cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic Variation in Naturalized Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from Minnesota Tributaries to Lake Superior

Genetic variation at 27 polymorphic loci that code allozymes was compared among collections of naturalized, anadromous-form rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from Lake Superior tributaries in Minnesota and among four hatchery strains. Genetic differences were observed among collections from naturalized populations from tributary streams and among hatchery strains (P < 0.01). In naturalized populations, most genetic variation observed occurred among individuals within samples (95.5%) and was comparable to values reported for other naturalized Lake Superior populations of rainbow trout. Cluster analysis of genetic distance coefficients revealed two main groups. One group included a subgroup of samples from heavily stocked streams (Devil Track, Flute Reed, and Baptism rivers) and the Michigan hatchery strain which had been used to stock these streams. The second group included collections from the Knife River drainage and Knife River hatchery fish. Collections from Indian Camp Creek and of the “kam-loops” hatchery strain were the most differentiated of the samples and showed little genetic affinity to each other or the two main groups. The “kamloops” strain did not exhibit allelic frequencies expected for rainbow trout derived from the Kamloops region of the upper Fraser River of British Columbia. No evidence was found to support the contention that the “kamloops” hatchery strain had interbred with wild populations. Widespread stocking of Michigan strain fish may have reduced genetic differences among naturalized, wild populations along Minnesota's Lake Superior shoreline. Population-specific management of rainbow trout by tributary is a justifiable approach to consider. If maintenance of the genetic differences among the wild, naturalized populations is desired, “kamloops” and the Michigan hatchery strains should not be stocked. Stocking programs instead should use gametes from returning adults of a river for subsequent juvenile propagation and stocking back into the same river.
Lithographic Evaluation Of Copolymers With Enhanced Dry Etch Resistance

Alternating copolymers of alphamethylstyrene (AMS) with maleic anhydride (MA) and methyl maleate (MeM) are evaluated as positive electron resists. The chain scission efficiency (Gs) of P(AMS-MA), determined by exposure to 50 keV electrons, is 0.90 scissions/100 eV. When the maleic anhydride in the copolymer is reacted with sodium methoxide to form its methyl ester, P(AMS-MeM), the Gs increases to 2.9 for electrons and to 3.5 for gamma radiation. Based on these G-scission values, this copolymer is expected to exhibit enhanced sensitivity, while having good dry etch resistance due to the aromatic nature of alphamethylstyrene. Lithographically, P(AMS-MeM) is more sensitive than P(AMS-MA), as expected from G-scission data. Film properties such as adhesion are also superior for P(AMS-MeM). Using a one hour prebake at 140°C, 10% thinning of unexposed P(AMS-MeM) occurs upon development of pads exposed to an incident electron dose of 8 jC/cm2 (accelerating voltage = 20 kV). The contrast (1) is 2.0 for development of 12 iiC/cm exposur2es. In comparison, P(AMS-MA) exhibited 10% thinning for an incident dose of 40 pC/cm, which is similar to observations with PMMA. The copolymers are developed with mixtures of ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate and 1-methoxy-2-propanol acetate. The dry etch rate of P(AMS-MA) in CFI.' plasma with 8% 02 varies from 45 to 53% of the etch rate of a PMMA standard. The etch rate of P(AMS-MeM) after a 140°C prebake is about 65% that of PMMA. Thus, much of the etch resistance of alphamethylstyrene is maintained in copolymers with maleic anhydride or methyl maleate, while the copolymer with methyl maleate also exhibits significantly enhanced sensitivity.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Photovoltaic Properties of Novel Semiconducting Polymers with Thiophene−Phenylene−Thiophene (TPT) as Coplanar Units

Four novel conjugated polymers (P1, P2, P3, and P4) based on coplanar thiophene−phenylene−thiophene (TPT) derivatives have been designed and synthesized for application in polymer solar cells (PSCs). The optical, electrochemical, field effect carrier mobility, and photovoltaic properties of P1−P4 are investigated and compared with those of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). PSCs are fabricated based on the blend of the polymers and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) or 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)propyl-1-phenyl-[6,6]-C-71 (PC71BM) with a weight ratio of 1:3. The maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the PSCs based on P3/PC71BM system reaches 3.3% with a short circuit current density (Jsc) of 7.6 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.8 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.54 under AM 1.5G (100 mW/cm2) illumination. The results indicate that the coplanar TPT conjugated derivatives are promising PSC materials.
Supersymmetry does not imply mass degeneracy

