deletion of the proximal long arm of chromosome 15 in about 70% of patients. Some of these clinical features suggest a central hypothalamic/pituitary dysfunction, and recent investigations have demonstrated a marked impairment in spontaneous growth hormone (GH) secretion. We studied 15 GH-deficient PWS patients by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine whether there was a diminution in the gross morphological size of the anterior pituitary gland, the site of GH synthesis. We also set out to catalog the pertinent imaging findings in this patient population. Our results indicate that this is the first report documenting pituitary size by MRI in PWS patients. No statistically significant difference was found in the height of the anterior pituitary gland in PWS patients compared with either normal children or children with isolated GH deficiency. An interesting imaging finding is that three of 15 patients (20%) demonstrated complete absence of the posterior pituitary bright spot (PPBS), and a fourth patient demonstrated a small PPBS. These observations reflect an objective physiologic disturbance in the hypothalamus. The clinical and radiologic implications of these findings are discussed.
Are Congressional Leaders Middlepersons or Extremists? Yes

Infuential theories of legislative organization predict that congressional leaders will be selected from the center of their parties. Yet previous research has generally rejected the “middleperson hypothesis,” finding leaders to be extremists. We challenged these findings by testing more-appropriate null hypotheses via Monte Carlo simulation. We found that congressional leaders (and leadership candidates as a whole) tend to be closer to their party's median than would occur by chance, but leaders also tend to be selected from the left of the median for Democrats and to the right for Republicans. Compared to the pool of announced candidates for leadership positions, winners are not ideologically distinctive. This result suggests that factors affecting the ideology of leaders tend to operate more at the candidate emergence stage.
(1E)-1,3-DIMETHOXY-1,3-BUTADIENE

Abstract Reaction of 1,1-dimethoxy-2-butyne (II) with sodium methoxide in dimethyl sulfoxide at 100° yields (1 E )-1,3-dimethoxybutadiene (III) (20–30%). The diene III undergoes ready Diels-Alder reaction with maleic anhydride, N-phenyltriazolinedione and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate.
Discovery of compounds that will prevent tau pathology

Tau is certainly a reasonable target for the development of compounds to prevent neurofibrillary pathology, particularly in the fronto-temporal dementias. Although the mechanism of the filamentous accumulations remains unclear, sufficient knowledge is in place to move forward with high throughput screens. In fact, the development of compounds from such screens will ultimately be the only way to validate the target. The dichotomy for such screens is that in vitro screens are easier to design, but require more assumptions as to the mechanism, in contrast to cell-based screens that are more difficult to design, but make fewer assumptions about mechanism. We have designed a moderate throughput for tau binding that relies on fluorescence detection in living cells and an in vitro cdk5/p25 tau phosphorylation high throughput screen.
Sexology of ictal masturbation in infancy

Abstract In 1952, under the title of “Masturbation in Infants,” Bakwid reported three cases of females all younger than one year of age. Bakwin s' type of so-called masturbation has been consideredin the differential diagnosis of epilepsy in several papers published since 1975. The cases reported display a great similarity and underscore an ictal explanation of the syndrome.
Convergent Expansions for Two Common Trigonometric Sums

Abstract By using the method of Mellin transforms, developments into rapidly converging power series are obtained for two functions presented as Fourier series.
Desk-top size high repetition rate 46.9 nm capillary discharge laser as photoionization source for photochemistry applications

We report the demonstration of a high repetition rate desktop-size capillary discharge laser emitting at (= 46.9 nm (26.5 eV) used for experiments in photochemistry. Laser pulses with energy ~ 13 uJ were generated at 12 Hz repetition rate by single pass amplification in a 21 cm long Ne-like Ar capillary discharge plasma column. The capillary lifetime is 2-3 10 4 shots. This new type of portable laser is of interest for numerous applications requiring a compact intense source of short wavelength laser light. One such application that we are currently pursuing is the study of small molecules using time of flight mass spectroscopy. Molecules include ammonia, NO, oxygen, hydrogen bonded nanoclusters, and metal oxide nanoclusters. Through single photon ionization the reactivity and catalytic behavior of these molecules is studied.
Exploring user opinions in recommender systems

Traditionally, recommender systems operate based on user-behavior and rating data at the personal and/or aggregate level. In this talk, I will try to go beyond this tradition to discuss some new/future developments of recommender systems, even general advertising systems for that matter, based on opinions on the Web (e.g., in reviews, forum discussions, blogs, etc). Recommendations based on such data can be highly targeted and can also be embedded widely in the most appropriate context. Needless to say, I will introduce some recent developments in the area of opinion mining and sentiment analysis, and discuss whether these developments are ready for prime time.
Improving Target Position and Velocity Estimation for Air-to-Air Radar