Abstract It is commonly believed that unbroken supersymmetry (SUSY) implies that all members of a supermultiplet have the same mass. We demonstrate that this is not true, by exhibiting a simple counterexample. We employ the formalism of homeotic fermions, in a simple model where CPT conjugate fermions have different masses. This model can be supersymmetrized to a hypermultiplet of fields which form a representation of the conventional N=2 SUSY algebra. Nevertheless, CPT conjugate states in this hypermultiplet have different masses. These surprising results do not violate either the CPT theorem or the Haag–Lopuszanski–Sohnius theorem.
p53 tumor suppressor gene mutations predict decreased survival of patients with sporadic colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND Mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene play an integral role in sporadic colorectal carcinogenesis but prior studies have failed to show their prognostic significance consistently. METHODS Fifty-six consecutive sporadic colorectal tumors were analyzed for their p53 status. Polymerase chain reaction amplification with primers for exons 5–9 was conducted and these products were subjected to single strand conformation polymorphism analysis. Suspected mutations were confirmed with DNA sequencing. p53 status was entered into a colorectal clinical database and these patients then were followed prospectively. Patient status with regard to disease recurrence and survival was updated every 6 months. Survival and disease free survival were calculated according to the method of Kaplan and Meier. The association between p53 status and clinical and pathologic factors with survival and recurrence was statistically determined using univariate analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model for multivariate analysis. RESULTS p53 mutations were detected in 28 of 56 patients (50%). The median follow-up time was 45 months (range, 3–72 months). There were 33 patients (59%) who were alive at last follow-up. Fifteen of the 23 patients who died (65%) had p53 mutations and 8 (35%) had wild-type p53. Thirteen patients developed a disease recurrence, 9 of whom (69%) had tumors with p53 mutations. Overall 4-year survival rates for patients with wild-type p53 and mutant p53 were 71% and 54%, respectively (P = 0.05). The 4-year disease free survival rates for patients with wild-type p53 and mutant p53 were 83% and 62%, respectively (P = 0.09). p53 status and stage were found to be independent significant predictors for survival (p53 negative: P = 0.02; stage: P = 0.0002.) Stage was found to be the sole significant predictor for disease free survival (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS In this group of colorectal carcinoma patients, p53 mutations were a significant negative prognostic indicator for overall survival. This finding holds prognostic and therapeutic implications for the management of colorectal carcinoma patients. Cancer 2000;88:1814–9. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Nephron sparing surgery for localized renal cell carcinoma: impact of tumor size on patient survival, tumor recurrence and TNM staging.

Purpose:: We studied the impact of tumor size on patient survival and tumor recurrence following nephron sparing surgery for localized sporadic renal cell carcinoma. In addition, we evaluated the usefulness of the new TNM staging system in which T1 versus T2 tumor status is delineated by tumor size 7 or less versus more than 7 cm., respectively.Materials and Methods:: The results of nephron sparing surgery for localized sporadic renal cell carcinoma in 485 patients treated before 1997 were reviewed. Patients were divided into groups according to tumor size as 1—2.5 or less (142), 2—2.5 to 4.0 (168), 3—more than 4 to 7 (125) and 4—more than 7 cm (50). Mean postoperative followup was 47 months.Results:: Overall and cancer specific 5-year survival for the entire series was 81 and 92%, respectively. Of 44 patients with recurrent renal cell carcinoma 16 (3.2%) had local recurrence and 28 (5.8%) had metastatic disease. There was no difference in 5-year cancer specific survival or tumor recurrence between groups...
Comparison of rectal swabs with fecal cultures for detection of Salmonella typhimurium in adult volunteers

Rectal swabs are generally considered less sensitive than fecal culture, but there are no data directly comparing human rectal swabs with fecal samples for detection of Salmonella. A phase I clinical study of a live oral attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine strain in volunteers receiving a large known inoculum provided the opportunity to compare concurrent rectal swab and fecal cultures. Of 155 paired samples from 9 volunteers, 65 (42%) were culture positive: 35 (54%) by both methods, 20 (31%) by fecal culture only, and 10 (15%) by swab only. When compared with fecal culture, rectal swabs were 64% sensitive and 90% specific. Rectal swabs are of moderate diagnostic utility for detection of Salmonella and may be useful when collection of fecal samples is impractical.
Electric field-induced cell fusion and human monoclonal antibodies

A persistent problem in the generation of antigen-specific human monoclonal antibodies is the rarity of appropriate B cells in human blood or splenic tissues. In order to immortalize the rare antigen-specific cells that are available, an electric field-induced cell fusion technique has been shown to markedly increase the fusion efficiency in comparison to polyethylene glycol-induced cell fusion using Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or pokeweed mitogen activated B cells. Fusion efficiency of 10(-3)-10(-4) has been achieved by this process with as low as 1 X 10(6) input EBV-activated B cells. A panel of human monoclonal antibodies to human cytomegalovirus has subsequently been produced using this technique. This improvement should enable wider therapeutic and diagnostic applications of human monoclonal antibodies.
Effective-pair interactions in transition-metal alloys: A supercell total-energy approach.

A new method is described for obtaining effective pair interactions (EPI) in transition-metal alloys from density-functional-theory total-energy calculations for supercell compounds. The calculated total energies are used to obtain explicit concentration-independent cluster interactions, through an inversion scheme (J. W. D. Connolly and A. R. Williams, Phys. Rev. B 27, 5168 (1983)). Using a truncated form for the higher-order interatomic correlation functions, the cluster interactions are resummed into concentration-dependent EPI. The EPI are interpreted within the established perturbation-theoretic framework. The method offers a treatment of electron-electron interactions that is more accurate than in existing perturbative methods, although the long-ranged oscillations in the EPI are much more difficult to obtain. Furthermore, the method can be used with density-functional calculations which supersede the muffin-tin approximation, and can generate a variety of types of EPI depending upon the particular truncation scheme employed. Results are presented for the Ni-Al and Nb-Y systems. In Ni-Al the EPI is strongly concentration dependent, with the ordering tendency much stronger at the Ni-rich end. The elastic strain energy contributes significantly to the ordering energy. In Nb-Y the EPI favors phase separation most strongly at the Nb-rich end of the phase diagram.
The human precentral sulcus: chemoarchitecture of a region corresponding to the frontal eye fields.

Abstract Human functional neuroimaging studies have consistently shown that the superior element of the precentral sulcus (sPCS), near the caudal end of the superior frontal sulcus (cSFS), is activated during oculomotor tasks, and refer to this area as the frontal eye field (FEF). However, the anatomy of this area in humans has not been examined systematically, nor has the correspondence between traditional cytoarchitectonic maps and recent studies of the functional neuroanatomy of the FEF been determined. To identify the chemoarchitectonic features of this fMRI-defined area of the human sPCS, we labeled tissue sections of postmortem human brains containing the sPCS and the cSFS with antibodies against the neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN), the nonphosphorylated neurofilament triplet protein (NNFP), and the calcium-binding proteins calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV). Distinctive chemoarchitectural features of this area of the sPCS compared with rostral and caudal regions were consistently found across subjects and consisted in clusters of large, intensely immunoreactive (IR) pyramidal cells in deep layer V and the presence of layer IV in both NNFP and NeuN-labeled material. In sections labeled for calcium binding proteins, the two walls of the sPCS were characterized by: (1) a higher density of CR-IR neurons; (2) a relative lack of CB-IR pyramidal cells; and (3) higher density of layers II–III CB-IR neurons and more large PV-IR interneurons in deep layer III. These specific chemoarchitectural features may differentiate the location of the human FEF from rostral cortical regions and support the functions for which it is specialized.
Integrals of Subharmonic Functions on Manifolds of Nonnegative Curvature

In a previously published paper [9], the authors proved an approximation theorem for geodesically convex functions on Riemannian manifolds (Theorem 2 of [91). Applications of this theorem to complex function theory on noncompact K~ihler manifolds have been announced in [8, II and III] . The main result of the present paper is an application of this approximation theorem to Riemannian geometry proper. To describe this principal theorem, let M be a Riemannian manifold and let Z(M) be the closure of the set of all C ~176 subharmonic functions in C~ the algebra of continuous functions on M equipped with the compact open topology. (A C ~ function f is subharmonic if Af>O, where the sign
Environment and the Sexual Activity of the European Corn Borer

Field studies were conducted to determine the relationship between low-altitude (< 3 m) flight and sexual activity of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubialis (Hubner), and to delineate the effect of environmental factors on these activities. ECB moths flew out of tall, dense foxtailgrass ( Setaria spp.) at 2000–2200 h and moved over short grass where dew had formed. The number of males flying under 3 m was not synchronized with the number of males captured in traps baited with virgin ECB females or the synthetic pheromone, Z:E -11-tetradecenyl acetate (96:4 Z:E -11-tda) until after dew or raindrops were deposited on the grass leaves. Free water contributed to the aggregation of ECB adults in patches of tall, dense foxtail grass. Multivariate regressions showed that dew (dewpoint temperature, dewpoint depression, and temperature interaction with dewpoint depression) significantly affected the sexual activity of feral males. And even though the caged females (baits) were kept close to water, there was a suggestion of a natural dependence on free water from dew or rain to stimulate the sexual activity of females. The presence of free water, however, is only a condition required for the initiation of sexual activity. Whether this potential is expressed depends on the availability of both sexes (competition) combined with several physical parameters (temperature, relative humidity, illumination). These studies also suggest that low illumination and a slight wind is necessary to provide guidance to the ECB male in mate seeking.
The modification index method of generating verification conditions

Proving the correctness of a program involves generating mathematical formulae, known as verification conditions, and then proving that these hold. The two basic methods of generating verification conditions are known as forward accumulation and back substitution. This paper describes a new method, the modification index (MX) method, which has certain advantages over both forward accumulation and back substitution.In the MX method, the variables of the program are no longer the verification variables (those occurring in verification conditions). Each verification variable consists of a program variable with a modification index appended. Thus if V is a program variable, then V0, V1, V2, and so on, may be the verification variables, where the small integer (0, 1, 2, and so on) is the modification index.We analyze one path at a time. In a given path we have an initial assertion (associated with the start of the path), certain assignments, conditions, and restrictions, and a final assertion (associated with the end of the path). The initial value of V in this path may be denoted by V0; if V changes (by means of an assignment, subroutine call, side effect, etc.), the new values of V in this path are V1, V2, and so on.We have described the MX method as a forward method, but in fact it is a directionless method; we could just as easily have numbered the modification indices in reverse order, with V0 corresponding to the final value of V instead of the initial value. If we do this, we get an immediate proof that the MX method is equivalent to back substitution; if we leave the indices in forward order, we get an immediate proof that the MX method is equivalent to forward accumulation. But the MX values could be chosen arbitrarily (without regard to order), without affecting the validity of the MX method.The advantages of the MX method are as follows. First, no symbolic values are kept, and no symbolic algebraic manipulation is done; we need only keep a table of the MX of every variable. Second, the verification conditions of even a complex path can now be immediately read off "by hand" from the path, without computer aid. Third, in many cases the verification conditions produced by the MX method are less bulky than those produced by forward acccumulation or back substitution; in all cases, we can easily transform the verification conditions produced by the MX method into a form which is never bulkier than the result of applying the forward accumulation method.
160-Gb/s Bidirectional Parallel Optical Transceiver Module for Board-Level Interconnects Using a Single-Chip CMOS IC