This paper presents a study on the target position and velocity estimation for air-to-air radar. Two types of post-Kalman filtering (post-KF) processing methods, weighted least-square (WLS) estimators and tracking filters, are investigated to improve the filtering accuracy and thus to improve the target position and velocity estimation accuracy. The WLS estimators are considered up to the second order in order to effectively handle target acceleration. For this type of post- KF processing, the KF outputs within a sliding window are passed through a WLS estimator to refine the estimates of current target position and velocity and their variances. For the tracking filter method, an alpha-beta (α-β) filter and an alpha-beta-gamma (α-β-γ) filter are utilized; both dynamically smooth the KF outputs. For the linear motion scenarios where the target flies with constant velocity, the first-order WLS estimator and the α-β filter are expected to be a good fit, which permits accurate projection of the target position to a future time of interest. The second-order WLS estimator and the α-β-γ filter are capable of handling more general scenarios where the targets may be accelerating. The performance and effectiveness of these proposed post-KF processing methods are demonstrated by using Monte Carlo simulations.
Cortical, thalamic, and amygdaloid projections of rat temporal cortex

The cortical, thalamic, and amygdaloid connections of the rodent temporal cortices were investigated by using the anterograde transport of iontophoretically injected biocytin. Injections into area Te1 labeled axons and terminals in the ventral regions of the dorsal and ventral subnuclei of the medial geniculate complex, area Te3, the rostrodorsal part of area Te2, and the ventrocaudal caudate putamen. No amygdaloid labeling was observed. Thalamic projections from Te2 targeted the lateral posterior nucleus, the dorsal part of the dorsal subnucleus of the medial geniculate complex, and the peripeduncular nucleus. Corticocortical projections mainly terminated in the dorsal perirhinal cortex, but moderately dense projections were observed in medial and lateral peristriate cortex, and only light projections were observed to Te1 and Te3. Projections to these isocortical regions terminated in layers I and VI. Amygdaloid projections targeted the ventromedial subdivision of the lateral nucleus and the adjacent part of the anterior basolateral nucleus. Area Te3 was observed to project to the ventrolateral parts of the dorsal and ventral subnuclei of the medial geniculate complex, the dorsal perirhinal cortex, rostral Te2, and Te1. In the amygdala, labeled fibers and terminals were concentrated in the dorsolateral subdivision of the lateral nucleus. These data confirm that areas Te1 and Te3 are hierarchically organized cortical areas connected with auditory relay nuclei in the thalamus. Area Te2, in contrast, appears to be weakly connected with Te1 and Te3 but is heavily connected with the peristriate cortex and tectorecipient thalamic nuclei. Te2 appears to be a visually related cortical area. The data also indicate that projections from Te2 and Te3 target different subregions of the lateral nucleus and that Te2, but not Te3, projects to the basolateral nucleus.
Simulation Analysis of the Temperature Dependence of Lignin Structure and Dynamics

Lignins are hydrophobic, branched polymers that regulate water conduction and provide protection against chemical and biological degradation in plant cell walls. Lignins also form a residual barrier to effective hydrolysis of plant biomass pretreated at elevated temperatures in cellulosic ethanol production. Here, the temperature-dependent structure and dynamics of individual softwood lignin polymers in aqueous solution are examined using extensive (17 μs) molecular dynamics simulations. With decreasing temperature the lignins are found to transition from mobile, extended to glassy, compact states. The polymers are composed of blobs, inside which the radius of gyration of a polymer segment is a power-law function of the number of monomers comprising it. In the low temperature states the blobs are interpermeable, the polymer does not conform to Zimm/Stockmayer theory, and branching does not lead to reduction of the polymer size, the radius of gyration being instead determined by shape anisotropy. At high temperatures the blobs become spatially separated leading to a fractal crumpled globule form. The low-temperature collapse is thermodynamically driven by the increase of the translational entropy and density fluctuations of water molecules removed from the hydration shell, thus distinguishing lignin collapse from enthalpically driven coil-globule polymer transitions and providing a thermodynamic role of hydration water density fluctuations in driving hydrophobic polymer collapse. Although hydrophobic, lignin is wetted, leading to locally enhanced chain dynamics of solvent-exposed monomers. The detailed characterization obtained here provides insight at atomic detail into processes relevant to biomass pretreatment for cellulosic ethanol production and general polymer coil-globule transition phenomena.
Identification of 24-n-propylidenecholesterol in a member of the Foraminifera

We report a study of the sterols produced by the thecate allogromid foraminiferan, Allogromia laticollaris, grown in culture. Gas chromatographic retention time, together with mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns of trimethysilyl and acetate derivatives enabled us to assign a suite of C27–C30 sterols. Two C30 sterols were identified as (24E)-n-propylidenecholesterol and its 24Z isomer by direct comparison with an authentic standard. The C30 sterols were not detected in the two algae, Isochrysis galbana and Dunaliella tertiolecta, used as a food source for the A. laticollaris, consistent with previous analysis of these organisms. The assignment of (24E)-n-propylidenecholesterol was confirmed using 600 MHz 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The result has relevance as to how we might interpret fossil sterane distributions.
The incorporation of 18O and 14C from long-chain alcohols into the alkyl and alk-1-enyl ethers of phospholipids of developing rat brain.