We report here on the design, fabrication and high-speed performance of a novel parallel optical module with sixteen 10-Gb/s transmitter and receiver channels for a 160-Gb/s bidirectional aggregate data rate. The module utilizes a single-chip CMOS optical transceiver containing both transmitter and receiver circuits. 16-channel high-speed photodiode (PD) and VCSEL arrays are flip-chip attached to the low-power CMOS IC. The substrate emitting/illuminated VCSEL and PD arrays operate at 985 nm and include collimating lenses integrated into the backside of the substrate. The IC-OE assembly is then flip-chip attached to a high density organic package forming the transceiver optical module. The exclusive use of flip-chip packaging for both the IC-to-optoelectronic (OE) devices and for the IC-to-organic package minimizes the module footprint and associated packaging parasitics. The OE-on-IC assembly achieves a high area efficiency of 9.4 Gb/s/mm2 (Schow et al., 2007). The complete organic carrier transceiver package provides a low-cost, low-profile module similar to a conventional chip-carrier that can be directly surface mounted to a circuit board using a conventional BGA solder process. SLC transceiver modules with transmitter and receiver OE-IC arrays were assembled and characterized. Operation of all 16 transmitters in the transceiver module was demonstrated at data rates >10 Gb/s. Similarly, all 16 receiver channels operated error-free at >10 Gb/s. The receiver eye-diagrams were generated using a second transceiver source and therefore constitute a full transceiver optical link.
Molecular dynamics simulation of hydroxyapatite : polyacrylic acid interfaces

Abstract Polymer–hydroxyapatite (HAP) composites are widely studied as potential bone replacement materials. The HAP–polymer interfacial molecular interactions have significant role on the mechanical response of composite systems. We have used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to evaluate the nature of these interfaces in polyacrylic acid–hydroxyapatite composites. We have obtained the parameters for monoclinic hydroxyapatite in CVFF (consistent valence force field) from the known potential energy function of apatites. Our simulations indicate that potential sites for chelation and hydrogen bond formation between HAP and polyacrylic acid (PAAc) exist. Earlier, we have synthesized in situ HAP–polymer composites wherein intimate interaction between HAP and polymer is enabled through participation of polymer during HAP mineralization. Our simulations indicate that for in situ HAP, the most favorable orientation of PAAc for attachment with HAP is along the c-axis of HAP aligned parallel to polymer chains. Also, binding energy for ex situ HAP composites is found to be lower as compared to that of in situ HAP.
In Search of Leadership : West Bank Politics since 1967

For much of the past decade, all diplomatic initiatives designed to advance the Arab-Israeli peace process have had in common a concern for the future of the West Bank. This region, along with the Gaza Strip, has often been discussed, but rarely studied. Palestinians living under occupation were often seen as passive and leaderless. This view is no longer tenable.The uprising, or "intifadah," that began in the West Bank and Gaza in late 1987 and continued into 1988 represents a new phase of the Palestinian resistance to occupation and search for self-determination. Palestinians in these areas, especially the youth, are politically mobilized and highly nationalistic. The uprising needs to be seen in perspective. It is the product of profound political, social, and economic changes that have taken place over the past twenty years.Emile Sayliyeh analyzes in detail and with great personal knowledge the internal politics of the West Bank Palestinians and their international implications. Traditionally, West Bank politics had been the domain of elite, prominent families used by the Ottomans, the British, and the Jordanians to control local politics. Recent social changes, such as the growing trend toward higher education, exposure to the mass media, and labor mobility, have coincided with recent political changesthe consolidation of the communist movement, the radicalization of the student population, and the resurgence of Islamto challenge the political order and give more power to the mass-supported local politicians. "In Search of Leadership" offers the first comprehensive look at the social and political bases of the factions and groups in the West Bank and suggests how they will affect Palestinian politics in the years ahead."
On crack interaction and crack density in strain-induced cracking of brittle films on ductile substrates

Uniaxial straining of a brittle film on a ductile substrate induces the formation of an array of parallel cracks whose density increases with increasing strain. An analytical function is derived for the energy release rate of a crack propagating in the vicinity of already existing cracks. Using this function, a statistical theory is developed for relating the crack density to the population of flaws in the film. In order to assess these theoretical results, a test is proposed which allows the measurement of critical strains for crack propagation in the case of strong crack interaction. This test is applied on a model system consisting of a thin soda-lime glass slide adhesively bonded on an aluminum alloy. The viscoelastic nature of the adhesive determines the critical cracking strain of non-interacting cracks. The cracking strain of interacting cracks varies as a function of crack spacing in agreement with the proposed analytical function. A flaw density distribution function is calculated from the measured dependence of crack density on strain.
Brief announcement: a lower bound for depth-restricted work stealing

Work stealing is a common technique used in the runtime schedulers of parallel languages such as Cilk and parallel libraries such as Intel Threading Building Blocks (TBB). Depth-restricted work stealing is a restriction of Cilk-like work stealing in which a processor blocked on a task at depth d can only steal tasks from other processors at depth greater than d. To support programs coded in a blocking style, i.e., code without explicit continuations, TBB imposes a depth restriction on work stealing to limit the stack space used by a computation.We present a lower bound on the completion time of a computation executed using a depth-restricted work-stealing scheduler. In particular, we construct a computation which on P processors runs a factor of Ω(P) slower with depth-restricted work stealing as compared to unrestricted work stealing. On this pessimal computation, depth-restricted work stealing asymptotically serializes execution while unrestricted work stealing achieves linear speedup.
Geochemical diversity of shergottite basalts: Mixing and fractionation, and their relation to Mars surface basalts

The chemical compositions of shergottite meteorites, basaltic rocks from Mars, provide a broad view of the origins and differentiation of these Martian magmas. The shergottite basalts are subdivided based on their Al contents: high-Al basalts (Al > 5% wt) are distinct from low-Al basalts and olivine-phyric basalts (both with Al < 4.5% wt). Abundance ratios of highly incompatible elements (e.g., Th, La) are comparable in all the shergottites. Abundances of less incompatible elements (e.g., Ti, Lu, Hf) in olivine-phyric and low-Al basalts correlate well with each other, but the element abundance ratios are not constant; this suggests mixing between components, both depleted and enriched. High-Al shergottites deviate from these trends consistent with silicate mineral fractionation. The “depleted” component is similar to the Yamato-980459 magma; approximately, 67% crystal fractionation of this magma would yield a melt with trace element abundances like QUE 94201. The “enriched” component is like the parent magma for NWA 1068; approximately, 30% crystal fractionation from it would yield a melt with trace element abundances like the Los Angeles shergottite. This component mixing is consistent with radiogenic isotope and oxygen fugacity data. These mixing relations are consistent with the compositions of many of the Gusev crater basalts analyzed on Mars by the Spirit rover (although with only a few elements to compare). Other Mars basalts fall off the mixing relations (e.g., Wishstone at Gusev, Gale crater rocks). Their compositions imply that basalt source areas in Mars include significant complexities that are not present in the source areas for the shergottite basalts.
NATIVITY, ETHNICITY, AND RESIDENTIAL RELOCATION: THE EXPERIENCE OF HMONG REFUGEES AND AFRICAN AMERICANS DISPLACED FROM PUBLIC HOUSING

This article focuses on how the experiences of refugee public housing residents differ from those of other public housing residents when they participate in housing dispersal programs. An analysis ...
The biogenesis of the cyanellae of Cyanophora paradoxa. II. Pulse-labelling of cyanellar polypeptides in the presence of transcriptional and translational inhibitors.

Cycloheximide and chloroamphenicol, specific inhibitors of protein translation in the cytoplasmic and cyanellar compartments, respectively of Cyanophora paradoxa. have been employed in 30 min pulse-labelling experiments by using [NaH-$^{14}$C]O$_3$ to label total cell proteins in vivo Cyanellae purified from host cell lysates were separated into soluble and thylakoid fractions and analysed by one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) to determine the distribution of radioactivity in the cyanellar polypeptides. Analysis of the autoradiograms of electrophoretically resolved proteins of the cyanellae indicates that about 70% of the total number of cyanellar proteins visualized in the controls are synthesized on cytoplasmic ribosomes. The majority (81%) of the soluble cyanellar proteins appear to be cytoplasmically synthesized. In contrast, the majority (70%) of the thylakoid proteins are synthesized within the cyanellae. The observations also suggest that the polypeptides synthesized within the cyanellae include species that are the most abundant and rapidly turned over A number of the polypeptides previously identified have now been characterized with regard to their sites of synthesis. In addition. we report on labelling experiments involving rifampicin. a specific inhibitor of cyanellar transcription, which indicate that different mRNAs within the cyanellae have markedly different stabilities.
Genetic Relationship Between Central β-Endorphin and Novelty-Induced Locomotor Activity