Abstract The incorporation of [1- 14 C] hexadecanol and [ 18 O]hexadecanol into the ether bonds of rat brain phosphoglycerides was measured after intracerebral injection into 12-day old rats. The data indicate that the incorporation of radioactivity from [1- 14 C] hexadecanol into the phospholipids of rat brain reaches a maximum at 2 h and remains fairly constant for 48 h. At 2 h after injection, 25% of the radioactivity of the phospholipids was m O -alkyl groups and 4% was in o-alk-1-enyl groups. At 48 h, however, the radioactivity in 0-alkylglycerols had declined to 17% of the total while that m O -alk-1-enylglycerols had increased to 8%. The data indicate that O -alkyl lipids are converted to O -alk-1-enyl lipids in developing brain. In addition, 24 h after injection of [ 18 O] hexadecanol, the O -alkyl-glycerols contained 11–12% of the ether bond oxygen as 18 O and the O -alk-1-enylglycerols contained 2–3% of the ether bond oxygen as 18 O indicating that the oxygen from the alcohol was used in the formation of both types of ether bonds.
Biologically-enhanced removal of PCE from NAPL source zones.

The influence of dechlorinating microorganisms on PCE and its reduction products in a residual nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) source zone was investigated. Experiments were conducted in upflow colu...
Facial nerve schwannoma.

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature on facial nerve schwannoma and make practical recommendations based on best practices for the management of this difficult but benign neoplasm.Recent findingsFacial nerve schwannoma can be asymptomatic or can present
Spectroscopic studies of carbons. XVIII, The charring of rice hulls

Abstract Rice hulls were pyrolyzed in vacuo at various temperatures up to 800°C and infrared spectra of the chars were recorded using FT phototherma l beam deflection spectroscopy. There was a substantial weight loss in the 200–400°C range during which the SiO2 content rose from an initial 28 wt.% to near 50 wt.%. The residues consisted of an intimate mixture of finely-divided char and silica; the char itself was a mixture of aromatics derived from the lignin and aliphatics derived from the cellulosic components. Above 400°C the aliphatics decreased, and aromatization and polyaromatization proceeded. Overall, the pyrolysis was not significantly different than one which might be expected of a mixture of lignin and cellulosic material. The SiO2·H2O aggregates within the char changed in composition and structure, but had no significant effect on the pyrolysis. Reaction of the char with oxygen can burn off char and expose the underlying silica, so that a dual surface results.
Stratospheric nitrogen dioxide in the vicinity of soufriere, st. Vincent.

In April 1979, measurements of nitrogen dioxide in the upper atmosphere were made near Soufriere Volcano by twilight optical-absorption techniques. The derived value of 5 x 10 to the 15th molecules per square centimeter column implies an enhancement of 25 percent over earlier abundances measured in the same latitudinal regions. This enhancement may represent the normal stratospheric variability of nitrogen dioxide in the equatorial region, but in any case may be considered an upper limit to the volcano's effect on the total nitrogen dioxide abundance.
Forage and Tuber Yields and Digestibility of Selected Wild and Cultivated Genotypes of Jerusalem Artichoke

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.), a perennial forb, has the potential to be utilized as a silage or tuber crop, but little is known about the variability for forage and tuber yields of wild and cultivated genotypes. Four wild and six cultivated genotypes were evaluated for forage and tuber yields, biomass allocation, and in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) concentrations of stems, leaves, tubers, and whole plants (all above-ground biomass) at different stages of plant development and compared to an annual commercial oilseed sunflower (H. annuus L.) Hybrid 894'. The perennial genotypes were maintained as pure stands while the annual Hybrid 894 was replanted each year. The cultivated Jerusalem artichoke Sunchoke' had the highest forage yield (6.3 Mg ha −2 ) which is comparable to some common forage species []
Reference-change response assignment for pulse-width-modulated dc-dc converters

A simple yet powerful control method, which allows direct reference-change response assignment, is employed for pulse-width-modulated dc–dc converters. The proposed control method is an extension of the recently-introduced proportional-weighted-integral control. In many applications, such as programmable dc power supplies, the output voltage is expected to demonstrate an almost ideal response upon receiving the reference-change command. Conventional control methods can only ‘tune’ this response by adjusting different control parameters. The presented method enables direct ‘assignment’ of such response as an arbitrary function of time. Comparing to the existing complex control algorithms, the presented control method is computationally similar to PID controllers and, thus, requires very modest computational resources. Numerical simulations and hardware measurements verify the performance of the presented control method and demonstrate its ability for reference-change response assignment.