Abstract The goal of research presented in this report was to investigate the possibility that differences in β-ED levels could account for some portion of genetically mediated variation in locomotor activity. Subjects representing six of the LSXSS RI mouse strains were activity tested in a novel environment. Significant effects of strain and time as well as a significant strain by time interaction were detected. β-ED levels were estimated from several brain regions and the pituitary of naive and activity-tested mice. Significant strain effects were detected in all brain regions but not in the pituitary. There was no overall effect of exposure to novelty, but some strains showed either a decrease or an increase in β-ED levels in the septum, amygdala, and midbrain. A significant genetic correlation between adaptation to the novel environment (locomotor activity at 30 min subtracted from locomotor activity at 5 min) and β-ED levels in the septum was observed. Estimates of hypothalamic mRNA for the β-ED precursor POMC revealed no effect of strain. Finally, locomotor activity was tested following doses of the μ-opioid antagonist naltrexone. Out of six strains tested (naive to the apparatus), naltrexone dose dependently attenuated locomotor activity in only the strain that showed the highest control level of activity. The results suggest that β-ED levels influence novelty-induced locomotor activity, but that other important genotype-dependent factors are involved.
Survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a reappraisal of the NIH risk stratification equation

The aim of the present study was to determine contemporary survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and to investigate whether or not the National Institutes of Health (NIH) equation remains an accurate predictor of survival. In 576 patients with PAH referred during 1991-2007, observed survival was described using the Kaplan-Meier method. In patients with idiopathic, familial and anorexigen-associated PAH (n = 247), observed versus NIH equation predicted survival was compared. A new survival prediction equation was developed using exponential regression analysis. The observed 1-, 3- and 5-yr survival in the total cohort were 86, 69 and 61%, respectively. In patients with idiopathic, familial and anorexigen-associated PAH, the observed 1-, 3- and 5-yr survival (92, 75 and 66%, respectively) were significantly higher than the predicted survival (65, 43 and 32%, respectively). The new equation (P(t) = e(-A(x,y,z)t), where P(t) is probability of survival, t the time interval in years, A(x,y,z) = e((-1.270-0.0148x+0.0402y-0.361z)), x the mean pulmonary artery pressure, y the mean right atrial pressure and z the cardiac index) performed well when applied to published contemporary studies of survival in PAH. Contemporary survival in the PAH cohort was better than that predicted by the NIH registry equation. The NIH equation underestimated survival in idiopathic, familial and anorexigen-associated PAH. Once prospectively validated, the new equation may be used to determine prognosis.
Effect of inoculation and washing methods on the efficacy of different sanitizers against Escherichia coli O157:H7 on lettuce

Abstract The efficacy of aqueous chlorine dioxide (ClO 2 ) (10 mg l −1 , for 10 min), ozonated water (10 mg l −1 for 10 min) and thyme oil (0·1% for, 5 min) on inactivation of mixed strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was investigated using different inoculation methods (dip, drop or sprinkle) after 6 and 24 h of incubation at 5±1°C. Different population sizes of E. coli O157:H7 (7·82, 5·95 and 3·71 log cfu g −1 ), as well as multiple washing, were also used to evaluate the efficacy of these sanitizers. No significant ( P \le0·05) growth of E. coli O157:H7 was noticed on lettuce after inoculation by dip, drop or sprinkle methods and incubation for 6 and 24 h at 5±1°C. Drop the inoculated lettuce, after 24 h of incubation at 5±1°C, resulted in maximum log reduction of E. coli O157:H7 (1·42 log 10 cfu g −1 ) after washing with sterile de-ionized water in comparison to dip- or sprinkle-inoculated lettuce ( 10 cfu g −1 reduction). Aqueous ClO 2 , ozonated water and thyme oil washing treatments were also less effective on dip- or sprinkle-inoculated lettuce than on drop-inoculated lettuce. Regardless of the type of treatments applied, a significantly higher log reduction of E. coli O157:H7 was detected on sprinkle-inoculated lettuce after 24 h of incubation at 5±1°C, when the initial population was 3·71 log 10 cfu g −1 . Increasing the number of washes (to two or three) in sterile de-ionized water did not decrease the microbial numbers further, whereas a second washing in aqueous ClO 2 (10 mg l −1 for 5 min), ozonated water (10 mg l −1 for 5 min) and thyme oil (0·1% for 2 min) produced a significant reduction comparable to the first washing. The results obtained from this study indicate that effectiveness of sanitizers depends on the inoculation method, incubation time, population size and multiple washing.
Transactivation of a DR-1 PPRE by a human constitutive androstane receptor variant expressed from internal protein translation start sites.

Downstream in-frame start codons produce aminoterminal-truncated human constitutive androstane receptor protein isoforms (NCARs). The NCARs are expressed in liver and in vitro cell systems following translation from in-frame methionine AUG start codons at positions 76, 80, 125, 128, 168 and 265 within the full-length CAR mRNA. The resulting CAR proteins lack the N-terminal DNA-binding domain (DBD) of the receptor, yielding NCAR variants with unique biological function. Although the NCARs maintain full retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRa) heterodimerization capacity, the NCARs are inactive on classical CAR-inducible direct repeat (DR)-4 elements, yet efficiently transactivate a DR-1 element derived from the endogenous PPAR-inducible acyl-CoA oxidase gene promoter. RXRa heterodimerization with CAR1, CAR76 and CAR80 isoforms is necessary for the DR-1 PPRE activation, a function that exhibits absolute dependence on both the respective RXRa DBD and CAR activation (AF)-2 domains, but not the AF-1 or AF-2 domain of RXRa, nor CAR’s DBD. A new model of CAR DBD-independent transactivation is proposed, such that in the context of a DR-1 peroxisome proliferator-activated response element, only the RXRa portion of the CAR-RXRa heterodimer binds directly to DNA, with the AF-2 domain of tethered CAR mediating transcriptional activation of the receptor complex.
Heart rate variability during the first 24 hours of successfully reperfused acute myocardial infarction: Paradoxic decrease after reperfusion

Abstract Heart rate variability (HRV) was evaluated during the first 24 hours of hospitalization in 36 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Reperfusion was achieved by 60 minutes in 21 patients (group M1) and by 130 minutes in the remaining 15 (group M2). Mean 24-hour HRV measures were not significantly different between groups M1 and M2. Hourly spectral analysis revealed a decrease in total power (0.01 to 1.0 Hz) from 0 to 8 hours to 9 to 16 and 17 to 24 hours in groups M1 (7.04 ± 0.27 to 6.94 ± 0.23 and 6.52 ± 0.18; p = 0.0006) and in group M2 (6.88 ± 0.30 to 6.57 ± 0.23 and 6.40 ± 0.15; p = 0.002). Total power decreased immediately after reperfusion: in group M1 it decreased during the second hour (7.32 ± 0.96 to 6.42 ± 1.2; p = 0.001) and in group M2 during the third (7.47 ± 1.2 to 6.73 ± 1.4; p = 0.049) and fourth hours (7.47 ± 1.2 to 6.48 ± 1.4; p = 0.029). Mean change in total power in the second hour was −11.8% in group M1 and +3.9% in group M2 ( p = 0.0001) and in the third hour, +14.5% in group M1 and −8.6% in group M2 ( p = 0.006). During the remaining 21 hours, there was no significant difference in hourly change in total power between groups. Similar changes were noted in high-frequency power, but the ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power was unchanged. In acute myocardial infarction, HRV is higher during the early phase and decreases as hours progress. Reperfusion causes an immediate, transient, and seemingly paradoxic decrease in HRV, probably because of an abrupt decrease in parasympathetic tone.
Modifier genes in Mendelian disorders: the example of cystic fibrosis

In the past three decades, scientists have had immense success in identifying genes and their variants that contribute to an array of diseases. While the identification of such genetic variants has informed our knowledge of the etiologic bases of diseases, there continues to be a substantial gap in our understanding of the factors that modify disease severity. Monogenic diseases provide an opportunity to identify modifiers as they have uniform etiology, detailed phenotyping of affected individuals, and familial clustering. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is among the more common life-shortening recessive disorders that displays wide variability in clinical features and survival. Considerable progress has been made in elucidating the contribution of genetic and nongenetic factors to CF. Allelic variation in CFTR, the gene responsible for CF, correlates with some aspects of the disease. However, lung function, neonatal intestinal obstruction, diabetes, and anthropometry display strong genetic control independent of CFTR, and candidate gene studies have revealed genetic modifiers underlying these traits. The application of genome-wide techniques holds great promise for the identification of novel genetic variants responsible for the heritable features and complications of CF. Since the genetic modifiers are known to alter the course of disease, their protein products become immediate targets for therapeutic intervention.
A review of the theory and application of coherent anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS)

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) is a relatively new kind of Raman spectroscopy which is based on a nonlinear conversion of two laser beams into a coherent, laser-like Raman beam of high intensity in the anti-Stokes region. The emission is often many orders of magnitude greater than normal Raman scattering and, because of the coherent and anti-Stokes character of radiation, the method is very useful for obtaining Raman spectra of fluorescing samples, gases in discharges, plasmas, combustion, atmospheric chemistry. In this paper we outline the basic theory behind CARS and describe its unusual effects and drawbacks. We review the research to date on various materials, and indicate the possible future direction, utility and applications of CARS such as surface studies, fluctuation phenomena, reaction dynamics, photochemistry, kinetics, relaxation, and energy transfer.
The Boundary-spanning Role of Democratic Learning Communities Implementing the IDEALS

This multi-case study investigates characteristics and practices in schools that expand the traditional boundaries of school leadership and transform schools into democratic learning communities based on the level of implementation of the IDEALS framework. This investigation serves as a modus to illuminate democratic processes that change schools and address the needs of the students, not the needs of the adults in the system. A sample of five purposefully selected high schools, from the Midwest USA, was utilized. The schools serve Grade 9—12 students, but vary in size, residential area and socioeconomic status of the students. This study illuminates some of the challenges and strategies that facilitate or impede the process of creating more democratic schools that expand the boundaries of inquiry and discourse to include a broader range of community stakeholders and that respect and embrace issues of equity.
Electrical Immuno Nanosensor for Breast Cancer Biomarker Assay

Molecular cancer biomarkers will be instrumental in the screening and detection of cancer. Development of a hand held, non destructive microsensor for distinguishing breast cancer cells in real time is essential for breast cancer therapeutic options. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a potent cytokine, which is normally over-expressed in malignant breast tumor cells. In our work, we are interested in developing nanomaterial integrated needle like immuno biosensors for the detection of cancer biomarkers on breast cancer cells. The sensor is based on the electrochemical measurement of immuno reactions on the microelectrode surface. In order to improve the sensitivity of the microelectrode, functional nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes have been integrated on the microsensor surface. We will present the fabrication and analytical functions of the sensor. The structure of the sensor is characterized by various electrochemical methods and atomic force microscopy (AFM). VEGF can be detected successfully to a detection limit of 20 mug/mL in biological electrolytes, which demonstrates the feasibility of using the electrochemical microsensor for quantitive analysis of the breast cancer biomarkers. For a long term goal, it is expected that the nano needle sensing tips can be used for measuring tumor markers on single cell levels.
Regulation of Fat Cell Mass by Insulin in Drosophila melanogaster

A phylogenetically conserved response to nutritional abundance is an increase in insulin signaling, which initiates a set of biological responses dependent on the species. Consequences of augmented insulin signaling include developmental progression, cell and organ growth, and the storage of carbohydrates and lipids. Here, we address the evolutionary origins of insulin's positive effects on anabolic lipid metabolism by selectively modulating insulin signaling in the fat body of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Analogous to the actions of insulin in higher vertebrates, those in Drosophila include expansion of the insect fat cell mass both by increasing the adipocyte number and by promoting lipid accumulation. The ability of insulin to accomplish the former depends on its capacity to bring about phosphorylation and inhibition of the transcription factor Drosophila FOXO (dFOXO) and the serine/threonine protein kinase shaggy, the fly ortholog of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3). Increasing the amount of triglyceride per cell also depends on the phosphorylation of shaggy but is independent of dFOXO. Thus, the findings of this study provide evidence that the control of fat mass by insulin is a conserved process and place dFOXO and shaggy/GSK3 downstream of the insulin receptor in controlling adipocyte cell number and triglyceride storage, respectively.
Regulation of growth cone morphology by nerve growth factor: A comparative study by scanning electron microscopy

The object of this study was to document and analyze local regulation by nerve growth factor (NGF) of neuronal growth cone properties and to explore the possible diversity of this effect in various NGF-responsive preparations. In particular, scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the morphology of neuronal growth cones in cultures of dissociated chick embryo dorsal root ganglia (DRG) under conditions of continuous NGF exposure, withdrawal of NGF for 5-6 hr, and restoration of NGF for various times. Comparison was made with similarly manipulated cultures of dissociated newborn rat sympathetic ganglia and neurite-bearing PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. The growth cones of most of the continuously NGF-treated DRG neurons (cultured on poly-L-lysine or collagen-coated glass coverslips) had relatively compact central flattened areas and numerous prominent filopodia. Withdrawal of NGF resulted in a marked spreading of the central growth cone area so that the average maximum width of this structure increased by about threefold as compared to nondeprived cultures. The mean number and lengths of filopodia were unaffected. Restoration of NGF brought about, over a time course of tens of minutes, a return of the original type of growth cone morphology. Rather different responses were observed for the sympathetic neuron and PC12 cultures. Here, surface ruffles, only rarely seen in the chick cultures, were a major feature of the growth cones, whereas filopodia, though present, were less prominent. Removal of NGF led to loss of ruffles and to rounding up of the growth cones; NGF readdition elicited a rapid (less than 30 sec) reinitiation of ruffling and a more gradual (over tens of minutes) respreading of growth cones. These findings illustrate not only that NGF can regulate growth cone properties, but also that there is a diversity as to how this is manifested. Possible mechanisms and biological roles for this regulation are discussed.
Functional reach : Predictive validity in a sample of elderly male veterans

Focus groups were used to explore a range of issues concerning breast cancer screening in elderly women and to contribute to defining a research agenda. Two groups consisted of women aged 65-75 and 75 and older, and one group consisted of primary care physicians. Predominant topic areas were women's awareness of breast cancer and screening information, attitudes and perceived barriers to screening (including those related to women themselves, to the health care system, and to physicians), issues related to relationships within the medical community, and opinions about and priorities for change.
Subtyping Isolates of Haemophilus influenzae Type b by Outer-Membrane Protein Profiles

Outer-membrane proteins from isolates of Haemophilus influenzae type b were examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Sarcosinate-insoluble membrane preparations contained one peptide with a molecular weight of 16,000 and four major peptides with molecular weights of 25,000-40,000. A peptide with a molecular weight of 49,000 (50,000 in some strains) was observed after the samples were heated at 100 C. Fifty-one isolates obtained from patients hospitalized with invasive diseases, primarily meningitis, could be subclassified into nine categories based on reproducible and clearly resolvable differences in the outer-membrane protein profiles. Five categories accounted for 92% of the isolates. Complete concordance was observed in subtypes of strains obtained from epidemiologically related cases and contacts. Thus, comparison of the major outer-membrane proteins of H. influenzae type b is a useful technique for investigating the transmission of the organism and may provide a basis for further immunologic characterization of the outer-membrane proteins.